1970's Beauty Trend and Hair Style

Women’s 1970's Hairstyles: An Overview

Like the preceding sixties, the seventies was a diverse decade for hairstyles.New styles were being created throughout the decade. There was a lot of experimentation and hair was sometimes a direct expression of the times.Women’s 1970s hairstyles varied from long, soft and feminine to short, edgy and androgynous.Here we take a look at what and who influenced 1970's hairstyling, and review the most popular styles worn by women throughout the decade.

Influences on Hair

Films and its stars were as influential as ever on fashion. Lisa Minelli’s short feathered cut in Cabaret (1972) and Jane Fonda’s androgynous shag hairstyle in Klute (1971) could be seen in various forms throughout the decade.

Television and Farrah

Television was a national obsession in many Western countries, and the TV was often the focal point of the home.With adverts, music shows and a wealth of series in all genres, TV was a major influence on people’s lives, fashion choices and attitudes.

Farrah Fawcett-Majors was one massive influence on mid-1970's hair. Ah, the lovely Farrah hit our screens in 1976 courtesy of Charlie’s Angels.With her long feather cut and big flicked hair, Farrah was the poster girl of many a teen’s bedroom – and the Dads didn’t mind a jot!

Nostalgia and Art Deco

Nostalgia was big in the 70's, leading to a whimsical look back to various periods, especially the 1920's through to 1950's. This looking to the past can be seen in fashion, TV shows and films, and music.There was an art Deco revival in the first half of the decade, with hair and make-up taking a lead from the’20's and 30's in particular.Several films were set during this era, including The Boy Friend (1971) with Twiggy and The Great Gatsby (1974) with Mia Farrow, which kept the evergreen bob in fashion. Nostalgia wasn't always an accurate look back. For example, Olivia Newton John‘s final “Sandy” hairdo in Grease, that big mass of bubbly curls, was more 1970's than an accurate style from the 50's, the era the film was set in.

Olivia Newton John from "Sandy"

Music

Music and fashion continued to hold hands. The 70's sounds of glam rock, disco, funk, northern soul, new wave and punk each had their signature looks and style. Punks were out to shock with cropped hair, shaved heads and crazy-coloured sculptures, such as Mohicans, horns and spikes.

Influential women in music include Donna Summer (numerous wigs and looks, but always glam and fashionable), Cher, Debbie Harry (bleached blonde with a fringe),Barbra Streisand and Siouxsie Sioux (spiked black hair), among many others.

Hairdressers

Hairdressers created a few styles during the decade that were copied by many and some can still be seen today, albeit with modern twists. The shag, as seen on Jane Fonda in Klute, is credited to one-time hairdresser Paul McGregor. British hairdresser Trevor Sorbie created the wedge in 1974, a short, layered and angular style, and Jheri Redding created the Jheri cul, a loose glossy hairstyle worn predominantly by African Americans.

References:

H&MUA Team. (Jan 2013). http://hair-and-makeup-artist.com/womens-1970s-hairstyles/. Available: http://hair-and-makeup-artist.com/womens-1970s-hairstyles/. Last accessed October 2015.