Scroll through any style feed and you’ll notice a recurring theme: heavy layers, flipped ends, and hair that looks shiny and touchable. That’s the enduring appeal of 70s hairstyles—they’re built on shape rather than product, which makes them surprisingly practical for everyday life. The decade produced plenty of icons, and you don’t need a time machine to wear them well.
The 70s styles worth asking for
Nearly all of these looks depend on layers, so the haircut does the heavy lifting. Choose by your natural texture and by how much styling you want on a normal morning; if you can, bring a saved photo since salon names differ.
- Feathered wings. Long layers fall around the chin and curve outward toward the cheekbones. This is the Farrah Fawcett classic, but it works on any shoulder-length or longer hair. Ask for layers that start just below the chin; a round brush is all you need to finish it.
- The shag. Uneven, heavily cut layers, curtain bangs, and most of the volume near the crown. It’s the most forgiving in high humidity: air-dry, add texturizing spray, and scrunch. It also flatters natural waves and curls.
- The wedge. A rounded short haircut that sits close to the head and tapers at the nape, inspired by Dorothy Hamill. It looks sharp on petite and oval faces, but it is a true salon commitment; expect a trim every four weeks to keep the silhouette clean.
- The rounded Afro. A full, curved shape that lets natural coily texture shine. The Afro was an important symbol of Black pride in the ’70s, so it deserves a stylist who regularly works with textured hair. At home, shape gently with a pick, keep hair moisturized, and sleep on satin.
- Disco waves. Long, polished waves with a deep side part or middle part. Use a 1.5-inch curling iron, curl in sections, then brush through once cool and seal the ends with a drop of shine serum.
The 70s styling formula
Once the right layers are in place, a consistent routine matters more than a perfect blowout. About fifteen minutes should do it.
- Work a golf-ball-size amount of volumizing mousse through damp hair, then divide it into four sections with clips.
- Blow-dry each section with a 2-inch round brush. When you near the ends, rotate the brush outward to build a soft wing.
- For extra bend, wrap one-inch sections around the brush and direct warm air over each for ten seconds; unwind and let them cool.
- Once all sections are dry, lightly tousle the roots with your fingers and finish with a flexible-hold hairspray.
💡 Note: If your hair is fine or fragile, use a smaller amount of mousse and skip the extra heat in step three. Wrap nearly dry sections around velcro rollers for ten minutes instead; you’ll get the same curved shape with less risk of damage.
The most flattering 70s-inspired cut is the one you don’t mind styling on a busy weekday. If you’re not sure where to begin, ask for face-framing layers or a soft shag—both are low-stakes first steps into the decade. Let your natural movement show, and you’ll understand why these styles never really left.
Related Terms:
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