How to Get the Hottest Hair Looks of the '80s

The late Tina Turner was known for many things—that voice! those legs!—and the mullet. Little known fact: Her iconic '80s hairdo, seen at her performance at Wembley Arena in 1985, was actually a wig.

Best known as the original Daisy Duke on the television show The Dukes of Hazzard, Catherine Bach flaunted these '70s barrel curls both off and on the silver screen. To recreate at home, try large rollers.

Her role as Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show established actress Lisa Bonet as an '80s It Girl. Her hair is styled in thin locks adorned with beads. Clearly, cool girl runs in her genes since daughter Zoe Kravitz embodies the same energy.

Actress Jodie Foster’s cool-girl’80s ensemble (worn to see a Eurythmics concert at the Roxy) is identical to one you’d see at a concert today. The hair isn’t fussy—blown out straight with a bit of a flip at the end.

Fleetwood Mac lead singer Stevie Nicks may not have inspired The Eagles’ “Witchy Woman,” but she definitely embodies the vibe. Her shaggy haircut is an ’80s version of the wolf cut (a grown-out mullet).

Actress Jessica Lange was rocking the Italian bob before it was known by that name. This shot from 1981 is actually a promotional photo for a Head & Shoulders campaign (hello!!)

Charlene Tilton starred as Lucy Ewing on the hit show “Dallas”—and her giant barrel curls definitely fit the role.

Molly Ringwald is the iconic 1980s girl. Her signature red hair (dyed! She was born a brunette.) and natural texture were all the rage during her run of John Hughs films.

The three stars of 1987’s The Witches of Eastwick—Michelle Pfeiffer (left), Cher, and Susan Sarandon—curls grew larger and larger as the movie’s main character wove his magic.

Winona Ryder’s ’80s hits don’t quit— including Heathers, Beetlejuice, and Mermaids. She was also a never-ending beauty inspiration for the decade with her cool-girl haircuts and minimalist beauty.

The year is 1989 and acting queen Meryl Streep is nominated for Best Actress for A Cry in The Dark. She loses to Jodie Foster but wins with this sophisticated updo—the side-parted hair is swept into a low ponytail, and bangs have just a bit of volume.

Big, soft curls (like you’d get from hot rollers) were actress Brooke Shields’ signature hairstyle through the era. Learn more about hot rollers (and the brush out to get this level of curls) here.

This is Courtney Cox in a world before Friends. Her choppy bangs and breezy blowout are similar to the cut she sported in season 1 of the hit show.

In the 70s, actress Jane Fonda’s hair was styled in a radical mullet. For the 80s, she grew it out, tossed it in this teased updo, and added exercise entrepreneur to her resume.

Singer, actress, and overall goddess Cher conquered the decade’s biggest trend—voluminous hair—like she invented the look.

Madonna came to fame in the ’80s, continually reinventing herself. During her Marilyn Monroe-inspired era in 1986, her hair was bright golden blonde and styled in vintage curls.

Spanish-American actress Charo brought her signature hairstyle—a teased-up top knot—for her appearance on the 1980 American Music Awards.

Barbra Streisand’s brushed-back blowout at the start of the decade is decidedly old-school. You’ll need curlers (and lots of hairspray) to recreate the look at home.

Country singer and philanthropist Dolly Parton has always known the power of big hair—even in the’80s. She’s admittedly worn wigs since the 1960s, joking, “People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know; I’m never there.”

A patron saint of curly hair, Dianna Ross’s signature look of gorgeous, natural curls has been enviable for decades. Her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, was blessed with a similar crown.