How to Fix 80s Bangs

1980s hair was as big as possible.

Bangs in the 1980s had as much volume as possible, hairspray being the essential styling product of choice. Men and women wore all lengths of hair teased, fluffed and spiked, often adorned with high bangs. Bangs are an effective part of any 1980s party outfit and you can be experimental with the styles you try. For a sleeker 1980s fashion fix, try blow-drying your bangs in the style of a1980s power-dressing bob.

Things You'll Need

• Hairdryer
• Fine-tooth comb
• Hairspray
• Radial brush
• Mousse or volumizing blow-dry spray (optional)

Instructions

Teased Bangs

1. Wash hair and style as desired, preferably with plenty of volume. You could use mousse or volumizing root-spray when blow-drying to create the required '80s body. Tease hair at the crown section so that it stands up.

2. 

   Use a fine-tooth comb for teasing.

   Separate sections of your bangs and begin teasing from underneath until you have the desired volume. Teasing means combing tiny sections of hair towards the roots, in small strokes, working back toward the ends.

3. Create a puffed-up appearance by teasing just the underneath section, or carry on and volumize all your bangs.

4. Spritz each teased section with hairspray as you work. This helps to maintain volume throughout the process and means that you can pull and sweep hair into place as it stands up.

5. Fix your bangs with a final coating of strong-hold hairspray, when you are happy with the height and volume.

Power-Bob Bangs

1. Blow-dry bangs with the hairdryer turned up to high speed. Use a narrow nozzle attachment, if you have one, and move the hairdryer around, angling the hot air down the hair shaft. This makes hair smooth and shiny but prevents the flatness you get from brushing it straight while you blow-dry.

2. Shape bangs when nearly dry, by using a radial brush to finish the blow-drying process. Roll the brush under bangs as you angle the dryer down the hair shaft. The heat combined with the shape of the brush makes hair roll under very slightly.

3. Smooth your bangs once or twice, using your palms, so that hair sits down without losing bounce. Serum looks distinctly not-'80s, so if you need help with flyaway hair, use a little hairspray.

4. Compliment your perfectly '80s bangs by wearing the rest of your hair straight and curled underneath, using the same radial brush method.

Tips & Warnings

• Popular 1980s "mall bangs" were teased all over and sprayed to stand on end, often being swept back and to the side in a flat quiff that was several inches high. Wear this with short or long styles for an authentic '80s costume.

• Bright colors and crimping are perfect for a 1980s party. Crimp sections of your bangs, or all over hair. Then either let the crimped sections hang down or tease them for a fluffy rock star look. Use temporary spray-on bright colors for a post-punk fashion costume.

• Creating 1980s volume can put stress on hair, so be careful not to tear or burn it when heat styling or teasing. If you style your hair like this often, do a once-a-week deep conditioning treatment to help prevent split ends and dryness.

References

• Bella Online; Back-combing, Teasing and Ratting; Lynne Chapman
• Hairfinder: What Are Mall Bangs?
• UK Hairdressers: The History of Hair From 3000 B.C. to Present Day

Resources

• Like Totally '80s: Funky 80s Hairstyles; Back and Bigger Than Ever; October 2009