There’s something magical about flipping through vintage photographs from the 1960s through the 1990s, those towering beehives, cascading Farrah Fawcett waves, and gloriously voluminous 80s manes that seemed to defy gravity. If you’ve ever wondered how women achieved such dramatic hair transformations during these iconic decades, the secret often wasn’t just hours of backcombing and hairspray. Many of these legendary looks relied on a little extra help in the form of added hair.
Why Volume Mattered Across the Decades
Each decade had its own relationship with hair volume. The 1960s were all about structured, gravity-defying height, beehives and bouffants that required serious teasing and often hairpieces. The 1970s brought softer, more natural volume with Farrah Fawcett’s feathered layers leading the way. The 1980s took volume to its absolute extreme with big curls and even bigger hair spray. The 1990s oscillated between sleek minimalism and grunge texture, but length was key for both aesthetics.
Choosing the Right Hair Extensions
When recreating vintage hairstyles, the quality and type of hair you choose matters tremendously. According to Tiana Robinson, a Hair & Wig Specialist and Beauty Writer at UNice, selecting the right hair quality is crucial: “The texture and movement of the hair extensions need to blend seamlessly with your natural hair, especially when you’re trying to achieve the bounce and body that defined these classic decades.”
For period-accurate looks, investing in human virgin hair bundles makes a significant difference. Unlike synthetic options, human hair can be heat-styled, colored, and manipulated just like your own hair, essential when you’re mastering vintage techniques like pin curls, hot roller sets, or the precision blow-drying that defined these eras.
The 1960s: Structured Perfection
The 1960s silhouette was all about smooth, controlled volume concentrated at the crown. To recreate this authentically, start by sectioning your hair and adding volume at the crown through backcombing. If your natural hair is fine or thin, clip-in extensions at the crown area will give you the foundation needed for that signature height.
For the classic flip, use hot rollers or a round brush with a blow dryer to create that perfect outward curl at the ends. The key is creating a smooth, glossy surface with maximum volume underneath — a look that absolutely requires the right foundation of hair to work with.
The 1970s: Feathered and Flowing
The 70s were defined by movement and natural-looking volume. Farrah Fawcett’s iconic feathered look became the blueprint, but achieving it required the right length and layers.
For hairstyles with quick weave techniques, you can create a full 70s-inspired look relatively quickly. The secret is installing extensions that allow for those characteristic layers and ensuring the hair has enough natural movement to sweep back from your face in signature wings.
Blow-dry your hair in sections, rolling each section around a large round brush and directing it away from your face. The goal is soft, voluminous layers that catch light and move naturally.
The 1980s: Maximum Volume
If there was ever a decade that embraced “more is more,” it was the 1980s. From crimped texture to spiral perms, the 80s had it all.
For a classic 80s power look, start by applying volumizing mousse to damp hair. Add your extensions, focusing on the crown and sides for maximum fullness. Use hot rollers throughout for all-over curl, then flip upside down and gently shake out the curls. When you flip back up, tease at the crown for even more height.
The beauty of using quality human hair extensions for 80s styles is that they can withstand the heat, teasing, and product these looks require.
The 1990s: Sleek or Textured
The 90s brought everything from super-straight, glossy hair to textured grunge aesthetics. For the sleek look popularized by 90s celebrities, use a flat iron to create that glossy, pin-straight finish with shine serum. For textured, piece-y looks, use a large-barrel curling iron to create soft, loose waves that look effortlessly tousled.
Tips for Success
Blending is Everything: The most important aspect is ensuring extensions blend seamlessly with your natural hair. Match not just color, but texture and movement too.
Heat Styling Matters: Vintage hairstyles required significant heat styling, which is why using human hair rather than synthetic options is essential.
Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t expect to nail a perfect beehive or Farrah flip on your first try. Set aside time to experiment and refine your technique.
Care for Your Extensions: When regularly heat-styling, deep condition your extensions, store them properly, and trim as needed to maintain their shape.
Embrace the Journey
Learning to recreate authentic vintage hairstyles is a journey of discovery. The most important thing is to have fun with it! Vintage beauty is all about celebrating the creativity and boldness of past eras. Whether you’re a vintage purist or someone who loves mixing retro elements with modern style, these techniques give you the foundation to experiment.
So gather your tools, invest in quality extensions, and get ready to time-travel through the most fabulous hair decades in modern history. Your perfect vintage-inspired mane is waiting!