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Does your hairstyle define you? In revisiting the 60s, 70s and 80s hairstyles, it is interesting to see that there were definite trend setters and celebrities set many of the trends for the fans and adoring public.

The most popular hair do during the 60s was the flip. The hair was lifted on the crown by back combing and the shoulder length hair flared out at the tips. During this time the geometric cut and bob became very popular. The bob having made its debut many years prior to the 60s was resurrected by stylist Vidal Sassoon.

Most notable hairstyles of the 1960s were Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Mary Tyler Moore and Donna Read. Donna Reed and Mary Tyler Moore were the TV super moms who always had perfect hair. Jackie Kennedy made the bouffant look universal and Princess Grace was always elegant in a soft simple hairstyle. Marilyn had soft big curls and always looked great.

Men's hairstyles, influenced by pop singers, became longer in the 60s and the trend continued into the 70s. Sideburns also became popular. In prior decades, men's styles were short and simple.

The 1970s continued with the bob and long casual styles along with the other notable styles. The Farrah Fawcett look was the new styling wonder. Long layered curls and a big mane of hair defined this look. 1976 brought us Dorothy Hamill, the Olympic winning ice skater, who introduced us to the wedge cut. The public quickly adopted the wedge and some variations of the wedge cut are still worn today.

Short and choppy was the look of the 1980s, although this era still kept a longer version of the bob, the wedge and the up-swept curls and hair styles of previous decades. Meg Ryan and Madonna favored the short choppy look. Falls and hair extensions became popular in this era also.

In addition to all of the styles mentioned, wedding and prom hairstyles were in a class of their own favoring up-swept hair styles and curls.

Whether you're a trend setter or a bench warmer in the world of hair styles, we can all appreciate the history of past hairstyles of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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