Throughout time, hairstyles have made bold statements, sometimes for all the wrong reasons. From mullets to perms, the world has seen its fair share of hair blunders.
Get ready for a journey through hair history that might just make you appreciate your current look a little bit more.
1. The Mullet
The mullet, a hairstyle that screams ‘business in the front, party in the back,’ had its heyday in the ’80s. This cut has often been the butt of jokes.
The stark difference between the front and back length makes it memorable, if not regrettable. Many have reconsidered this look over the years.
2. Crimped Hair
Crimped hair was all the rage in the ’80s, giving hair a zig-zag texture. Achieved with a crimping iron, this style was a staple on dance floors.
However, the unnatural look and the damage caused by excessive heat have led to many regrets and a longing for smoother, healthier locks.
3. The Bowl Cut
The bowl cut, often associated with children, involves cutting hair to a uniform length around the head. It’s as if a bowl was placed on the head and snipped around.
Despite its simplicity, the lack of style has made it a regrettable choice for many looking back at childhood photos.
4. Frosted Tips
Frosted tips had their moment in the sun during the late ’90s and early 2000s. This style involved lightening the tips of short hair, creating a contrast.
While it was trendy among pop stars, the harsh distinction and high maintenance have left many wishing for a more natural appearance.
5. The Perm
The perm, short for permanent wave, was an ’80s sensation that gave hair tight curls. The process involved chemicals and heat, often resulting in fried and frizzy hair.
Though some embraced the volume and drama, the long-term damage left a trail of regret for those chasing the curly dream.
6. The Rat Tail
The rat tail saw a brief popularity spike, particularly among boys. This style features a small section of hair left to grow longer than the rest.
While unique, many who embraced this look often faced teasing. Today, it’s more likely to cause chuckles than admiration when revisiting old photos.
7. The Beehive
The beehive emerged in the ’60s as a towering hairstyle that required copious amounts of hairspray. Creating the iconic height involved teasing hair into place.
Despite its glamorous intent, the upkeep and potential for damage have made it a regrettable style choice for those who tried to reach new heights.
8. The Hi-Top Fade
The hi-top fade reached its peak during the late ’80s and early ’90s, especially within hip-hop culture.
Characterized by high, flat-topped hair with shorter sides, it was a striking look. However, the precise maintenance required and its niche style led some to rethink their choice as fashion evolved.
9. The Liberty Spikes
Liberty spikes, popular in punk circles, involve shaping hair into stiff, vertical spikes. Achieving this look requires strong gels and sprays.
While it makes a bold statement, the time-consuming process and potential for damage leave many former punk enthusiasts looking back with mixed feelings about the choice.
10. The Jheri Curl
The Jheri curl, popular in the ’80s, offered glossy curls. This style required chemical treatments and constant moisturizing.
Despite its initial popularity, the greasy residue left on clothing and the intensive upkeep involved have made it a regrettable hairstyle for those once enamored by its shine.
11. The Mohawk
The Mohawk is a rebellious hairstyle featuring shaved sides and a strip of longer hair in the center.
While it served as a symbol of nonconformity, the dramatic nature and challenges in growing it out make it a regrettable choice for some. Yet, it remains an iconic symbol for others.
12. The Bouffant
The bouffant was a voluminous style popular in the ’50s and ’60s. Achieving the look involved teasing hair and using hairspray to maintain its height.
Over time, the effort required and the damage from styling took a toll, making it a less desirable option as more natural looks gained favor.
13. The Shag
The shag haircut features layers and a feathered look, popular in the ’70s. While it offered a carefree vibe, the uneven layers required frequent trims to maintain its shape.
As styles shifted towards cleaner cuts, many looked back at the shag with a sense of nostalgia and slight regret.
14. The Ducktail
The ducktail, or “DA,” was popular among greasers in the ’50s. It involved slicking back hair to meet in the middle, forming a “duck’s tail.”
Though a symbol of rebellion, the greasiness required to maintain the look and the dated appearance today make it a style many have left behind.
15. The Pixie Cut
The pixie cut is a short hairstyle that emphasizes facial features. While it provides a fresh and bold look, the drastic change from longer hair can lead to regret.
The need for frequent trims to maintain the style and the patience required to grow it out add to the list of drawbacks.
16. The Pageboy
The pageboy haircut is a classic style with straight, even-length hair and inward-curled ends. Popular in the ’60s, its simplicity appealed to many.
However, the lack of versatility and the dated appearance in modern times have made it a style that some reflect on with a sense of regret.
17. The Feathered Look
The feathered look, made famous by celebrities in the ’70s, involved layering hair to create a feather-like effect.
While the style exuded carefree elegance, it required constant maintenance and a blow-dryer to perfect. As trends evolved, the feathered look became a relic of the past, leaving some regretting the effort involved.
18. The Emo Swept Bangs
Emo swept bangs, a staple of the emo scene, involve long bangs covering one eye. This dramatic style can obstruct vision and requires constant adjustment.
As the emo trend waned, many who sported this look moved on to more practical styles, often laughing at old photos of their youthful angst.
19. The Flat Top
The flat top, characterized by its flat, horizontal top, was popular in the military and beyond.
While it offered a structured and neat appearance, the maintenance required to keep it level and the limited versatility have made it a hairstyle that some have left in the past.
20. The Mushroom Cut
The mushroom cut, similar to the bowl cut, features hair cut to a uniform length with rounded edges. Popular in the ’90s, it was often seen on children.
The lack of individuality and the unflattering silhouette have led many who wore it to consider this style a fashion misstep.
21. The Afro
The Afro, a symbol of the ’70s, celebrated natural, voluminous curls. While culturally significant, the size and maintenance involved could be overwhelming.
Styling the Afro required patience and care, and as trends shifted towards more subdued looks, some found themselves longing for a simpler hair routine.
22. The Spiky Gelled Hair
Spiky gelled hair was a hallmark of the early 2000s. This look involved copious amounts of gel to create spikes.
While it was trendy among certain subcultures, the rigidity of the gel and the unnatural appearance have led many to prefer styles with more movement and less product dependency.
23. The Cornrows
Cornrows are a traditional African hairstyle involving braiding hair close to the scalp. While they hold cultural significance and can be beautifully intricate, tight braiding can lead to tension and scalp pain.
As some trends favor looser styles, those who have worn cornrows might reflect on the discomfort involved.
24. The Slicked Back Undercut
The slicked-back undercut combines short sides and back with longer top hair slicked back.
While it offers a modern and sophisticated look, the amount of product needed and the frequent maintenance can lead to regret. As more natural styles gain popularity, the slicked-back undercut finds fewer fans.
25. The Sideburns
Exaggerated sideburns were popular in the ’70s, often complementing other bold fashion statements. While they can add character, the dramatic look can overshadow other features.
As grooming trends favored more balanced styles, the prominence of sideburns has diminished, leaving only memories of their once iconic status.
26. The Faux Hawk
The faux hawk offers the essence of a Mohawk without the commitment. It involves styling the center hair upward while keeping the sides short.
While it provides flexibility, the look can appear indecisive, neither here nor there, making it a style some reconsider as they seek more defined looks.
27. The Frosted Mullet
The frosted mullet combines two notorious hairstyles: mullet and frosted tips. This hybrid, popular in the ’80s, involved lightening the tips of a mullet.
While it made a loud fashion statement, the combination of two already divisive styles has led to widespread regret among those who dared to try both.
28. The Eighties Perm
The eighties perm was all about volume and curls. It promised a bouncy, lively look, but often resulted in frizz and over-processing.
Maintaining the curls required constant care, and as sleek styles became trendy, many regretted the damage and the time spent trying to tame their exuberant curls.
29. The Rattail with Beads
The rattail with beads added flair to the standard rattail by incorporating colorful beads. While it offered a sense of individuality, the unconventional look often attracted teasing.
The difficulty in maintaining and styling something so specific has led many to leave it behind as a relic of youthful experimentation.