From outrageous cuts to bizarre color choices, this collection highlights styles that may have seemed like a good idea at the time but ultimately missed the mark. Join us on this journey as we take a lighthearted look at the most memorable hair blunders that left us scratching our heads or chuckling in disbelief.
1. De harder
The mullet, a hairstyle that screams ‘business in the front, party in the back,’ had its heyday in the ’80s. The stark difference between the front and back length makes it memorable, if not regrettable.
2. Gekruld haar
Crimped hair was all the rage in the ’80s, giving hair a zig-zag texture. The unnatural look and the damage caused by excessive heat have led to many regrets and a longing for smoother, healthier locks.
3. De kom
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. The lack of style has made it a regrettable choice for many looking back at childhood photos.
4. Berijpte tips
Frosted tips had their moment in the sun during the late ’90s and early 2000s. While it was trendy among pop stars, the harsh distinction and high maintenance have left many wishing for a more natural appearance.
5. The Liberty Spikes
Liberty spikes, popular in punk circles, involve shaping hair into stiff, vertical spikes. 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.
6. De rattenstaart
The rat tail saw a brief popularity spike, particularly among boys. 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. De Bijenkorf
The beehive emerged in the ’60s as a towering hairstyle that required copious amounts of hairspray. 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. De 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 Perm
De permanent, kort voor permanentgolf, was een sensatie uit de jaren '80 die het haar strakke krullen gaf. Het proces ging gepaard met chemicaliën en hitte, wat vaak resulteerde in gebakken en pluizig haar.
10. De Jheri Krul
The Jheri curl, popular in the ’80s, offered glossy curls. 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. De 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. De boeffant
The bouffant was a voluminous style popular in the ’50s and ’60s. 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. De Shag
De 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. De eendenstaart
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. De Pixie-cut
De 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. De krantenjongen
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. De gevederde look
The feathered look was made famous by celebrities in the ’70s. 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. De 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. De platte bovenkant
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. De champignonsnede
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. De 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. Het piekerige haar met gel
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. De 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. De gladde 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.
25. De bakkebaarden
Overdreven bakkebaarden waren populair in de jaren 70, vaak als aanvulling op andere gedurfde fashion statements. Hoewel ze karakter kunnen toevoegen, kan de dramatische look andere kenmerken overschaduwen.
26. De valse havik
The faux hawk offers the essence of a Mohawk without the commitment. 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. De Frosted Mullet
The frosted mullet combines two notorious hairstyles: mullet and frosted tips. 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. De jaren tachtig Perm
The eighties perm was all about volume and curls. 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. De rattenstaart met kralen
The rattail with beads added flair to the standard rattail by incorporating colorful beads. The difficulty in maintaining and styling something so specific has led many to leave it behind as a relic of youthful experimentation.
30. Zoemknip
@wahlprosea
De buzz cut is often considered a major hair mistake due to its drastic nature and limited versatility. For some, it can accentuate features they prefer to downplay, leading to regrets when the initial thrill fades.
31. The Zigzag Parting
While it was initially a fun way to add some flair, the zigzag parting quickly became a regrettable choice for many. It often looked more chaotic than chic, leaving people with unpredictable hair woes.