70s Hairstyles for Long Hair A Retro Look

Iconic 70s Long Hairstyles

70s hairstyles for long hair – The 1970s witnessed a flourishing of long hairstyles, characterized by volume, layers, and a distinct sense of freedom. Several iconic styles emerged, shaping the decade’s aesthetic and leaving a lasting impact on hair fashion.

The Farrah Fawcett Hairstyle

The Farrah Fawcett hairstyle, synonymous with 70s glamour, featured a perfectly tousled, layered look with face-framing pieces and significant volume. Variations included slightly shorter lengths, more pronounced layers for a shaggier feel, or a smoother, more polished finish achieved with careful brushing and hairspray. The key was achieving that effortless, windswept appearance, even if it required considerable styling effort.

Recreating a Feathered Hairstyle

Feathered hairstyles were incredibly popular in the 70s. Achieving this look requires layering and careful styling.

1. Start with freshly washed, conditioned hair. Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair.
2. Use a round brush and hairdryer to create volume at the roots, directing the hair outwards to create lift.
3. Once dry, use a teasing comb to add subtle texture and volume to the ends of the layers.
4. Apply a light-hold hairspray to set the style and maintain the feathered effect. Avoid heavy sprays that can make the hair look stiff.

Layered and Voluminous Long Hairstyles

Many 70s long hairstyles emphasized layers and volume, creating movement and texture. These styles ranged from soft, flowing waves to more structured, sculpted looks.

Hairstyle Name	Description	Key Features	Styling Products
Long Layered Shag	A textured style with varying lengths and layers, creating a choppy, carefree appearance. Often incorporated face-framing layers and subtle waves.	Uneven layers, textured ends, movement, and volume	Volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray
Voluminous Cascade	Long hair styled with numerous layers, cascading down the back in a waterfall-like effect. Significant volume is a key element.	Long layers, flowing movement, substantial volume, often styled with a center part.	Volumizing mousse, setting lotion, hairspray
Layered Flip	Similar to a cascade, but the ends are flipped outwards, adding a playful and dynamic touch. Often involved carefully curled or flipped ends.	Layers, outward-flipped ends, often incorporated bangs or a fringe	Rollers, curling iron, hairspray
Long, Layered Waves	A style featuring long layers and soft, flowing waves. The waves added texture and movement, often styled with a side part.	Soft waves, layers that blend seamlessly, natural movement	Setting lotion, rollers, or curling iron, light-hold hairspray

Hair Accessories and Styling Products of the 70s

The 70s were a time of experimentation with both hair accessories and styling products, which played a crucial role in shaping the era’s iconic hairstyles.

Headbands, Scarves, and Barrettes

Headbands, scarves, and barrettes were essential accessories for 70s long hairstyles. Wide headbands, often adorned with patterns or embellishments, were used to hold back hair, add a touch of bohemian flair, or simply as a stylish statement. Silk scarves could be tied around the head in various ways, adding color and texture. Barrettes, ranging from simple to ornate, were used to secure sections of hair or add decorative accents.

A typical 70s hair accessory styling might involve a wide patterned headband pushing back a voluminous, layered hairstyle, allowing face-framing tendrils to fall softly around the face. This added a touch of both practicality and fashion to the overall look.

The seventies saw a flourishing of long hairstyles, from flowing waves to elaborate braids. Interestingly, this era’s emphasis on length contrasts sharply with the styles of the previous decade; for a glimpse into the shorter, more structured looks of the sixties, check out this resource on short hair 60’s hairstyles. Returning to the seventies, the decade’s long hair trends reflected a spirit of freedom and individuality, showcasing a variety of textures and lengths.

Hair Products and Their Effects

The 70s saw the rise of various hair products designed to achieve the voluminous, textured styles of the era. Mousse provided lift and volume at the roots, while hairsprays offered hold and helped to set styles. Setting lotions were also popular, adding body and helping to maintain curls or waves.

Styling Techniques for Straight vs. Wavy/Curly Hair

Styling techniques differed depending on hair texture. Straight hair often involved using rollers or hot styling tools to add volume and create subtle waves or flips. Wavy or curly hair frequently involved using setting lotions and diffusers to enhance natural texture and create voluminous curls. Both straight and wavy/curly hair benefited from the use of volumizing mousse and hairspray to achieve the signature 70s look.

Influence of Culture and Trends on 70s Long Hair

The 1970s hairstyles were deeply influenced by popular culture icons and broader cultural movements, creating a diverse range of styles that reflected the decade’s spirit.

Impact of Popular Culture Icons

Icons like Farrah Fawcett, Cher, and Stevie Nicks significantly influenced 70s hairstyles. Their individual styles, often characterized by layers, volume, and unique accessories, became aspirational looks for many. Music videos and movies further popularized these trends.

Cultural Movements and Hair Styling, 70s hairstyles for long hair

The counterculture movement of the 60s continued to influence the 70s, promoting a sense of freedom and individuality in hair styling. The rise of disco also impacted hairstyles, with some styles incorporating a more glamorous and polished aesthetic.

Subcultures and Their Hairstyles

• Hippies: Long, flowing hair, often with braids or headbands.
• Disco: Big, voluminous hair, often styled with rollers and hairspray.
• Punk: Short, choppy styles or long hair with a messy, unkempt appearance (though less common with long hair).

Modern Interpretations of 70s Long Hairstyles: 70s Hairstyles For Long Hair

Elements of 70s long hairstyles continue to inspire modern looks, often adapted to suit contemporary tastes and styling techniques.

Incorporating 70s Elements into Modern Looks

Modern interpretations often incorporate the layered texture and volume of 70s styles but with a more refined or less structured approach. The focus is often on creating movement and effortless texture rather than perfectly sculpted styles. Subtle waves and face-framing layers are common elements.

Modern Hairstyles Inspired by the 70s

• Modern Shag: A more refined version of the 70s shag, often with softer layers and a less choppy texture.
• Long Layered Waves: Long hair with subtle waves and layers, creating a romantic and effortless look.
• Textured Lob: A shorter version of the 70s long hairstyles, maintaining the layered texture and volume.

Differences Between Authentic and Modern Styles

Modern interpretations often prioritize a more natural and less structured look than their 70s counterparts. While the emphasis on layers and volume remains, the styling techniques and the overall aesthetic are often more relaxed and less rigid.

Illustrative Descriptions of 70s Long Hairstyles

Several distinct 70s long hairstyles showcased unique textures, lengths, and styling approaches, each with its own character and appeal.

Bohemian Long Hairstyle

A bohemian long hairstyle from the 70s would feature long, loose waves or curls, often with a center part. The texture would be slightly undone and carefree, with variations in length and volume. Light would catch the highlights and lowlights, creating depth and dimension. Shadows would accentuate the waves and curls, adding to the overall romantic and effortless aesthetic.

The hair would cascade freely, possibly with some braids or beads incorporated for added detail.

Voluminous, Layered Long Hairstyle

A voluminous, layered long hairstyle would involve many layers of varying lengths, creating a cascading effect. The use of volumizing mousse and hairspray would be evident, contributing to the significant volume and lift at the roots. From the front, the layers would frame the face, while from the back, the cascading layers would create a dramatic, full shape.

From the side, the volume and layers would be clearly visible, showcasing the structured yet dynamic nature of the style. The overall shape would be round and full, with a sense of movement and bounce.

Center-Parted, Straight Long Hairstyle

A center-parted, straight long hairstyle would exemplify simplicity and elegance. The hair would be sleek and straight, with a precise center part. The ends could be styled in several ways—flipped under for a classic look, left straight for a more modern feel, or even slightly curled outwards for a subtle variation. The style would emphasize the hair’s natural shine and healthy appearance, with a focus on clean lines and a polished finish.

This hairstyle would project a sense of sophistication and understated beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were some common hair colors in the 70s for long hair?

Natural shades were popular, but highlights and streaks, often in lighter browns and blondes, were also common. Deep reddish-brown and auburn shades were also fashionable.

How did 70s hairstyles differ based on hair texture?

Straight hair was often styled sleek and straight or with subtle flips at the ends. Wavy or curly hair embraced volume and layers, often using techniques like backcombing and teasing to create height and body.

Were there any specific tools used to create 70s hairstyles?

Large round brushes, curling irons (for both large and small curls), and hot rollers were essential tools. A teasing comb was also vital for creating volume.