The Modern Shag
The shag is arguably the defining haircut of the 1970s, a rock 'n' roll look defined by its choppy layers and effortless texture. The modern version is less about rigid styling and more about embracing your hair's natural movement. The key is asking your stylist
for soft, blended layers and a face-framing fringe. At home, styling is surprisingly low-maintenance. For a truly authentic, lived-in feel, you can let it air dry. If you want to enhance the shape, work a volumizing mousse through damp hair to boost volume at the roots. Then, use a texturizing spray on dry hair to give the layers that perfectly undone, piecey separation. The goal is casual and chic, not perfectly coiffed.
The Farrah Fawcett Flip, Simplified
No discussion of '70s hair is complete without mentioning Farrah Fawcett's iconic feathered flip. The original was a masterpiece of blow-drying and curling, but you can achieve a similar bouncy effect with much less effort. The secret is creating volume and curling the hair away from the face. Start by applying a volumizing mousse or heat protectant to damp hair. For a quick version, use a large-barrel curling iron on dry hair, curling one-inch sections outwards, away from your face. An even easier, heat-free method involves using large Velcro or foam rollers. Let them set while your hair is damp, or give them a quick blast with a hairdryer to lock in the shape before removing them. Brush the curls out gently to create soft, feathery waves instead of tight ringlets.
Effortless Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs were the go-to fringe of the decade, loved for their face-framing effect that was softer and less committal than a full, blunt bang. Today, they're popular for the exact same reasons. They are incredibly versatile and grow out gracefully, blending into your layers over time. Styling is simple: use a medium round brush and a blow dryer to sweep the bangs up and away from your face. This creates that signature 'curtain' part in the middle. For extra hold and lift right at the root, you can set them with a single large roller for a few minutes while you finish getting ready. A light mist of hairspray will keep them in place without making them stiff.
Sleek, Center-Parted Hair
While many '70s looks were about big volume, there was also a chic, minimalist trend for long, straight hair with a sharp center part, famously worn by stars like Cher. This is perhaps the easiest '70s style to replicate today. It works best on naturally straight or wavy hair. The key is smoothness and shine. After washing, apply a heat protectant spray before blow-drying your hair straight. Follow up with a flat iron to get the ends perfectly sleek. Create a precise center part using the end of a comb. The finishing touch is a few drops of shine serum or a lightweight hair oil applied from the mid-lengths to the ends to give it that glossy, healthy-looking finish and tame any flyaways.
The Bouncy Blowout
Before the feathered flip took over, the simple bouncy blowout was a staple. This look is all about volume, body, and healthy-looking shine. It's less about defined curls and more about creating soft, touchable movement throughout the hair. To get the look, apply a volumizing product at the roots of damp hair. Section your hair and use a large round brush to blow-dry, lifting the hair up from the root as you dry to create maximum volume. Gently curl the ends under with the brush for a polished finish. Once your hair is dry, you can gently brush through it to soften the look. A spritz of flexible-hold hairspray will help the style last all day without weighing it down.
