The best hairstyles make you feel as if you are living your best life. A successful look sends your self-esteem rocketing. And as self-care is proven to be good for your mental health, who needs an excuse to be pampered in a salon chair. If you need to breathe new life into your hair, why not take some inspiration from the most iconic hairstyles in history? These are the looks that prove what we all know – great hair can be a game changer.
The Purdey
Joanna Lumley asked John Frieda to devise a look for her role in The New Avengers in 1976. The hairstyle he created was inspired by the ‘pudding bowl’ cut given to boys in the 1950s. Named after her character in the hit series, the androgynous do made a welcome change from layered cuts prevalent at the time, and inspired a generation of women. In fact, it’s still making waves with its comeback today!
The Rachel
Female roles have quite an impact in creating iconic hairstyles. Years after Joanna, it was through our TV screens. When Jennifer Aniston’s Friends character Rachel Green debuted a new haircut in an April 1995 episode of the show, salons were inundated with requests for the cut. Shaggy, layered and highlighted it was a late-90s phenomenon. Created by stylist Chris McMilan to be ‘a bit different’, the do meant big business for hairdressers as fans rushed in droves to copy the look.
All hail The Afro
No one epitomised the glamour of Motown better than Diana Ross. She styled her own hair and did her own make-up, experimenting with directional, trend-setting looks. This stunning, fabulous do was 1970s style at its fines, and showcased her natural curls, teasing them out to a larger-than-life Afro.
Blondie ambition
Iconic hairstyles come from iconic people, and Debbie Harry was the ultimate punk pin-up and Warhol muse. She told Vogue that in the early days, she mainly cut and bleached her own hair. Christian Houtenbos was the only stylist she went to, and he encouraged her to keep doing her own blonde as it ‘just worked’. The platinum shade and textured bob suits most skin colours, ages and face shapes. Perhaps we have found you your next chop?
The Pob
Victoria Beckham has experiemnted with different hairdos over the years. From extensions to crops, colour and length – there’s not much she hasn’t tried! It’s her trademark bob that has inspired the most though. So much so that it was renamed the Pob! This tousled, shoulder-length version is our favourite. Worn with neutral make-up, it’s classic VB at her most chic.
Feathered Flip
Farah Fawcett’s wholesome Californian girl looks and lustrous, wavy do kick-started the trend for ‘feathered’ hair in the 1970s. The style was created by Allen Edwards, and was key to her role in the TV series Charlie’s Angels. It quickly became one of the most asked-for iconic hairstyles of all time.
Beehive Yourself
Brigitte Bardot’s bouffant do is one of the most enigmatic looks that has come around time and time again. Synonymous with sex-appeal, it has been adopted by celebrities such as Kate Moss and Adele. Versions of it have appeared on the red carpet worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Penelopé Cruz and Jennifer Lopez . Most recently, the 90s Claudia Schiffer version was adapted for Nicola Peltz on her wedding day to Brooklyn Beckham. Relatively easy to achieve with hairspray, it stays in place and always looks fabulous.
First Lady chic
Michelle Obama’s go-to stylist Johnny Wright wanted to communicate her ‘confidence, resilience and boldness’ through a do that also worked for the role of First Lady. This shoulder-length bob could be styled in different ways for daytime or evening engagements. With flipped ends, the modern elegant look frames her face beautifully. It’s no surprise that those youthful bangs caught on as a major trend and solidified this style among the most iconic hairstyles.
Pixie Crop
When 16-year-old Twiggy went for a shampoo and set to Mayfair salon House of Leonard, the owner asked if he could cut her hair. Too shy to say no, she ended up with the iconic pixie crop cut we all still try mimic today. A Daily Express journalist saw a photo of it and named her ‘the Face of 1966.’ The rest is history!
Glossy blow-dry
The Duchess of Cambridge’s glossy, bouncy blow-dry oozes luxury and glamour. But without trying too hard. Richard Ward, the hairdresser responsible for her wedding-day hair, is the expert behind Kate’s shiny, healthy hair and signature look. Subtle highlights add warmth to her natural chestnut locks. Although her much emulated style might look effortless, it is actually very high-maintenance.
