80s Voluminous Layered Perm – Medium Curly Hairstyle with Glamorous Lift
Summary
An 80s-inspired Voluminous Layered Perm – a curly, long shag with a lifted crown and soft, feathered fringe – this style celebrates texture, movement, and presence. Defined curls, airy height, and rounded layering frame the face beautifully, giving a glamorous yet approachable look that photographs exceptionally well.
The 80s Voluminous Layered Perm
This hairstyle builds on a long hair foundation that, when straight, sits beyond the shoulders; once curled, it reads as medium to long length with a rounded halo of volume. The cut uses graduated layers through the crown and upper sides, stepping down to longer layers at the nape. That architecture creates a plush silhouette: height at the crown, fullness at the mid-sections, and a softly tapered outline that keeps the shape from looking heavy.
The fringe is light and feathered, blending into the side layers rather than forming a hard line. It is usually styled with a slight separation so that short tendrils kiss the brow and then melt into the curls at the temples. The parting is subtle – often a loose off-centre or diffused part – because the top is lifted and the fringe disperses the hairline. Texture is curly to very wavy, typically set by a perm or by hot rollers, then expanded with a brush-out and scrunch for a fluffy, touchable finish. Products prioritize mousse for body, volumizing spray at the roots, and a light, flexible hairspray to hold the lift without stiffening the curl pattern.
From the front, the style forms a rounded diamond: height at the crown, fullness at cheekbone level, and a gentle narrowing at the neck. In profile, the crown lift gives a glamorous arc that reads instantly 1980s. The result is striking yet balanced – dramatic enough for evening, soft enough for daytime.
Who it flatters:
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Works particularly well on oval, heart, and soft-square faces, where cheekbone emphasis and top volume are flattering.
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The airy fringe helps shorten a tall forehead and the cheek-level fullness can soften angular jawlines.
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Best with medium to thick densities; fine hair can wear it successfully with a modern, soft perm or heat-set routine.
Styling notes: Diffuse to 70–80% dryness, lift the roots with fingers or a round brush, then mist a light hairspray while lifting the crown to set the silhouette. For day-to-night, refresh with a water-based curl activator and a brief blast of warm air to revive the halo.
80s Voluminous Layered Perm Hairstyle Overview
| Hairstyle Properties | |
|---|---|
| Alternative Names | 80s Big Hair, Curly Layered Shag, Voluminous Perm |
| Hairstyle Category/Subcategory | Long Hair / Voluminous |
| Complexity | Advanced |
| Hairstyle Volume | Voluminous |
| Symmetry & Balance | |
| Texture Finish | |
| Parting/Hairline | |
| Bangs/Fringe Type | |
| Face Enhancements | |
| Hair Suitability | |
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| Hair Length Suitability | |
| Hair Structure Suitability | |
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| Hair Curl Pattern Suitability | |
| Hair Health Suitability | |
| Color Treatment Suitability | |
| Practicality | |
| Styling Difficulty | Advanced |
| Time to Style | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Maintenance | Moderate (Requires Some Styling) |
| Durability | Up to 12 hours |
| Styling Methods | |
| Styling Tools | |
| Styling Accessories | |
| Other Properties | |
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| Cultural Origins | |
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Origin, History & Cultural Influence
The Voluminous Layered Perm grew out of late-1970s texture trends when modern perm solutions and mousse-based styling became mainstream in salons. By the early to mid-1980s, fashion and pop culture embraced big, sculpted hair – a look popularized in film, television, and music videos. Actresses and pop stars on both sides of the Atlantic helped to canonize the combination of crown height, cascading layers, and a soft fringe, while advertising and editorial photography cemented the style’s cinematic profile.
In Japan, the decade’s love of glossy texture and carefully engineered volume found a receptive audience; magazines and television commercials often paired compact cars, neon scenes, and power-shouldered fashion with buoyant, permed silhouettes, aligning the style with modernity and youthful confidence. In the West, aerobics culture, night-life aesthetics, and the rise of professional blow-dry techniques encouraged fuller, more architected shapes, with hairsprays of the era providing the signature hold and lift.
Today, the look returns as a retro-modern curly shag: the cut remains layered and crown-driven, but products are lighter and finishes are softer. Worn with natural curls or a gentle contemporary perm, it channels vintage glamour while feeling current – a polished, high-impact option for portraits, parties, and editorial-leaning everyday wear.
Styling Instructions
This hairstyle requires a balanced blend of precise cutting and controlled volume styling. It can be recreated in a salon or at home with patience, the right tools, and a willingness to embrace texture. Below are the professional steps to achieve the Voluminous Layered Perm look.
Step-by-Step Styling Process
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Start with the right cut.
The foundation is a medium-length layered cut with soft graduation through the crown and sides. The ends should taper gently to maintain movement without heaviness. -
Prep the hair.
Wash with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, then towel-dry thoroughly. Apply a lightweight mousse or curl-enhancing foam evenly from roots to tips. Comb through to distribute the product without disturbing natural curl patterns. -
Create volume at the crown.
Using a round brush or your fingers, lift the hair at the crown while blow-drying on a low to medium heat. Focus on directing the roots upward to build natural lift. Avoid over-smoothing – some rough texture will help maintain body later. -
Form the curls.
For naturally straight or wavy hair, use medium to large hot rollers or a curling iron. Wrap small sections away from the face, alternating directions for a natural finish. For a traditional perm, set medium rods throughout, keeping tighter curls near the crown and looser ones toward the ends. -
Allow the shape to cool or set.
Let the curls cool completely before touching. If using rollers, remove them carefully and allow the hair to fall into place without brushing immediately. For perm clients, rinse and neutralize according to manufacturer instructions, then air-dry gently. -
Shape and define.
Once the hair is dry, gently separate the curls with fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Avoid flattening the crown. Lightly tease the root area at the top and sides if more volume is desired. -
Style the fringe.
Use a small round brush or your fingers to softly bend the bangs under, blending them into the curls at the temples. Keep the movement loose and airy rather than structured. -
Finish and set.
Mist a flexible-hold hairspray over the entire style, lifting sections as you spray to preserve volume. For added sheen, finish with a light gloss spray on the mid-lengths and ends only.
Professional Tips
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Use a diffuser attachment when blow-drying to preserve curl integrity and prevent frizz.
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Always support the crown while styling – crown flattening is the most common mistake with this look.
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A mousse or root-lifting spray works better than heavy creams; the goal is buoyancy, not weight.
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Avoid brushing through once styled; use only fingers to reshape or refresh between washes.
When executed correctly, the Voluminous Layered Perm delivers a rich, cloud-like halo of texture – confident, glamorous, and timelessly chic.
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