Top 10 Iconic Female Hairsytles

Iconic Female Hairstyles

These were the "dos" that definitely did their job in defining a generation. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we're counting down our pick for the Top 10 Iconic Female Hairstyles.

For this list, we'll be ranking the most popular and enduring female hairstyles throughout the years. We'll be taking a look at hair designs which represented the fashion style and sensibilities of their respective decades, starting from the roaring twenties to the swinging sixties and groovy seventies right on through to the modern day.

#10: The Eton Crop

Shorter hairstyles for women didn't just gain prominence in the ‘70s, they actually date back all the way to the flapper era of the Roaring Twenties. Short styles such as The Marcel Wave and crop were particularly popular hairstyles during this time, in an age when women were experimenting with closer and more daring cuts. The Eton Crop was a drastically short take on the style, popularized by the fan favorite singer, dancer and actress Josephine Baker. Baker's 'do was known for its slicked back style, worn short, intensely cropped and close to the head, adding to the performer's already dazzling grace and sense of style.

#9: Bettie Bangs

Bettie Page’s reputation has continued to grow over the years ever since this popular American pin-up model first graced magazine pages back in the 1950s. Page's stylish take on bangs endured particularly well during this time, with many women of all ages deciding to style their hair in Bettie Page’s signature look. This is usually achieved by wearing hair long on the sides with a closely cropped set of bangs along the forehead, preferably in a natural or dyed black color. Bettie Page's look has proven particularly popular among fans of the performing arts, with musicians, actresses and dancers continuing to look up to Bettie Page's style to this day.

#8: Big Eighties Hair

The odds are fairly good that you wore a variation of this notorious hairstyle if you grew up during the 1980s - whether you want to admit it or not. Big Eighties Hair was practically inescapable during this time of loud guitars, fast cars and excessive behavior, and found a particularly welcoming home in Los Angeles' Sunset Strip. This was likely due to the concentration of glam and heavy metal bands that permeated L.A. then, all vying for a slice of the rock ‘n’ roll pie. Lots and LOTS of hairspray - preferably Aqua Net - was required to tease and style this look, with the old credo going something like, "the higher the hair, the closer to God."

#7: The Bouffant

Speaking of high rise hair, this next style on our list was also known for its towering sense of over-the-top greatness. The Bouffant was particularly popular during the 1960s, and found prime time purveyors in such personalities as singer Dusty Springfield, as well as Elvis Presley's wife Priscilla. Bouffant hair prided itself on height and volume, pluming up a raised middle section, while allowing the sides to flow down to cover the ears or straight down. Singers and housewives alike were known to rock the Bouffant, making this hair style one that could work for just about anyone.

#6: The Jackie O Flip or Flick

Former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was an icon of Presidential style, influencing many women since first entering the White House back in 1961. Her various hair styles proved particularly popular, whether it was teased bouffant hair, an accessorized wavy look, or another popular ‘60s 'do called "The Flick" or "Flip." Mary Tyler Moore was another popular practitioner of this cut, one that was characterized by its straight style, worn medium to long, and accentuated by sides that "flip" up and out on opposite ends. This is one sixties trend which is still very, very groovy.

#5: The Bob

We mentioned earlier how short hair has enjoyed a long and popular history in Hollywood, and a great example of this is the story of actress Louise Brooks and her iconic hairstyle known as The Bob. There have been many variations on this cute short cut since Brooks’ first striking and severe take on the style, which found a happy home with many women during the 1920s and 30s. A traditional bob is usually cut straight, and characterized by points which can come down to either cheek or chin level. It's a versatile sort of 'do, however, and one which can easily be tailored toward just about anyone desiring to do something a little different with her hair.

#4: The Pixie Cut

The Swinging Sixties were a wild time with a variety of hairstyles to match, but one celebrity captured the imaginations of millions with her classic style. Twiggy was a British model and actress known for her thin, androgynous look, thick makeup and extremely short haircut. The Pixie would gain particular prominence in the wake of Twiggy's success - though Audrey Hepburn sported it a few years earlier - and it would find further advocates on the big screen in films such as "Rosemary's Baby." Don't think of this one as a relic from the past, however, as The Pixie Cut continues to be a go-to style for many women across the world.

#3: The ‘Rachel’

Every now and then, the style of a movie or television character can totally capture the imaginations of its audience. One such character was Rachel Green from the popular nineties sitcom "Friends," with her haircut from the show's first two seasons seeing copycats almost immediately. "The Rachel," as the style came be known, was all about those layers, taking inspiration from a classic seventies shag and updating it for the nineties. Fun fact: actress Jennifer Aniston actually didn’t like the cut, and the style was gradually phased out after the first couple of seasons. Sorry, Jen, but we still love it!

#2: Farrah Hair

Speaking of the 1970s, is there any hair style that screams "Me Decade" more than the glorious feathered locks belonging to actress Farrah Fawcett? This "Charlie's Angels" star inspired a generation with her long, luxurious blonde hair, styled in wavy curls that feathered out in a fashion which helped define the decade. Curls and tangles were no worries for Fawcett, who reportedly often styled her own hair and makeup without the aid of a mirror. Before long "The Farrah-do" or Farrah-flip was one of the most in demand 'dos in hair salons around the world.


Before unveil our most iconic female hairstyle, here are a few awesomely honorable mentions!

The Peek-a-Boo

Bohemian Bardot

Sally Shag

#1: The Beehive

Big hair wins out today, with the hairstyle known as The Beehive, a.k.a. The B-52. This style was known for its shaping of hair into a high and tight cone shape, slightly pointed backwards, creating a look similar to that of a Boeing B-52 bomber...hence the nickname. The Beehive is totally freakin' awesome, however, with Audrey Hepburn being one of its most popular subjects thanks to her beautiful, less dramatic take on the style. In the meantime, just about everyone from Amy Winehouse and Marge Simpson to the members of The B-52s- naturally- have rocked this style, making it an enduring and attention grabbing classic for the ages.

Do you agree with our list? Which female hairstyle do you think lives on through the years? For more fashion-forward top ten lists published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo!