The styles from the 1970s still feel relevant today because they celebrate movement, flow, and texture. They feel very human rather than stagnant and overdone. I remember a client who was in her sixties, and she had a shag from 1974. She would get complimented on it all the time! She came to me every 6 weeks to maintain the style, and would tell me stories about how people thought she was so cool and trendy. The funny part is she was a 70s time capsule and never left the decade! It proved how effective that style was. Those cuts and styles worked because they emphasized the movement of the hair as opposed to fighting against the texture.
What I appreciate most about hairstyles from this time period is the effortlessness they portray. There is so much freedom in styles where bangs are not cut super blunt, and layered hair that actually has movement. If you’ve felt like your hair is just sitting there doing nothing, you’re probably going to be drawn to this list. I’ll be honest, I’ve got a lot of styles to say a lot about and others have more of a quick thought. What you’re seeing is a snapshot of the range of styles.
#1: Soft Voluminous Bob with Easy Layers
What I truly appreciate about this specific look is that it provides a sense of fullness without appearing overly styled, which is crucial for this bob style. Much of the effort is coming from the layers, which gives the ends a great lift as well as some nice movement. I’m also a fan of the warm color since it contributes to such an overall great glow as well. This is the exact haircut that requires a round brush blow dry if your hair often tends to fall flat because it makes a world of difference. Even with this haircut, air dried hair will look nice. This style has the effect of allowing it to look like your hair is naturally gorgeous, which is such a huge compliment.
#2 Layered Cut with Face-Framing Pieces That Actually Do Something
Many people request face-framing layers, but they often get them done incorrectly. This example shows how to do these layers right. These layers are soft and blend back into the rest of the hair, but they still hold the goal of drawing attention to the face and provide some direction to the cut. The hair length just below the shoulders means you are able to pull it back, but it also looks intentional when it’s down. Healthy hair will shine, and that is worth anything… with layers, you won’t get anything if your ends are fried.
#3 Curled Lob with Bangs That Feel Very 70s
Some hairstyles are not guaranteed to look good in both real life and photo, but this one does. The bangs are on the softer side and are not too thick to give a heavy look. And when paired with loose mid-length curls, it creates the perfect effortless vibe. Though, most people don’t want to put in that much work in the morning. If you are one of those people, you may want to consider how this may take a bit more of your time. Those curls will take time with the curling iron to look good. However, if you are willing to put in the effort, it will pay off and look stunning.
#4 Shoulder-Length Shag with That Sun-Kissed Feel
I could honestly talk about how good this cut is all day. In my opinion, this shag definitely deserves a place as an example of a true quintessential 70s hairstyle. I love that this is fully a shag, but also a modern take so it feels refreshing. We are seeing more and more cuts like this and they are so easy to maintain. With a cut like this you will definitely want to use sea salt spray to give it that extra boost. The highlights look awesome and go great with the warmth of the base color, and you can definitely see that they have been hitting the light just right. Wonderful texture in the hair and the highlights are great. A cut like this means that you have to wash it a little more often, but honestly it is completely worth it. It feels so nice to have hair like this. One of the sleekest cuts I’ve come across this is definitely one of the easiest to maintain. It’s true that many cuts like this can require a ton of upkeep and with this length it is so good.
#5 Curly Bob with Baby Bangs
I want to be truthful with you about this. For curly hair, the baby bangs are really sweet, but they can get a bit crazy, and you might have days where they are doing their own thing and are not at all how you wanted them to be. I think the fun shape of this bob, and the super defined curls, and the playful vibes overall, all fit the right person perfectly. The little warm brown highlights also break up the solid color look. If you are already not afraid to show your personality with your curl pattern, and like a bit of mess, this could work really well for you!
#6 Stacked Bob with a Little Movement
It is a decent haircut, not something I get excited about, but it is clean and of course does the job. The layers prevent it from looking bulky, and the stacking in the back adds some shape. With no doubt this is a great choice if you want something that looks nice and clean but is super easy to style in the morning. Just a heads up, it will require quite a bit of upkeep every five weeks or so because it will grow out quickly with the stacked layers and you don’t want it to start looking mushroom-y.
#7 Big Layered Cut with Soft Bangs
You want to discuss volume? This will show it off beautifully if your hair is medium to thick. The soft bangs with layered cuts are stunning. The layers are cut to give some natural bounce and the bangs are cut soft and wispy so they do not overwhelm your face. The colour adds warmth to the cut, and the caramel tones lacing through help the cut pop even more. One thing though, if you have thick hair, make sure your stylist does some internal texturing, otherwise it may get too heavy at the bottom which will drag the whole shape down.
#8 Clean Bob with a Little Texture
The classic bob cut is great. It looks clean and simple, and is smooth and polished. It’s not overly layered so it doesn’t have that helmet effect. It works for meetings and dinners- you won’t have to touch it in between. This haircut may not be the most exciting, but that’s the kind of thing you want. It’s reliable and looks good.
#9 Wavy Lob with Textured Ends
The sleek and relaxed style of this hairdo that you did is awesome. The gentle waves on the hair really help avoid a styled look. The middle length is generally good for people growing their hair out. A lightweight texturizing spray is recommended to help bring waves out on days when the hair is being difficult. Slide on this to keep it chill.
#10 Curly Pixie with Textured Layers
This is a big chop and won’t be suitable for everyone, but when it works, it works well. The curly texture seems more soft and sculptural than a straight-haired pixie. The light gray color looks great, and I love seeing people who lean into it more rather than fight it. In terms of maintenance, you ideally want to get trims every 4 to 5 weeks because pixie cuts lose shape really quickly. Day to day styling is as easy as it gets.
#11 Copper Bob with Flirty Little Bangs
I think this copper is beautiful! The color really brings out this cut, emphasizing the texture and making all of the little waves visible in a way that darker shades wouldn’t work. Chin-length bobs are flattering on almost everyone and those bangs are great. The slightly choppy and parted bangs add just the right touch of style without being too difficult to style. For those thinking of going copper, be prepared for maintenance as it fades really quickly. You can expect to use a color-depositing shampoo along with glossing appointments to help maintain the color. But the maintenance is 100% worth it because this color shines beautifully in the sun!
#12 Auburn Waves with Rich Highlights
The hair color is a beautiful auburn with highlights that create a shift as the hair moves. The cut is simple: shoulder length with some soft waves for added texture. If you have some natural movement, this is the style that is going to compliment your natural look and save you the struggle of fighting it every morning. The color looks especially nice for warm toned skin as it is a warm palette. It’s also great in natural light.
#13 Bouncy Curly Bob with Airy Layers
I really like the bounce on this haircut. The layers help keep the curls from clumping together in a heavy mass and instead gives it a more light and open look. The light brown colour is a great choice as it shows off the curl pattern nicely. The curls are also not getting weighed down with the length due to the medium length. I believe this haircut is best suited to someone with a natural wave or curl. If your hair is pin straight, you’d spend a lot of time trying to achieve this look, and it wouldn’t come out the same. It is very pretty for the right hair type.
#14 Angled Bob with Soft Texture
This bob has a slight angle which adds a bit of length in the front and a little texture to keep it from being too harsh looking. The highlights are what I think make it interesting and add a little depth and dimension to the cut rather than it being a single process. It’s a nice cut for someone looking for something modern, but not too edgy. It can be worn to work and feel nice at a weekend brunch. The flattering jawline length is super easy to style with just a flat iron and a couple minutes. It works for a lot of people and is nice to have.
#15 Copper Shag with Face-Framing Layers
Blending shag and copper is so much fun! The face-framing layers are cut just right to sit really high and open the face up nicely. The way they blend into the rest of the layers is seamless. They don’t leave any harsh lines. The balayage on the mid-lengths and ends gives an extra boost of dimension which is a great little trick for finer hair. I love when a cut looks good tousled and imperfect. It takes the pressure off!
#16 Curly Bob with Bold Bangs
Your bangs really stand out. They give a lot of shape to the hairstyle, and it looks like the rest of the cut has some nice volume thanks to the curls. Combined with the caramel highlights, the warm tones soften the look, and provide nice definition to the curls which is great. I think this hairstyle is suited best for people who are a lot more bold and want the focus to be on their hair, because this cut is very loud. For this look, you will absolutely need a good curling cream and a diffuser, plus the bangs are going to need a lot of maintenance, but if that doesn’t bother you then the end result will be more than worth it!
#17 Shoulder-Length Waves with Natural Texture
This haircut is fantastic for a few reasons. First off, clean waves, layered but airy (not stiff) and the warm color really ties everything together. All my clients who want to avoid heavy styling, this is the perfect haircut. Of course, the haircut will need to be adapted a bit to suit your waves. Then a little bit of sea salt spray, and you’re good to go!
#18 Textured Bob with Thick Bangs
These bangs are thicker and more deliberate than some of the other styles on the list. The versatility and simplicity of the rest of the cut balances the bangs nicely. The bob length is just above the shoulders and the texture at the ends mean it won’t look blunt or boxy. That deep rich color is gorgeous and adds a lot of sophistication. This one is leaning a little more polished than some of the shaggier cuts we’ve seen so far. So, if you’re after a 70s flavor but want to still look put together, then this could be your sweet spot.
#19 A-Line Bob with Just Enough Layers
Many hair cuts come and go, but the A-line bob remains a classic for a number of reasons. They are extremely versatile and look great on all lengths and textures of hair. In this particular example, texture and layering are added for more interest, and a smooth, chin-length frame provides a polished finish. This style moderns the look of the hair by removing bulk and heaviness around the ends. This particular cut is fantastic for fine and medium hair because it creates an illusion of denser strands without the need for an abundance of hair. Overall, there is not much else to say, this cut is going to suit many different people. It is clean, executed and timeless.
#20 Short Textured Crop with Volume
I always get nervous textbf{suggesting} this particular textbf{style} textbf{because} it textbf{relies} heavily on certain textbf{hair} textures and certain head textbf{shapes}, but they can really liberate you from the norm. This textbf{style} still has enough length on top to be styled in several different ways, and the layers prevent it from looking too masculine and flat by giving it soft volume. The warm shade helps a lot here as well. If you are considering going this short, I would definitely recommend speaking to the stylist about how well your hair will textbf{cooperate} with the textbf{style} because not all textbf{hair} types can achieve this look and it will be good to know that going in.
#21 Lob with Soft Layers Around the Face
The length on this cut really offers a lot of versatility. The movement and the soft blending of the face-framing layers combined with the waves creates such an effortless textured look the the hair. The length is perfect for anyone who wears their hair up and down often because it can be pulled back with ease. When wearing it down it looks intentional, and the shape is interesting enough. A subtle balayage would be beautiful if you want to add some dimension.
#22 Layered Waves with Warm Highlights
The highlights are just as we expected. They brighten the layers and enhance the warmth. The waves and layers feel light, open, and free. That’s exactly what we are going for. The shoulder length is easy to manage and the great texture means it can be styled or left to air dry, and it will look great. This will be suitable for many different hair types and ages which allows us to recommend a lot, and of course is a great recommendation…nothing new, but classic.
#23 Gentle Waves at Mid-Length with Soft Highlights
The cut itself is quite basic, but with highlights, it becomes a bit more unique. These are distributed in a way to create an inner glow. The soft layering creates enough movement at the ends to avoid a blunt appearance. If you like your hair at this length and want a change that will make it more lively, then consider this. The waves are soft, so you could do this with a large-barrel curling iron and it will look good, or you could create a braid when your hair is damp, let it dry overnight and you will achieve this look.
#24 Mid-Length Shag with Layers That Frame Everything
Here is another shag because I can’t help myself. This one is very well done. The face-framing layers are cut to hit around the cheekbone area, which gives the entire cut a really flattering look, and the other layers blend down through the length to make sure everything is feeling connected. I also appreciate that in this photo it is not overly styled, and let’s be honest, that is how it looks like most of the time IRL…you rough dry it, maybe scrunch in some product and you’re good. The texture is doing the work here. If you’ve been wanting to try a shag but are scared to go full on Farrah Fawcett, this is a very good more approachable version.
#25 Curly Bob with Wispy Bangs
In my view, the bangs are what make this hairstyle unique. They’re quick, and the whole cut keeps the face from feeling congested and heavy. The defined curls sit right above the shoulders, which is the best length for curly hair so it won’t get weighed down. If your curls tend to get droopy and less defined during the day, a curl refresher spray is a great product to re-energize the curls without the crunch. This is a wonderful haircut with just the perfect amount of personality to feel like it is yours.
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