Have you dreamed of achieving that 70s rockstar look? Maybe you want the big voluminous and practical shag without the frizz? Big hair is only part of the entrie. It is important to have the right layers, textures, products and techniques to give the look longevity.
*Most authentic 70s shag cuts look best if most of the crown hair is directed backwards along with some heavier perimeter cutting.* That way the hair can stay up and not get frizzy in the middle of the day. Some softer razor cutting around the cheek area will keep the hair a little less dense. A 1 inch iron at the roots paired with dry texture spray will give that undone look without frying the ends. *(I find that my favorite 70s rock hair looks best when it is messy and slightly unhinged.)* Look through my styles and choose the one you like best.
A past client brought me a picture of 77 Stevie Nicks and said, **I want this, but I have a board meeting on Monday**. I think that pretty much sums up the whole conversation around 70s rock hair right now. It is free, relaxed, and slightly insane while still being very polished. The good news is you can definitely have both, if you understand the cut.
Many people think that hair that was popular in the 70s looks great because of a blow-dry style. However, the secret is about how the weight is distributed in the hair cut. Most of the rock hairstyles I’ve done over the years are variations of shags, mullets, and feathered layers. These styles can last through a full day because the structure of the cut does all the work. This is the case when you have enough mid-lengths, and you’re not relying on a dry texture spray to hold everything in place. You definitely want to use some product, but the top rock hairstyles from the 70s should look great even after a few days without washing the hair. That’s the ultimate goal. I will guide you through these images, and I will give you my opinion on what I like, what I think should be changed and what you should show to your hair dresser.
#1: Feathered Shag with That Perfect Curtain Bang Situation
I really enjoy doing this type of cut because the bangs are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. They are just feathered enough to fit the face so it doesn’t look like they’ll need to be pinned back by noon. The mid-lengths have soft layers, and there’s enough weight left at the ends so it won’t go flat on you. That’s the entire trick with fine, straight hair like this. If you’re thinking of trying a shag for the first time, this is a super great starter option. It’s retro enough without looking like a costume, plus you can air dry it with some sea salt spray and it’ll look like you put in a ton of effort to style it.
#2: Pastel Shag That Actually Earns the Choppy Layers
I love their use of color! The pastels wash over the choppy layers giving the entire look more of a dream like quality that you do not usually see in shags. The cut on the layers is very deliberate and intentional and not just chopped in randomly. The rhythm of the layers creates great movement without the ends looking thin or scraggly. I will say that if these colors are in your future you will definitely want good purple shampoo in your rotation because pastels really do not last, and if they are not maintained they will fade poorly. But fresh pastels are so great!
#3 Shaved-Side Mullet for When You Mean It
**Instagram: connordennishair**
This edgy mullet is a combination of various lengths and styles. The back incorporates long soft layers that are a bit tousled, while the sides are shaved for a cool contrast. This style suits fine to medium and wavy textured hair, and gives a nice boost of volume. This haircut can compliment all different face shapes, especially oval and heart shaped. The shaved sides will require some upkeep, so keep that in mind. If you are looking for a style that is distinct and allows you to express your personality, this is a great option!
#4: Textured 70s Inspired Mullet with Distinctive Bangs
If you’re just thinking about doing something different with your hair, this won’t be the cut for you. This is a big commitment. The choppy layers look great, and the bangs right at the brow give a good intensity, especially with the thick hair the model has. The rich brown color also looks great and smart because it allows the texture to do all the talking, rather than some crazy color competing with it. The movement those layers gives with her thick hair is amazing. Those bangs will need to be trimmed every 3-4 weeks though. They can go from cool to “I can’t see” in no time.
#5: The Softer Mullet That People Actually Wear to Work
When patrons ask me for the vibe but not full commitment, I suggest this mullet and that’s not a knock at all. It’s a softer mullet with the back being a little longer so it gives you that shape without making your mom nervous. It wears really nicely on fine to medium hair as it doesn’t get stringy by day three which is always something I think about with hair. If you like your styling to be minimal, this one is pretty great because it’s just a little texturizing cream scrunched through and then you’re done with styling.
#6: Feathered Pixie That Has No Business Being This Cool
I love textured pixie cuts, and this one is giving all the right feels. The feathers that layer around the jawline add a lightness that avoids the harsh look that so many people fear when going short. This look is an effortless chic vibe. The good news it doesn’t actually require a lot of effort; you can probably get away with five minutes of styling with a small flat iron to give it some flips. This cut could really use some soft highlights as well. With so many different lengths, you get beautiful dimension that is just not possible with a one length bob.
#7: Long Mullet with Bangs That Know Exactly What They’re Doing
The bangs on this hairstyle are bold and blunt to anchor the whole look, but the face doesn’t get weighed down because the layers under are kept light and open. This looks nice in pictures, but I think it looks better when moving. When you move your head, the layers change position and reflect light. I wouldn’t push someone with a rounder face shape towards this version because those bangs can shorten things, but with the right bone structure I think this is one of the best contemporary interpretations of 70s rock hair.
#8: Long Textured Layers with the Kind of Bangs You Don’t Have to Fight
What I personally appreciate about this style is that it doesn’t look overdone. The soft bangs and long layers are good as is, and the subtle waves take this style to a whole other level. The give it an undone look that people pay a lot of money to achieve, but some people just get it naturally. If your hair is medium to thick, it’s a huge plus for this cut because it’ll hold the shape of the layers all day, and the bangs will be wispy enough to grow out gracefully. No one wants to be in that stage of tape bangs to their foreheads.
#9: Retro Mullet with Curls That Actually Cooperate
I envision this style when a client with naturally curly or wavy hair wants to get a mullet but is worried it might be too crazy. I like to illustrate the positive effects the layers have on the curl pattern, rather then working against it. The bangs are soft enough to not go against the natural texture, and the layering technique looks like it was done on dry hair, which, let’s be honest, is the only way to cut curly hair if you want to get any sort of predictability. I will die on that hill. The medium thickness here is perfect because you get a good balance of volume with the layers that frame the cheekbones beautifully. I could go on and on about this look!
#10: The Modern Mullet That Leans Effortless
This is a nice look. I appreciate the backward layering you did, as it gives a lot more movement to the hair. I also think it lightens the silhouette of the hair, which is nice, as some styles can feel heavy and dramatic. For most techniques I think they miss the versatility mark, but for this one I think it nails it. I think for thinner hair more over layering looks worse, because then the ends look a little sad and wispy, but you did this so well. This style has a really nice and calm rockstar quality to it, and I think it really nails the confidence in style without going for an edgy or flashy look.
#11: Tousled Bob with Bangs That Have Personality
I can’t stand hairstyles that are too serious, which is why I like this chin-length bob. It has such a nice playful look that is the result of it being jagged and having bangs. They add a lot more than what a polished cut would get you. I’m growing out the lighter parts, and you can see the darker roots, and I adore them because they really add depth and keep it from looking too salon fresh. To get that look, this style does require some love and maintenance. So, in the morning you should be ready to do some scrunching and add a good amount of volumizing mousse to it, and that’s all you need. If you leave it messy and unstyled, then by lunchtime it will have lost all personality and will look like a serious bob.
#12: Retro Mullet with Those Ear-Level Layers I Keep Seeing
I appreciate the ear layering detail on this one because it opens up the neck and jawline which most mullet variations miss completely. Soft bangs are also an asset because they stop the face from looking too empty and let all that mid-lengths texture through. I can tell this is going to be amazing with some wave added through the back with a 1-inch curling iron, just a loose bend here and there to highlight the layers. As is it’s already a good cut, but with some styling it could really come to life.
#13: Layered Rock Cut in That Burgundy That Everyone’s Asking About
Burgundy is a lovely color, especially with the price tag that comes with it. One thing with this color though is that you have to stay on top of your toning appointments, or else it can look muddy. I really like the shape that the cut gives you. The tapered sides give it a more modern feel, and it doesn’t have a retro vibe at all. The layered texture through the top is what creates the movement you want. With finer, denser hair like this, the added layers will be even more pronounced and the added color will really help make it pop. The light reflects off the various angles from the layering, giving a good depth. It’s something that a one-length cut just can’t achieve.
#14: Mid-Length Shag with Bangs That Grow Out Well
A good sign of a haircut is how it looks not even a week after getting it, but how it looks five to six weeks later. With this cut, I know it’s going to look even better as the weeks go on. When bangs grow out, they usually hit the annoying choppy phase, but these bangs are so soft in the front that it won’t be a problem. The layers will also help to avoid that gross oily look as well as that feeling that makes you wash your hair every day. The good news is that if you have natural waves, this cut will require almost no styling, which is the dream!
#15: Short Textured Curls with Real Dimension
I love how this cut is designed with the natural curl pattern as its basis, rather than fighting against it. The curls want to be sitting where they are, not being squeezed into a shape that is going to spring back and change the look the second you walk outside. The layers are good to add volume at the top. Short cuts are risky because they can go super flat on top and really poofy on the sides. If this is your natural texture, then I would suggest leaning into it with a good curl cream and let the cut do the rest.
#16: Those Copper-to-Dark Curls That Stopped Me Scrolling
The combination of colors is absolutely fantastic! While the cut doesn’t take away from how fantastic this look is, it certainly does add to it! The top melting effect with bright orange and the layers of dark colors underneath give a really cool illusion of depth. And with natural curls like these, the way each individual ringlet captures the colors in the hair is constantly shifting! The layers also give the effect of the curls falling at different lengths, which is how you get to see the entire range of the stunning color. Although this look is stunning, it does require a bit of work to maintain. You’re looking at color appointments every 6-8 weeks and you absolutely must have a sulfate-free hair care routine to maintain the tones and to ensure that the colors aren’t washed out.
#17: Long Layers with a Fringe That Frames Without Hiding
This haircut looks best on thick, straight hair, as the long layers will help keep the cut looking fresh. With thick hair, the fringe gets held up by the body of the hair, which means you won’t have to blow-dry it every morning. The length will also give you more versatility; you could wear your hair in loose waves (70’s style) with a big barrel curling iron or straight. Both will be great! If your hair is fine, this style doesn’t work as well, as the cut needs to have a natural thickness to keep the look.
#18: Wispy-Banged Shag That Lives for Texture Products
This look was developed with the incorporation of the wispy bangs. They are light and soft and do not distract from the face, but strike an ideal balance by drawing focus to the look. The shag cut is a beautiful combination of clean and smooth broken up texture. There are some great contrasting textures throughout the lengths. And this is the effect you get from a light texturizing spray, worked through dry hair and not so much from a curling iron as I think some people assume. To be frank, this cut is best worn and styled with second day hair or third day hair when all the elements have settled and it feels much more organic and less deliberate.
#19: Retro Layered Shag That Practically Styles Itself
Let’s say a customer described a 70s style haircut and only wanted five minutes of styling time. In that case, this is the direction I would suggest. The layers in the cut are designed to work with the wave in the hair instead of forcing it to create an unrealistic shape, which is something so many stylists miss. The wave is doing 90% of the work here. The only place where the cut is really intentional are the bangs with some framing pieces. Everywhere else, it’s just a gorgeous soft shape that settles perfectly. The layers will look great with a gloss treatment every few months and that’s all the maintenance required.
#20: Copper Curls with a Fringe That’s Giving Everything
The warmth and richness of this copper color works wonders for curly hair. With each individual curl catching the light differently, you get so many tone variations that don’t show up the same way on straight hair of the same color. It’s something I always tell my clients with curly hair when they are thinking of going for a fashion color. The soft fringe here is done perfectly for the curl type, not too short so it won’t shink up into something weird and it will blend into the face framing layers as it grows so you won’t have to come back to see me in a panic every three weeks. The mid-lengths are so beautifully textured, and I would actually keep styling to a minimum on this one, work your product through soaking wet hair and just let it do its thing.
#21: Choppy Mullet with Side-Swept Bangs for the Bold
The side-swept bangs help soften the look of the cut being a bit bold with the choppy mullet. The two together help balance the cut to work on more people than you would expect. The shorter textured top with the longer back adds to the classic mullet, but the bangs prevent it from being too aggressive because it gives your eye somewhere to rest. With fine straight hair like this, the choppiness really shows and reads clean since every piece is distinct and deliberate unlike thicker hair which some may look messy. This is a younger more playful energy and I’m here for it. You will want to keep those bangs trimmed though, as it once they get to your eyelashes you lose the whole look.
#22: Long Layers with Sun-Kissed Highlights That Look Like They Grew There
The highlights look so good that a client would think they were done in a salon for some sun-kissed highlights Every client asks for them! The long layers create a nice shapping effect as the length doesn’t feel too heavy or too plain and she does a great job of softening the face framing layers! There are so many styles you could do with this cut – a polished look could be achieved by blowing it straight and sleek, or to create a lovely beachy 70s vibe, you could scrunch some waves in and let it air dry and that would be just as good! The only thing I would say is that the ends of the long layers might look a little wonky after 8 weeks or so so they will need a trim by that time.
#23: Red Curly Bob with Blunt Bangs That Commit
The combination of blunt bangs and curly hair is a personal favorite of mine. Most people are afraid to go blunt with their curls and I usually would talk you out of it, but when it works, it really works and this is proof of that. The vibrant red hair color is bold and fun, and even as it fades to a warm copper, it will still look intentional between appointments. The shoulder length is just right for this thickness because it allows the hair to spring up without getting that pyramid shape, and the overall shape is nice. Just to let you know, a color this bright will mean you need a color depositing conditioner in your hair at least once a week, or you will go back to orange way sooner than you’d like.
#24: Soft-Banged Mullet That Balances Edge and Easy
When creating this style, I would spend more time on the bangs, as they are the focus of the entire look. They need to be soft and approachable, but also full enough to be impactful. That’s a razor’s width from perfect, which is more critical than most people think. The internal layers are well placed to maintain movement and flow. These layers are perfect for the finer texture of the hair and gives the stylist a good eye for when to stop when refining the hair. The style is trendy without being gimmicky and also believe it would translate well to many different hair types. If your hair is naturally super straight, you may want to put a loose bend in the back with an iron to really bring out the layers.
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