Although the 1970s were marked by major cultural and political change, they also reshaped beauty and fashion. The decade produced some of the most iconic, wearable hairstyles, many of which still feel modern today.
From feathered blowouts and shag cuts to big natural texture and polished center parts, here are 40 of the best 70s hairstyles for women. Keep reading and pick the retro look you want to recreate.
Classy 70s Hairstyles for Women
To get a throwback hairstyle you’ll love, you can’t go wrong with this list of the best 70s hairstyles for women below!
Feathered Bob With Face-Framing Wings
Feathering was one of the biggest 70s signatures. Ask for a bob with long layers and face-framing “wings” that sweep away from the face, then blow-dry with a large round brush, twisting sections outward to lock in that soft, lifted flip.
Flicked Ends With Deep Side Part
Keep it sleek at the roots, then make the ends the moment. Create a deep side part, lightly backcomb the crown for lift, and roll the ends outward with a brush and dryer for a crisp, face-brightening finish.
Side Chignon With Loose Face Pieces
Side updos were a 70s favorite because they looked dressy without feeling stiff. Tease the crown slightly, sweep hair to one side, then pin it into a low side chignon, leaving a few soft pieces out to frame the cheeks.
Layered Disco Perm
If you want full disco energy, this is it. Add layers so curls fall around the face instead of sitting heavy at the bottom, then set with mousse and diffuse dry for volume that looks plush and camera-ready.
Side-Swept Layered Curls
This style is all about a lifted crown with big, brushed-looking curls through the sides. Keep the top smooth and side-swept, then set the mid-lengths and ends for movement and finish with hairspray so the shape holds.
Flipped Short Cut With Curved Ends
Short hair still got a playful finish in the 70s. Add soft volume near the front, then curve the ends with a brush so the silhouette feels flirty and light instead of flat.
Center-Part Long Curls
For thick, curly hair, a center part and full volume feels perfectly 70s. Use a set-and-brush approach for a softer, fuller curl pattern, then fluff the roots for height.
Half-Up Bouffant With Full Fringe
Thick bangs pair beautifully with a lifted half-up style. Tease the crown, smooth the top lightly, pin the upper section back, then keep the fringe full and polished for a classic 70s finish.
Rounded Afro With Halo Shape
The 70s were all about confident natural volume. If you have black natural hair, aim for a rounded, even “halo” shape by trimming the ends regularly, then lift at the roots with a pick to keep the silhouette spherical.
Headband Disco Bouffant
A disco hairstyle features a headband that brushes hair back and teases the crown. Keep the lift high and the shape smooth, then let the length stay soft and full for maximum impact.
Classic Shag With Full Fringe
The 70s shag is choppy at the crown and lighter at the ends, often finished with a thick fringe. Ask for point-cut or razor texture so the ends look jagged and airy, then rough dry with your fingers for a lived-in rocker feel.
Farrah Fawcett Feathered Cut
Feathering the hair is all about long layers and face-framing “wings” that sweep away from the cheeks. Blow-dry with a large round brush, twisting outward, then set with a medium-hold spray to keep that signature sweep.
Brushed-Out Curly Set With Center Part
This 70s curl look is softer and fuller when it is set and then brushed into shape. Keep a center part, build volume at the roots, and let the curls blend into a fluffy, continuous wave instead of separated spirals.
Cher-Inspired Pin-Straight Center Part
This is the classic 70s “pin-straight” look: long, one-length hair with a strict center part and a blunt perimeter. Flat iron small sections with heat protectant, then finish with a light smoothing serum to keep flyaways down.
Bandana Hippie Waves
Pair your favorite printed bandana and tinted sunglasses with a medium or long wavy hairstyle for an easy 70s hippie mood. Keep the texture soft and brushed so it looks effortless, not overly “styled.”
Flower Child Mini Braids
Two tiny braids are the centerpiece of a wavy hairstyle. Decorate them with a couple of flowered beads for true “flower child” vibes.
Scarf-Wrapped Waves
If there was any staple to mark the 70s, it was hair scarves. Add a bright patterned scarf over brushed-out waves for an instant throwback that still feels wearable.
Choppy Wavy Bob With Side Fringe
Wavy bob with textured ends adds body for thin or fine hair. Keep the wave soft and brushed, then add a side fringe to frame the face without looking too modern.
High Chignon With Clip
This 70s updo features a lifted bun shape finished with a statement clip. You can either simply twist the hair up or braid it first, then wrap it into a smooth chignon so the finish looks intentional, not messy.
Bollywood Teased Volume With Headband
Bollywood styles in the 70s leaned into long, glossy hair with dramatic teasing for crown lift. Use hairspray to build height at the roots, then smooth the top and finish with a headband for a polished retro look.
Rock Shag With Blunt Fringe
For a true rock feel, keep the layers choppy at the crown with lighter ends, then add a full fringe. Ask for point-cut texture so it looks jagged and effortless, and rough dry with your hands for that undone finish.
Pinned-Back Ringlets
These ringlets with pinned-back sides are perfect for women with thick hair. Keep the curls full, pin the sides cleanly, and you get a 70s look that still works for the office or a night out.
Curled Hair With Side Clip
Your mini-me can look just like you. Curl the hair, then pin back one side with a bow or clip so the face stays open and sweet.
Shoulder-Length Center Part With Curtain Bangs
This look is all about length, a clean center part, and soft face-framing. Keep the bangs shorter near the center and longer toward the temples for a true curtain effect that flatters most face shapes.
Pageboy Cut With Rolled-Under Ends
This is closer to a pageboy than a modern bowl cut. Keep it thicker and longer, usually below the ears, then style the ends rolled under with a round brush so the shape looks smooth and intentional.
Dorothy Hamill Wedge
The wedge is a geometric 70s cut with a stacked back and sides that angle toward the cheeks. Ask for a graduated back to create a clean weight line, then blow-dry smooth so the shape reads sharp and sporty.
Long Layers With Teased Crown
You’ll get instant 70s volume by teasing the crown, then keeping long layers soft around the face. Brush the hair back and away from the cheeks so the shape feels airy and lifted, not heavy.
High Ponytail With Brushed-Out Waves
One easy way to tap into 70s style is a high ponytail with soft, brushed-out waves through the length. Add gentle curtain pieces at the front for face framing, then keep the ends full and fluffy instead of piecey.
Long Hair With Curled Ends and Full Fringe
Thick straight bangs with long hair and softly curled ends make a romantic 70s look. Keep the volume at the crown light, then finish with a simple floral accessory if you want a vintage bridal touch.
Soft Feathered Crop
This reads more like a late-70s feathered crop than a classic 60s pixie. Keep the shape soft, add light texture through the top, then set a side part and curve the ends slightly so it feels polished instead of severe.
Full Afro With Lifted Roots
Your natural hair shines in a classic 70s afro when it is hydrated and evenly shaped. Focus on moisture, then lift at the roots with a pick so the volume sits up and out in a clean, rounded outline.
Headband With Brushed-Out Waves
Long, brushed-out waves with a thick headband are an easy 70s win. Keep the texture soft and continuous, then add optional side bangs for extra face framing.
Pigtails With Clean Center Part
Pigtails that sit just above the ears feel playful and neat. Keep a clean center part, smooth the roots, then secure each side evenly so the style looks tidy and balanced.
Big Blonde Curls With Statement Bangs
Be the blonde bombshell you’ve always wanted to be. Curl long hair, give extra attention to the bangs, then brush the curls slightly so the finish looks full and glossy, not overly separated.
Ear-Length Textured Shag With Barrette
This shorter look works best when it is textured through the ends and styled with soft wave. Pin one side back with a clip to show the face, then keep the finish airy so it feels authentically 70s.
Flipped-Out Bob With Fringe
A flipped-out bob with fringe is one of the easiest 70s styles to wear. Ask for light texture through the ends, then blow-dry the front pieces away from the face so the flip looks lifted and intentional.
Add height at the crown with gentle teasing, then finish with a headband and bold liner for a classic throwback feel.
Curtain Bangs With Side Part
This version of curtain bangs is slightly off-center, which creates a softer “swoop” instead of a strict middle split. Keep the bangs shorter near the center of the face, then angle them longer toward the temples for easy face framing.
For a more period-correct finish, set the hair for volume and brush it out so the wave looks continuous and plush rather than piecey.
Classic Updo With 70s Fringe
Keep it classic with a structured updo and a full 70s fringe. Leave a few longer pieces at the sides for softness, then add a small crown lift so the top never looks flat.
Bardot Curtain Fringe
Bardot fringe is a curtain bang with extra volume and texture, plus a soft, barely-there center part. Keep it shorter near the inner corners of the eyes, then blow-dry the roots up and back for that signature lift.
Warm copper tones and choppy layers make this look feel especially true to the decade, particularly when styled with a bouncy blowout.
Half-Up Bouffant With Sweeping Fringe
Layering helps frame the face in a way that feels very 70s, especially if you have sharper angles. Keep the crown lifted, pin the top section back, then let the fringe sweep and blend into the sides for a soft finish.
Use the guidelines above to choose a 70s hairstyle you’ll actually wear, not just admire. This decade has range, and it still delivers some of the best silhouettes for volume and face framing.