We all have our fair share of embarrassing fashion moments that we’d love to erase from our minds. Yet, these memories, while cringe-worthy, were pivotal in shaping our present (and hopefully more fashion-savvy) selves.
When it comes to fashion faux pas, no decade stands out more than the ‘80s. Let’s take a look at the most awkward beauty trends of the era. If nothing else, these should make you feel better about your own awkward fashion moments.
Some gym enthusiasts find it necessary to wear sweatbands, presumably to keep their faces dry as they lift dumbbells and struggle with weights. While they may serve a practical purpose, their foray into the fashion world was a neon failure made famous in the ‘80s. Our advice? Keep your sweatbands in a box at the back of your cupboard, along with the leg warmers, and save them for Halloween.
Humongous hair was a thing in the ‘80s. Looking back, we can’t help but agree with the sentiment expressed in the 2004 film Mean Girls: with hair that big, it must be full of secrets.
Pouting for a photo or self-portrait is still a popular trick for those who want to flaunt their favorite lipstick shade. However, Madonna’s dark and obvious lip line is about as cringe-inducing as ‘80s beauty gets.
Perms can be a great idea if you want to completely makeover your ‘do. However, the ‘80s overdid it to such an extent that many people shy away from the treatment for fear of ending up with poodle locks.
Full House star Stephanie Tanner had such an adorable character in the series. While her side-swept ponytail was emblematic of the time, we’re glad this trend stayed in the ‘80s.
The ‘80s marked a time when nobody gave much thought to blending their makeup, especially when it came to eyeshadow. Compared to this generation’s makeup trends, wherein blending is meticulously carried out, the old way of doing things is a real eye-opener. Pop singer Cyndi Lauper was one of the icons to popularized the garish eyeshadow trend that came to dominate the ‘80s. She often paired bright or pastel shades with blood-red lipstick for a startling overall effect.
The end of the scrunchie era was marked by a sigh of relief from fashion-conscious women everywhere. I mean, what’s the point when your ponytail keeps slipping out and your locks look messy even when they’re technically tied up?
A lot of ‘80s male sensations saw this hair trend as their crowning glory. John Stamos and Billy Ray Cyrus being two of the most famous offenders. Browsing through their old photos is hilarious, especially when you realize this trend has made a comeback in 2019, especially among K-Pop stars.
Just when you thought we were done with the mullet conversation, the feathered mullet makes an appearance. Incapable of flattering anyone, this trend was prominent in the ‘80s and somehow managed to last well into the early ‘90s.
This trend calls for a crimpy texture to be pressed into the hair, giving a unique kind of volume to one’s locks. The look was ubiquitous in the 1980s, but it’s not really flattering. In other news, hair crimping attempted to make its comeback in 2016 but flopped rather dismally.
It should be obvious by now that during the ‘80s bright color was the key to most beauty trends. Apart from the neon sweatbands and leg warmers, plastic earrings were coated with bright shades as well.
Modern makeup artists know that just a few, subtle strokes of blush are enough to give your skin a subtle, healthy glow. In the ‘80s, however, it was essential for your cheeks to gleam with an unnatural hot pink flush. As you can see, the results were far from charming.
If you’d gotten sick of your feathered mullet, the rat tail was another on-trend option for “fashionable” ‘80s men. Sadly, many women gave in to this sensation as well.