Going back in time, hairstyles have been a major component of fashion, and considered to be important contributions to the particular lifestyles of each age. Typical trends in hairstyles originate with celebrities and prominent figures, and spread from there on out. Breaking the time periods down into decades, a new prevalence of “conforming to a norm” began, primarily among the teen culture, known for its defining characteristic of tradition-defying dress and accessories.

Looking Back
Going back as far as the 1950s, the hair to have was surely influenced strongly by the movie stars of the day. Italian styling was big, and while women’s hair trends revealed shorter cuts with curls everywhere, some styles continue to live on in memory, with names like “Pageboy” and “Bouffant.” The absolute “It” men’s hairdo of the ‘50s, the Pompadour was made highly significant for the times by none other than Elvis, and even today, the Pompadour as enjoyed a resurgence that is not so rare anymore. Oddly this “do” came into being by Madame de Pompadour, the notorious mistress of King Louis XV, who popularized the look with the most fashion-forward women of the 1800s. Now, the Pompadour is exclusively reserved for men. So, while the Women’s Pompadour is over, men still rock it with this hairstyle.

Yesterday’s Mullet Has Come and Gone
When it comes to hairstyles and any appreciable attempt to evaluate them individually, no endeavor intended on distinguishing the keepers from the obvious fails would be complete without honorable mention of the Mullet. Often the subject of many a joke, there have even been “Reverse Mullets,” made popular by 1982’s The Flock of Seagulls’ frontman Mike Score, with face covering bangs and short cut rear details.

The Beehive
Amy Winehouse might have made this hairdo look amazing, however it takes a whole lot of special “something” to pull it off today. It did enjoy much 1960s popularity, even being incorporated into French Twist styles.

The Bowl Cut
With popularity spanning across many decades, the once “it” style of the Bowl Cut is now seemingly reserved for our youngest population of straight haired young men. At its inception a bowl may have been adequate as a guideline, modern bowl cuts are done “bowl-less.

The Combover
While the debate wages on regarding the intense prevalence of the shaven, bald male head today, it surely provides a less awkward fashion risk than the combover. And yes, one of our presidential hopefuls is the Combover Icon.

Other Styles That Have Been Put to Rest
The Side Ponytail was Cyndi Lauper’s trademark, and it went out soon afterward. And certainly popularizing a niche market, the 1970s Jheri Curl by Jheri Redding is unlikely to return. When was the last time you saw crimping irons for sale? There’s a reason. Enough said. And we end this important eulogy with what was once so guarded by so many: the Rattail. While there may still be one or two “die hards” out there, you’ll never see them come back, more than likely.