 The best way to tie a great costume together is with the right hairstyle.  Your clothes can have lots of zing, but if your tresses fall flat, then you have wasted an opportunity to stand out.  Here are a few ways to consider styling your locks with some 80s outfits.

 Many girls and young women could be seen wearing an off-centered ponytail.  These were worn high on the head, or about ear-height; locks could be curly or crimped. Straight hair would be teased or fluffed somehow to look fuller  The ideal accessory to use for this look is a colorful scrunchie (or two).

 Nothing says eighties like an obvious mullet.  Unless you are willing to cut your hair, the best way to achieve this look is to purchase a wig.  You can find some fun options at 80s.aspx. 80s.aspx

 Like scrunchies, this was another tool used to pull tresses back out of the face.  Banana clips could be worn centered on the back of the head, or slightly to the side.  They came in a variety of colors, so it was ideal to match the color of your clip to your clothing.

 Some male rockers, like Axl Rose and Brett Michaels, were known for wearing bandanas over long hair.  This is a great option for guys that have long hair but don’t want to have to do much styling.  Bandanas were generally darker colors, such as black or blue, with a pattern.

 A popular styling tool to use in this decade was a crimping iron.  A crimper shapes your locks into small zig-zags, and adds body and texture.  Best results were achieved when styling products were worked in before using the hot iron.

 It’s impossible to talk about 80s outfits without mentioning teased hair.80s outfits  Whether curly or straight, tresses were often “ratted” to give height and body.  This styling technique involves applying hairspray to a small section of the roots, then combing backwards towards the scalp to tangle it slightly.

 The procedure is then repeated to other small sections in the desired area.  Once your locks have sufficient body, you can shape and style it into the look you desire.  Be sure to smooth out the outer edge of the ratted area, so it looks smooth. Hair can look messy, but never tangled.

 Punk in this decade was all about spiked hair, preferably in a variety of bold colors.  Like a mullet, the easiest way to achieve this look without making a long-term commitment to the hairstyle is by purchasing a wig.  If your current locks can be spiked, consider purchasing spray in hair color.

 One of the great things about the eighties was the drastic and colorful techniques people used to style their tresses.  Be sure to match your “do” with the clothing style you are wearing.  If you can’t easily create the look you want on your own, consider asking someone you know in their forties to help. They probably have plenty of first- hand experience!