There have been some very popular hairstyles that got their start on television. Have you ever wondered what inspired those hairstyles? Was it an accident? A plan? No matter what the inspiration was behind these popular hairstyles, they were influential on many levels.
Imagine a time when there was no youtube, facebook, twitter, blogging, and texting. On one particular day back in 1964, families watched their small black and white television screens in an effort to catch what all the buzz was about a popular musical group called, The Beatles.
I just watched this clip on youtube and I can’t get over The Beatles’ hairstyles, nor could the 73 million viewers that tuned in that day for their world premier on The Ed Sullivan Show. The hairstyle, also known as the mop-top and the “Arthur” amongst Beatles fans, is a straight cut that goes to the collar, hangs over the ears with slight side-burns and flat bangs in front. The mop-top was inspired by an acquaintance and schoolboy named Jurgen Vollmer. One day after a swimming lesson, John Lennon noticed Jurgen’s post-swimming hair look. As quoted in The Beatles Anthology, Lennon further explained that “Jurgen had a flattened-down hairstyle with a fringe in the back, which we rather took to.” This “flattened-down hairstyle” was so popular that it was copied around the world between 1964-1966. The toy industry also cashed in on it. One particular toy company- The Lowell toy Manufacturers Corp. of New York-were licensed to make “the only AUTHENTIC Beatle Wig”. This “Beatle Wig” now sells for over $900 dollars-in the original packaging-and has been described by fabfourcollectibles.com as “A Wig of “lifelike hair” and as “ORIGINAL Beatles memorabilia and ONE OF THE MORE DISPLAYABLE OF 1964 BEATLEMANIA IN AMERICA. ED SULLIVAN WORE ONE”. Now that we know why women loved the Beatles and why men wanted to have hair like them, it’s time to recognize famous female hair styles that got started on tv.
Fast forward 10 years and Florence Henderson, the famous Mrs. Brady, had a mullet as her hairstyle of choice as was seen on The Brady Brunch from (1973-4 season). If you are too young to know what a Mullet is, I can assure that it is still being worn by people today. Where did the Mullet hairstyle come from? According to Hubpages.com, the mullet evolved from the imagination of David Bowie and alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. If you google Ziggy Startdust, you will notice images of the classic mullet hairstyle-long in the back and short around the ears. I’m still trying to connect Mrs. Brady to Ziggy Stardust, but that may be in another blog post. However, hairstyles change pretty quickly. Another hairstyle was about to make television waves that people are still flipping over today.
One of the most unforgettable hairstyles that came from television was that of Farrah Fawecett which was extremely popular with women around the globe. Farrah’s long thick tresses represented the freedom, femininity, and strength of women during the 70′s. It is no coincidence that the hairstyle was also known as “The Lioness”. In an article on stylelist.com, the hairstylist behind Farrah’s famous full tresses was Allen Edwards. Edwards was excited to improve Farrah’s tow-head blond color and her electric-roller curls”. His decision to give Farrah’s hair more layering and her color “lighter-brighter” highlights-requiring 80 foils-changed hair forever. Instead of rollers, Edwards used a small brush to curl the hair back when it was almost dry, working section by section, twisting from the middle of the hair shaft to the edge. “I’d curl, pin, curl, pin. And when it was done, I took the pins out, turned the hair upside down and brushed it out so you wouldn’t have a ‘set’ look.” The look complimented her facial structure, he says. The results were outstanding. Edwards described the results of Farrah’s hairstyle as the “hottest thing on TV”. Edwards estimated that his salons alone were cutting several hundred copies a week. Farrah-the-Hair. Shortly after that hair products were introduced, such as Farrah Fawcett Shampoo, with the less-than-Farrah-licious tag: “I have a terrific new way to wash my hair. A shampoo with vitamins, minerals, proteins and herbs.”
Fast forward 20 years and a far cry from the streets of LA, a television show, Friends, introduced another very famous hairstyle. One of the friends, Rachel, played by well known actress Jennifer Aniston, had the perfect haircut. This was also known as the Rachel Shag or just The Rachel. This bouncy, square layered hairstyle was first seen in season 1 of Friends and named appropriately after Anniston’s character, Rachel Green. This hairstyle was the genius and created by Aniston’s hairstylist, Chris McMillan. In an exclusive interview on Elle.com, McMillan reveals where his inspiration for “The Rachel” came from, what hair products he uses on Aniston and his tricks for styling her hair. McMillan told Elle.com that the Rachel hairstyle was inspired by a model named Beri Smither who was wearing a shag haircut at the time. McMillan explains that the Rachel evolved after McMillan urged Aniston to grow her bangs out. The results were priceless. He added that “her bangs were down to her chin, and the rest of her hair was at her shoulders in these long, loose layers that sort of flipped out—and that’s what we called the Rachel.”
Have you ever run out to the salon and requested a television inspired hairstyle? Were you happy with the results?
34 Comments Post a comment
My last haircut was designed after the singer PINK. Love her short ‘do and it turned out very nice, with some highlights!
/Heather
I also would love to get a spiral perm someday, like the mermaid in SPLASH.
I always loved jennifer aniston’s haircut I asked for it when i was in 9th grade came out really cute!
TV has never influenced my hair style.
TV has great influence over the trends. How interesting.
The trouble with copying a hairstyle is your dealing with your own hairtype and face shape….it just doesnt go well:)
what a fascinating blog!! Mrs. Brady being inspired by David Bowie is almost the most insane thing I ever heard, lol!! As I said in a previous post, I wore my own hair influenced by ‘the Farrah’ back in the day & my newest wig has been getting done lately in a similar style
i think most of the popular haircuts were for straight hair.
i just focused on making sure they didnt cut my super thick curly hair to my chin!
No,I have never gone out and gotten a hair cut/style from tv.I have always worn my hair fairly straight,most of my life it has been long.I did not even like most of the styles you remember(I know,I am strange,lol),except Farrah Fawcett.I liked it on her,but always knew I could not get my hair to do that:)
Email above is contest only;)
I’ve never had my hair styled after someone on television. I have thought about doing it but never did. Out of all of them I think the one I liked the most was the Rachel.
I love the Rachel hair cut!
Tweeted http://twitter.com/karenar25/status/16721115961
As a hairstylist the I get clients that ask me for…..well right now someone would like to have Sharon Ozbourne’s color and style. I think the tv can sometimes make things a little easier.
I have curly hair and wear it curly. Don’t think that I have ever seen anything special on tv for curly hair.
thanks for posting! tweeted! i will
I always did my own thing interms of hairstyle
How about the hairstyle that was popular after the television show “That Girl?”
comment twice!!!!!!!!!!!
I tried to comment from my phone, but I don’t think it worked, so I’ll try again.
I sported the Rachel back in the day. There was also a time in the mid-90s when I had myself, “Scullified.” I loved Gillian Anderson’s style and color. It was just, “Meh” on me, but fantastic on her.
I once based a haircut on Reece Witherspoon’s short flippy cut in “Sweet Home Alabama.” I liked it. I actually forgot how much I liked it until just now when I went to look at pictures again.
What looks great on somebody else looks bad on me so I just keep to a couple of styles that I konw work for me.
I’ve never styled my hair based on a tv character because it’s very curly and frizzy so all I did before I was married was put it up in a ponytail.
I tweeted:) That is my second comment!!!
tv really never influenced me
Tv does influence trends…I’ve tried some but because of the difference it hair type they don’t look the same on me…
that is sooo interesting about the hair cuts
Love all the info that you post.
People on TV never had frizzy curly hair like mine so I never asked for any of those hairstyles. My mom tried to give me a Dorothy Hamill haircut when I was really young, forgetting that she’d have to straighten it out every day to achieve the look. That was a disaster.
i never get my hair styled like a star i just do what i like i have side bangs now with layers it looks good cuz it frames my face
I requested the racheal once, it came out really bad on my super straight hair. never again. now i just go for what looks good on my face
I create my own style. That could be scary at times. lol
I remember the Rachel!! Still think it is a nice look…
I have never requested a hair style like someone on tv. I usually go with what the hair stylist recommends.
I love this blog and It is looking good. Now Their are best and beautiful design are showing on tv and as per fitted according to the face.