Let’s be honest. When you think about Lionel Richie, your mind probably goes straight to that smooth, buttery voice or maybe that famous clay head from the "Hello" video. But for a huge chunk of the 1980s, the real star of the show was perched right on top of his head. We’re talking about the lionel richie long hair era—specifically, the era of the glistening, high-volume Jheri curl that defined a decade of R&B royalty.
It wasn’t just hair. It was a cultural event.
The Evolution of the Mane: From Afro to Icon
Before he was dancing on the ceiling, Lionel was holding it down with the Commodores. Back then, it was all about the Afro. It was the 70s, after all. His hair was natural, tight, and fit the funk-soul vibe of "Brick House" perfectly. But as the 80s rolled in and Lionel went solo, something shifted.
The hair got longer. It got shinier. It got... wetter?
Basically, Lionel became one of the primary ambassadors for the Jheri curl. Invented by Jheri Redding, this look required a two-part chemical process that basically permanently loosened the hair into these glossy, hanging ringlets. While Michael Jackson usually gets the credit for making the curl a global phenomenon on the Thriller cover, Lionel was right there in the trenches with him.
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Honestly, the sheer amount of activator spray used in the mid-80s probably accounts for a significant portion of the ozone layer issues we had back then.
What People Get Wrong About the Lionel Richie Long Hair Look
A lot of people look back at old photos and think he was wearing a wig or some kind of attachment. Nope. That was all him. In the early to mid-80s, Lionel let the length grow out significantly, especially in the back. It was a precursor to the "Soul Patch" or the "Curly Mullet" that would dominate the decade.
Think about the Can’t Slow Down era. You’ve got the mustache (which has remained remarkably consistent for like, 50 years, by the way) paired with these long, dripping curls that caught every studio light. It gave him this soft, romantic silhouette that matched the ballads he was churning out.
- The Texture: It wasn't just "long." It was a specific kind of "processed long."
- The Volume: It stood up at the top and cascaded down the sides.
- The Maintenance: This wasn't a "wake up and go" situation. You needed the "Curly Kit."
The Science of the Shine
Maintaining lionel richie long hair in the 80s was a full-time job. The Jheri curl was notoriously high-maintenance. You had to use a softener to break the hair's natural bonds, then set it with perm rods, and then—the most important part—douse it in activator and oil sheen every single day.
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If you didn't, the hair would dry out and become a brittle mess. But Lionel? His hair always looked pristine. It had that "just stepped out of a rainstorm" glow even when he was performing in the desert for a music video.
Interestingly, while the style eventually became a punchline in movies like Coming to America (shoutout to Soul Glo), Lionel wore it with a level of sophistication that kept it from looking ridiculous at the time. He made it look expensive.
Why He Finally Cut It Off
By the time the 90s hit, the "wet look" was fading fast. The culture moved toward the "Urban Studies Professor" look, as some critics called it. Lionel trimmed the length, ditched the heavy chemicals, and went for a shorter, more natural tapered cut.
He's talked about his grooming in recent years, mentioning that he keeps things much simpler now. He uses high-end moisturizers—specifically the Lancer Method—and focuses more on skin health than gravity-defying hair. But he’s never been one to shy away from his past. He knows those curls sold millions of records.
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Practical Takeaways from the Richie Era
If you’re looking to channel that vintage Lionel energy (maybe with a slightly more modern, less chemical-heavy twist), here’s how the experts suggest you handle high-texture long hair:
- Hydration is King: Lionel’s look worked because it looked hydrated. Use a leave-in conditioner that focuses on "slip" and shine without the 1984 grease.
- Embrace the Mustache: You can’t do the Richie hair without the Richie stache. It anchors the face. Keep it trimmed and separate from the lip line.
- Vary the Length: If you’re growing your hair out, don't just let it grow into a bell shape. Get it layered so the volume stays at the crown, just like the icon himself.
At the end of the day, lionel richie long hair wasn't just a trend; it was the visual identity of a man who ruled the charts. It was bold, it was unapologetically Black, and it was undeniably smooth. Even if we don't use a gallon of activator anymore, the confidence he had rocking that look is something every guy can learn from.
To really nail a modern version of this, focus on using "curl definers" rather than "activators." Modern gels and creams provide the same ringlet definition without the "oil stain on the couch" side effect. Keep the length at the back slightly shorter than the 1985 version to avoid the accidental mullet territory, and you're golden.