If you look at any fashion runway or scroll through a trendy neighborhood in 2026, you'll see it. The hair. It's big. It’s flowing. It has that specific, airy bounce that feels like it belongs on a vintage roller rink or a Fleetwood Mac album cover. Honestly, 70s hairstyles long hair are basically the blueprint for modern "cool girl" aesthetics, but most people are actually getting the history—and the technique—kinda wrong.
It wasn't just about letting hair grow. Not at all. The 1970s was a decade of massive transition from the stiff, hairsprayed structure of the 60s into something that looked "natural" but actually required a ton of strategic cutting. Think about the shag. Or the feathered look popularized by Farrah Fawcett. These weren't accidents. They were revolutionary because they used internal layers to create movement that hadn't been seen in decades.
People think the 70s was just one long hippie vibe. It wasn't. You had the high-glam disco era, the gritty rock-and-roll shag, and the sleek, bohemian middle parts. All of them relied on length. If you’re trying to replicate these looks today, you have to understand that "long" back then meant something different than it does now. It wasn't just about waist-length extensions; it was about the volume at the crown.
The Shag: Not Just for Rockstars Anymore
The shag is probably the most misunderstood of all 70s hairstyles long hair. Created originally by barber Paul McGregor for Jane Fonda in the film Klute, it changed everything. It’s basically a haircut that’s all about the layers. Short on top, long on the bottom. But the trick is the "transition" layers.
If your stylist just gives you "choppy" layers, that's not a 70s shag. That’s a 90s mall cut. A true 70s long shag needs to have a seamless flow from a heavy fringe—usually a curtain bang—into the rest of the length. It’s supposed to look a little messy. Sorta like you just woke up and your hair is naturally that cool. Realistically, it takes a bit of sea salt spray or a light pomade to get that "piecey" look without it looking greasy.
Back in the day, the shag was a gender-neutral powerhouse. Mick Jagger had it. David Bowie had it. Joan Jett made it iconic for the punk-rock crowd. Today, we see people like Billie Eilish or Miley Cyrus rocking the modern "wolf cut," which is just a rebranded 70s long shag. The beauty of it? It works on almost any hair texture. If you have curly hair, a long shag is actually a godsend because it removes the "triangle" shape that curly-haired people often struggle with.
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That Farrah Fawcett Volume: More Than Just a Blowout
We have to talk about the "Red Swimsuit" poster. You know the one. Farrah Fawcett's hair in that image defined an entire generation of 70s hairstyles long hair. It’s the ultimate feathered look. But here’s the thing: Farrah’s hair wasn't just one length. It was a masterpiece of layering.
To get that look, you need a "C" shape cut into the front. The hair is literally cut to flick away from the face. It's a high-maintenance style, honestly. You can't just air-dry and hope for the best. The 70s version used hot rollers—the kind that burned your fingers if you weren't careful. Nowadays, people use the Dyson Airwrap or large-barrel curling irons to mimic the effect, but the soul of the look is the direction of the curl. Everything goes back. Away from the eyes. It opens up the face.
Interestingly, this style was a reaction against the "mod" bobs of the 60s. Women wanted to feel feminine but active. It was the era of the "Charlie" girl—independent, working, and moving. You couldn't have hair that was pinned in place with half a bottle of Aqua Net. You needed hair that moved when you walked.
The Lowdown on the "Boho" Middle Part
If the shag was the rebel and the feathered look was the sweetheart, the long, straight middle part was the soul of the decade. Think Ali MacGraw or Cher. This was the "anti-style" style.
- The Cut: Usually blunt at the bottom with very minimal face-framing.
- The Part: Exactly in the center. No exceptions.
- The Vibe: Sleek, shiny, and almost monastic.
Cher’s hair in the mid-70s was a feat of engineering. It was glass-straight before flat irons were even a thing. Women used to literally iron their hair with clothes irons. Please don't do that. We have better technology now. If you’re going for this look, it’s all about hair health. The 70s bohemian look only works if the hair looks healthy, not fried. It's about that "Cher hair" swing.
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Disco Glam and the Rise of the Afro
We can’t discuss 70s hairstyles long hair without mentioning the incredible volume of the disco era. This was the time of Donna Summer and Diana Ross. Long hair wasn't just about being straight or feathered; it was about celebrating natural texture on a massive scale.
The Afro became a powerful symbol of Black beauty and political pride. While many people think of the Afro as a "short" style, the long-haired versions of the 70s were breathtaking. These were meticulously picked out to create perfect spheres of volume. It was about taking up space. It was about being seen.
At the same time, disco brought in "Studio 54" hair—huge, brushed-out curls. This wasn't the tight, crunchy hair of later decades. This was soft. If you had long hair, you’d curl it, then brush it out until it was a cloud of frizz-free waves. Jerry Hall was the queen of this. Her hair always looked like it was being blown by a permanent, invisible fan.
What People Get Wrong About 70s Texture
Most people think 70s hair was dry. It wasn't. It was actually quite shiny, but it wasn't "oily" shiny. It was more of a satin finish. They used a lot of henna back then for shine and a slight reddish tint, which was a huge trend. If you look at old photos, there's a warmth to the hair colors—honey blonds, chestnut browns, and deep coppers. The "ashy" trend didn't really exist yet.
Making 70s Hairstyles Long Hair Work in 2026
If you want to bring this into the modern day, you have to adapt. You can’t just walk out looking like a costume party version of 1975. The key is the "modern vintage" mix.
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First, talk to your stylist about "internal weight removal." This is a fancy way of saying they should thin out the hair in specific spots so it doesn't feel heavy, even though it looks long and thick. 70s hair needs to feel light. It should bounce when you take a step.
Second, the fringe is everything. If you’re nervous about a full 70s commitment, start with curtain bangs. They are the gateway drug to 70s hairstyles long hair. They grow out easily and they frame the cheekbones perfectly. Just make sure they are cut long enough to tuck behind your ears if you get annoyed.
Real-World Maintenance
Let's be real: long hair is a commitment.
- Blow-drying: You’ll need a round brush. A big one.
- Products: Ditch the heavy waxes. Use a volumizing mousse on wet hair and a lightweight oil on the ends once it’s dry.
- Trims: You need them every 8 weeks. Because 70s styles rely on layers, once those layers grow out too far, the shape collapses and you just look like you haven't had a haircut in a year.
The 70s was a decade of "more is more." More hair, more flares, more soul. It was a time when hair was used to express a new kind of freedom. Whether you’re going for the rock-and-roll edge of a shag or the ethereal beauty of long, middle-parted waves, the goal is the same: look like you’re having the time of your life.
Your 70s Hair Action Plan
To actually pull this off without looking like an extra in a period drama, follow these specific steps. Start by booking a consultation with a stylist who specializes in "shag" or "razor" cuts; 70s layers often look better when cut with a razor for that soft, tapered edge rather than blunt shears. Ask for "face-framing feathers" specifically if you want the Farrah vibe.
Invest in a set of large Velcro rollers. They are cheap, heat-free, and give that specific 70s lift at the root that a curling iron just can't replicate. Apply them to damp hair, let them sit while you do your makeup, and when you take them out, brush through the curls vigorously. Don't be afraid to brush. The 70s look is about the "brush-out"—that’s where the magic happens and the individual curls turn into one cohesive, voluminous wave.
Finally, embrace the frizz. A little bit of texture makes the look feel authentic and "lived-in" rather than robotic and over-styled. The 1970s was the last great era of "touchable" hair before the stiff 80s took over, so keep it soft, keep it moving, and let it be a little wild.