Can You Name These Throwback Hairstyles?

By: E-maginne Grant
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Name These Throwback Hairstyles?
Image: avid_creative / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

We all have those embarrassing throwback school pictures. Envision the long lines in the gymnasium, the outrageous outfits, the out of touch colorful laser backdrop and the over the top hairstyles that screamed, "I'm sorry, my mom dressed me!"

Some hairstyles will never leave pop culture, the beautiful pixie cut, Farrah Fawcetts feathered bangs, Janet Jackson's box braid extensions and the lovely voluminous Afro. Whether it was the whale spout ponytail or the reverse fade, these hairstyles will give you a laugh or two, but don't be afraid to laugh at all 40. This quiz will supply you with a healthy mix of both the ageless and the ridiculous.

How many of these throwback hairstyles can you identify? Or better yet, how many have you and your friends worn? This quiz might have you asking why you ever wore your hair that way when you were young. You might even wonder why anyone wore their hair that way. It might also give inspiration for a new hairstyle with a classic twist, like the crop, which has been remixed several times throughout the decades. Find out fascinating tidbits, like which crop hairstyle was named after an English boarding school for boys, despite being worn mostly by women. It's time to let your hair down, and quiz away!

1. Uncle Jesse Full House
ABC
This hairstyle hasn't come back since it left. Somehow, uncle Jessie from "Full House" managed to make it look good. Can you name this hairstyle?
Bullet
Dull cut
Mullet
Bowl cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Oxford English Dictionary gives The Beastie Boys credit for making this hairstyle popular after the release of their song, "Mullet Head," in 1994. The mullet was just hitting its peak of popularity at that time.

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2. Cicely Tyson Short Afro
OWN
Cicely Tyson made a stunning debut with this hairstyle in 1963. What do you call this low-maintenance crown?
Short Afro
Bob
Big Afro
Tyson Afro
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cicely Tyson shocked her director when she walked on set with her short Afro. The night before she had long, straight hair. This style is achieved by cutting the hair really low and shampooing it until it returns to its natural state.

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3. Jane Fonda Choppy Shag in Klute
Gus Productions
This haircut shares a name with a famous 1970s rug. Do you know its name?
Bang haircut
Choppy shag cut
Rug cut
Pixie cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This cut can be worn short, like Jane Fonda's famous look, or long, like the rocker diva Stevie Nicks. The choppy shag cut is achieved by creating intense choppy layers in no particular pattern.

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4. Flat Top
Sue Barr / Image Source / Getty Images
Sometimes it's best to keep it all up top. Can you guess the name of this top-heavy haircut?
Buzz cut
Fade
Comb over
Flattop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The secret to achieving the ideal flattop is on the sides. The shorter the cut is on the sides, the more square the flattop appears. Some barbers get creative and cut the top into different shapes.

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5. Farah Fawcett
CBS
Farrah Fawcett had every girl in the '70s wanting these luscious bangs. What were these heart-stopping face framers called?
Feathered bangs
Wavy bangs
Curly bangs
Bouncy bangs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Charlie's Angels" would have been just another TV show without Farrah Fawcett and her feathered bangs. This hairstyle became her signature. Since then, feathered bangs have taken on a life of their own.

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6. Pixie Cut
NicolasMcComber / E+ / Getty Images
This haircut has been revamped several times since the legendary model, Twiggy, debuted it. What name does this classic cut go by?
Crew cut
Undercut
Pixie cut
Buzz cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A pixie cut is worn with the front of the hair longer than the sides and the back. Classic celebrities like Mia Farrow, Audrey Hepburn and the timeless fairy, Tinkerbell, put their own spin on it.

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7. Pompadour
jonathandowney / E+ / Getty Images
In order to be a heartthrob in the '50s, this hairstyle was a must. Can you name the hairstyle every guy was asking his barber for?
Pompadour
Undercut
Duck tail
Ivy League cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The pompadour cut is all about drama. The front of the hair is styled with volume and height, and the sides and back are cut short. Celebrities like Elvis and the Fonz, played by Henry Winkler on "Happy Days," made this hairstyle popular.

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8. Janet Jackson Poetic Justice
Columbia Pictures
Janet Jackson was a stunning beauty with this 1990s hairstyle in the movie, "Poetic Justice." What do you call these luscious locks?
French braids
Fishtail braids
Goddess locks
Individual box braids
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Individual box braids are unique from traditional individual braids because the hair is parted in neat boxes or squares. These braids can range from really small boxes to jumbo-sized boxes.

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3. The Pringle Shingle
Bain News Service via WikiCommons
If you can recall a female icon from the 1920s, chances are she sported this hairdo. Which choice below is the correct name for this iconic haircut?
Messy shag
Lob
The pringle shingle
Bowl cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The pringle shingle is a memorable version of the classic bob. In 1925, Aileen Pringle shocked Hollywood when she debuted her new shingled bob cut. The hairstyle was coined the pringle shingle.

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10. Josephine Baker
Walery via WikiCommons
Can you name this slick hairdo that Josephine Baker wore as she danced around the stage in her banana skirt?
Asymmetric bob cut
Eton crop
Comb over
Pringle shingle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The bob has several variations, but the Eton crop is probably the slickest and shortest of them all. It's named after Eton English School because the boys there wore their hair in a similar style.

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11. Marcel Waves 2
lambada / E+ / Getty Images
Flapper girls broke the rules with their short dresses and their short hair. Can you name this rebel hairstyle?
Marcel waves
Jheri curl
Ringlets
French twist
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Marcel waves, similar to finger waves, are created by using hot curling tongs to make deep loose waves on short hair. Francois Marcel, a famous french hairstylist, invented the curling technique in 1872.

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12. Afro
Ariel Skelley / DigitalVision / Getty Images
The 1960s were full of everything, especially hair! Can you tell us what this powerful hairstyle is called.
Blow out
Big Afro
Beehive
Pompadour
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Every short Afro has dreams of becoming a big Afro. This style is achieved by shampooing the hair and combing it in an outward motion to create height, volume and stretch out the natural coils.

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13. Cleopatra Costume
alukard1 / E+ / Getty Images
As a queen of Egypt, her hair was as much of a statement as her position. What was this legendary hairstyle called?
Individual box braids
Fishtail braid
Goddess braids
Cleopatra's gilded braids
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cleopatra's gilded braids were unique because of the blunt bangs and gold jewels. While there is no proof that she actually wore her hair this way, pop culture made the hairstyle Cleopatra's own.

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14. The Milkmaid Braids
DaveyDavey Drury Street via YouTube
Once popular in the 1940s, this hairstyle was a wedding favorite. What name does it go by?
Milkmaid braids
Goddess braids
French braids
Rope braids
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Frida Kahlo, the famous Mexican painter, created several self-portraits styled in these milkmaid braids. During World War II, these braids were also popular because they were low-maintenance and didn't require shampooing every day. Shampoo was among the products that were either rationed or hard to come by during that time.

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15. Dreadlocks
Hill Street Studios / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Bob Marley made this his signature hairstyle. What do you call this long, luscious crown?
Senegalese twist
Faux locks
Dreadlocks
Jumbo box braids
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dreadlocks have been around for hundreds — perhaps even thousands — of years. Dreadlocks have no clear origination, but Rastafarians have made them a spiritual statement rather than a fashion statement.

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16. Snoop Dog Cornrows
Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM
Worn by men and women, this hairstyle is also the name of a tasty vegetable. Can you tell us its name?
Feed-in braids
Micro individual braids
Havana twists
Cornrows
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cornrows can be created by braiding the natural hair very close to the scalp in an underhand or overhand motion. This hairstyle has been around for thousands of years, with origins dating back to ancient Africa.

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17. Curly Perm
CoffeeAndMilk / E+ / Getty Images
There are several ways to achieve beautiful bouncy curls. Can you name the style that makes them last longer?
Curly perm
Shirley temples
Chignon bun
The Rachel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

French stylist Marcel Grateau invented the curly perm in 1870. He called it the "long-lasting hair waving technique." This style is created by using curling rods on the hair in combination with a perm cream.

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19. Zendaya Finger Waves
Celebrity Diaries via YouTube
A classic hairstyle never goes out of style. This beauty has had a recent comeback. Can you name this timeless hairstyle?
Hollywood waves
Marcel waves
Beach waves
Finger waves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This hairstyle set waves in the 1920s and '30s. Stars like Bette Davis and Anita Paige made it a classic. You get this style by using a strong hold gel, a comb and your fingers to create swooping waves on shorter hair.

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20. Space Buns
Virgin
The Spice Girls sported this futuristic hairdo. Can you name this double dose bun hairstyle?
Milkmaid braids
Corkscrew curls
Space buns
Top bun
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Space buns have recently made a comeback since their debut in the late 1990s. The style was made famous by the Spice Girls, but some attribute the popularity of the style to Princess Leia from "Star Wars."

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21. Getting Highlights
SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Images
Hairstylists in the '90s were probably overbooked with appointments for this hairdo Whats the name of this slightly colored hair?
Ombre
Balayage
Sombre
Highlights
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Highlights didn't start in the '90s, but they made a new home there. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Beyonce, Cindy Crawford and even boy band 'N Sync, brought this hairstyle to the front lines in pop culture.

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22. The Rachel
NBC
Named after the character who wore it, this haircut was just as famous as the TV show it appeared on. What is the name of this famous cut?
The Rachel
The bob
The shag cut
The crop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Often called the haircut of the '90s, this hairstyle is achieved by using a round brush and blow dryer to create volume on the choppy layers. Surprisingly, Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel on "Friends," didn't care for the haircut.

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23. Curly Bob Marilyn Monroe
Mirisch Company
Marilyn Monroe took this hairstyle and made it her own by pairing it with her bleach blonde color. Can you name this short, curly style?
Asymmetrical bob
Blunt bob
Curly bob
Shaggy bob
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are many versions of the bob, and this is one of them. Achieve this look by giving the traditional bob short beach waves. The key to this hairstyle is layers that are properly cut.

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24. Pin Curls Rosie the Riveter Costume
sarahwolfephotography / Moment / Getty Images
The 1920s Hollywood film scene was full of girls with curls. What is the name of this particular curly hairdo?
Curly bob
Half lob
Dutch curls
Pin curls
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pin curls were first introduced as a low-cost hairstyle for women during the Great Depression. After the Depression, Hollywood movie stars took the look to the big screen and made it a classic.

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25. Pin Up Hair
StefaNikolic / E+ / Getty Images
Can you name this sexy hairdo that was made popular by pin-up models in the '40s?
Pin-up
Faux bob
Finger waves
Pompadour
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This hairstyle has been worn in several ways. One of the most famous styles is a double pin-up in the front with half the hair down in the back. Get the pin-up look by rolling the hair inwards while tucking it with pins.

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26. Jane Leeves Aqua net bangs
NBC
A 1980s hair spray brand is responsible for this style. What is the name of these outrageously voluminous bangs?
Aqua Net bangs
Feathered bangs
Crimped bangs
Wavy bangs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the '80s, the higher the bangs were, the cooler you were. These bangs were named after the hairspray that was often used to create it. Get this look by using hairspray to lift the roots as high as you can.

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27. The Beehive
Nick White / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Can you tell us the name of this hairstyle which is also the name of Beyonce's fan club?
The beehive
The honeycomb
The Mohawk
Top knot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The beehive is sometimes called the B-52 due to its resemblance to the nose of the Boeing B-52 bomber. The beehive is achieved by pulling the hair on top of the head into a beehive shape.

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28. Gypsy Cut
The Wendy Williams Show
This haircut puts a fun twist on the classic layered cut. Can you tell us the name of this style?
Taper cut
Gypsy cut
Chandelier cut
Feathered cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gypsy cut puts a fun free-spirited twist on the traditional layered cut. It gave pop culture a Bohemian vibe. Achieve this look by cutting uneven layers and using a blow dryer to bring extra volume.

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29. Bette Page Teaserama Pageboy
Beautiful Productions Inc.
Bettie Page turned several heads in this safe but flirty haircut. Do you know the name of this show-stopping style?
Bowl cut
Shag cut
Pageboy cut
Faded cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The pageboy haircut is named after the pudding basin haircut traditionally worn by late medieval page boys. It gained popularity during the '50s. Fetish model Bettie Page stamped this as her signature look.

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30. Stephanie Tanner Full House Whale Spout
ABC
Let's throw it back to the '80s with this overflowing ponytail. Can you pick out the right name for this hairstyle?
Dolphin fin
Lion mane
Whale spout
Fishtail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Singer Debbie Gibson wore this hairstyle with pride in the '80s. She didn't invent it, but she put her stamp on it. Get an updated version of this look by using a loose-fitting hair tie to add volume.

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31. Bubble Flip Hairspray
Ingenious Media / Zadan/Meron Productions / Storyline Entertainment / Offspring Entertainment
Almost every housewife in the '60s had this hairstyle. What's the name of this bouncy hairdo?
Bubble flip
Layered lob
Wavy bob
Eton crop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you ever watched "The Brady Bunch" then you've seen Carol Brady sport this famous hairstyle. Get the bubble flip look by using a flat iron to flip up the ends in a tight curl. This style is usually done on a bob.

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32. Fishtail Braid
PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images
Look again if you think this is a French braid. Can you name this beautiful braid style?
Halo braid
Crown braid
French braid
Fishtail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A fishtail braid is similar to a French braid except that two sections of hair are used instead of three. This gives the braid a woven or fishtail look. In the 19th century, the style was referred to as a Grecian braid.

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33. Hi-top fade
PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images
If hip hop had a signature hairstyle in the late '80s and early '90s, this would be it. Can you choose the right name for this haircut?
Undercut
Hi-top fade
Comb over
Low fade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Similar to a flat top, a hi-top fade begins with the sides and back cut low or off. The top is left long, usually in a square shape. This hi-top fade trend began in the 1980s and is still worn today.

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34. Mohawk
Jay P. Morgan / Photodisc / Getty Images
The middle child would be an appropriate nickname for this hairstyle, but can you tell us its official name?
Mullet
Shaved sides
Pompadour
Mohawk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Art dating back to 600 BCE shows Scythian warriors wearing this hairstyle, but it gets its name from an indigenous tribe of the Mohawk nation in North America and parts of Canada.

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35. Mandy Moore Princess Diaries Butterfly Clips
Walt Disney Pictures / BrownHouse Productions
We're taking it back to the '90s with this question. Can you name this hair accessory-crazed hairstyle?
Butterfly clips
Space buns
Crimps
Whale spout
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These hair accessories were so popular in the '90s that it was deemed an actual hairstyle. Celebrities like Brittney Spears, Christina Aguilera and the Olsen twins took the look mainstream.

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36 Jelly Roll
Paramount Pictures / Allan Car Production / Robert Stigwood Organization / Polydor Records
The '50s were full of gel, grease and this hairstyle. What do you call this slick hairdo?
Duck tail
Slicked back
Cowlick
Jelly roll
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The jelly roll was one of many haircuts in the '50s that required a lot of gel and grease. Get this look by using a thick pomade to hold the rolls in place. The sides and back are kept short.

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Zac Efron
ABC
This hairstyle has had a few comebacks since it first emerged in the 1950s. Can you tell us the name it goes by?
Pin-up
Pompadour
Quiff
Bubble flip
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the British Teddy Boy movement of the 1950s, the quiff haircut was considered a staple hairstyle. The modern quiff is worn shorter than the 1950s version of the hairstyle.

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38. Douglas Fairbanks
Pantoist via YouTube
Can you pick the name of this haircut that also shares its name with a famous silent movie star?
Marcel waves
Douglas Fairbanks
Eton crop
Caesar cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This hairstyle is named after the famous 1920s silent film actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr. It became popular in the late 1920s as Fairbanks' movie career began to rise. Both men and women wore the haircut.

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39. Little Rascals Cowlick on Alfalfa
Amblin Entertainment / KingWorld / Filmed Entertainment
The feature part of this hairstyle is the piece of hair that sticks up. What is this hairstyle called?
Cowlick
Disconnected undercut
Faux hawk
French crop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This hairstyle is achieved by taking any piece of hair, usually towards the front or on the crown, and gel it straight up or in a completely different direction from the rest of the hair.

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40. Three Stooges I Can Hardly Wait
Columbia Pictures
Can you name the haircut that "The Three Stooges" famously wore?
Pixie cut
Bowl cut
Textured cut
Buzz cut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bowl cut is achieved by cutting the hair in a straight fringe the same length all around to create the shape of a bowl. The bangs are sometimes cut shorter than the back and sides.

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18. O'Shea Jackson Jr. Jerri Curls
Ice Cube / Cubevision
This popular 1980s hairstyle had everyone dripping in curl activator. What's the name of this shiny hairdo?
Relaxer
Jheri curl
Curly perm
Curly pineapple
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hairstylist Jheri Redding created this hairstyle in the 1980s as an alternative to the relaxer. The style was created as a way to easily manage naturally curly hair. This hairstyle requires a two-step application process.

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You Got:
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avid_creative / E+ / Getty Images