Every creature of the night needs to shake up their look once in a while, and what better way to do it than reaching back in time? It’s time to put on your favorite Siouxsie bootleg and consult the dark texts—aka vintage photos of the 80s goth scene. Try these classic hairstyles to get back to goth culture’s roots (literally).
The Dark Cloud
This big, messy hairstyle is achieved with a technique called backcombing. Many a night out has been christened with this sacred practice, so you’ll need to get familiar with it. Backcombing is basically exactly what it sounds like. You flip upside-down, grab a handful of hair, and tease it back from the roots outward with a comb and a healthy shot of hairspray.
Robert Smith of the Cure has been teasing his hair since the early 80s and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. The vintage choice was Aqua Net, but now there are plenty of options on the market that will keep your mane in place, such as Got2b Glued.
The Blowout
If you’re not into the teased to infinity look but still want some volume, you can get totally 80s waves with mousse and a round brush. Divide damp, moussed hair into sections, roll each one up with the brush, dry it, and brush it out for lush waves you don’t need a curling iron to achieve.
Long and Polished
This sleek look is a classic no matter what era you’re into. The go-to example is Morticia Addams’ glossy raven locks, but eye-catching balayage hair color would also be a lovely gothic hairstyle for long hair. Unlike a lot of goth looks, this one is relatively low maintenance, especially if you’re not using hair dye. Keep frizz to a minimum with argan oil leave-in conditioner.
Tiny Spikes
Get that Lydia Deetz flair by rolling your bangs into spikes with styling wax or gel. You can even do spikes all over if your hair is relatively short. In general, a lot of 80s goth hair looks like this are adapted from punk styles, but worn a little messy to make them appear more spectral and spooky.
The Deathhawk
Goth’s answer to the iconic punk mohawk, it’s essentially the same style but with a darker edge. A deathhawk is often worn a bit unkempt, as opposed to the punk rocker’s usual stiff fan or spikes. It also looks incredible with braids or dreads. A good set of clippers is essential to keep your ‘hawk tamed.
The Dark Starlet
A bob is a timeless goth hairstyle, as popular in the 80s as it is today. Whether you wear a crisp, black Louise Brooks bob or a messier, layered cut, this versatile hairstyle is equally at home in the office and a dance club full of clove cigarette smoke—just ask the dark mother of the elder goths herself, Anne Rice. Use a shine spray to get that perfect glossy pop.
The Victorian Widow
This is one of the most easy-to-wear gothic Victorian hairstyles out there. Trad goths who embrace an old-fashioned aesthetic might not want to tease their hair into a cobweb halo, but that’s okay. You can be elegant and still maintain an air of dark mystery with this gothic hairstyle.
The key is getting tons of volume at the roots—try starting out with a spray of root lifter before pinning your hair up, or work your hair into an elegant French Twist like the one in the photo. Goth hair accessories like cameo pins, black bows, or bat hair clips add a touch of whimsy.
The Goth Chop
This medium-length, highly textured style is edgy and androgynous, easy to wear as-is or style into a nest of nightmares with some texturizing spray. It’s a little bit of a mullet, a little bit of a shag, and a whole lot of attitude. You will love this versatile, classic gothic haircut.
Add color with some trusty Manic Panic to make a bold statement or leave it au naturel.
I'm Crimped
Crimped hair is as 80s as New Coke, but unlike that misbegotten beverage, it’s making a comeback. A crimping iron with adjustable heat settings works well for all hair textures, or you can make small braids in sections of towel-dried hair before going to bed for instant crimps the next day.
Hopefully these goth hairstyles for women that have come back from the dead will inspire your next gothic hair experiment. Happy backcombing!