The 30 Worst Women’s Hairstyles in Recent Memory
There have been a lot of amazing hairstyles to fawn over in recent years. Just in the last decade, we’ve seen the lob, lavender hair, pearlescent hair, and so much more. These styles make you want to run to your hair stylist and drop some real money just to get the same look. However, not every style is absolutely stunning.
Along with these gems, there have also been several looks that are absolutely nothing to write home about. Some of them look utterly hideous. Well, the benefit is that they can make you feel great about your hair even if you haven’t been to the stylist in a couple of years!
We’re talking about the styles that make you wonder “what were they thinking?!” Some of these iconic styles trended thanks to celebrities while others created a life of their own without too much influence from the red carpet. From rainbow hair to too-long bangs, there are some hairstyles that should just be banned at all hair salons. Here are 30 ‘dos you probably aren’t going to be (and definitely shouldn’t be) rocking anytime soon! Have you seen any of these looks in public?
Two-Toned Long Roots
Long roots or two-toned hair look like someone has neglected their roots.
No, it doesn’t look like a natural Ombré. However, an Ombré can solve the long roots issue.
Slicked-Back Bob
The slicked-back bob can be pulled off by those with great bone structure, but for the most part, this style looks like a glorified mullet.
Bobs look nice enough on their own, so you shouldn’t have to resort to globs of hair gel to enhance your style.
Pigtail Buns
Pigtail buns are two little buns that are made by dividing the hair into two ponytails that wrap around the base to create buns. You can thank Sailor Moon for this hairstyle; the anime heroine sported this hairstyle in every single episode in the ’90s; other characters even called her things like “meatball head” and “bunhead.”
This look is cute on Sailor Moon and 8-year-olds, but not anyone else who wants to be taken seriously as a grownup.
Modified Mullet
The modified mullet is best described as the look ScarJo sported early in her career. You’d think it would have died out, but nope.
Just like the regular mullet for men, it’s managed to hold on with sharp teeth.
Dyed Gray Hair
Many young women have taken to dyeing their hair gray recently, but why on earth do they want gray hair 30 years before it comes in naturally?!
When they turn 50, they’re going to wish they had appreciated their natural color while they had it!
Voluminous Bun
Voluminous buns are back in style, but we aren’t too keen on the “dead animal on top of your head” look.
Women with thin hair can make this look work, but for the rest of us, it’s best to try to contain volume rather than exaggerate it.
Towering Top Knot
Women are putting in a lot of effort to make their hair tower a foot or more over their heads, but we simply cannot get on board with this trend that looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss movie.
It’s simply unnatural for something to sit so high up.
Feathery Flip
The feathery flip, aka the Farrah flip, was stunning back in the day, but not anymore.
Now, women are trying out this hairstyle, and it looks dated. Just stop. Please, for the sake of humanity.
Sleek High Ponytail
Victoria’s Secret models and the Kardashians are about the only ones who can pull off this hair trend.
As for the rest of us, when we pull our hair back that tight, all of the places where the hair is thinning or receding is exposed for the whole world to see.
Super High Pony
Similar to the super slick pony, the super high pony can only be worn by some. If Beyoncé can barely pull it off, there are very few that can.
It shows off any thinning areas, and the hair will inevitably end up in your face.
Center-Part Bob
We love bobs and the center-part, but the two don’t really mix as well as we had hoped.
Unless your hair is pin-straight like Gwyneth Paltrow’s, you’ll end up looking like you have two giant clumps of hair on either side of your face.
Frizzy Waves
Some women embrace the frizz, but we’re just not sold on this look.
There are just so many other options for natural curls.
Half Bun
The half bun consists of pulling half of your hair back into a (usually messy) bun and leaving the rest down. While this style is super popular because washing your hair is just really time consuming and it’s a great style for when you’re short on time, it doesn’t look great on everyone.
This style can really only look okay if you have thinner hair, but if it’s thick or curly, the half bun is going to look poofy and overwhelming.
Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs are meant to have a carefree vibe about them, but we think they’re just a little too laid-back looking.
They make the wearer look as though they haven’t had their bangs trimmed in a couple months and attempted to do it themselves.
Poodle Perm
Why does the poodle perm exist?
It makes the wearer look like Lionel Richie or an overgrown Chia Pet. No. You’re not the one I’m looking for.
Wet Hair
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could hop out of the shower and go to work with your hair still wet? Well, some women are attempting to make this a thing.
Unfortunately, it just looks sloppy and unkempt.
Shelf Layers
Shelf layers work alright with curly hair, but for someone that has straight hair, good luck.
Unless the plan is to get up early in the morning and curl, curl, curl — move on.
Slicked Back Pixie
There isn’t a whole lot you can do with a pixie cut, but slicking it back shouldn’t be an option.
It just looks like the hair is so greasy that you can literally comb it back, and it’ll stay.
Super Short Bangs
Some women are turning to super short bangs to get the bang look without the hassle.
Unfortunately, this style reminds us of the terrible bangs we were subjected to in the second grade and never want to see again.
Bowl Cut
The bowl cut has been around for decades and still seems to hang around. Why? It looks like someone literally put dishes on their head and followed the line.
Maybe it’s alright for children, but adults should know better.
The Kate Gosselin
You may know this cut as the “Kate Gosselin” or the “I need to speak to your manager cut.” Either way, it isn’t flattering.
It’s short but long, spiky but smooth. Side effects may include complaining to management more.
Hidden Rainbow Hair
The “hidden rainbow” hair trend is great in theory and looks gorgeous in professionally-taken photos. In real life, though, it’s not that fabulous.
Unless you have extremely thick hair, that rainbow is never going to be completely hidden.
Eye-Skimming Bangs
Bangs are slowly but surely having a comeback. One of the most popular bang trends consists of letting your bangs graze your eyelashes. Can you say irritating?
Not to mention, no one is going to be able to see your eyebrows or eye makeup!
Chunky Highlights
No, no, no. Chunky highlights aren’t flattering. They look horrible at best. It’s like looking at a confused zebra.
Try a Bayalage if you’re thinking about chunky highlights.
Super Long Extensions
Extensions are a gift from the Heavens, but they can get out of hand.
They can make your hair full or they can make you look like a crazed cat lady that’s trying their best to mimic Rapunzel.
Hair Bow
Unless you’re five, you shouldn’t wear a hair bow. It’s cute but little-kid cute.
It’s best to let children sport this one.
Half Shaved
A close cut is fine, but half a shaved head?
It just looks super strange, and it isn’t flattering on anyone – not even Natalie Dormer.
Crimped Hair
Crimped hair was a ‘90s craze, but has returned.
No one really knows why, but it should go back to wherever it came from.
Tiaras
Hair accessories are constantly going in and out of style, and the accessory of the moment is the tiara.
We’ve seen them on the runway and the red carpet, but we can’t help but think this childish accessory makes grown women look like children playing dress-up.
Beehives
Beehives were huge in the 1960s. They eventually died out, but all that changed when Amy Winehouse hit the scene.
Women began mimicking her classic hairstyle which is…out of date, to say the least.
