7 70S Short Hairstyles to Show Your Stylist ASAP
7 70S Short Hairstyles to Show Your Stylist ASAP
The 70s were all about movement, texture, and hair that looked good whether you tried hard or not at all. That effortless, sun-kissed, just-rolled-out-of-a-Fleetwood-Mac-concert energy is having a full comeback right now, especially in shorter lengths. If you’ve been scrolling through old photos of Jane Birkin or Farrah Fawcett wondering how to bring that vibe into your next salon appointment, you’re in the right place.
Short 70s hairstyles work so well today because they’re low-key by design. No stiff, sprayed-into-place looks here. Just soft layers, feathered ends, and a whole lot of texture. Below are seven takes on this era’s best short cuts, each with its own personality and styling approach.
Modern Chignon with Face Frame and Braid
This one takes the classic 70s shag energy and pulls it back into something a little more polished without losing the loose, undone feel. A soft chignon sits low, with face-framing pieces left out to soften the whole look, plus a thin braid woven in for extra texture.
It works best on medium to thick hair since the braid needs something to grab onto, but fine hair can still pull it off with a little texturizing spray for grip. This is a great option if you’ve got shorter layers up front that don’t quite reach the bun. It reads more romantic evening look than everyday errands, though honestly, it’s simple enough to wear either way.
Low Bun and Side Braids with Hair Comb
Picture a relaxed, slightly messy low bun with two thin braids framing each side of the face, finished off with a decorative hair comb tucked in near the crown. It’s a nod to the boho-meets-glam thing the 70s did so well, especially popular with festival hair back then and now.
This style suits round and oval face shapes particularly nicely since the side braids draw the eye down and elongate things a bit. Wavy or textured hair holds the braids better than pin-straight strands, so a little sea salt spray beforehand helps. Maintenance-wise, it’s a five to ten minute style once you get the hang of it, and the comb means you don’t need a dozen bobby pins to keep it secure.
Easy Half Updo with Three Strand Braid
A half-up style with a simple three-strand braid running through the top section is one of those looks that feels instantly nostalgic without trying too hard. The bottom half stays loose with soft waves or natural texture, while the braid adds just enough structure up top.
This is genuinely one of the easiest looks on this list, which is exactly why it was such a staple decade after decade. It suits basically any hair length from a chin-length bob to shoulder-grazing layers, and it works on straight, wavy, or curly textures alike. Fine hair might want a bit of dry shampoo at the roots first for some grip and volume before braiding.
Half Pull-Through Braid for Long Hair
The pull-through braid gives you that intricate, fishtail-adjacent look without actually knowing how to fishtail braid, which honestly feels like cheating in the best way. You section the hair, loop it through, and repeat, creating a chunky braided pattern that looks way more complicated than it is.
While it’s listed here among shorter 70s styles, this one specifically flatters hair that’s at least past the shoulders since you need enough length for the sections to pull through cleanly. It’s a great pick for thicker hair that tends to overwhelm a regular braid, since the pull-through technique naturally creates more visual interest and dimension. Add some face-framing curtain bangs and you’ve basically got a whole 70s moment happening.
Brunette Textured Bun
Sometimes the simplest option is the best one, and a textured bun with deep brunette color falls right into that category. This isn’t a slicked-back, sleek bun. It’s intentionally a little rough around the edges, with pieces pulled loose and a matte, tousled finish instead of glossy shine.
Rich brunette shades with subtle lowlights give this look extra depth, especially under warm lighting, which is very on brand for the era’s earthy color palettes. It’s an easy everyday option for thick or coarse hair that can get bulky in other updos, since the bun itself doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth to look intentional. A texturizing paste worked through dry strands before bunning is really all you need.
Blonde Crown Braid and Low Bun
This one combines a delicate crown braid wrapping around the head with a low bun sitting at the nape, and it looks especially striking on blonde or lightened hair where the braid pattern actually shows up against the rest of the style. Think Woodstock-era hair but dressed up just enough for a dinner out.
Fine to medium hair textures tend to work best here since the crown braid lies flatter and looks neater on thinner strands. If your hair is naturally curly, a light flat iron pass on the section you’re braiding can help the pattern stay crisp. This is also a solid choice for anyone with a longer or oval face shape, since the crown braid adds width up top and balances things out nicely.
Braid Updo with Rhinestone Leaves
For something with a bit more sparkle, this braided updo incorporates small rhinestone leaf pins tucked throughout, giving it a festival-glam quality that still feels rooted in that 70s bohemian spirit. The braids themselves can be loose and slightly undone, which actually makes the rhinestone details pop even more against the texture.
This look is particularly fun for special occasions, weddings, or honestly just a night out where you want your hair to do a little talking. It suits most hair types, though curlier textures may need some smoothing serum to keep flyaways controlled around the braided sections. Because there’s already a lot going on visually, keeping the rest of your makeup and outfit simpler tends to let the hair be the standout piece.
Whichever of these you bring to your stylist, the beauty of 70s-inspired short hairstyles is that they’re forgiving. They’re not meant to look perfect, just lived-in and a little effortless, which honestly makes them some of the easiest styles to maintain day to day. Bring a photo, mention the era you’re going for, and let your stylist take it from there.