The Evolution of 'Big Hair'

What's not to love about big hair? It's fun, it's fierce, and it's wildly over-the-top, a fact that Tom Ford capitalized on when he recently enlisted Beyonce -- and her gi-normous, blonde curls -- to walk in his private fashion show! We've been so obsessed with her voluminous 'do, that we decided a "big hair" timeline was in order. By Tia Williams

1970, Beautiful Bouffant

Diahann Carroll // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

From Diahann Carroll (pictured, on “The Tom Jones” show) to Mariah, here are our favorite supersized styles of all time.

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1972, Fab Fro

Pam Grier // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

In the Seventies, Pam Grier made a name for herself not only for her iconic roles in blaxploitation flicks like Foxxy Brown, but also for her super-big, sexy afro.

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1973, Diva 'Do

Diana Ross // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

On her first solo tour of Britain, Diana Ross rocked a head full of voluminous ringlets—a real departure from the structured Supremes bouffants of the Sixties.

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1976, LemmeRockYa Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

Chaka hits the stage with Rufus rocking an enormous, fluffy ’fro.

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1984, Glamorous Life

Sheila E // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

In 1984, singer and legendary percussionist Sheila E. sported a much-copied mane of teased-and-sprayed curls.

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1985, Private Dancer

Tina Turner // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

In the mid-Eighties, Tina Turner’s crimped, teased platinum wig was almost as iconic as her mile-long legs and raspy rocker girl voice!

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1987, Wild at Heart

Whitney Houston // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

In Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video, she flaunted a massive tumble of amber-hued spirals.

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1988, Big Deal

Janet Jackson // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

For her breakout “Control” album, Janet Jackson sported a waterfall of huge, flowing waves and back-combed bangs—an Eighties hair spectacular!

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1989, Black Beauties

Beverly Johnson, Louise Vyent and Iman // "The Evolution of 'Big Hair'"

In 1989, Revlon ran a groundbreaking ad featuring the top Black supermodels of the time: Beverly Johnson, Louise Vyent and Iman, all rocking lavender bodysuits and an endless amount of chestnut curls

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