50 years of iconic hairstyles

MANILA, Philippines - Hairstyles have long been a way of making a statement and expressing one’s self. People emulated and pioneered trendy hairstyles for every season — from Audrey Hepburn’s updo to Jennifer Aniston’s “The Rachel,” it’s undeniable that the past 50 years have seen the most iconic hairstyles in history. It’s the perfect time to pay homage to these defining ‘dos, as Philips Haircare marks its golden anniversary.

Curl power: Philips Haircare came up with its first heated rollers at the onset of the 1990s.

As one of the world’s leaders in providing hair care solutions, Philips Haircare has played a vital role in bringing these iconic hairstyles to life. “Over the years, we have produced meaningful hair care innovations that fit the stylistic needs and desires of consumers,” says Angelia Oh, general manager for Philips Consumer Lifestyle. “This year, we’re more than proud to be celebrating our golden anniversary in the global hair care industry.”

The very first Philips Hairdryer came out in 1962. It was a simple lightweight dryer that came with a stand and a hood. It was instrumental in recreating the styles of icons such as Elvis Presley, who popularized the pompadour, where hair is swept upwards and worn high over the forehead, in the previous decade. 

The Beatles, of course, emerged in the ’60s to become among the most influential figures in pop culture history, attracting legions of admirers because of their music as well as their trendy “mop-top” hairstyles.

Yeah, yeah, yeah!: The Beatles attracted fans from all over with their music and trendy “mop-top” hairstyles.

From Liverpool to Manila, countless male teenagers emulated the look of the Fab Four, while popular actresses such as Audrey Hepburn and Mia Farrow caused women to march to local salons and imitate their famous updo and pixie cut, respectively. Both styles provided options for women, as the long, elegant updo was the direct opposite of the short and simple pixie cut.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Philips Haircare introduced a number of hairdryers that included The James Bond Hairdryer, hairdryer sets for men and women, a range of travel and compact hairdryers as well as the first Philips curler. These products evolved with the changing times, when more intricate hairstyles such as Farrah Fawcett’s layers — or popularly referred to as the “Farrah-do” — were most sought after.

From the 1990s to the 2000s, more sophisticated, contemporary, and daring hairstyles emerged from the likes of modern Hollywood celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston with “The Rachel” style from her F.R.I.E.N.D.S era; Victoria Beckham’s sleek bob or “pob”; and Amy Winehouse’s daring and eye-catching beehive.

“With these new more modern trends, Philips Haircare wanted to give men and women alike innovative tools that can help them achieve Hollywood-worthy looks from the comfort of their home, and provide more style with less damage,” says Oh. Philips Haircare came up with its first heated rollers at the onset of the 1990s, followed by a string of modernized hairdryers that had more personalized settings.

When the 2010s rolled in, a mix of classic, chic and modern hairstyles have become most popular, such as that of Blake Lively, Sarah Palin, and Sarah Jessica Parker.