How to Do Farrah Fawcett Hair

Co-authored by Martin Nepton

Last Updated: September 14, 2022 References

To transport your looks back to the ‘70s, try out Farrah Fawcett locks. Popularized by the star’s performance in Charlie's Angels, Farrah Fawcett hair refers to very curly hair that curls away from the face. With a hot iron and some hairspray, you’ll be one red swimsuit away from rocking Farrah Fawcett’s entire style.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Nailing the Basics

1
Make sure your hair is dry. If you've just washed your hair, wait until it's completely dry to work on your Farrah Fawcett locks. This is important as you'll be using a curling iron. Applying heat to wet hair can cause damage.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Brush out your hair. Even if you've recently brushed your hair, run a brush through it before doing your Farrah Fawcett look. You want to make sure your hair is relatively tangle free so you'll be able to easily section and handle it throughout the process.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Apply mousse with a built in heat protectant. Opt for a mouse that is volumizing and provides heat protection. The mousse will help your hair set as you curl it and the heat protectant is vital when curling your hair. It will help protect your hair from becoming damaged during the process.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you don't have mousse, or prefer not to use it, it's okay to simply use a heat protectant. However, while you can forego mousse, never forego the heat protectant as you do not want to damage your hair curling it.
4
Part your hair in the center. A staple of the '70s style is a middle part. Before you begin curling your hair, part it roughly in the middle of your head. This will help your hair really emulate Farrah Fawcett's.^{[4]
X
Research source}
5
Clip up the top part of your hair. Separate the upper half of your hair using your fingers. Then, secure this hair with a clip. You will be curling your hair in sections to achieve Farrah Fawcett locks.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Curling Your Hair

1
Choose a safe heat setting for your hair. Use a curling iron with a big barrel to curl your hair. There is no one heat setting that works for all hair. Make sure you choose the heat setting on your curling iron for your hair type. For damaged or fine hair, use a setting between 250 and 300 degrees. For medium or average hair, use a setting between 300 and 350 degrees. For thick or coarse hair, use a setting between 350 and 400 degrees.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If your curling iron does not have specific sections, it may be best to err on the side of caution and use the lower setting.
2
Remove a one-inch section of your hair. Using your fingers, separate out a section of your hair. The section should be about one-inch wide. This will help you create the many feathered locks associated with Farrah Fawcett's hair.^{[7]
X
Research source}
3
Curl the hair away from your face. When your curl your first section, curl away from your face. Twist the the hair around the curling iron moving outward. When you're done, slip the hair out of the curling iron and let it fall to the side of your face.^{[8]
X
Research source}
4
Repeat the process until all your lower hair is curled. Continue to curl your hair in one-inch strands. Remember to always curl your hair in the opposite direction of your face to create the Farrah Fawcett look.^{[9]
X
Research source}
5
Let down the top section. After you've curled all the locks on the bottom section, you can move on to the top section. Unclip or untie your hair. If the top section has become tangled, run your fingers through it to smooth it out first.^{[10]
X
Research source}
6
Repeat with your upper hair. Do the exact same thing to your upper hair that you did to your lower hair. Curl your hair away from your face in one-inch sections until all your hair is curled.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Completing the Look

1
Curl your bangs if you have them. If you have longer bangs, they should be curled as well. Instead of curling your bangs in sections, curl all your bangs at once. Again, curl your bangs away from your face for the full Farrah Fawcett effect.^{[12]
X
Research source}
2
Blow dry your bangs. Take a blow dryer and run it over your bangs while using your fingers to fluff them. This will give your hair the big, puffy '70s effect.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- To get the most volume in your bangs, blow-dry them in the opposite way you want them to fall. For instance, if you want them to be swept back, start by brushing them forward as you dry.^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Martin Nepton
  Professional Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.}
3
Apply a liberal amount of hairspray. Apply a large amount of a strong, setting hairspray to complete the look. You want your hair to stay intact throughout the day. A strong hairspray is necessary to hold your curls.^{[15]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

Can I use toilet paper instead of pink sponge roller to get Jeri curls?

Community Answer

You could, but it doesn't curl as much as you'd think it would.