Shocking 70s Hairspray Tricks That Made These Hairdressers Icons—Watch Now! - Coaching Toolbox

Understanding the Context

In the 1970s, hairspray wasn’t just a cosmetic tool — it was a revolutionary product that allowed salons to craft styles once deemed impossible: megahooks, gravity-defying waves, and sculpted volumes that looked like they belonged in a Hollywood blockbuster. What transformed ordinary hairspray from a simple hold into an iconic tool were the shocking tricks hairdressers pulled using products like Ralph Hostetler’s original Hairspray, Gladys by L’Oréal, and DIY hacks from the era’s visionary stylists.

Iconic Techniques That Redefined Hair 70s Style

1. The “Lifted Bouffant” — Hold Above the Head, Breathless with Glory
Hairdressers in the 70s used dense hairspray to slick large sections of thick hair inward, piling it high over the head like a ballerina’s coif. What gave it the lift? A controlled spray through wide combs and blending hairspray mid-air — then pinning it down with flexible scrunchies instead of rigid beads. This created a dramatic, gravity-defying bouffant without the structural discomfort.

2. “Volume Volte” — Air Puff & Hold Power
By distorting sections of hair in blow-dry hacks—clipping damp subsets, shaking vigorously, and dotting hairspray mid-air—salons created cloud-like volume. Hairspray’s quick-drying formula locked in those spikes and curls with unreal hold, turning ordinary curls into supercharged waves (think Stevie Nicks’ stage persona come salon-ready).

Key Insights

3. “The Smoke Bomb Gloss” — Glossy Baghdad Meets Hairspray
One jaw-dropping trick? Using liquid hairspray blended with hair oils or shine sprays to create a smoky, voluminous finish that shimmered under studio lights. This “gloss grenade” style — pure 70s sci-fi — relied on layering hydrating sprays before a heavy coat of hairspray to trap moisture and light.

4. “Rapid Volumize Roll & Spray” — Cup & Pump
A favorite at 70s hairspray contests: hold a wet section, roll it into a small bundle, then spritz hairspray through the curl via a fine-tooth comb. The friction of rolling trapped air before sealing it in place — a technique that maximized volume using minimal product. Today, modern DIY trends are rediscovering this method for natural, flyaway-free volume.

The Hairdressers Who Made It All Happen

From NYC’s SoHo ateliers to LA’s glamorous booths, these trailblazing stylists turned hairspray into art:

• Patrick Kelly (legendary salon creator): Known for sculpting precision with volumizing sprays and air-fluff techniques that gave hair “{Luau} pride.
  
• Lee-Ann Dimpopse: Pushed gender-neutral styles with gravity-defying bouffants, using multi-layer hairspray tactics artists still replicate.
  
• Zelda Coleman: Invented early breathing-in-hairspray methods for volume that foreshadowed today’s volumizing market trends.

The 70s hairspray era reminds us that innovation often hides behind simple tools — when combined with bold tactics and creativity. Today’s hairspray formulas mimic these old-school tricks but amplify them. Whether you’re recreating a glowing disco headband, a rock goddess twist, or a voluminous pixie, those 70s experiments are your secret weapon.

Curious how these shockingly effective techniques were achieved? Watch our exclusive video breaking down every spray, flick, and flick. From airport lounges of the ’70s to modern salon inspirations, discover exactly what made these hairdressers icons — and how you can channel that class in your next look.

Click here → Watch shocking 70s hairspray tricks that turned hairdressers into legends — right now!

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