In December
1984, TV Guide assembled a "no-nonsense panel of experts"
to select the 10 most beautiful women on television. Dynasty's
Linda Evans came in third behind Jaclyn Smith and on-screen
nemesis Joan Collins. Evans received high marks from beauty
and skincare expert Aida Gray for her "style, elegance
and total beauty. A wonderful figure and a sweet temperament
that shows through."
The actresses
on the list — Connie Sellecca, Diahann Carroll, Priscilla
Presley — appeared on a handful of prime time soap operas
that mirrored the excesses of the Reagan era. Shoulder pads
and Nolan Miller originals disappeared from television, but
many '80s actresses continued to favor big hair.
"I
thought Linda Evans should have cut her hair off a long time
ago," hairstylist Allen Edwards says. "Her one-length
haircut was beautiful, but how long can you wear the same
haircut? But these women sort of became their characters in
real life."
"Sometimes
actresses get more difficult when they become more famous,"
Edwards adds. "When they're new, they're more vulnerable,
they're more open. Then, as they get bigger, they say, 'I
think it should be more like this...' Especially in the '80s.
The '80s actress was a much more insecure actress. Their whole
career was based on their looks," he explains. "Go
back to a Knots Landing or a Dallas. Those women never changed
their hair, ever."
Edwards,
who has worked with Jenna Elfman, Donna Mills and Julianne
Moore, thinks many women "look at their hair as more
of a necessity instead of something to play with. They get
caught up in, 'What's the perfect hairstyle for me?' And there
really isn't. They have to look at it like clothes —
something you change all the time and have fun with."
What face
shape and hair texture are suited for this style?
Straight hair and any face shape (but round) work for Linda
Evans's signature hairstyle.
Is it
easy to maintain at home after the initial cut?
No. Erin Elliott recommends "mousse and hairspray...
the '80s must-haves" for the Dynasty-obsessed.
Cultural
impact:
"This was the '80s and everyone watched [Dynasty and
Dallas]. I really don't know why this was popular," Elliott
admits. "I think the '80s were about bad hair. It goes
without saying that I think this is awful."
Don't
do the 'do if?
"you want to look cool."
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