Big gothic hairstyles since the eighties emphasized height or largely styled hair that is both romantic and mysterious. Crimping or curling and backcombing are the major ways to achieve such big hair for certain gothic hairstyles.

Depending on the specific style, hairstyles in the big hair categories may require styling, cutting, or treatment techniques. Big gothic hair styles often requires backcombing or teasing and the liberal application of styling aids such as moulding mud, hair spray and hair gel, often in combination with the use of hair dryers. Crimping irons, curling irons, perms, hair rollers or other techniques may also be required for longer hair to help it stay big.

If your hair is longer, the weight may make it difficult to achieve the desired volume. You'll need to go to a salon and have your hair thinned or textured. With texturizing, your hairstylist is cutting fine wisps of hair at an angle into a variety of fine layers to remove the excessive weight. You will be amazed at how much of a difference it can make. Also, styling products such as a molding mud can provide volume, but beware of build-up as it takes away bounce and shine. Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove the product residue. And longer hair must be trimmed regularly (every six weeks) to stay healthy and to prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft.

If your hair is longer and really heavy, even with texturizing, a metal hair band can lift the hair from behind into a messy up-do. You can conceal the hairpiece by styling hair around the hair band. This will give the illusion of added volume in the back as well as creating uneven lengths around for that classic Goth do.

If you have shorter hair, you can skip the crimping or curling and just utilize backcombing with firm hold sprays, gels or other styling products to enhance a spiky style for a variety of gothic looks and styles.