The 1990s were a time of fashion experimentation, and this spirit extended to hairstyles as well. If you flip through old photos from that era, you’ll find a treasure trove of unique and iconic hairdos. From bouffants to perms, contrasting bangs to pixie cuts, the 90s had something for everyone. Whether you were a young girl into sports, a businesswomen, or just someone looking to express their individuality, there was a 90s hairstyles for you.
In this article, we’ll explore 40 nostalgic 90s hairstyles that you can bring back to life in 2024. We’ll break them down into different categories, including women’s haircuts, to help you find the perfect retro look to embrace today.
What Does 90s Hairstyles Look Like?
The 1990s was a decade known for its unique sense of style, and that extended to hairstyles, too! If you’re curious about what 90s hairstyles looked like, you’re in for a treat. In this article, we’ll take a journey back in time to explore some of the most iconic hair trends of the 90s. Get ready to discover the funky, colorful, and sometimes wacky world of 90s hair!
How to Get 90s Hairstyles?
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to rock a 90s hairstyles, you’re in luck! Many of the iconic 90s hair trends have made a comeback in recent years. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve some of the most popular 90s hairstyles:
- Choose Your 90s Hairstyle: Decide which 90s hairstyle you want to recreate. Some popular options include “The Rachel” haircut, crimped hair, high ponytails, butterfly clips, space buns, or frosted tips. Your choice will depend on your hair length, texture, and personal style.
- Prepare Your Hair: The preparation step will vary depending on the hairstyle you’ve chosen. Here are some general guidelines:
- Accessorize: To complete your 90s look, consider adding some accessories. Butterfly clips, colorful scrunchies, headbands, and even temporary tattoos can add an authentic touch to your hairstyle.
- Maintain Your Look: Depending on your chosen 90s hairstyle, you may need to maintain it regularly. Keep your hair clean and use appropriate styling products to hold the style in place.
Remember that not all 90s hairstyles will work for every hair type, so be prepared to adapt and modify the styles to suit your hair’s unique characteristics. With a bit of creativity and the right tools, you can effortlessly channel the spirit of the 90s into your hairstyle.
What Hairstyles Was Popular in 90s?
The 1990s was a decade marked by diverse and iconic hairstyles that reflected the fashion and pop culture of the time. Here are some of the most popular hairstyles from the 90s:
Blowout
The ’90s blowout involved blow-drying hair to achieve voluminous, bouncy waves or curls. It was a glamorous and high-volume look often associated with red-carpet events.
Pixie Cut
The ’90s pixie cut is a super-short haircut that typically features closely cropped hair at the back and sides with slightly longer, textured layers on top. It’s a bold and low-maintenance style that exudes confidence and edginess.
Top Knot
The ’90s top knot is a high bun or knot positioned on the crown of the head. It’s a stylish updo that keeps hair off the face and neck, making it perfect for casual or formal occasions.
Blunt Bob
The ’90s blunt bob is a short-to-medium-length haircut characterized by straight, blunt-cut ends. It’s a sleek and timeless style that offers a clean, sharp look.
Box Braids
Box braids were long, slender braids created by sectioning hair into small, square-shaped segments. This protective style was favoured for its versatility and durability.
Headwraps
Headwraps in the ’90s were a fashionable accessory choice. They were often worn as a headband or wrapped around the entire head, adding a pop of color and style to any hairdo.
Spiral Curls
Spiral curls were a defining feature of ’90s hairstyles. This look involved tightly wound, uniform curls that cascaded down the head, creating a fun and playful appearance.
Prom Updo
The ’90s prom updo refers to various elegant and formal updo hairstyles that were popular for proms and special occasions during the ’90s. These updos often incorporated twists, braids, and intricate hair accessories.
Faux Bangs
Faux bangs in the ’90s were created by sweeping a section of hair across the forehead to mimic the appearance of bangs without committing to a full cut. This style allowed for versatility in changing one’s look without a major haircut.
Space Buns
Space buns are twin buns or knots typically positioned on either side of the head. In the ’90s, this hairstyle was often adorned with playful accessories like butterfly clips or colorful scrunchies.
Bantu Knots
Bantu knots involve twisting small sections of hair into tight knots close to the scalp. These knots could be worn as a protective style or unravelled for defined curls.
Micro Braids
Micro braids were tiny, tightly woven braids that covered the entire head. They were a popular choice for those looking for a low-maintenance yet stylish protective hairstyle in the ’90s.
Grunge Pixie
The grunge pixie in the ’90s combined the edginess of the grunge era with the short, cropped pixie cut. Messy, textured layers and a rebellious attitude characterized it.
Micro Fringe
Micro fringes, also known as baby bangs, were ultra-short bangs that barely touched the forehead. This bold and daring look was a statement hairstyle in the ’90s.
Outward Flip
The ’90s outward flip was a hairstyle where the ends of the hair were flipped outward, creating a retro, flipped-up appearance. It was often achieved with a flat iron or curling iron.
Finger Waves
Finger waves were a classic ’20s hairstyle that experienced a revival in the ’90s. Hair was sculpted into S-shaped waves close to the scalp, creating an elegant and glamorous appearance.
High Ponytail
The high ponytail made a strong comeback in the ’90s, ideal for long, tamed locks in hot weather.
Swoop Bangs
Swoop bangs were side-swept bangs that elegantly framed the face. This ’90s hairstyles added a touch of sophistication and softness to various hair lengths.
Beehive Updo
The beehive updo was a voluminous hairstyle where hair was teased and styled upward to create a rounded, hive-like shape on top of the head.
Curtain Fringe
The curtain fringe was a soft, parted fringe that framed the face, often paired with long, layered hair for a relaxed and effortless style.
Chunky Fringe
The ’90s chunky fringe featured thick, bold bangs that made a striking statement. This hairstyle added a dramatic and eye-catching element to the overall look.
Butterfly Clips
Butterfly clips were decorative hair accessories in the ’90s. They came in various colors and styles and were used to hold back sections of hair or to add a playful touch to hairstyles.
Shag Hairstyle
Layers, texture, and a carefree, messy appearance characterized the ’90s shag hairstyle. It was a popular choice for those seeking a relaxed and tousled look.
The Rachel Cut
“The Rachel” refers to Jennifer Aniston’s iconic haircut in the ’90s TV show “Friends.” It featured layered, face-framing strands and became immensely popular, inspiring many women to emulate the style.
Claw Clip Updo
Claw clips were used to create updos in the ’90s. Hair was gathered at the crown of the head and secured with a claw clip, resulting in a simple yet stylish updo.
Crimped Layers
Crimped layers involved using a crimping iron to add texture and wave-like patterns to the hair. This ’90s style added volume and dimension to layered hairstyles.
Cornrow Braids
Cornrow braids involve tightly woven braids close to the scalp, creating intricate patterns. This protective hairstyle was popular in the ’90s and allowed for creative designs.
The Middle Part
After years of side parts, the ’90s brought back the middle part for an elegant, timeless look.
Hair Scarf Styles
Hair scarves were versatile accessories in the ’90s. They could be tied around ponytails, used as headbands, or wrapped around the entire head to add flair and color to hairstyles.
Razor-Cut Layers
Razor-cut layers involve using a razor tool to create textured and edgy layers in the hair, adding a modern and dynamic look.
90s Short Hairdos
Short hairdos in the ’90s included a variety of cuts and styles, from pixie cuts to bobs, often with bold bangs and playful textures.
Mohawk Hairstyle
The ’90s Mohawk was a bold and rebellious hairstyle characterized by a strip of hair running down the centre of the head, with the sides shaved or closely cropped.
Chunky Highlights
Chunky highlights involved adding thick, contrasting streaks of color to the hair, creating a dramatic and eye-catching effect. This trend was a hallmark of ’90s hairstyles fashion.
Asymmetrical Bob
The asymmetrical bob featured a bob haircut with uneven lengths, typically shorter in the back and longer in the front, creating a chic and asymmetric silhouette.
Scrunchie Ponytail
The ’90s scrunchie ponytail featured a high or low ponytail secured with a scrunchie, a fabric-covered elastic band. It was a casual and trendy way to style hair.
Bobby Pin Patterns
Bobby pins were used to create intricate patterns or designs on the hair, adding a touch of creativity and flair to hairstyles.
Half-Up Half-Down
The ’90s half-up, half-down hairstyle involved pulling the top section of hair back and securing it, leaving the rest of the hair down. It offered a balance between a relaxed and polished look.
Voluminous Waves
Voluminous waves featured large, loose waves that added body and movement to long or medium-length hair.
Chunky Headbands
Chunky headbands were wide, fabric or plastic headbands that added a bold and stylish accessory to various ’90s hairstyles.
Baby Spice Hairstyle
“Baby Spice” was one of the Spice Girls, and her hairstyle featured blonde, shoulder-length hair with playful pigtails or space buns, often adorned with colorful hair accessories.
Face-Framing Braids
Face-framing braids were small braids strategically placed to frame the face, adding a touch of flair and creativity to various ’90s hairstyles.
Crimped High Ponytail
A high ponytail with crimped hair was a trendy ’90s look that combined the sleekness of a ponytail with the texture of crimped waves.
Center-Parted Curtain Bangs
Centre-parted curtain bangs were long, gently parted bangs that framed the face softly and elegantly, often seen with straight or wavy hair.
