90s Hairstyles That Are Still Worth Trying Today

The 90s Hairstyles had two very different sides when it came to hair. There were big, glossy blowouts with layers around the face, but there were also slick buns, butterfly clips, and quick styles that took only a few minutes. Somehow, both sides of 90s hair are popular again.

Here are 20 hairstyles that were closely linked with the decade, along with some background on why they became so popular.

What Actually Defined 90s Hair

A lot of 90s hair came down to texture and personality. Some styles were full of volume and carefully blow-dried, like Jennifer Aniston’s hair on Friends. Others were much more relaxed and looked like they had been put together in a hurry.

Chunky highlights were another big part of the decade. They were often a few shades lighter than the main hair color and were placed around the front of the face. Butterfly clips were also everywhere. What started as a fun hair accessory quickly became part of everyday fashion.

The products were pretty simple too. Mousse, a round brush, and some gel could cover most styles. Flat irons were not nearly as common as they are today.

Getting the Round-Brush Blowout Right

The classic 90s blowout was all about volume and a smooth curve through the ends. Hair was divided into sections, pulled with a round brush, and dried with plenty of tension. Rolling the ends under helped create that soft bounce around the shoulders.

For a similar look today, try a round brush around one and a half to two inches wide. A smaller brush can create too much curl, while a very large brush may not give the ends enough shape.

20 Hairstyles from the 90s

1. The Rachel

Named after Jennifer Aniston’s character on Friends, the Rachel became one of the best-known haircuts of the decade.

The cut had plenty of layers, with shorter pieces around the face and more volume toward the top. It became so popular that it was one of the most requested salon cuts of the 90s.

Its modern version lives on in our Butterfly Haircut guide, which covers the full technique.

2. Butterfly Clip Half-Up

Butterfly clips were a simple way to pull small sections of hair away from the face. Several colorful clips could be placed through the hair to create a casual half-up style. There was no need to make everything perfect, which was part of the appeal.

For more on clip-based styling today, see our Claw Clip Hairstyles guide.

3. Slicked-Back Bun with Shine

Brush your hair straight back and gather it into a tight bun. Add a little gel to smooth down the hair and hold any loose pieces in place.

This gives the bun the shiny, slick look that was popular in the 90s.

4. Double Buns

Two buns were placed on opposite sides of the crown for a playful look. The style became popular with both teenagers and pop stars during the decade.

Good to know: a middle part helps keep the two sides even and makes the finished style look more balanced.

5. Crimped Hair

A crimping iron gave the hair small zigzag waves. Many people crimped the lower sections while keeping the roots straight, which made the texture stand out even more.

It was a very noticeable 90s look and was often worn when someone wanted more texture and volume.

6. Chunky Face-Framing Highlights

Thick highlights around the front of the hair were a clear 90s favorite. The lighter pieces were meant to be seen rather than blend quietly into the rest of the hair.

They were usually a few shades lighter than the base color and helped draw attention to the face.

7. Poker-Straight Middle Part

The hair was cut straight down the middle and worn straight. It had a smooth, flat finish, with hair hanging symmetrically on either side of the head.

In contrast to the larger hairdos and crimped looks of the era, this style appeared very simple.

8. High Scrunchie Ponytail

A high ponytail paired with a large scrunchie was an easy everyday choice. Bright colors and fun prints were common, and the scrunchie often became part of the outfit.

For a more polished version of the high ponytail today, our Sleek Ponytail Hairstyles guide has more.

9. Finger Waves

Finger waves create soft S-shaped curves close to the head using a comb, fingers, and styling gel. The style originally became popular much earlier, but it had a smaller revival during the 90s.

It was especially suited to short hair and gave a more polished finish.

10. 90s Box Braids

Box braids were a major part of 90s hair fashion. They were worn in different lengths and were often finished with beads at the ends. Center parts and side parts were both common.

For styling ideas and full technique today, check out our Box Braids guide.

11. Side-Swept Choppy Bangs

These bangs were cut with plenty of texture and worn across the forehead toward one side. The uneven, choppy finish worked well with the layered haircuts that were popular at the time.

They also needed very little styling compared with a perfectly straight fringe.

12. 90s Round-Brush Blowout

The classic 90s blowout had smooth roots, plenty of body, and ends that curved under or flipped out slightly.

It gave the hair a soft, bouncy shape without looking overly curled.

Best for: anyone who wants that classic Friends-era hair without adding layers to their haircut.

13. Butterfly Clip Full Updo

Butterfly clips were not only used for half-up styles. They could also be used to gather the whole head of hair into an easy updo.

Several clips held different sections in place, giving the style a fun, slightly messy finish.

14. Headband with Loose Waves

A thin plastic or fabric headband could be worn over loosely waved hair for an easy 90s look.

It had a simple, slightly preppy feel and was especially common in teen fashion during the decade.

15. Supermodel Voluminous Waves

Big waves with lots of root volume were another signature look of the decade. Cindy Crawford in the mid-90s is a good example of this style.

Hot rollers or a curling iron helped create the shape, while mousse gave the hair enough hold to keep its volume.

16. Face-Framing Tendril Updo

This formal style kept the main part of the hair pinned up while leaving a few curled pieces around the face.

It was a popular choice for events such as prom and other dressy occasions.

The loose pieces made the updo feel softer and less severe.

17. Wet-Look Gel Style

Gel was used through the hair to create a smooth, shiny finish that looked slightly wet even after the style had dried. It could be worn with short or long hair and did not require many styling tools.

18. Half-Up Claw Clip Twist

A section of hair from the crown was twisted and held with a large plastic claw clip. The style was quick and practical, which made it easy to wear on casual days.

For more on this type of styling today, see our Claw Clip Hairstyles and Half Up Half Down Hairstyles guides.

19. 90s Curly Shag

The 90s curly shag had lots of layers and worked with the hair’s natural curl instead of trying to make every piece smooth and perfect.

The finish could be a little messy and wild, giving it more of a relaxed, grunge-inspired feel.

Our Shag Haircuts guide has more on the modern version of this cut.

20. Center-Part Sleek Waves

Long hair was split down the middle and curled into soft, loose waves that stayed close to the head.

Long hair kept the volume lower than the flashy supermodel blowouts, and Long hair gave the overall look a more relaxed feel.

Keep reading: How to Style a Butterfly Haircut for Every Hair Type, Curtain Bangs: The Complete Guide Plus 20 Styles to Try and 20 Sleek Ponytail Hairstyles to Try in 2026. Not sure where to start? Try our face shape calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Hair in the 90s was very personable, but at the same time, most of the hairdos were still rather practical to wear. While one could get a very glamorous hairdo with a blowout, all it took was a couple of butterfly clips to create a fashionable look from an ordinary hairstyle.