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Whether you grew up wanting Jennifer Aniston’s poofy layers on Friends, or are experiencing one of the greatest eras in pop culture for the first time through rewatches, one thing is certain: ‘90s hairstyles just hit differently. It doesn’t get more full-of-personality than Halle’s pixie, Pamela’s bed-head updo, or just about every look Mel B. had during the Spice Girls’ peak.
I had 2C hair (bouncy strands that were somewhere between waves and curls) in the ‘90s, and when I brought magazine clippings of Heather Locklear’s shoulder-length layers to my mom’s hairstylist, she told me “no,” unless I’d chemically straighten my hair. As a kid, I couldn’t be told no, so I went through with it—and was it a mistake.
Unhappy with how the treatment changed my strands, I let the layers grow out and started looking for someone with texture like mine. I became fixated on Karyn Parsons—who played Hilary Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air—and how she wore the hell out of her curly bob.
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Sure, Banks’ hair was springier than mine (in season one, she had loose, 3A hair), but I wanted to have a bob (and clothes and sass) like hers. So I picked up a pair of kitchen scissors and got to cutting. When I went to my salon to get it fixed two weeks later, I was sent home with a CHI flat iron, a promise not to cut my own hair again, and, most importantly, the look I always wanted.
To style it, I picked up the diffuser-and-hairspray method from curly queens Jordan and Candace on Sorority Life. I’m grateful to have learned their ways, but I’m thrilled that hair-care formulas and technology have come a long way since then. “The products and tools we have now make the ‘90s styles more straightforward to achieve, healthier for the hair, and more versatile,” says hairstylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor. “We’re not just recreating the past. We’re updating it with better techniques, more inclusivity, and a whole lot more creativity.”
Banks continues to inspire me to this day. (It always feels like a full-circle moment every time I have the chance to do a beauty segment on the very same studio lot where The Fresh Prince was filmed.) And though my curls have loosened, I still look back on that era fondly. Searching for your own ‘90s hair muse? Scroll for a breakdown of some of the most memorable ‘90s cuts and styles that are just as cool today.
The Rachel
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If you forced me to pick just one haircut that defined the decade, it would definitely be The Rachel. It’s the cut that launched thousands of salon appointments. “It was engineered to look ‘casual,’ but it’s a masterpiece of shaping and is layered in a way that gives natural movement and volume,” says Kasper Heemskerk, hairstylist and Balmain Hair education director.
As someone who always aspired to rock The Rachel, I just had to ask the stylist who created the iconic look about its impact. “I feel like that vibe is creeping back, just in a more modern way,” says hairstylist Chris McMillan, Aniston’s longtime hairstylist. He’s right, as it’s one of this season’s biggest hair trends. New York City-based hairstylist Vanessa Ocando previously told us that 2025’s take on The Rachel is less manipulated by hairspray and hot tools. “With layering and added texture, the cut has beautiful movement and an effortless, face-framing flow,” she says.
Karyn Parsons' Flippy Lob
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Not unlike Miss Hilary Banks herself, this style is equal parts polished and playful. “This cut frames the face beautifully and has that unmistakable ‘rich auntie’ energy that’s so current right now,” says Heemskerk. “When styling the cut at home, use a round brush and blow dryer to smooth the hair while directing the ends outward.”
A veil of hairspray, especially at the ends, will help to lock in that flipped effect, though Richard Mannah, hairstylist and Joico senior global artistic director recommends letting your hair set in velcro rollers after you’ve blown it out. “This will allow the style to last much longer,” he says.
Halle Berry's pixie
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“Halle’s pixie was cool, edgy, soft, and sculptural,” Heemskerk says. “It’s perfect for showing off your facial features and a strong bone structure.” In terms of length, the pro recommends keeping your crop closer at the sides and a bit longer at the crown, as you would a classic pixie, but really playing up the texture of those longer layers to mimic Halle’s sculptural vibe.
While short styles like Halle’s can be a wash-and-go option, Heemskerk recommends using a styling gel to define your natural texture, as well as a pea-sized amount of argan oil for shine. “Short styles need just as much care,” he adds.
Cindy Crawford Blowout
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Second to The Rachel, Cindy Crawford’s bouncy, volume-packed blowout from her 1992 Pepsi commercial is a definitive hairstyle of the ‘90s, with long, soft layers hitting just below the shoulder, and loose curls framing the face. “It’s the epitome of effortless glam—big, bouncy, healthy-looking hair that moves,” says Mannah.
To lock in that salon-perfect volume at home, hairstylist Sunnie Brook recommends prepping damp hair with a mousse, like Leonor Greyl Mousse Au Lotus Volumatrice, applied root to mid-lengths. “Rough dry with your hair upside down—this will save your arms—then use your fingers to lift the roots while your hair is flipped over,” she says. To get the look to last two to three days, she suggests using hot rollers, applying a dry shampoo, and wearing a silk sleep cap.
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Drew Barrymore Bob
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“This look is straight out of a Delia’s catalog,” says hairstylist Marie Nino. “It has that ‘I didn’t try, but I still look amazing’ vibe,” Air-drying or diffusing your hair is key here, as you really want to let your natural texture shine. Nino recommends using the Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Mousse on damp hair to help bring out your natural texture. Once you’ve finished your preferred drying method, spritz on the IGK Beach Club Texture Spray to achieve a lived-in, piecey finish.
Tyra Banks's bangs
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Baby bangs like Tyra’s certainly aren’t for the weak, but if you’re up to take a risk, it’s one that pays off. “Whether blunt or choppy, baby bangs sit just above your eyebrows and make a bold statement,” says Amy Abramite, hairstylist and creative director at Chicago’s Maxine Salon. “They can be added to any haircut for an immediate alt-girl or fashionista transformation.”
The baby bangs Janeane Garofalo wore in Reality Bites made just as bold of a statement as Tyra’s fringe. To achieve the soft, piecey texture, Abramite recommends applying a paste like Oribe’s Rough Luxury formula directly to your bangs using your fingers. “Try pinching sections together to give a light hold and separation,” she says.
Linda Evangelista’s Short Crop
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“Linda’s ultra-short chop was bold and fashion-forward,” says Mannah. It was versatile, too. Whether it was paired with an eyebrow-grazing fringe or a deep side part, the style can look so chic and timeless. (See: Leslie Bibb's take on the look.) “How can you not feel confident when you’re rocking that cut?” McMillan says. “It just makes you feel powerful.”
Winona Ryder’s Bixie
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While the “bixie” moniker is a modern development, Winona’s bob-pixie hybrid is a style that will forever be etched into our memory for being both trendy and versatile. “The texture, attention to the fringe, and sideburns were epic,” says Jeannetta Walker Rodgers, hairstylist and Joico Global Technical Director. “You could rock it out, detail it, or slick it.”
To achieve that cool girl volume, Rodgers recommends flipping your head upside down to rough-dry your hair. After it’s about 50% dry, flip your hair upward and use your fingers to twist your strands in different directions.
Nia Long’s Wispy Bangs
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If you’re asking the eternal question of whether or not to get bangs, but aren’t feeling the commitment to the above-the-brow baby bangs, let Nia Long’s wispy fringe inspire you. Soft and airy, they complement both long layers and pixie cuts equally well. “They’re an easy way to switch things up without a full-blown haircut,” Nino says. “Blow-dry them with a small round brush, or let them air-dry and use your fingers to style them.” A small amount of styling wax or cream (like Biotop’s 911 Hydration Boost) can help keep your bangs in place without creating a greasy finish.
Courtney Love’s Choppy Shag
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“A choppy shag feels very ‘90s grunge rock,” says Rita Hazan, hairstylist, colorist, and founder of Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. “It has an intentionally undone vibe and looks great when you have some waves or textured hair.” Hazan recommends asking your hairstylist for uneven layers and maximizing that roughed-up finish by using texturizing products and mousse.
While the cut is most historically accurate when paired with blonde hair and dark roots, it looks great with all hair colors, especially hues not typically found in nature. We recommend Good Dye Young’s vivid dyes. You can also choose to re-live the ‘90s by heading to your mall’s Hot Topic and perusing the Manic Panic shelves.
JLo’s Lob
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A collarbone-skimming lob like Jennifer Lopez’s flatters all hair textures. “Long, softened layers paired with a bob are great for adding volume and giving your hair a fuller feel,” says Hazan. “Especially with warm highlights, it can give the hair a lot of movement and dimension.”
‘90s Hairstyles
Brandy’s Micro Braids
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Micro braids like Brandy’s are stunning at any length. While you’ll want to visit a pro for the install, Kim Kimble, hairstylist and founder of Kim Kimble Hair, recommends using a moisturizing braid spray to maintain the protective style at home, avoiding heavy products to prevent buildup, and sleeping in a satin scarf at night.
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino’s Sleek Updos
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The scene: halfway from Los Angeles to their high school reunion in Tucson, Romy and Michele emerge from a diner bathroom, clad in pinstriped power skirt sets and the sleekest updos you’ve ever seen. Romy approaches the waitress at the counter and asks, “Do you have some sort of business woman's special?”
Part “we invented Post-its” realness, part campy ‘90s prom hair, the structural updo is a statement held together with styling gel and bobby pins. “This updo is power hair,” says Hawkins. “It doesn’t move, and it’s not supposed to. You want structure here.”
Hawkins recommends starting with a generous amount of styling wax or gel to slick everything back, then twist your lengths into a bun or French twist. Use a brush to secure any errant flyaways before anchoring your style into place. “You want it to look like it could survive an earthquake,” he adds. “Bonus points if there’s a comb accessory involved.”
Britney Spears’s Zig Zag Part
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Any millennial worth their original copy of the Baby, One More Time CD can tell you that a zig-zag part like Britney Spears’s is the easiest way to bring some ‘90s flair into any look. “It’s a subtle detail, but it changes the whole vibe,” says hairstylist George Papanikolas. “The look is unexpected, fun, and looks amazing in selfies.” To achieve the look, Papnikolas recommends starting with damp hair, then using a tail comb to draw the zig-zag part into place.
Alicia Keys’s Cornrows
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Like her velvety vocals, Alicia Keys’s cornrows hit all the right notes and have serious range. “Cornrows or chunky flat twists are protective, versatile, and full of attitude,” says Taylor. “They frame the face in such a bold way, and you can dress them up with accessories or keep them clean for a sleek, timeless look.”
If you’re braiding your hair on your own, Taylor recommends beginning with damp strands and using the Chéribé Hair Milk to keep your curls soft and pliable as you part and braid. “You can pin the lengths into a bun, pony, or creative updo,” she says. “Add beads or metallic cuffs for that throwback flavor.”
Foxy Brown’s Baby Hairs
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“Baby hairs laid to perfection were such a signature in the '90s, and it’s timeless when done right,” Taylor says. “I love how they let you add personality to any style—soft and swoopy for a romantic vibe, or sharp and structured for drama.”
Follow in Foxy Brown’s lead by picking up a soft brush or edge tool, and a hair gel. Taylor recommends the Shea Moisture Define & Shine Edge Gel to sculpt your baby hairs into your desired shape. “Go subtle or go with a statement, it’s all about your personal vibe,” she adds.
Pamela Anderson’s Updo
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With its romantic, soft curls and face-framing wisps, Pamela Anderson’s updo is as notable to us as her famed Baywatch one-piece. “It’s sexy but undone, like effortless glam,” says Joseph Maine, hairstylist and founder of Trademark Beauty. It’s a great way to give your strands new life between wash days, especially since texture is very much needed to pull it off. (Dry shampoo is your friend here!)
Maine recommends starting by separating your hair into two ponytails. “Section one will run from the ears to the crown, and section two will be the hair at the nape of your neck,” he says. “Push the messy texture into a big bun shape, no twisting, and secure with pins, then leave a few pieces out around the face.”
