A lot of buzz surrounds the return of 90s trends right now – bold, playful, experimental, and all things fun. The famous people of today are expressing themselves through their hair, trying out different styles and adding accessories and color.
Are 90s hairstyles coming back?
Absolutely! Some 90’s hairdos (thankfully) remain a distant memory, but many iconic 90s hairstyles are taking the fashion and beauty industry by storm this year. Recently, celebrity hairstylists like Chris Appleton have been regularly giving their well-known clients a 90s-inspired makeover. From A-list stars to Gen Z influencers, there’s many styles that have successfully time travelled from the 90s fashion circuit to 2024.
What hairstyles were popular in the 90s?
From Cindy Crawford’s big hair to Princess Diana’s feathered bob – we loved them all. Chunky highlights, mohawks, high and severe ponytails, straight hair with bangs, and razor-sharp cuts are just a few of the most unforgettable 90s hairstyles women experimented with. But which of the iconic 90’s hairdos are trending in 2024? Read on to find out.
Top 15 iconic 90s hairstyles that are back in 2024
1. The Pixie
Unquestionably, one of the most popular 90s hairstyles that we’re seeing return is the pixie cut. Winona Ryder was perhaps one of the first celebs to popularize this chic hairstyle in the late 90s and it screamed sleek and sexy. The actor played with the look often, transforming the subtle layers into a choppy one by adding plenty of edges. Then, of course, there was Demi Moore’s sizzling hot pixie in Ghost.
According to Vogue, the pixie cut is 2024's ‘it-girl haircut’, so take inspiration from Zoë Kravitz, Emma Watson and Florence Pugh.
2. The ‘Rachel’
The iconic Rachel Green hairstyle from Friends, created by stylist Chris McMillan and debuted in 1995, was a phenomenon that lasted for years and is trending again today. Jennifer Aniston herself revived the iconic ‘Rachel’ haircut at the 2024 Golden Globes, showing how this look never goes out of style.
According to McMillian, back in the 90s the hairstyle was so popular that women from all over flew to his Los Angeles salon to get the Rachel hairdo from the man himself. While the ‘Rachel’ is not an easy hairstyle to pull off, with its voluminous, face-framing layers and honey highlights, its charm remains.
3. The Classy Flip
Another classic 90s hairstyles back for 2024 is the high volume, flipped ends look. It received a stylish update in the 90s. In 2024, it underwent another change. The modern version is sleeker and chunkier compared to the classic style.
What’s great about this style is that it can easily be casual or formal, so it works well for any occasion. Perhaps this is why countless celebs have been working the look, from Cardi B and Rihanna to Zendaya and Kim Kardashian.
Tip *put half the hair up in a ponytail like Kim K for a twist on the look.*
4. The Bob
Victoria Beckham is just one of the 90s stars known for many different styles of bobs. Then there’s Cameron Diaz’s iconic bob from There’s Something About Mary. Well, the bob is back in 2024 with new variations ready for you to explore.
The not-so precise, relaxed bob is a popular choice with the idea being to keep the look manageable every day since high maintenance is out. And contrary to popular belief, bobs are not just for straight hair as Laura Harrier proves with her stylish curly bob.
5. Bold Box Braids
Whether you prefer a bobbed, bright-colored, waist-length, blonde, or updo style, box braids offer both versatility and protection. It's a must-try look for this year.
Janet Jackson is hands down the queen of celebrity box braids of the 90s. And the hairdo has regained popularity today, but with a slight twist to knotless box braids. These skip the knots at the root of the scalp, resulting in plaits that are easy on the edges and feel almost weightless.
Another 2024 box braid trend is to let the natural hair play peekaboo from under the braids. Leave the ends loose and show off the curls for a lovely Bohemian touch.
Related reading: Inside the data: Top 5 beauty industry trends for 2024
6. Pigtails
Pigtails were one of the top 90s hairstyles women everywhere were sporting thanks to Britney Spears Hit me baby one more time.
Pigtails in 2024 have grown up to deliver a sleek, sophisticated look. Plus, they can be saviors on a bad hair day! They’re not as severe as a high ponytail and even add volume to the crown without teasing. Move them high or low, add accessories or change the parting to get the final look you love.
7. Tendrils
Soft, face-framing tendrils are romantic and feminine – one of the few 90s hairstyles women with every hair length can pull off. On days when you’re not in the mood to fuss over your hair, this is the style to embrace. Why? Because it’s a low-maintenance way to still look great.
Tendrils suit all face shapes and pretty much every hairstyle – buns, ponytails, braids. Keep them straight, wispy or textured, chunky or thin, and they’d still look effortless. The queen of 90s hairstyles Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid, often step out in styles with tendrils.
8. Bangs
We've evolved significantly from the 90s mall fringe trend, epitomized by Candace Cameron in House Full and Kelly Kapowski in Saved by the Bell. Although the exaggerated fringes have fallen out of favor, a variety of fringe styles are making a comeback in 2024.
From curtain fringes to softer, feathery cuts, and even the French girl fringe, as seen on Priyanka Chopra, fringes are in vogue again. The secret to nailing the fringe style? Avoid making it appear overly contrived.
9. Crimping
In the late 90s, Christina Aguilera embraced a crimpled look at the LA Billboard Awards, sparking thousands of females to kiss their poker-straight hair goodbye and make friends with the crimping iron.
Today, celebrities and their stylists are experimenting with a wide range of crimped hairstyles – from updos and bangs to knotted braids and mermaid hair, there's plenty of room for creativity with this trend. Crimped hair even returned to the red carpet with celebs like Kylie Jenner, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, and Anna Kendrick trying their own variant of the style in recent years.
10. Space Buns & Bantu Knots
Space buns and Bantu knots, two major festival hair trends from the 90s, are back in style. These fun, playful summer hairstyles go well with accessories and bold jewelry. They're adaptable and can be styled large, small, half-up, straight, or with braids – allowing you to personalize them to your liking.
Stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, and Kourtney Kardashian have showcased the former style. Meanwhile, Bantu buns, a style that originates from the Zulu tribes of South Africa, have been sported by celebrities like Beyoncé, Adele, Rihanna, and Cardi B.
11. The Barbie Ponytail
The ‘Barbiecore’ aesthetic came back in full force thanks to the Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Barbie movie, and it’s going nowhere. Barbie’s iconic high pony with perfectly swooped ends is still a hot trend for 2024 – with Arianna Grande, Hailey Bieber, and Margot Robbie rocking the look regularly.
Even better? It can be achieved using a blow dryer and a round brush. Secure a high pony in place, flip out the ends, and apply hairspray to keep it in place all day. Simple, stylish, and timeless.
12. Chunky Highlights
Now, this is one of the 90’s hairdos you probably thought you’d never see again but get ready. Forget subtle money pieces, chunky highlights (think Christina Aguilera in her ‘Dirrty’ era) are back.
The two-toned style featuring large ‘stripey’ highlights is making a comeback in 2024 and Dua Lipa and Kim Kardashian are proof of it. As one of the more divisive 90s hairstyles trending again, it’s not for everyone. The good news: You can still rock the trend with a subtler approach using babylights or ribboning.
13. Baby Braids
From the Spice Girls to Gwen Stefani, baby braids were all the rage in the 90s. Today’s ‘it girls’, including Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid are bringing it back for 2024. All it takes? Add two tiny strands braided on either side of your face.
Like many 90s hairstyles, this trend is very versatile. Whether you’re going for a cute, girly look, or a grungier, undone style, baby braids are a great way to add some interest to your everyday hair.
14. Tousled Curls
If you’ve been watching reruns of Sex and the City in 2024, you’ll recognize many of the 90s hairstyles in this list. For the tousled curls trend, Carrie Bradshaw is the poster girl.
Embracing your natural texture is back in 2024, and the tousled look just needs some mouse to bring out your wave pattern. Worried about frizz? Don’t be! A little frizz just adds to this undone look.
15. Bouncy Blowout
Saving the biggest trend for last – volume is back! While the sleek, clean girl aesthetic ruled in recent years, big, bouncy, 90s blowouts are in for 2024.
Supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer are the inspiration for this trend. Out of all the 90s hairstyles women are embracing this year, the bouncy blowout is arguably the most universally loved. Whether you use a round brush and rollers or try the heatless curling techniques taking over social media, remember – the more volume, the better.
The key to nailing 90s hairstyles? Accessorize!
The fashion and beauty trends of the 90s were dynamic - they were never intended to be subtle. And what’s more? It was all about hair accessories.
No matter if you wore your hair natural, sleek straight, or in disheveled updos, what enhanced an outfit was the hair embellishments. And, predictably, some of the essential 90s embellishments are making a comeback this year. In fact, elevated accessories took the spotlight on the spring 2024 runways, from bows of all sizes to 90s comb headbands.
So, if you want to give your 90s hairstyles a glow up, try some of these accessories:
Scrunchies – A high ponytail with a stylish scrunchy is in vogue again!
Butterfly clips – Every girl’s must-have accessory.
Daisy clips – Hello Drew Barrymore’s 90s bob with that flower power twist.
Colored clips – They've been adding a pop of color to ordinary hair since the 90s. Plus, they're adorable
Claw clips – Grab the hair into a claw clip and you’re ready to take on the world.
Headbands – The variety is unbelievable. And so much fun!
Hats and bandanas – Your answer to a bad hair day.
Stay in the know
While 90s hairstyles are everywhere in 2024, trends come and go. Every few years a new style, fashion, or beauty trend is either discovered, invented or reintroduced. Stay up to date with the best ways to guide your guests on tips for styling hair.
Speaking of trends, do you know the trends shaping your industry in 2024? Download the 2024 Beauty and Wellness Benchmark Report for an inside look at benchmark data and exclusive insights dedicated to helping every salon brand grow.
