24 Iconic 90’s Hairstyles
The 1990s weren’t just about grunge music and minimalist fashion; the hairstyles from this vibrant decade were iconic, making a bold comeback today.
From voluminous curls to sleek, shiny waves and playful updos, the ’90s brought a mix of glamour and simplicity that remains influential.
In this article, we dive into 24 classic ’90s hairstyles that are making their way back into the spotlight, ready to inspire your next hair transformation.
Get ready to blend nostalgia with modern flair as we explore these timeless and trendy looks!
24 Best Hairstyles from 90s
1. Modern Luxe Waves
This hairstyle features large, flowing waves with a deep side part, enhancing the dimensional highlights of golden caramel on dark brown hair. Ideal for medium to long hair, it requires a large barrel curling iron or rollers to create the voluminous waves.
Start with a heat protectant on dry hair, curl sections away from the face, and finish with a light hairspray for hold and a glossy serum for shine. This look combines 90s glamour with a modern twist, perfect for both casual and formal settings.
2. Sleek Layered Cut
A sleek, layered cut that embodies the 90s with its smooth texture and subtle volume. This hairstyle is characterized by its soft, feathered layers around the face, creating a framing effect that enhances facial features.
Achieve this look by blow-drying hair straight with a round brush, focusing on creating slight bends at the ends of the layers. Use a smoothing serum for sleekness and a light hairspray to maintain the shape. It’s versatile for daily wear or a sophisticated evening event.
3. Textured Bob with a Twist
This style is a short, textured bob with a playful color twist reminiscent of 90s experimentation with bold hues. The cut is above the shoulders with soft internal layers to add texture and movement.
Styling involves a blow dryer and a small round brush to lift roots and add body, followed by a texturizing spray to enhance the pieciness of the layers. This chic and edgy look is perfect for those wanting a low-maintenance yet stylish option.
4. Soft Highlighted Layers
Capturing the 90s trend of voluminous hair, this hairstyle boasts soft, cascading layers with warm highlights that provide depth and dimension. To replicate, use a medium barrel curling iron on dry hair to create loose waves, then brush through for a softer appearance.
Apply a volumizing mousse before drying and a flexible hold hairspray to finish. This style is suitable for medium to long hair and offers a timeless elegance that transitions effortlessly from day to night.
5. High Half-Ponytail
This hairstyle is a classic high half-ponytail, combining smoothness at the top with flowing straight lengths. To achieve this style, brush the hair to remove any knots, then section off the top half and secure it high on the back of the head with a band.
Use a straightener to smooth out both the ponytail and the remaining hair for a sleek finish. This look is a nod to the 90’s casual yet chic vibe, ideal for both day and night outings, providing a youthful yet sophisticated appearance.
6. Headband Beauty
Featuring a simple and elegant look, this hairstyle includes a thin black headband placed a few inches from the forehead, pushing the hair back slightly for a polished look. The hair is left loose with soft waves at the ends, creating a feminine and approachable style.
To replicate, curl the ends with a large barrel iron after brushing hair smoothly back with the headband in place. This hairstyle is perfect for a 90’s-inspired day at the office or a casual gathering, offering a blend of nostalgia and modernity.
7. Half-Up, Half-Down with Highlights
This is a modern twist on the half-up, half-down style with contrasting color highlights. Pull the top section of hair back and secure it at the crown, leaving the bottom half loose to showcase the dual-tone color.
For added texture, lightly wave the loose hair with a curling iron and use texturizing spray. This hairstyle merges 90’s flair with contemporary bold color contrasts, making it ideal for those looking to make a fashionable statement.
8. Wavy Bob with Contrasting Highlights
Capturing the essence of the 90’s, this wavy bob features prominent contrasting highlights, adding a playful and edgy look. To achieve this style, use a medium barrel curling iron on damp hair, then scrunch with mousse to hold the waves.
The highlights should be bold, standing out against the base color for a striking effect. This hairstyle is perfect for a bold 90’s revival look, suitable for both daywear and special evenings out.
9. Pastel Pink Buzz Cut
This style features a pastel pink buzz cut that showcases bold, vibrant hair color a staple in 90s alternative fashion scenes.
The hair is shaved evenly around the sides and back with a slightly longer top, dyed in a soft pink hue. To achieve this, bleach hair to a pale blonde before applying the pink dye for vivid color payoff.
This daring and minimal maintenance look is perfect for those wanting to make a strong fashion statement with a nod to 90’s punk aesthetics.
10. Voluminous Curly Blonde
A classic 90’s voluminous curly look, reminiscent of glam rock and pop icons of the decade. This hairstyle features deep, bouncy curls with a lot of volumes, created using a large barrel curling iron.
Before curling, apply a heat protectant and volumizing mousse to damp hair, and finish with a strong-hold hairspray to keep curls intact throughout the day. This look is all about boldness and body, making it ideal for a night out or a retro-themed event.
11. Hollywood Waves
This hairstyle exudes a timeless glamour reminiscent of 1940s Hollywood but became popular again in the 90s.
Achieve this look by creating deep side parts and using a large barrel curling iron to form soft, flowing waves. Brush through the curls gently to merge them into sleek waves, and set with a light hairspray.
The rich texture and glossy finish make this hairstyle perfect for elegant occasions and replicate the sophisticated side of 90’s fashion.
12. Highlighted Bangs with Loose Waves
This look combines soft waves with highlighted bangs, incorporating bright streaks for a distinct 90s flair.
Use a flat iron to create waves on medium heat, working through sections of the hair, and apply a smoothing serum to the bangs while highlighting key strands to accentuate the face.
This hairstyle offers a casual yet chic vibe, suitable for everyday wear or social events, embodying a playful yet polished 90’s style.
13. Elevated Half-Up, Half-Down
This hairstyle showcases a half-up, half-down style with a twist, incorporating a voluminous ponytail on top and flowing waves below.
To recreate this 90’s inspired look, section the top half of your hair and secure it high with a hair tie, ensuring volume at the crown.
Use a curling iron on the lower half to create bouncy waves. This style blends practicality with allure, ideal for both everyday elegance and special occasions.
14. Sleek High Ponytail with Detailed Wrap
This look is a sleek, high ponytail, polished and precise, with a small section of hair wrapped around the base to conceal the hair tie.
Achieve this style by straightening your hair for a smooth texture before gathering it into a high ponytail. Secure with a hair tie, then wrap a small section around the base, securing it with a bobby pin under the ponytail.
This style reflects the 90’s love for sleek, uncluttered hairstyles, suitable for both professional and social settings.
15. Vibrant Copper Waves
This hairstyle features deep copper tones with flowing, textured waves, capturing the 90’s trend of bold hair colors.
To achieve this look, apply a vibrant copper color on pre-lightened hair to ensure the intensity of the hue. Use a medium-barrel curling iron to create loose waves, enhancing the hair’s texture and volume.
Finish with a texturizing spray for a tousled effect. This look is perfect for those who want to embrace the vibrant color palette of the 90’s with a modern twist.
16. Tousled Short Layers
Embodying the casual yet chic essence of the 90’s, this hairstyle features short, tousled layers with a natural, effortless vibe.
Achieve this style by applying a volumizing product to damp hair, then blow-drying with a diffuser to enhance natural textures and create movement. Use a small amount of texturizing paste to piece out the layers for a lived-in look.
This hairstyle is ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance, yet stylish option that reflects the laid-back sophistication of 90’s fashion icons.
17. Elegant Updo with Wisps
This hairstyle is a graceful updo featuring soft wisps around the face, which gives it a romantic and elegant appeal reminiscent of the late 90s.
To achieve this look, pull hair back into a low bun or twist, leaving out small sections at the front to frame the face softly.
These wisps can be lightly curled for added texture. This style is perfect for formal events or a sophisticated evening out, reflecting the subtle elegance popular in 90’s celebrity fashion.
18. Bold Copper Bob
The copper bob is a vibrant and statement-making hairstyle with a rich, fiery hue that captures the bold color trends of the 90s.
Style it with a blow dryer and a round brush to add volume and a slight bend at the ends, giving the bob a soft, voluminous look.
To replicate this look, cut the hair into a chin-length bob and color it with a deep copper shade. This hairstyle is ideal for those wanting to combine a classic cut with a striking, memorable color.
19. Long Layered Cut with Natural Waves
This hairstyle features long layers with natural waves, giving it a relaxed yet chic look that was a staple in 90s fashion.
To achieve this style, cut long layers into the hair to add movement and texture. Use a large barrel curling iron to create loose waves, then brush them out for a more natural appearance.
Finish with a light texturizing spray for hold and volume. This look is perfect for everyday wear, offering versatility and ease of styling.
20. Voluminous Curly Half-Updo
Reflecting the playful and voluminous styles of the 90s, this curly half-updo features abundant curls with the top section pulled back and secured at the crown.
This creates lift and highlights the texture. Achieve this look by applying mousse to damp hair, then diffusing to enhance the curls.
Pull the top section back, secure with a clip or tie, and let the curls cascade freely. This style is both nostalgic and fashionable, suitable for both casual and dressy occasions.
21. Twisted Tendrils Updo
This charming hairstyle features twisted sections that create a playful and youthful updo, accentuated by loose tendrils around the face.
To achieve this look, part the hair and twist small sections from the front to the back, securing them with bobby pins.
Allow some strands to fall freely around the face for a soft, framing effect. This style is reminiscent of the late 90s and perfect for casual outings or creative environments, offering a touch of nostalgia with a modern twist.
22. Glamorous High Ponytail with Curls
The glamorous high ponytail combines sleekness at the roots with voluminous curls at the ends, creating a dynamic and stylish look.
Start by smoothing the hair into a high ponytail, securing it firmly at the crown. Curl the ponytail with a curling iron to add bounce and volume.
Accessorize with a few golden clips for an added touch of elegance. This hairstyle is a nod to 90s pop divas and is perfect for both daytime flair and nighttime glamour.
23. Sleek and Shiny Waves
This hairstyle exudes sophistication with its sleek top and luxuriously wavy ends. To recreate this look, apply a heat protectant and use a flat iron to smooth the roots up to the mid-lengths, then transition to a curling iron to create flowing waves on the ends.
This technique ensures a polished yet natural appearance, ideal for a professional setting or a formal event. It’s a classic 90s style that combines smooth and textured elements for a timeless appeal.
24. Elegant Half-Up, Half-Down with Curls
This hairstyle is an elegant take on the classic half-up, half-down style, featuring a smooth crown and softly curled lengths.
Pull the top section of hair back and secure it at the back of the head, creating a slight lift at the crown. Curl the remaining hair to add texture and volume, enhancing the feminine allure of the style.
This hairstyle is versatile, suitable for formal occasions or everyday wear, and reflects the polished yet relaxed aesthetics of the 90s.