30 '90s Hairstyles That Feel Just as Relevant Today (2024)

Like the decade itself, the best '90s hairstyles were a study in freeform fun. From kitschy accessories to undone texture to quirky updos, hair was used as a foundation for creation. The resulting styles focused idiosyncrasy over-refinement, though gloss and sleekness informed more than a few moments, as well.

Modern beauty calls for an individual touch, making the '90s an ideal reference point. Step away from the crowd and think outside the box, the better to image hair that's funky, chic, and destined to turn heads. So grab your clips and crimping iron, embrace the bang, and release any and all seriousness—aesthetic playtime has arrived.

Here, 30 hairstyles that were trending in the '90s and are just as (if not more) relevant today.

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Side Part

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The '90s side part is forever—no matter what anyone says. When properly styled (aka both polished and effortless), side-parted hair communicate the same careless cool as their more centered sister style.

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Grown-Out Buzz

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The subversive buzz cuts (and all of their subsequent grow-out stages) of the '90s are all the more relevant today.

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Flippy Bob

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The recent flipped-up bob trend comes with some major era influence. The '90s saw celebrities like Neve Campbell sporting sleek and flippy bobs parted at side or center, the neat style often worn tucked behind the ears.

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Short Layers

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Layers ruled the late '90s and early '00s, with choppy and tapered tiers snipped to frame the face.

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Celestial Accessories

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Light-catching accessories like Alanis Morissette's gems and threaded silver chains are both bohemian and futuristic. Keep the additions minimal for an elegant look, or go full mirror ball for some desired dramatic.

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Baby Bangs

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Rounded baby bangs trimmed above the brow transform a head of voluminous waves from simply glamorous to cute and quirky.

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Blunt Chop

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A shoulder-length chop paired with rounded, wispy, blended bangs may be a quintessential '90s cut, but the shape is timeless enough to spark inspiration in the present tense.

Bohemian Bangs

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Curtain bangs and generous layers are back in a big way, and the '90s interpretation of the trend is worthy of revisitation. Claudia Schiffer's start off slightly babied before giving way to a blend of short and long tiers.

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Romantic Half-Up

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Finger-raked, half-up hair evokes Renaissance romance, as does a face framed in wispy flyaway strands.

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Piecey Bangs

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A cut of glossy, piecey bangs are an ideal accompaniment to long layers or a blunt cut.

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Rounded Bob

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Reese Witherspoon is late '90s incarnate, and her blonde bob, styled to curve neatly inward, is a chic (and somehow grunge?) sign of the times.

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Messy Bun

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The quirky, overdone updo was a '90s mainstay. This parted messy bun features raked height at the crown, a wispy sweep of bangs, and a few escapist strands for extra insouciance.

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Full Baby Bangs

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A full set of baby bangs (rather than the wispier variety) skew luxe and femme fatale—though Selma Blair's then-trademark raven certainly helps.

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Partial Pin

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A simple accessory makes all the difference. Madonna's jeweled pin and single secured section make her medium-length waves cutesy and cool.

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Side Bangs

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Bangs of all sorts are the moment, and the wisped side swoop of the 1990s are a worthy contender for your fringe revival.

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Crimped Curls

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The waves and curls of the '90s were styled a touch more tightly, as evidenced by Britney Spears' near-crimped waves. The texture is wholly worthy of a copycat moment, whether or not you also reach for the pearl crown and parted bangs.

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Twisted Tie-Back

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Twists! Segmentation! Bows made from sprays of blonde! This exaggerated era style has all of the playful quirk that made the '90s so memorable (and appealingly weird).

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Elvish Pixie

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Gwyneth Paltrow's pixie was a '90s hallmark, and this slightly grown-out version is due for a renaissance. With micro bangs, flippy ends, and a single bobby pin, the cut feels sweet and demure.

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Old Hollywood Blowout

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Volume is a welcome factor. Cindy Crawford's full-bodied mane is legend, and when run through with some Old Hollywood waves, the style makes an even more sumptuous statement.

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Gelled Pixie

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Wet-look styles are a stylized trend that crops up fairly regularly, and this shellacked pixie is a wearable, polished interpretation.

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Rumpled Bombshell

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Bedhead is forever. Penelope Cruz's mane is often worn sleek and smooth, but when worn mussed and rumpled, her storied aesthetic becomes even more glamorous (and cool).

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Textured Shag

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The new guard of shags and mullets has roots in the '80s and '90s. Layers snipped to frame the face play well with natural texture, so make like Courtney Cox and opt for an air dry.

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Bixie

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The bob-pixie hybrid has seen a resurgence in recent years, and Cameron Diaz offers a worthy prototype.

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Center Section

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Combing and securing the center section of otherwise loose lengths creates a neat and flattering frame, all while keeping (at least some) strands out of your face.

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Pinned Braids

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At turns bohemian and saccharine, a pair of plaits styled with a side part and single barrette ensures a preppy lean. Take a cue from Mariah Carey and temper the effect by binding the braids with leather cord.

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Beachy Half-Up

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A full crimp and tropical accessory conspire for a highly stylized and very beachy style.

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Bendy Bob

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Another case made for waved texture and a new kind of shag. Michelle Williams' bendy bob highlights the power of free-spirited flyaways—and a blended bang.

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Piecey Updo

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When co-opting '90s vibes, an easy updo is better with long sections left loose at front.

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Behive Pony

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The beehive may not be a '90s style, but Nicole Kidman's heightened ponytail (which echoes the more retro updo from certain angles) provides the right amount of undone sophistication.

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Ironed Out

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Finally, a good, old-fashioned flat iron moment is always welcome. Don't forget your heat protection.