The Best ‘90s Hairstyles We’re *Still* Rocking Today (and Yes, ‘The Rachel’ Is on the List)

Before Barbiecore, we had this trendy ponytail inspired by our favorite doll. From Ariana Grande to Gabrielle Union, this ‘90s hairstyle has been a celeb-favorite. The star of the show is really the flipped ends, which can be achieved by using a blow dryer and a round brush. Don’t forget to apply hairspray to keep it in place all day. 

Pinterest predicts big hair is in and this voluminous blowout is at the top of our list. The ‘fluffy hair’ trend was all the rage back in the day, with supermodels like Cindy Crawford and stars like Danielle Fisher (Boy Meets World) making it their signature look. Divide your hair into sections and wrap each part around a round brush before directing the blow dryer at the roots for a bouncy ‘do. There’s also the option of applying rollers or pins for even more volume. 

The classic half-up, half-down style has always been around, but the ‘90s girlies took it one step further by adding some braids. As Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and educator at the Hair Addict Salon, previously explained, “Everything from the ‘90s is back, including this twist hairstyle. I love this look because it’s fun and easy to achieve.” It also lets you show off your natural texture and play around with protective styling. 

This style has been everywhere in the last couple of years (and even sparked a new trend back in January). It’s pretty simple to achieve—just leave two loose strands out, so they can sit nicely on either side of the face. Whether you have wavy, straight or curly locks, these face-framing tendrils look great on all hair types.

What do Leo DiCaprio, Erik von Detten and Nick Carter have in common? This short, layered haircut that works for all genders. It made a big comeback in 2022 as a low-maintenance style, and we expect to see more of it in 2024. 

This hybrid cut combines two of our favorite styles into one edgy look: the bob and the pixie. Popularized by Winona Ryder and Meg Ryan, the ‘Bixie’ takes the classic bob technique of long layers (that sit right at or past the chin) and shorter pieces near the hairline and crown reminiscent of a pixie. As Sunnie Brook, celebrity hairstylist and a global ambassador for Biolage, previously told us, “The cut leaves the hair just long enough to tuck behind the ear with a fresh take on the curtain fringe trend.” 

Box braids became the protective style in the ‘90s, even though they date back to 3500 BC. Everyone from Brandy to Janet Jackson to Beyoncé has sported some version of them. They’re not only versatile, as you can wear ‘em up or down, but they’ve inspired modern styles like goddess braids, Marley twists and more. 

Jennifer Aniston is a ‘90s icon and so was her mane. ‘The Rachel’ became the most requested look back in the day and we definitely see the appeal in 2024. The trendy cut features short layers in the front to frame the face, a voluminous top and flipped-in ends that make it such a signature Friends look. It’s still so well known that Aniston herself even brought it back during awards season. 

Inspired by Mariah Carey, Drew Barrymore and Sarah Jessica Parker, the tousled look requires just a dollop of mousse to really bring out your pattern. The ‘90s taught us that it’s OK to embrace a little frizz every once in a while.

Another accessory that defined a decade? Scrunchies. Now, the large hair ties were invented in the 1960s, but they got super popular around the ‘80s and early ‘90s as a statement piece for a high ponytail or bun. They’re chic and functional, which describes many hairstyles of the era. 

Yup, we’re still on the accessories train because claw clips were huge in the ‘90s. If you want to unleash your inner Rachel Green, pop one of these babies on for a casual look. 

This short haircut was most famously sported by Nia Long, Gwyneth Paltrow and Winona Ryder. The pixie features tiny bangs and piece-y layers for texture—and the edge we often associate with the ‘90s. 

This technique dates back to the ‘70s, but became the ‘it’ style by the early ‘90s. From Tyra Banks to Blake Lively, the ultra-wavy style screams party hair, however, gone are the frizzy finishes. In 2024, we’re seeing more of a beachy vibe, with softer and subtler crimps.

Like many hairstyles on this list, micro braids made a huge comeback in August 2023. The baby sister to the classic box braids style, the plaits are a bit smaller and thinner in size, and usually done closer to the scalp.