25 Iconic Hairstyles From The '90s You Need To Recreate

The decade that gave birth to the Spice Girls, Beanie Babies, "Friends," and the World Wide Web, the '90s was jam-packed with fads that rocked the world. An iconic time in history, where pop culture and boy bands boomed, the final decade of the twentieth century holds a special place in the hearts of those who lived to see such beauty. For the Gen Z fashionistas who only have photos to look back on for reference, we can see why a lot of '90s styles are being resurrected. Who wouldn't want to recreate some of those quintessential looks, even if they are over 30 years late to the party?

Although there are some things we'll never get back, like Blockbuster Video and phonebooks, the styles of the '90s are resurfacing, and that's especially true when it comes to the iconic hairstyles of the time. All it takes is a single scroll through social media to see celebs and influencers rocking the revived looks from the past (via E! News). Feeling nostalgic? So are we. Since '90s hairstyles are definitely making a comeback in 2023, here are 25 iconic hairstyles from the decade you need to recreate.

If your '90s hair tool collection didn't include a crimper, did you really live through the '90s? A classic style that bled from the '80s, according to Beauty Launch Pad, crimped hair was (and still is) a major fashion statement, and was often seen on pop princesses Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. If you don't have a crimper, simply braid your hair and let it sit overnight while you sleep to achieve heatless crimped locks. Secure some crimped strands with elastics on the top of your head to achieve half-up pigtails for the ultimate' 90s-inspired 'do.

If you have real wispy bangs, you're in luck because the '90s were all about those claw-like wispy bangs. But even if you don't, the faux bang also reigned supreme, often created by clipping and pinning the long hair to create fake bangs. TikTok creator @jessicaoakes shared an excellent way to recreate the faux bang in her TikTok video, where she produced a small bun on the top of her head with her long fringe, leaving the ends out to create the bang. She pulls the rest of the hair up to hide that small bun, giving a messy top knot faux bang combo.

Whether the entire head was full of them, or they were scattered randomly throughout, tiny braids were a trendy part of many hairstyles in the '90s. They added a pop of playfulness to nearly every look, whether the style was all down or up. Add some little braids into your next hairstyle to include dimension and vivacity to the look. You could leave it there or add colorful and fun-shaped clips like Zoe Hughes, known as @zoehughes_mua on Instagram, as seen in her Instagram post depicting her curly hairstyle adorned with mini braids. 

What do you get when you mix a middle part with plastic snap clip barrettes? A quintessential '90s hairstyle. Barrettes were tremendously popular in the '90s, mainly because they were "easily accessible, cheap, and colorful," according to Luxy Hair. And today, the snap clip barrettes have made a total comeback, especially neutral-colored and modern tones of black, brown, and white. Secure them above each ear for a sleek look, and layer multiple clips for a classic '90s 'do. The best part? Whether your hair is pin-straight or curly, the plastic clips are a perfect addition to any hair type, texture, and style.

When it comes to big hair, the '80s walked so the '90s could run. Although big hair basically sums up the '80s, it reached refined and sophisticated levels once it reached the next decade, with the sexy and sleek blowout making waves throughout the '90s. There are many blowout hacks and tips to give yourself a bouncy blowout, but YouTuber Kayli Boyle shares a video on how you can recreate the look yourself like a pro with a blow dryer and a round brush. (Ya know, like they did it in the '90s.)

Hailey Bieber has single-handedly brought back many '90s fashion trends. "My favorite fashion era is the '90s," Bieber told Bustle. "I'm a '90s baby. I love the supermodels of the '90s, the actors and actresses of the '90s — I even look at my parents in the '90s." And when it comes to hairstyles, she certainly slays. One of our favorites is her braided bangs, as seen in this Instagram post. When paired with a wispy shoulder-length bob, we get a look that's not only '90s but so supermodel chic.

Let's be honest, you could pair any hairstyle with a scrunchie and make it look '90s. But one of the decade's favorite looks was a scrunchie securing a mega-high ponytail. You could elegantly style your pony with your long fringe down, as depicted in @claireadamsonhair's Instagram post. Or, go the relaxed route and rock a loose, tussled pony with your bangs secured in the scrunchie. The options on what kind of ponytail you choose are endless, as long as you keep the main focus on that '90s scrunchie.

The hair comb headbands may need to come with a trigger warning because those things are not comfy to put on. However, the look they give is totally worth the cringe-inducing discomfort. Pain is beauty, and beauty is pain, right? The plastic comb headband pulls the hair back, providing a structured and clean look. #HairTok creator @anisasojka tries the headband in a video with the caption, "should we bring it back?" (Psst—it already is.) If the hair comb headband isn't for you, opt for a thick, padded headband to stay on the '90s hairstyle train. Honestly, any headband will do!

Big and curly side-swept hair takes the '90s blowout to a whole other level. This hairstyle focuses on the root and curl to create a wild amount of body to the hair. Behind The Chair posted a YouTube video showing how you can create the ultimate '90s "supermodel hair," recommending that you pin each strand of hair after blow drying it to set the curl in place. This not only gives a voluminous blowout, but structured curls as well. Then, spray a bit of hairspray on your wide-toothed comb before running it through your locks for a va-va-voom blowout.

It wasn't enough to incorporate fun colors and accessories into the hair — you had to have sparkle, too! Hair gems and jewels were added into many looks in the '90s, from spiky buns to braids and everything in between. Today, we see hair companies like Insert Name Here selling hair gems and rhinestone hair chains so that people can channel their inner '90s princess, as seen in their Instagram post. Add the jewels into your braids or stick the gems randomly on the hair for that extra dash of glamour.

Pretty princesses step aside — it's the grungy girls' time to shine. The grunge aesthetic thrived in the '90s, when smudged eyeliner, dark lips, and flannel shirts were all the rage. When paired with a messy and edgy bun, you have a look that is totally Gwen Stefani. YouTuber Alice Lockhart shared a four-minute video on how she creates her super quick and easy grunge bun, complete with an alligator clip to secure her long fringe. This look is perfect for "when you wanna look cool but are also lazy," she writes in the tile of the video.

Head to the back of your closet and grab those bandanas you threw back there years ago, because this iconic '90s headpiece has made a full comeback. According to Fashion Magazine, bandanas are the most "badass '90s accessory," with icons like 2Pac and Aaliyah trailblazing the trend. Today, you can find various versions, from pretty silk bandanas to traditional paisley prints. Secure it around your head like @franzidohn in her Instagram photo, leaving the entire hair down for an edgy look.