7 Iconic '90s Hairstyles Women Are Obsessed With In 2024 (And How To Get The Modern Look)
The hair trends of the 1990s are back and bigger than ever, dominating fashion runways and social media feeds as of December 19, 2025. Forget the sleek, minimalist looks of the past decade—the current obsession is all about volume, texture, and playful accessories that define the retro revival. This isn't just a simple throwback; today's interpretation blends '90s nostalgia with contemporary polish, making these iconic styles wearable for every modern woman.
From the bouncy layers seen on supermodels to the bold color streaks of pop stars, '90s hairstyles for women offer a fun, expressive escape from subtle beauty norms. Whether you’re looking for a dramatic haircut transformation or just a quick styling update, these seven iconic looks are the freshest way to embrace the decade’s enduring influence on hair fashion.
The Top 7 '90s Hairstyles Making a Massive 2024 Comeback
The beauty of the 1990s was its diversity, giving us everything from grunge-inspired texture to ultra-glamorous volume. These are the key styles that have been resurrected and refined for the modern era, proving that great hair is truly timeless.
1. "The Rachel" Haircut (The Layered Lob)
Few haircuts are as instantly recognizable as "The Rachel," made famous by Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel Green on Friends. In 2024, this signature style has evolved from its original heavily-layered, feathered look into a softer, more versatile cut.
- The Modern Twist: The contemporary version features fewer, longer, and more blended face-framing layers, often paired with long curtain bangs. The length is typically a long bob (lob) or mid-length, and it's less about the stiff volume of the past and more about natural, bouncy movement.
- Iconic Entity: Jennifer Aniston.
2. The Voluminous '90s Supermodel Blowout
Synonymous with supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer, the '90s blowout is the ultimate expression of glamour and volume. This style is characterized by big, bouncy, touchable hair that looks effortlessly polished.
- How to Achieve the Look: The secret is a combination of heat and setting. Start with a volumizing product (like a mousse or spray) applied to damp hair. Use a large round brush to blow-dry sections, curling the ends away from the face. For maximum body, set the curled sections in Velcro rollers while they cool. A flexible-hold hairspray will maintain the movement without stiffness.
- Iconic Entity: Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer.
3. Chunky Highlights (The Money Piece)
A bold and expressive color trend, chunky highlights—or "money pieces"—are back with a vengeance. Unlike the subtle balayage of the 2010s, this look involves thicker, vivid streaks of color, particularly around the face, to create high contrast and dimension.
- The Modern Twist: While still bold, the current trend often uses more refined color palettes and placement. Instead of harsh stripes, the color is applied in thick sections but with a slightly softer blend at the root. Celebrities like Bella Hadid and Doja Cat have popularized this nostalgic trend in 2024.
- Iconic Entity: Bella Hadid, Doja Cat.
The Essential '90s Styling Techniques and Accessories
The '90s wasn't just about the cut; it was also about how you styled it and the playful accessories you used. These elements are crucial for achieving true topical authority and authenticity in your retro look.
4. Crimped Hair and Textured Waves
Crimped hair, once achieved with a heavy-duty crimping iron, is one of the most popular vintage hair looks returning to runways in 2024. This style delivers instant, carefree texture and volume.
- The Modern Twist: Instead of crimping the entire head, the modern approach is often to add crimped texture to small sections, like the ends of a ponytail or a few face-framing strands, for a subtle yet intentional texture contrast.
- LSI Keyword: Vintage hair looks.
5. The Messy Updo with Face-Framing Pieces
Inspired by the effortlessly cool look of Pamela Anderson, the messy updo is a close second to "The Rachel" in terms of '90s influence. It’s a deliberately undone style that works for both casual and formal events.
- How to Achieve the Look: The key is to secure your hair in a high, loose bun or twist, leaving two distinct, often curled, strands of hair hanging down to frame the face. The modern version often uses a middle part to keep the look contemporary.
- Iconic Entity: Pamela Anderson.
6. Half-Up, Half-Down with Space Buns
Space buns—two small buns positioned high on the head—were a huge festival and mainstream hair trend in the '90s. They are a fun, youthful look that works especially well in a half-up, half-down style.
- LSI Keyword: Hair clips and barrettes.
- Essential Accessories: This look is often finished with decorative clips or scrunchies at the base of the buns for an extra retro touch.
7. Sleek Bobs and Pixie Cuts
For those with shorter hair, the '90s offered the ultimate in chic minimalism. Toni Braxton’s iconic pixie cut and Winona Ryder’s slicked-back bob demonstrated the decade’s versatility.
- The Modern Twist: The sleek bob of today is often a soft, blunt lob that hits just above the shoulders, sometimes paired with a side or center part. The goal is a polished, neat style that can be tucked behind the ears for a clean silhouette.
- Iconic Entity: Toni Braxton, Winona Ryder.
Mastering the '90s Aesthetic: Products and Techniques
To truly nail the modern '90s aesthetic, you need to focus on two core principles: volume and finish. The decade was less about stick-straight hair and more about body and bounce, regardless of your hair length or texture.
Achieving the signature voluminous bouncy blowouts requires specific tools. A high-quality blow dryer, a large round brush, and a set of Velcro rollers are non-negotiable investments. For those with long hair, asking your stylist for face-framing layers and long, blunt ends will instantly give you that supermodel hair foundation.
When it comes to accessories, the bolder, the better. The current resurgence of '90s trends has brought back butterfly clips, large claw clips (for a quick, chic updo), and oversized scrunchies. These simple additions are the fastest way to incorporate the retro vibe into your everyday look without a major cut or color change. The effortless nature of these accessories is what makes the trend so appealing and enduring.
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