From Bobs to Bangs, Here's Proof That ’90s Hairstyles Will Never Go Out of Style

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Between the resurgence of '90s trends, like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's Calvin Klein minimalism and grungy eyeshadow smudged to the nines, it was only a matter of time before '90s hairstyles also returned to the forefront of culture. You can rewatch Friends or Clueless to relive the fantasy, or recreate it at your vanity with a hairstyle straight out of the decade that was—and still is—a beauty reference point.

Unlike the preceding decades, the '90s didn't limit itself to a single signature style. "[There were] the short-cropped bob, voluminous bouncy blowouts, long hair with blunt ends and face-framing layers, sleek updos with face-framing pieces, and voluminous bombshell updos with face-framing pieces," lists hairstylist and TRESemmé partner Justine Marja . The options spanned lengths and textures, adaptable enough for anyone to make their own. Of course, everything old is new again—take a look at some of the hottest hair trends of 2026 , and you'll see a few familiar looks.

Who better to revisit for the most iconic hairstyles than the celebrities who defined the decade? From Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel" cut to Mariah Carey's signature curls, follicular nostalgia reigns supreme. Below, take a scroll down memory lane with the 20 most iconic '90s hairstyles—each one tempting enough to make you pull those butterfly clips out of retirement.

Butter Blonde on Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

You've heard of butter yellow in fashion. Now it's the next big frontier for hair. Butter blonde had its moment in the '90s, but the shade is back, thanks to the popularity of the television show Love Story and Sarah Pidgeon's portrayal of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy .

Naomi Campbell's Flipped Out Bob

Naomi Campbell has been inspiring beauty trends for decades. One that still stands out? The flipped-out bob . Though the model often wore the style in the '90s, she can still be spotted wearing similar iterations of it now. It's just that timeless.

Reese Witherspoon's Grunge Buns

Reese Witherspoon was one of the few who could make grunge hairstyles feel whimsical. Try a spiky set of grunge buns for a playful twist on an updo style.

Jennifer Aniston's Iconic Layers

The "Rachel" haircut is one for the history books. To this day, there are undoubtedly hairstylists who are presented with photos of Jennifer Aniston from her Friends heyday. It makes sense, though, as the cut still feels fresh, with layers that practically style themselves.

Signature Pam Anderson Updo

To take the blonde bombshell look up a level, the Pamela Anderson updo was a go-to for channeling that sultry, kittenish vibe. After her breakout role on Baywatch , the messy, flirty bun caught on among celebrity elites, with Anna Nicole Smith and Alicia Silverstone also wearing the style.

Jennifer Lopez's Messy Bun

Back then, she was just Jenny from the Block with a messy bun finished off by some hair clips. If you don't have the hair texture to get this look on your own, may we suggest another icon of the '90s, a crimper?

A Posh Pixie Cut on Victoria Beckham

Only Posh Spice could make a pixie cut look both edgy and, well, posh. Victoria Beckham wore the style in the early years of the Spice Girls, opting for a carefree, slightly grown-out version.

Alicia Silverstone's Bouncy Blonde Blowout

1995's Clueless was a cornerstone of '90s culture, so naturally, valley-girl blonde hair had its moment, too. Even if the hue wasn't your thing, the no-part, carefree, pushed-back blowout worn by Alicia Silverstone's character still radiated cool-girl energy.

Julia Roberts' Voluminous Curls

Julia Roberts' smile isn't the only thing she's known for. Her signature red and natural texture made her eternally red carpet-ready.

A Blunt Bangs and Bob Combo on Tatyana Ali

Tatyana Ali had some of the most memorable bangs of the decade. On The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air , her early look featured a wispy fringe paired with longer hair. After her run as Will Smith's TV younger cousin, she switched things up with a blunt bob and thicker, bolder bangs for an edgier look.

Kate Moss's Effortless Bronde

Perhaps the biggest it girl of the '90s, Kate Moss's signature look of golden blonde hair and long layers is still going strong over 30 years later.

Cindy Crawford's Signature Red Carpet Curls

Supermodel Cindy Crawford's signature look—big, blown-out hair—doesn't actually scream '90s—it feels timeless instead. But Marjan reminds us this is the "iconic blowout" of the era. You can easily DIY with hot rollers.

Brandy's Gorgeous Box Braids

Our patron saint of box braids , Brandy got her start in the '90s with a huge television career and a popular eponymous pop-R&B album.

Kirsten Dunst's Twists and Clips

Is there a hair accessory other than butterfly clips that feels more fitting for the decade? I don't think so. Kirsten Dunst's twists are finished with a single butterfly yellow clip similar to these.

Brittany Murphy's Flippy Bob

To get the late Brittany Murphy's signature look of the era (which is also very Mary J. Blige), you need piecey layers and a good wrist roll.

Tyra Banks' High Pony

You know what they say: the higher the hair, the closer to God. Tyra Banks often wore an ultra-high, slicked-back ponytail on the red carpet, sometimes with a braided detail. Madonna donned the look, too, especially during her Blond Ambition World Tour.

Linda Evangelista's Pristine French Bob

Supermodel and hair chameleon Linda Evangelista tried it all in the '90s—baby bangs, bleach blonde pixie, fire engine red bob—and her natural brown hue in a flipped-out bob.

Curly Locks and Bangs on Mariah Carey

Alongside that iconic voice, Mariah Carey had some of the most memorable curls of all time. Even her slightly side-swept bangs were perfectly defined. And for those of us who need a little help in the curls department, that's nothing a curling iron can't fix.

Drew Barrymore's Bleached Daisy 'Do

Actress Drew Barrymore told us she picked up these daisies from the bodega as a last-minute addition to her look before walking the red carpet. All we can say is we love it.

Winona Ryder's Delicate Pixie and Baby Bangs

The '90s were Winona's world, and we were just living in it. This pixie was chopped by mononym hairstyling legend Garren , who gave her delicate baby bangs to match the short chop.

How do you get the iconic '90s blowout?

"For the iconic '90s blowout, make sure that you have a haircut that will support volume, movement, and body," Marjan says. "Ask your hair stylist for shorter cascading layers that blend into the length and heavy face framing. Today this is often referred to as the 'butterfly cut.'

What are '90s layers?

"For longer lengths, this means lots of layers that will support volume and bouncy blowdries. We will typically see shorter pieces around the face and through the interior of the hair that will create movement and body."

How do you recreate '90s hairstyles now?

"It has everything to do with a fabulous blow dry," Marjan says. "Blow dry with hands and the ghd Helios dryer until 80 percent dry. Then use a ceramic round brush to wrap the hair around the brush as you dry it, making sure to concentrate the brush around the rounded edges of the brush. Once each strand is dry, pin it in a curl to cool and repeat throughout the entire head. Give a generous mist of hairspray, then remove the pins and shake up or brush out curls."

Meet the Experts

Justine Marjan is a celebrity hairstylist who works with the Kardashians, Dorit Kemsley, and Ashley Graham.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, expert Margaux Anbouba interviewed celebrity hairstylists about '90s hairstyles. She and ELLE contributor Moriah Polk pored through thousands of celebrity photographs from the '90s to pinpoint the most popular trends.

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