The ‘90s is one of the most iconic eras of the 20th century. Whether it’s the girl power bands or the rise of the supermodel, the ‘90s delivered us trends and icons that are still going strong today. Some of the most sought-after hairstyles today first rose to popularity in the ‘90s, including the instantly-recognizable ‘Rachel’ haircut.

We’re taking a trip back to the ‘90s to explore some of the era’s most iconic haircuts. Our stylists are sharing how you can achieve a voluminous ‘90s look at home while playing with cut and texture.

The hairstylists at 212 Salon and Day Spa are here to help you achieve your hair goals, from the ‘Winona Pixie’ to the classic ‘Rachel’ haircut.

Iconic Haircuts from the ‘90s

Whether the ‘90s give you nostalgia or you were too young to enjoy its trends, the era gave some defining haircuts that come back every season. The iconic ‘90s haircuts focused on experimenting with cut and texture to create maximum volume.

Are you looking for a ‘90s haircut? These are the most popular ‘90s hairstyles that our clients love at 212 Salon and Day Spa. 

The Rachel

The defining sitcom of the ‘90s, Friends, has given us everything from memorable lines like “we were on a break” and “pivot! Pivot!” to the ‘Rachel’ haircut. While Friends has been off-air since 2004, Jennifer Aniston’s hairstyle in the early seasons of the show became just as popular as the franchise itself.

The ‘Rachel’ is all about using choppy layers to frame your face with a voluminous blow-dry. While the haircut is a chic statement, it’s notoriously tricky to style. You’ll want to work with your stylist to find a version of this ‘90s haircut that works for you.

Jennifer Aniston herself admitted that the style is high maintenance and one she struggled with off-set. It’s not for the light-hearted and will regular a little extra TLC to keep its sleek look.

You can maintain the ‘Rachel’ haircut at home by sectioning your hair before blow-drying it away from your face with a hot barrel brush, finishing off with pinned rollers to create a bouncy finish.

The Winona Pixie

It’s not just long hairstyles that can experiment with layers. The ‘Winona Pixie’ is proof you can have fun with any hair length. This laidback style was the ultimate cool girl look of the ‘90s and has been reinvented countless times since by celebrities like Keira Knightley and Anne Hathaway.

What makes the Winona Pixie different is that it leaves the hair slightly longer around the ears and neck, framing the face more than a traditional close pixie cut.

You’ll want to invest in a hair pomade to maintain the shape and sleek finish of this ‘90s hairstyle.

Fluffy Fringes

The ’90s was the era of the fringe. One of the easiest ways to change up your look is to experiment with a fringe. Every hit ‘90s TV show had at least one main character rocking a feathered fringe – like Tiffani Thiessen in ‘Saved by the Bell’. 

While a fringe can feel intimidating, a blow-dry brush is the secret to keeping your fringe looking fluffy and voluminous at home. Speak to your stylist to determine the right fringe for your face shape and feature, whether you’re considering full bangs or a sleek side fringe.

Another ‘90s hair trend in this category is “claw bangs”, a peekaboo style that defines your feathers and elongates your face. A round brush is your best friend to create the claw shape swoosh of the fringe.

Creating Voluminous ‘90s Looks at Home

The ‘90s offer hairstyle inspiration for every aesthetic and lifestyle, whether you want a low-maintenance pixie or a bouncy blow-out. There’s one thing that almost every ‘90s hairstyle has in common – volume.

Every blockbuster ‘90s movie had the lead actress rocking a voluminous blowout. Picture Alicia Silverstone in ‘Clueless’ or Julia Roberts in ‘Pretty Woman’. These hairstyles were usually achieved after a trip to the hair salon, but you can recreate the voluminous ‘90s hairstyle at home with the right tools and technique.

Hair health is crucial. You want to invest in a haircare routine that prioritizes moisture and shine, from using the right shampoo for your hair type to indulging in regular hair masks and oils. ‘90s volume is high maintenance but it’s a routine anyone can master.

You’ll need a fine-toothed comb, volumizing spray, hairspray, and either rollers or a heated roll brush to create the look at home. Wash your hair and wait until it’s 70% dry before using your heated brush or rollers to create loose waves.

Adding a little hairspray to your rollers before applying them can help them grip your hair for a better curl. Finish with your heated roller brush or remove your rollers before shaking out your curls. Go the extra mile with a little backcombing at the root for extra volume.

Speak to your stylist for tips and tricks on maintaining your voluminous ‘90s blow-out at home and for product recommendations that suit your hair type.

Playing with Cut and Texture for Fun

Nostalgic ‘90s haircuts are all about having fun with cuts and texture. The chopped cuts that dominated the era don’t require your hair to be a certain texture to work. Celebrities like Jenna Ortega have brought back the laidback hairstyle that gives a feminine twist to the shaggy look.

A choppy cut is low-maintenance and effortlessly chic, giving you the freedom to play around with styling or keep it casual.

It’s surfer-chic meets ‘90s girl power. Work with your hairstylist to create a cut and texture that works for your natural hair and the level of maintenance that you want. You can embrace your natural frizz with face-framing bangs and choppy layers that are effortlessly chic.

If there’s anything you should learn from ‘90s hair trends, it’s that a little volume goes a long way. Experimenting with cut and texture can give you a new look without stepping out of your comfort zone.

Recreate your favorite ‘90s hairstyle by booking an appointment at 212 Salon and Day Spa today.