THE Greatest 90s Hairstyles & Hair Accessories Making A Comeback

If you’re new to hair trends, it might come as a surprise that 90s hairstyles are making a comeback!

And that’s a great thing! Who doesn’t love the iconic Rachel haircut, craftfully cut layers with highlights, ponytails with scrunchies, claw clips of all sizes and shapes and those cute short pixie cuts?

The 90s brought so much cool stuff to do with your hair, and not just the accessories but new styles of haircuts that are still in fashion today. Just think of the celebrities who rocked some of the most famous 90s hairstyles, including Winona Ryder or Drew Barrymore!

Whether you’re feeling nostalgic and want to have a trip down the memory lane, or you’re looking to recreate one of the 90s styles, this article will give you plenty of inspiration for both!

Most Popular 90s Hairstyles

The 90s were a period when fashion trends and hair trends go hand in hand. There were so many new ways to style your hair, and not just for long hair! Pixie cuts became super popular again (also thanks to celebrities) and women were suddenly not afraid of chopping their hair short.

The 90s were a gold era for highlights – this period was dominated by blonde highlights in all the shades you can think off, including chunky highlights. Even ladies with darker hair were not left behind and were rocking highlights in brandy and light chocolate colors. Wild waves were tamed by pretty feminine accessories like small butterfly clips or colored hair clips.

If you would like to recreate some of the 90s hairstyles, here are some of the most popular options, with examples listed in our roundup below.

Flower accessories added to your hair
Messy Bun
Space Buns
Wisps of Hair & Semi-Cornrows
High Braids
Crimped Hair
Beach Curls
Feathered Bangs
Chunky Highlights

49 Stylish 90s Hairstyles for Inspiration

Below is our selection of over 30 best examples of 90s hairstyles that look amazing just about on any hair length.

If you’re looking for more specific hairstyle ideas, you can check our 90’s hairstyles Pinterest board where you will find hundreds of gorgeous haircuts and hairstyles to inspire your next makeover.

1. Flower Clips

2. Sunkissed Blonde Hues

3. Top Ponytail

4. Half Up Ponytail

5. Crystal Pins

6. Bright Hair Clips

7. Side Pigtails

8. Daisy Clip

9. Mini Claw Clips

10. Silk Scarf

11. Sequin Scrunchie

12. Colorful Hair Beads

13. Golden Butterfly Clips

14. Satin Scrunchie

15. Side Pigtails with Colored Hairclips

16. Braids with Butterflies

17. Half Up Half Down with Hair Beads

18. Top Bun with a Fringe

19. Side Buns with Hair Down

20. Mini Side Braids with Hair Down

21. Middle Part with Colorful Hair Clips

22. High Ponytail with Scrunchie

23. Natural Hair with Butterfly Clips

24. Half Updo with Scrunchie

25. Side Tin Braids with Beads

26. Parted with Butterfly Clips

27. 90s Bob with Fringe

28. High Ponytail with Scrunchie

29. 90s Inspired Bantu Knots

30. Banded Pigtails

31. Hairstyle with Messy Braids

32. Bantu Knots with Braids

33. Crimped Waves

34. Soft Bowler Hat with Natural Waves

35. Waves with Gems

36. Butterfly Clip Hairstyle

90s hairstyles 4 Butterfly hair clips — source

37. Blunt Bob

38. Grunge Waves

39. Natural Blow Out

40. Short Hair With Gel

41. Teased Tresses Hair

90s hairstyles 9 Teased Tresses Hair — source

42. Crimped Up-Do

90s hairstyles 10 Crimped Up Do — source

43. Colorful Space Buns

90s hairstyles 11 Colorful Hair Space Buns — source

44. Short Flipped Out Hair

45. Messy Up-Do

46. Messy Curls

47. Classic Side Part

48. Natural Waves

90s hairstyles 16 Natural Waves — source

49. Feather Fringe

90s hairstyles 17 Feather Fringe — source

The Iconic Scrunchie

In the same way, the topic of 90s hair cannot be completed without the discussion of the scrunchie.

This fabric covered elastic hair tie was an essential item in every girl’s hair kit during the years this fashion statement reigned.

Ideal in every color, design and material that you can think of, the scrunchies popularly where used for loose updos such as high ponytails, space buns and half up half down hairstyles.

Today, however, scrunchies have somehow made a comeback and are now adorning the hair of many people and channeling the feels of the 90s.

Butterfly Clips

Think back to the time some of our best hair dos were not complete without some pack of those tiny but attractive butterfly clips?

These flouncy accessories were quite fashionable at that time and would be used to tuck the hair in a flowery manner especially in different colors and patterns.

Butterfly clips have made a comeback again and are now seen on the fashion scene, ideal for updo and informal hairdos.

From pinning back bangs, or as accessories for braids, these attractive clips are a wonderful way to get a touch of the 90s.

Crimped Hair

With crimped hair you automatically feel like you are a 90’s super star. This textured style was evident in every- thing from fashion shows to the corridors of your school.

Done with the help of crimping irons or braided hair, crimped hair is giving a serious comeback.

Present day revivals of this look include crimping parts of the hair mingled with straight hair or wavy hair giving a new and fashionable look.

The Rachel Cut

The Rachel cut is another well-known haircut of the decade which was named after the character of Jennifer Aniston in the “Friends” series.

This layered, face-framing cut was looking good on almost every woman and known to be a ‘must have.’ Fast forward to today, Rachel Cut is being pulled back by celebrity stylists yet again.

Today’s versions are not as overly puffed up but are still characterized by layers that perfectly complement the shape of a woman’s face.

It’s trimming and gives out that magical 90s aura that comes into a rescue for anyone planning to go glamorous.

Space Buns

Space buns are perhaps the best hairstyle that is fun and funky and is characteristic of the 90s.

This look entails dividing the hair midline from the top of the head to the nape of the neck and fixing each side in a high twist-bun.

Crests of space have modernized, as the buns are made using braids, glitters or hair extensions.

This type-of-theatrical and cheeky approach is just right for festive events or concerts, or to add some whimsy to daily life.

Box Braids

Box braids were in styles during the 90s mostly due to celebrities such as Janet Jackson and Brandy.

These braids are not only beautiful, but they are also very handy, thus making those tresses a favorite amongst many.

However today, the box braid is still fashionable especially when combined with beads, cuffs or even colorful extensions.

They are great and durable for anyone who wants to go natural and loves the rasta braid look and feel from the 90s.

Headbands

Like scrunchies were and are still very popular in today’s society, headbands were also common in the 90s – worn thick and wide across the forehead or pulled back and over the bangs.

Anything from simple sport looks to over-the-top sparkly, rhinestone studded affairs, headbands took very little effort to spice up an outfit.

Modern ones are enhanced, with designs that are even more advanced such as padded velvet, bead work and quality fabrics.

It is especially suitable for a dressy outfit worn on an everyday basis or for a sport outfit ensuring hair tidiness.

High Ponytails

The high ponytail is one of the most recognizable hairstyles of the 90s. It adorned many pop stars and actresses.

This somewhat minimal look is back in fashion, combined with scrunchie or ribbon for more of that 90’s feels.

Today’s high ponytails look more sophisticated, and such hairdos can be seen at red carpets and on the runways.

Thus, a high ponytail does not go out of fashion. It is one of the most elegant looks that apply little effort and still can be considered refined.

Barrettes

Barrettes in the 90s were not only the basic need for hair management but they illustrated style.

Big and bright barrettes more often than not were flowers, butterflies, or simple rhinestones to pin back certain parts of the hair or to have an eyelet.

Modern clips are more stylish, but not as vulgar as the 90s models depicted. Most accessories have a metallic finish, pearls, and incorporate ideas of minimalism in form and design.

Whether it is to pin the bangs behind or add a touch of glamor when doing an updo, barrettes are elegant accessorial that captures the 90s essence.

Claw Clips

Claw clips were the epitome of chic and lazy girl hair accessories in the 90s. They were commonly used to achieve updos and half up styles.

These massive and arc-shaped clips were useful and ornamented, which made them perfect for usage on busy days and early mornings.

Claw clips are popular again with new imaginative styles that are more elegant like the thin and slim claw clip to funky like the bright colored one.

That is, they are a perfect means to remove the hair off your face and at the same time give a retro look.

Zigzag Parting

Zigzag parting was a unique and playful trend spotted in the 90s hairstyles fashion.

Hair was not divided in a straight line but it was divided in the zigzag motion which makes it totally a fun element in everyone’s look.

This trend has come back with force and can even be observed on the backstage of fashion shows or in fashion magazines.

A very effective grooming strategy that helps to diversify hairstyle and become unique is possible with the help of this trick.

Hair Gems

It was common for women’s 90s hairstyles to stick their hair gems for that extra shimmer into their hairstyles.

These mini stick-on jewels were placed all over the hair which glittered in the light and gave some sparkle.

In the present time, hair gems are coming again in fashion, people use them in festivals or functions.

They incorporate this fairy-tale-like feel into every hair style and you can actually and literally look like a 90s princess.

These days modern ladies admire 90s hairstyles and accessories and are motivated to diversify their hairdos in the nineties again.

From the bulky watches and cropped styles or denims to the chunky sneakers and slip dresses, everything that was popular in the 90s has come back, fuller and bolder than before.

The 90s are calling, and they want you to join the party!