The 11 Most Iconic Hairstyles from the 90’s

The 1990's, much like the Eighties, was a decade that featured unique hairstyles. The 90's was strongly characterized by materialism and consumerism. However, this capitalistic mentality took on new forms as new technology, such as cable television and the internet, began to emerge and grow. A strong sense of multiculturalism dominated the Nineties, and new movements like grunge, hip hop and the rave scene spread. More than ever, hair became a way to express individuality, and men and women alike tried new styles that emphasized fun and originality. With greater access to celebrities, made possible through television and the internet, actors, singers and models were the absolute standard of beauty and hair trends throughout the decade.

Scroll down to see our list of the top 11 hairstyles that have us nostalgic for the 1990's!

The Rachel Hairstyle

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Also known as bantu knots or Zulu knots, this look became popular after Gwen Stefani, then-singer for the band No Doubt, was seen sporting the look on multiple red carpets. The style involves sectioning off hair into diamond, triangle or square shapes and then twisting strands into small, tight knots all over the head.

Flipped-out Bob Hairstyle

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This wasn't the first time that a short, flippy bob became a popular look, but actresses like Drew Barrymore helped to re-popularize this 60's-esque style, as well as keep it fresh with super short bangs. The look gave off a fun, sweet vibe that many women mimicked during the 1990s.     

Mini-buns Hairstyle

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Also known as bantu knots or Zulu knots, this look became popular after Gwen Stefani, then-singer for the band No Doubt, was seen sporting the look on multiple red carpets. The style involves sectioning off hair into diamond, triangle or square shapes and then twisting strands into small, tight knots all over the head.        

Crimped Hairstyle

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Beginning in the late 1980's and taking off in the following decade, hair crimping is a method of creating small, sawtooth waves in naturally straight hair. Nineties girls and women would achieve this popular look by braiding wet hair overnight, or by using a crimping iron for perfectly crimped hair. Pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera helped to re-popularize the style after its initial mid-Eighties peak.

The Winona Hairstyle 

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The pixie has been a popular hairstyle for decades, and is continually re-done each new decade. During the 1990's, actress Winona Ryder took the hair world by storm when she opted for a stylish, piecey pixie cut. Suddenly, every woman wanted the gorgeous, feature-highlighting look, and the pixie received yet another revival.
 

The Box Braid Hairstyle

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This hairstyle provided a new twist on the classic braid. To create a box braid, four strands of hair are woven together to create a square, box-like shape. The look was especially popular amongst African-American women during the 1990's, and still maintains a certain level of popularity today.
 

Curtained Hairstyle Image credit: REX FEATURES

Hair accessories saw an explosion in popularity during the Nineties. Everything from bucket hats to hair wraps to scrunchies were popular, but nothing saw quite the level of demand as the butterfly clip. Named for its shape, butterfly clips came in a variety of colors, were often sparkly, and were as functional as they were fashionable. Often, girls would use the clips to hold back small ponytails or create half-up styles that were also incredibly popular during the decade. 

Super-Straight Hairstyle

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After a brief curly hair trend during the early part of the decade, celebrities began shunning the mega-curls and perms of the Eighties, and instead opting for extremely long, straight locks. The use of straightening irons became a standard part of many women's hair routine in order to achieve the sleek look.
 

Girly Up-Dos

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During the 1990's, women began donning girly hairstyles including high pigtails and tight, slicked-back up-dos. Pop stars like the Spice Girls, as well as celebrities like Jennifer Love Hewitt helped to popularize these pre-pubescent looks. While pigtails were typically worn with straightened hair placed high on the head, up-do's were generally gelled sleekly back, then curled and pinned in place. A very popular style involved pulling two small locks of hair out on either side to create face-framing strands.

Frosted Tips Image credit: Ron Galella/Getty Images

Another extremely popular look for men during the Nineties was frosted tips, a look that involved bleaching just the tips of hair, and then spiking hair up with gel. The style was equally popular among international pop stars and elementary school boys throughout the decade.