All the '90s Hair Inspiration You've Ever Wanted
Time to pick up the crimper. Really.
Much like fashion, beauty trends are cyclical—so what goes around comes around. Right now, the’90s are back in style in every which, way, and form. But before you prep dinner for your Tamagotchi and watch an episode of Boy Meets World in your blow-up chair, it’s time to sit down at your vanity and soak up some inspiration.
Keep in mind, there wasn’t just one look that defined the decade. “The short cropped bob, voluminous bouncy blowouts, long hair with blunt ends and face-framing layers, sleek updos with face-framing pieces, voluminous bombshell updos with face-framing pieces...” the list goes on for hairstylist and TRESemmé partner Justine Marjan.
We’ve collected 20 of the decade’s biggest beauty icons—Winona, Brandy, and all the Supers are all in attendance—to serve as your muses. You’ll find natural curls, box braids, updos, and a whole lot of butterfly clips to enjoy. Just be sure to ignore the barely-there eyebrows... those aren’t coming back anytime soon.
An Red Carpet Updo on Gwyneth Paltrow
![Celebrities Attend The New York Premiere Of Emma celebrities attend the new york premiere of emma](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gwyneth-paltrow-attends-the-premiere-of-emma-july-22-1996-news-photo-1680122023.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Taken just a few years before actress Gwyneth Paltrow won an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love, but she was already ruling the red carpet. The updo feels unfussy in the best way possible—face-framing tendrils, imperfect bun—and can easily be recreated on your own.
Cindy Crawford's Signature Red Carpet Curls
![Second Annual Revlon's Unforgettable Women Contest - Winner Annoucement second annual revlon's unforgettable women contest winner annoucement](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/model-cindy-crawford-attends-the-second-annual-revlons-news-photo-1680123298.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Supermodel Cindy Crawford’s signature look—big, blown-out hair—doesn’t actually scream ‘90s—instead, it feels timeless. But Marjan reminds us this is the “iconic blowout” of the era. You can easily DIY with hot rollers.
Jennifer Lopez’s Messy Bun
![1998 MTV Movie Awards 1998 mtv movie awards](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/jennifer-lopez-news-photo-1680123649.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Back then, she was just Jenny from the Block. And her 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 Flipped Out Lob on Tyra Banks
![Mode Prêt-à-porter Printemps-Eté 1992 mode prêt à porter printemps eté 1992](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tyra-banks-les-seins-nus-lors-du-d-c3-a9fil-c3-a9-enrico-coveri-news-photo-1680123770.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Before she was the host and lead judge of “America’s Next Top Model,” Tyra Banksruledg the runways. Her flipped-out long bob is teased at the crown for extra volume.
Bold Buns on Gwen Stefani
![1998 MTV Video Music Awards 1998 mtv video music awards](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gwen-stefani-at-the-universal-amphitheatre-in-universal-news-photo-1680124679.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
When No Doubt dropped their first album, “Tragic Kingdom,” in 1995, it started a beauty revolution. Lead singer Gwen Stefani’s blue raspberry bob and penchant for complex hairstyles (braids and buns, wet sets) set a mood. Modern admirers know to skip the culturally appropriative bindi.
Naomi Campbell’s Voluminous Blowout
![Naomi Campbell naomi campbell](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/model-naomi-campbell-at-her-21st-birthday-party-news-photo-1680124725.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
A simple, voluminous blowout was supermodel Naomi Campbell’s signature look through the ’90s. The look is actually easier to get than you’d think, and we have details here.
Winona Ryder’s Delicate Pixie and Baby Bangs
![51st Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals 51st annual golden globe awards arrivals](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/actress-winona-ryder-attends-the-51st-annual-golden-globe-news-photo-1680124788.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
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.
Kirsten Dunst’s Butterfly Clips and Updo
!["Wag the Dog" Century City Premiere "wag the dog" century city premiere](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/actress-kirsten-dunst-attends-the-wag-the-dog-century-city-news-photo-1680124838.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Is there a hair accessory other than butterfly clips that feels more definite of the decade? I don’t think so. Kirsten Dunst’s twists are finished with a single butterfly yellow clip similar to these.
Linda Evangelista’s Flipped Out Bob
![Défilé Versace, Haute-Couture Automne-Hiver 1994-95 défilé versace, haute couture automne hiver 1994 95](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/linda-evangelista-au-d-c3-a9fil-c3-a9-versace-haute-couture-news-photo-1680123987.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
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.
Brandy’s Gorgeous Braids
![37th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations Announcement 37th annual grammy awards nominations announcement](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/american-singer-songwriter-and-actress-brandy-attends-the-news-photo-1680124946.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
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.
Kate Moss’s Signature Beauty Look
![Kate Moss Calvin Klein Boutique Personal Appearance - September 18, 1995 kate moss calvin klein boutique personal appearance september 18, 1995](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/kate-moss-during-kate-moss-calvin-klein-boutique-personal-news-photo-1680125007.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Perhaps the biggest It Girl of the ’90s, Kate Moss’s signature look of golden hair and long layers is still going strong over 30 years later.
Undone Waves on Penelope Cruz
!["The Muse" Los Angeles Premiere "the muse" los angeles premiere](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/penelope-cruz-news-photo-1680125079.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
To get Penelope Cruz’s undone waves, try a salt spray or sleep with it braided.
Brittany Murphy’s Flippy Bob
![Ron Galella Archive - File Photos 2009 ron galella archive file photos 2009](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/actress-brittany-murphy-attends-the-true-west-opening-night-news-photo-1680124890.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
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 roll of the wrist.
Christina Aguilera’s Crimped Curls
![Music File Photos 1990's music file photos 1990's](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/christina-aguilera-1999-billboard-awards-news-photo-1680125109.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
A crimper again?! You know it. To get all the volume at your roots just like Christina Aguilera, position the crimper as close to your scalp as possible.
Drew Barrymore’s Bleached Daisy 'Do
![The 70th Annual Academy Awards - Red Carpet the 70th annual academy awards red carpet](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/drew-barrymore-news-photo-1680125236.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Actress Drew Barrymore told me 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.
Demi Moore’s Short Curls and Beret
![Demi Moore demi moore](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/actress-demi-moore-circa-1992-news-photo-1680125273.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Before she shaved her head for 1997’s G.I. Jane, actress Demi Moore kept her dark hair short and accessorized with pieces like this burgundy beret.
Alicia Silverstone’s Cher Hairstyles
![Clueless clueless](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/the-movie-clueless-written-and-directed-by-amy-heckerling-news-photo-1680125324.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Valley Girl blonde took over America after Alicia Silverstone starred in 1995’s Clueless.
Julia Roberts’ Natural Texture
![The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards the 47th annual golden globe awards](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/julia-roberts-at-the-the-beverly-hilton-hotel-in-beverly-news-photo-1680125366.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Julia Roberts’ smile isn’t the only thing she’s known for... just look at those curls. Her signature red and natural texture made her eternally red carpet-ready.
Tatyana Ali’s Bucket Hat
![1992 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 1992 nickelodeon kids' choice awards](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/american-actress-and-singer-tatyana-ali-attends-the-1992-news-photo-1680125417.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Known for her role as Will Smith’s youngest cousin Ashley Banks on Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Tatyana Ali’s bucket hat was an accessory of the moment.
Uma Thurman’s Easy Breezy Signature Look
![Great Miracle Prayer Festival Benefit Concert Series great miracle prayer festival benefit concert series](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/uma-thurman-during-great-miracle-prayer-festival-benefit-news-photo-1680125487.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Uma Thurman’s look was simple—below the chin layers and a slightly off-center part—but perfection.
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