20 Iconic ’90s Hairstyles That Will Never Go Out of Style

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1

Butter Blonde on Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

john kennedy and caroline bessette attending party celebrati
New York Daily News Archive//Getty Images

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.

2

Naomi Campbell’s Flipped Out Bob

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Sonia Moskowitz//Getty Images

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.

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3

Reese Witherspoon’s Grunge Buns

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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.

4

Jennifer Aniston’s Iconic Layers

ron galella archive file photos 2009
Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty Images

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.

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5

Signature Pam Anderson Updo

pamela anderson for come die with me
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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.

6

Jennifer Lopez’s Messy Bun

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Jeff Kravitz//Getty Images

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?

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7

A Posh Pixie Cut on Victoria Beckham

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Dave Hogan//Getty Images

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.

8

Alicia Silverstone’s Bouncy Blonde Blowout

clueless
CBS Photo Archive//Getty Images

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.

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9

Julia Roberts’ Voluminous Curls

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

10

A Blunt Bangs and Bob Combo on Tatyana Ali

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Ron Galella//Getty Images

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.

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11

Kate Moss’s Effortless Bronde

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Jim Smeal//Getty Images

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.

12

Cindy Crawford’s Signature Red Carpet Curls

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Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty Images

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.

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13

Brandy’s Gorgeous Box Braids

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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.

14

Kirsten Dunst’s Twists and Clips

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Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty Images

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15

Brittany Murphy’s Flippy Bob

ron galella archive file photos 2009
Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty Images

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.

16

Tyra Banks’ High Pony

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Sonia Moskowitz//Getty Images

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.

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17

Linda Evangelista’s Pristine French Bob

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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.

18

Curly Locks and Bangs on Mariah Carey

the 35th annual grammy awards after party at jimmy's restaurant
Ron Galella//Getty Images

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.

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19

Drew Barrymore’s Bleached Daisy ‘Do

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20

Winona Ryder’s Delicate Pixie and Baby Bangs

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Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty Images

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.

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