28 Iconic 90s Hairstyles for Women — Rachel Cut, Crimped Waves, Curtain Bangs, Butterfly Clips & Retro Updos (Photo Guide)

Hi, I’m Lena — a professional hairstylist with over a decade in the salon chair. In this curated gallery I revisit 28 memorable 90s hairstyles for women, from the famous Rachel cut and curtain bangs to crimped waves, perms, high ponytails and cute butterfly-clip looks. These styles suit a wide range of face shapes and hair textures when adapted correctly: the Rachel and layered cuts flatter round and oval faces, curtain bangs soften long faces, and textured crimping adds volume to fine hair. I’ve included practical styling tips alongside each photo so you can recreate the looks at home or bring clear references to your stylist. Expect tool and product suggestions — think heat protectant, volumizing mousse, a wide-tooth comb and a small-crimping iron — plus modern twists to keep each look fresh and wearable in 2025.

Textured Short Curly Bob with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This relaxed, piecey short curly bob works best on wavy to naturally curly hair and medium thickness; fine hair can achieve the look with a light mousse for lift, while very coarse curls benefit from longer layers. Start with a layered chin-to-shoulder haircut using point‑cutting to remove bulk and create soft face‑framing tendrils. To style, towel‑dry hair gently, apply a leave‑in conditioner and a curl‑defining cream, then scrunch with a microfiber towel. Use a diffuser on low heat to enhance natural shape, or touch up a few pieces with a 1

Soft Retro Half-Up Hairstyle with Curtain Fringe and Shaped Ends

This polished half-up style pairs a slight pouf at the crown with soft inward-rolled ends and short curtain bangs — ideal for straight to wavy hair at collarbone to shoulder length. Best on medium to fine-medium density hair; very curly or coarse textures benefit from smoothing blow-dry first. Technique: start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse at roots, then blow-dry using a medium round brush to lift the crown and shape the bangs. Section the top third of hair, lightly backcomb at the roots for volume and secure it at the back with pins or a small elastic. Use a 1 curling iron or hot rollers to curl ends inward, then finger-comb to soften. Tools needed: hairdryer, round brush (1–1.5), 1 curling iron or hot rollers, rat-tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, root-lift mousse, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum or shine spray, optional texturizing powder. Difficulty: moderate — salon-friendly but achievable at home (20–30 minutes). Maintenance: trim bangs every 4–6 weeks, refresh volume with dry shampoo, reheat ends as needed, and deep-condition weekly to keep ends healthy.

Textured Curly Chin-Length Bob with Short Face-Framing Bangs

This soft, chin-length curly bob with short, face-framing bangs works best on natural wavy to curly hair or on straight hair that’s been permed or heat-styled for texture. In the salon the cut is accomplished with graduated layers around the crown and blunt-but-textured ends at the chin, using point-cutting or a razor to remove bulk and allow the curls to spring. For styling: apply a lightweight leave-in and curl-defining cream to damp hair, then diffuse on low heat while scrunching to encourage formation. Use a small 3/4–1” curling wand to refine a few bangs and front pieces if needed. Tools: professional shears, texturizing shears or razor, blow dryer with diffuser, small curling wand, clips and a wide-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, curl cream or mousse, flexible-hold hairspray, occasional lightweight oil or serum. Difficulty: medium — requires an expert cut to get the shape right but quick daily styling. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, refresh curls with water + mousse between washes, protect color-damaged or bleached hair with bond-repair treatments and use purple shampoo when needed.

Short Textured Curly Pixie with Wispy Fringe

This short textured pixie with a wispy fringe suits natural wavy to curly hair and medium-density straight hair when styled with heat or a soft perm. The salon cut uses short, graduated layers through the crown and longer face-framing pieces with point-cutting to retain movement and separation. To style: start on damp hair, distribute a lightweight curl mousse or cream from roots to ends, then scrunch and diffuse on low heat or air-dry while lifting at the roots with your fingers for volume. Use a 3/4

Textured Double Braided Pigtails with Soft Face‑Framing Bangs

This playful double-braid look suits fine to medium hair and short-to-collarbone lengths; thicker hair can work with smaller sectioning or light thinning. Start on dry or slightly day-old hair: create a center or soft off-center part, section into two sides, then French- or Dutch-braid each side from temple to nape keeping even tension. Secure with a small elastic, pancake the braids lightly for width, and either twist the remaining length into a loose mini bun or curl the ends with a 1 curling iron for a tousled finish. Pull soft, wispy pieces forward to frame the face. Tools: tail comb, small clear elastics, bobby pins, 1 curling iron (or flatiron), blow dryer and round brush optional. Products: heat protectant, light texturizing or sea-salt spray, smoothing serum for bangs, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy–medium; expect 20–30 minutes in salon or at home. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer between washes, re-curl ends as needed, replace elastics if they slip, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose satin scarf, and trim bangs regularly to maintain the soft fringe.

Half-Up Curly Pony with Soft Face‑Framing Curls — Medium to Long Hair

This polished half-up curly pony works best on medium to long hair with natural waves or defined curls; straight hair can be heat-styled to achieve the look. Start by prepping damp hair with a curl-enhancing mousse or curl cream and a heat protectant. If needed, diffuse to set natural texture. Section the top third of the hair from temple to temple and lightly backcomb at the crown for lift. Create uniform curls with a ¾–1-inch curling wand or small-barrel iron, alternating direction for a natural finish. Gather the top section into a high half-pony and secure with an elastic, then wrap a small strand around the band and pin. Leave several face‑framing pieces loose and coax them into soft S‑shaped curls. Tools: curling wand, tail comb, elastic, bobby pins, clips, diffuser. Products: heat protectant, curl cream or mousse, light serum, medium-hold hairspray, dry texturizing spray. Difficulty: moderate — needs basic curling and pinning skills. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or pineapple, refresh with water + curl cream or a quick wand touch-up, and avoid heavy brushing to preserve definition.

Voluminous Curly Half-Up with Wispy Curtain Bangs

This salon-ready half-up emphasizes natural curl definition, volume at the crown, and soft curtain bangs. Best for naturally wavy to curly hair (2A–3C) with medium to thick density; fine hair can emulate fullness with lightweight root-lifting products or temporary extensions. Technique: start on towel-dried hair, apply a leave-in conditioner, then a curl-defining cream or mousse from mid-lengths to ends and distribute by raking and scrunching. Diffuse on low–medium heat while cupping curls to encourage shape and limit frizz. Once mostly dry, section the top from temples to crown, lightly tease the root for lift, then sweep back and secure with a small elastic or claw, leaving face-framing curtain bangs soft and piecey. Touch up isolated strands with a 1 wand if needed and finish with a light flexible hairspray. Tools: diffuser, wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips, small elastic or claw, 1 curling wand. Products: leave-in conditioner, curl cream or mousse, light gel for hold, anti-frizz oil/serum, flexible hairspray. Difficulty: Moderate — requires curl-handling and shaping. Maintenance: pineapple at night on silk, refresh with water + leave-in or curl spray, avoid brushing dry, and trim layers/bangs every 8–12 weeks.

Short Textured Curly Bob with Face‑Framing Curtain Fringe

This short textured curly bob with a soft curtain fringe suits natural waves to medium-tight curls and works well on fine to medium-density hair; very thick hair benefits from strategic layering to remove bulk. Cut: create short, graduated layers around the crown and face‑framing pieces with point‑cutting to preserve movement and avoid a blunt line. Styling technique: towel‑dry, apply a lightweight mousse or curl cream from roots to ends, then diffusedry on low heat while scrunching to build volume. Use a small wand (3/8–1/2 in) or finger‑coiling to refine a few pieces around the face for definition. Tools needed: sharp salon scissors, thinning shears, wide‑tooth comb, diffuser attachment, small curling wand, and a vent brush. Products required: heat protectant, curl cream or mousse, light texturizing paste or cream for separation, and light‑hold hairspray. Difficulty level: intermediate — salon cut required; daily styling about 10–15 minutes. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, deep‑condition weekly, refresh curls with water + leave‑in or curl refresher spray, avoid heavy oils that weigh roots down, and sleep on silk to reduce frizz.

Textured Shoulder-Length Waves with Face-Framing Curtain Pieces

This soft, tousled shoulder-length style suits fine to medium hair and those with natural waves or light curls; thicker hair can wear it too but may require texturizing or thinning. Start on damp, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, then blow-dry with a diffuser or round brush to encourage body. Use a 1 curling iron or wand to create loose, alternating-direction bends through mid-lengths and ends—avoid tight ringlets. Leave a few shorter face-framing pieces and bangs, then lightly backcomb the crown for lift and loosely pin two small top sections toward the back to form the gentle pouf. Finger-comb the waves for separation and finish with a sea-salt or texturizing spray for grit, then mist with a flexible-hold hairspray to set. Tools: blow-dryer (diffuser optional), round brush, 1 curling iron/wand, clips, bobby pins, fine-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse/root lift, texturizing/sea-salt spray, light hairspray, occasional shine serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–medium (15–25 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texture spray on days 2–3, trim every 6–8 weeks to keep shape, and use weekly deep conditioning to maintain shine.

Short Curly Shag with Micro Bangs — Tousled Voluminous Curls

This short curly shag with micro bangs is ideal for naturally curly or wavy hair (2A–3C). It works best on medium to high density hair; fine hair can wear the look with added layering and product for lift, while very coarse hair benefits from weight removal and longer layering. The cut is built on short, graduated layers through the crown with face‑framing pieces and a soft, textured micro bang cut dry to match curl pattern. To style: towel‑scrunch damp hair, apply a leave‑in conditioner followed by a defining curl cream and light gel or mousse at the roots for hold. Diffuse on low–medium heat while scrunching to boost volume; finger‑shape bangs and touch up a few pieces with a 19–25 mm curling wand for uniform definition. Tools needed: diffuser, wide‑tooth comb, microfiber towel or T‑shirt, spray bottle, curling wand, sectioning clips, and sharp shears for maintenance. Products required: sulfate‑free shampoo, hydrating conditioner, leave‑in, curl cream, light gel/mousse, lightweight oil/serum, and flexible hairspray. Difficulty: moderate—daily styling is straightforward; cutting demands a stylist experienced with curls. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks, weekly deep conditioning, sleep on satin, refresh with water + curl cream, and avoid over‑brushing to preserve curl shape.

Voluminous Layered Curly Hair with Curtain Bangs

This full, layered curly look with soft curtain bangs is ideal for natural wavy to tight curly hair (2B–3C) or for those willing to set defined curls with a wand. Achieve it by cutting long, blended layers with face‑framing shorter pieces and soft, texturized bangs to remove bulk while preserving length. Style damp hair with a lightweight leave‑in conditioner and curl cream, then scrunch and diffuse with a concentrator on low–medium heat, lifting at the roots for lift. For extra definition, touch individual sections with a 1–1.25 curling wand. Tools: diffuser, wide‑tooth comb, section clips, curling wand, hair dryer. Products: sulfate‑free shampoo, hydrating conditioner, leave‑in, curl cream or mousse, heat protectant, light hairspray or volume powder. Difficulty: moderate — requires attention to layer placement and working with your natural pattern. Maintenance: trim every 8–12 weeks to keep shape, deep‑condition weekly, refresh mid‑week with water + leave‑in or curl refresher, sleep on a satin bonnet/pillowcase, and avoid brushing dry to prevent frizz.

Textured Curly Pixie Cut with Tousled Fringe

This short, layered pixie is ideal for natural waves and loose to tight curls, and can also suit fine to medium straight hair when styled with a curling tool. The salon cut features short, tapered sides and a longer, texturized top and fringe to create movement and face-framing pieces. Styling technique: start on damp hair, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner and a curl-defining cream or mousse, then scrunch and diffuse on low heat or air-dry while encouraging piecey separation with your fingers. For straighter hair, use a ¾-inch curling wand to add bends, then gently tousle. Tools needed: diffuser attachment, wide-tooth comb, finger-combing, ¾-inch curling wand (optional), and small round brush for shaping. Products required: sulfate-free shampoo, leave-in conditioner, curl cream or mousse, light gel or mousse for hold, small amount of pomade or texturizing paste, and light hairspray. Difficulty level: intermediate — shaping and defining textured layers takes practice. Maintenance tips: trim every 4–6 weeks to preserve shape, deep-condition weekly, refresh curls with water + leave-in or a misting spray, sleep on silk and avoid heavy product buildup.

Retro Voluminous Half-Up with Scarf and Curtain Bangs

Best for shoulder‑to‑mid length hair with medium to thick density; fine hair can wear this style with root‑lifting products and teasing, while very tight natural curls may need smoothing first. Start on towel‑dried hair with a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse. Blow‑dry using a round brush to create lift at the crown and shape soft curtain bangs. Section hair and use a 1–1¼ curling iron to curl mid‑lengths and ends away from the face for loose, bouncy curls. Lightly back‑comb the crown for extra volume, gather the top half into a loose half‑up pony and secure with an elastic or small clip. Tie a lightweight bandana or scarf across the hairline and knot at the top to achieve the retro finish. Finish with a texturizing spray for body and a flexible hold hairspray to set shape; a dab of smoothing serum on ends controls frizz. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, teasing brush, elastics/scarf. Difficulty: Moderate (basic blow‑dry + curling). Maintenance: sleep on silk or loosely wrap with a scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and light misting/texturizer, touch up curls as needed and trim bangs every 4–6 weeks.

Short Tousled Wavy Bob with Face‑Framing Layers

This short, tousled wavy bob suits fine to medium hair and works well on naturally straight, wavy or relaxed textures; very thick hair can wear it with added thinning or longer layers. Technique: cut into short, face‑framing layers with a slightly longer length at the front and textured ends to encourage movement. On damp hair, apply a heat protectant and a lightweight sea‑salt spray or volumizing mousse from roots to ends. Scrunch and either diffuse on low heat for added lift or air‑dry for a softer finish. Use a ¾-inch curling wand to reshape a few front pieces and add wave, alternating direction for a lived‑in look, then finger‑comb to break up curls. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb, small curling wand, shear/texturizing scissors for the cut. Products required: heat protectant, sea‑salt or texture spray, light texturizing cream, light‑hold hairspray and a weekly hydrating mask. Difficulty level: easy–medium. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep the shape, refresh texture with water + salt spray between washes, and deep‑condition weekly to prevent dryness at the ends.

Half-Up Double Space Buns on Curly Shoulder-Length Hair

This playful half-up double space-bun is ideal for wavy to curly shoulder-length hair but can be adapted for straight hair with added curl. Technique: start on dry, textured hair (diffuse natural curls or curl straight hair with a 1 wand). Create a clean center part, take two top sections from temple to crown, secure each with a small elastic, twist into loose buns and anchor with bobby pins or small claw clips so the lower curls remain free. Loosen the buns and pull out face-framing curtain bangs for softness. Tools needed: tail comb, small elastics or scrunchies, medium bobby pins, 1 curling wand or diffuser, blow dryer. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or root volumizer, sea-salt or texturizing spray for grip, light-hold hairspray and a smoothing cream for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–moderate (salon level: basic updo with pinning technique). Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or pineapple the loose curls, refresh with a curl revive spray or a quick touch-up from the wand, re-secure loose pins as needed, and avoid heavy products that weigh down the buns.

Textured Short Curly Bob with Wispy Fringe

This short curly bob with a wispy, feathered fringe works best on natural wavy to curly hair (2A–3C) and on fine-to-medium density hair that benefits from layers for shape and lift. For straighter hair, the look is achievable with heat styling. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight mousse at roots for volume and a curl cream through lengths to define. Diffuse with a medium heat setting to enhance natural texture or use a ¾ curling wand to create uniform, loose barrel curls; alternate curl direction for a soft, lived-in finish. Finish by gently separating curls with fingers and a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray. Tools: diffuser, curling wand or small-barrel iron, wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips, and sharp haircutting shears for the fringe. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, curl-defining cream, light-hold hairspray, and a tiny amount of shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — straightforward for curly-haired clients, requires intermediate skill for shaping bangs and styling straight hair. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape, refresh curls with water/mousse between washes, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose pineapple, and clarify monthly to avoid product buildup.

Textured Half-Up Wet-Look Curls with Face‑Framing Tendrils

Suitable for naturally wavy to curly hair and medium-to-thick textures, this half-up, wet-look style gives controlled volume at the crown while keeping soft, face‑framing tendrils. Start with freshly washed, towel‑squeezed damp hair. Apply a lightweight leave‑in conditioner and curl‑defining cream from roots to ends. Diffuse on low heat while scrunching to encourage curl formation, leaving hair about 80% dry. Gather the top section into a high half‑ponytail and secure with an elastic, then gently tug at the crown for lift and pin a few pieces to create a messy topknot effect. Define a few tendrils with a small ¾

Half‑Up Textured Topknots with Wispy Curtain Bangs — Beachy Curly Style

This half-up textured topknot look suits wavy to curly hair (2A–3B) and works on medium to long lengths. Start on towel‑dried hair: apply a lightweight mousse or curl‑enhancing cream and heat protectant. For loose waves, diffuse on low heat while scrunching or use a 1–1.25 in curling wand to define pieces. Section the top crown into several 1–2 in vertical segments and twist each into small, messy mini‑topknots; secure with elastics and bobby pins, tucking ends to create looped buns. Pull out face‑framing pieces and gently piece‑ify bangs for a soft curtain effect. Tools: tail comb, diffuser or curling wand, elastics, bobby pins, and a small scarf or clip if desired. Products: leave‑in conditioner, curl mousse or sea‑salt spray, texturizing spray, light‑to‑medium hold hairspray, and heat protectant. Difficulty level: intermediate — requires sectioning and pinning skills. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with a water + leave‑in mix or dry shampoo, re‑pin any loose knots, and trim bangs every 6–8 weeks to keep the wispy shape.

Voluminous Layered Shoulder-Length Curls with Wispy Curtain Bangs

This salon-ready look suits fine to medium-textured hair that needs lift and movement; it also translates well to naturally wavy or relaxed curly hair, and can be adapted for thicker hair with heavier layering. The shape is a shoulder-length cut with graduated layers around the crown and soft, wispy curtain bangs to frame the face. Styling technique: start on towel-dried hair with a root-lifting spray and lightweight mousse, then blow-dry using a round brush at the crown for volume or a diffuser for natural waves. Use a 1 curling iron or small-barrel wand to refine and define loose curls, alternating directions for natural texture, then gently break them up with fingers. Tools needed: scissors and thinning shears (stylist), round brush, blow dryer with nozzle/diffuser, sectioning clips, 1 curling iron, fine-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, root lift spray, lightweight serum or cream for frizz control, flexible-hold hairspray and a texturizing spray. Difficulty: moderate — cutting requires professional layering skills; daily styling 10–20 minutes. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition biweekly, refresh with water/mousse or quick touch-up curls, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape.

Textured High Double Ponytails with Curtain Bangs

This playful, salon-friendly style pairs two high, slightly messy ponytails with soft curtain bangs to create voluminous, textured waves. Suitability: best on medium to thick hair for natural fullness; fine hair works well with volumizing products or clip-in pieces; very curly hair can be smoothed at the crown before styling. Technique: part hair into two even high sections, secure each with a soft elastic about 2–3 inches from the crown, backcomb lightly at the pony bases for lift, then wrap 1–2 inch sections around a 1 curling wand to create loose bends. Loosen curls with fingers for a lived-in finish and pull out face-framing strands for softness; style bangs with a round brush or small flat iron for a gentle curve. Tools needed: tail comb, soft elastics, 1 curling wand, round brush, blow dryer, bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, small amount of smoothing serum for bangs. Difficulty level: easy–medium (15–25 minutes). Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, avoid tight elastics to prevent breakage, touch up bangs between trims, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve texture.

Textured Curly High Bun with Curly Fringe — Voluminous Updo for Wavy/Curly Hair

Suitable for naturally curly, wavy or permed hair (medium to long length), this high textured bun with curly fringe creates lift and soft face-framing tendrils. Start on clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a lightweight mousse or curl‑defining cream and heat protectant. Diffuse to about 70% dry to set natural curl pattern, or use a ¾–1

Textured Half-Up High Ponytail with Defined Spiral Curls

This textured half-up high ponytail with defined spiral curls is ideal for naturally wavy to curly hair and medium-to-thick densities; fine hair can achieve the look with volumizing products or clip-in extensions, while very straight hair benefits from pre-texturizing with a curling iron or overnight braids. Technique: section the top half from ear to ear, smooth roots with a brush and light gel, then secure into a high pony with a snag-free elastic. Work the remaining hair in small subsections, wrapping around a ¾ curling wand or small-barrel iron to create tight spiral curls; pinch and pin some curls into loops at the crown for the playful pouf. Tools needed: tail comb, boar-bristle brush, small-barrel curling wand (¾), sectioning clips, elastic, bobby pins, and a diffuser for natural curls. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or curl cream, light-hold texturizing spray, flexible hairspray, and a dab of shine serum. Difficulty: medium (pinning and small-barrel curling require practice). Maintenance: pineapple at night on a silk scarf, refresh with water + leave-in or curl refresher, re-curl any fallen spirals, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to maintain lift.

Curly Half-Up Double Buns with Headband for Long Textured Hair

This playful half-up double bun works best on medium to thick naturally wavy or curly hair; fine hair can achieve a similar look with added texture from salt spray or light teasing, and straight hair can be pre-curled. Technique: section the top crown into two equal sections, twist each into a loose bun and pin at the crown, leaving face-framing tendrils and the lower length free. Add a decorative headband or scarf across the hairline for hold and style. Tools needed: tail comb, small clear elastics, bobby pins, curling wand or diffuser (optional), and a wide-tooth comb or fingers for shaping. Recommended products: lightweight curl cream or mousse to define, sea-salt/texturizing spray for grip, flexible-hold hairspray, and a few drops of smoothing oil for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–medium — requires basic sectioning and pinning skills. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely pineapple the free length, refresh curls with a water-mist and curl cream, re-pin buns as needed, and avoid heavy products that weigh curls down. For added volume, use a clip-in or root-lift powder at the crown.

Textured Chin-Length Bob with Side-Swept Bangs

This chin-length bob with soft inward-curving ends and side-swept bangs suits fine to medium hair textures and works well on straight or slightly wavy hair. For thicker hair, ask your stylist for internal thinning and long layers to reduce bulk while keeping shape. The salon technique is a graduated blunt cut at the perimeter with subtle layering through the interior to create movement, finished with a long side fringe to frame the face. Styling is straightforward: towel-dry, apply a root-lifting mousse or spray, then rough-dry to 80%. Use a 1.5–2 ceramic round brush and a blow dryer with a nozzle to roll the ends under and lift the crown. Smooth bangs with the brush or a flat iron if needed, and finish with a lightweight cream serum to tame frizz. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, sectioning clips, flat iron (optional). Products: heat protectant, root lifter or mousse, light smoothing serum, flexible-hold hairspray or texturizing spray. Difficulty: easy–moderate — basic blowout skills required; 10–20 minutes daily. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks, purple shampoo for blonde tones, and dry shampoo between washes to preserve volume.

Layered Mid-Length Curls with Curly Fringe — Voluminous Textured Cut

This mid-length layered cut with a curly fringe suits natural curls from loose waves (2B) to tight ringlets (3B–3C). In the salon we cut on dry, detangled curls to preserve spring and shape the fringe precisely to the eye line. The technique uses long, face-framing layers starting around the chin to remove bulk and add movement, with soft point-cutting or twist-cutting for natural tomboy texture. Tools: professional dry-cutting shears, sectioning clips, a Denman or wide-tooth comb for styling, a diffuser attachment and a small curling wand for refining bangs if needed. Products: sulfate-free cleanser, lightweight leave-in conditioner, curl-defining cream, light gel or mousse for hold, a small amount of hair oil for ends and heat protectant if using heat. Difficulty: medium — shaping curly bangs requires experience; shaping and product application are straightforward for home styling. Maintenance tips: trim every 8–12 weeks, refresh curls between washes with a water + leave-in mist, avoid brushing when dry, pineapple or silk/satin pillowcases to reduce frizz, and use a weekly deep-conditioning treatment to maintain elasticity.

Textured Blonde Pixie-Shag with Curtain Bangs

This modern pixie-shag with soft curtain bangs suits fine to medium hair best but can be adapted for thicker textures with internal thinning. The cut relies on short, graduated layers to create lift at the crown and wispy, face-framing fringe. To style: towel-dry to damp, apply a small amount of volumizing mousse at the roots and a sea-salt spray through mid-lengths for grit. Blow-dry using your fingers and a small round brush to lift the crown and shape the bangs; finish by flicking ends outward with a 1

Mid-Length Layered Curls with Wispy Short Fringe

This mid-length layered cut with soft, face‑framing layers and a short wispy fringe suits naturally wavy to curly hair (2A–3B) and those who want volume without bulk. The salon technique: cut long interior layers to remove weight while keeping length, add graduated face‑framing pieces, and texturize ends with point‑cutting or a razor for soft separation. The fringe is cut slightly above the brow and thinned for a feathered finish. Styling technique: apply a leave‑in conditioner to damp hair, work a curl cream or lightweight mousse through roots to ends, then diffuser‑dry on low heat while scrunching to enhance curl pattern. Refine a few pieces with a 3/4–1 curling wand for uniformity and blow‑dry the fringe with a small round brush for shape. Tools & products: salon shears and thinning shears, razor (optional), blow dryer with diffuser, small round brush, 3/4–1 curling iron, heat protectant, curl cream/mousse, light hairspray or styling oil for ends. Difficulty: moderate — precision cutting is best done by a stylist; daily styling is quick (10–20 minutes). Maintenance: trims every 8–12 weeks, bangs every 4–6 weeks, sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh curls with water + curl cream or a light mist, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to maintain lift and shape.

Textured Curly Voluminous Updo with Soft Curtain Fringe

This voluminous textured updo with a soft curtain fringe works best on medium to thick hair and naturally wavy or curly textures. Fine hair can wear this style with root-lifting products and teasing; very tight coils may need a relaxed prep or larger rod curls to achieve the looser look. Start on damp hair with a volumizing mousse worked through roots and mid-lengths, then diffuse-dry with a nozzle to encourage lift and definition. Create loose 1–1.25 barrel curls where needed to shape pieces and the fringe. Backcomb lightly at the crown for height, then gather hair into a loose high bun or pin twisted sections with long bobby pins, leaving face-framing tendrils and the curtain fringe soft. Tools: diffuser, curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, elastic. Products: volumizing mousse, texturizing or sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, small amount of smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic teasing and pinning skills. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with water + mousse or spray, re-pin loose pieces, and trim fringe every 6–8 weeks to keep shape.

Bringing 90s styles into your current routine is all about adaptation and care. My salon advice: protect hair from heat with a quality heat protectant, limit high-temperature styling, and use weekly deep-conditioning treatments to repair texture from crimping or perms. Trim every 8-12 weeks to keep layered shapes and bangs looking sharp. For fine hair, add root-lifting mousse or a light texturizing spray; for thick hair, smoothing serums or a keratin-based blowout treatment will tame bulk. Want a softer modern vibe? Swap chunky butterfly clips for minimalist accents, or tone down extreme crimping into beachy texture. If you’re unsure which 90s look suits you, bring a few of the 28 photos to your consultation — visuals help me tailor length, layers, and product selection. With mindful styling and regular maintenance, these retro looks can feel fresh, flattering, and fully wearable today.