90s Hair Is Back: The Throwback Styles Trending in 2019
Fashion operates in cycles, and hair is no exception. In 2019, the pendulum has swung firmly back to the 1990s. The decade that brought us grunge, girl bands, and some of the most iconic hairstyles in pop culture history is influencing everything from red carpet looks to everyday styles on the streets of Boca Raton. At Sofia Loren Salon, we have been fielding requests for 90s-inspired styles all year, and we are here for every single one of them. Whether you lived through the 90s the first time or are discovering these looks for the first time, there is something irresistible about this era’s approach to hair.
Why the 90s Are Having a Moment
Nostalgia is a powerful force in fashion, and the 90s are now old enough to feel genuinely retro rather than dated. A generation of women who grew up watching 90s sitcoms and music videos are now old enough to have careers, disposable income, and a deep appreciation for the styles they admired as kids. At the same time, younger women are discovering the 90s through social media and vintage fashion accounts, seeing these looks with fresh eyes and adapting them for a modern context.
The 90s also represent a simpler, less curated era of beauty. Before Instagram filters and YouTube tutorials turned everyone into an amateur stylist, 90s hair was refreshingly imperfect. Styles were less polished, more relaxed, and celebrated individuality over uniformity. In an era of picture-perfect social media presentation, there is something liberating about embracing a messier, more authentic aesthetic.
Butterfly Clips and Hair Accessories
Perhaps the most visible sign of the 90s revival is the return of hair accessories that defined the decade. Butterfly clips, claw clips, snap barrettes, and oversized scrunchies are everywhere in 2019. These are not just nostalgic novelties. They are being styled intentionally and integrated into modern looks in creative ways.
Butterfly clips, those small, spring-loaded clips with translucent, iridescent wings, are being used in rows along the hairline or scattered through half-up styles. They add a playful, whimsical element that works surprisingly well for casual outings and even nights out. At Sofia Loren Salon, we have seen clients wearing them to brunch, to the beach, and even paired with more polished outfits for contrast.
Claw clips have made an even bigger comeback. The large, claw-style clips that were once considered lazy shortcuts for messy buns have been elevated to a genuine fashion statement. Grabbing your hair and twisting it into a claw clip is now considered effortlessly chic rather than sloppy. For South Florida women dealing with heat and humidity, claw clips offer the added benefit of getting hair off the neck quickly while still looking intentional.
Scrunchies have arguably had the most dramatic rehabilitation. Once mocked as the ultimate fashion faux pas, oversized velvet and silk scrunchies are now sold at high-end boutiques and worn by fashion influencers without a trace of irony. They are gentler on hair than traditional elastic bands, which makes them both fashionable and functional.
The Sleek, Center-Parted Look
In the 90s, straight, center-parted hair was the look. Think long, glossy strands falling in a perfect curtain on either side of the face. This ultra-sleek style has returned in 2019, updated with modern products that add shine and movement rather than the flat, crunchy look that heavy 90s gels sometimes produced.
Achieving this look in South Florida is a challenge because humidity is the natural enemy of sleek hair. But modern flat irons with ceramic or titanium plates, combined with quality anti-humidity serums, make it more achievable than it was in the actual 90s. The key is to work in small sections and apply a finishing serum that seals the cuticle and provides a moisture barrier.
A keratin smoothing treatment can make this style dramatically easier to maintain in our humid Boca Raton climate. By reducing the hair’s porosity and smoothing the cuticle permanently, a keratin treatment allows you to achieve the sleek 90s look with less effort and have it last throughout the day, even when humidity levels are sky high.
Chunky Layers and Face-Framing Pieces
90s layering was bold and obvious, very different from the seamlessly blended layers of recent years. Chunky layers that created distinct movement and visible texture were the standard. In 2019, this approach has been softened slightly but retains its character. The layers are still visible and intentional, but the transitions between them are slightly smoother, creating a look that nods to the 90s without feeling like a costume.
Face-framing layers, sometimes called “the Rachel” in homage to the most famous hairstyle of the 90s, are back in a big way. These shorter pieces around the face flip outward or curl under, creating a frame that draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones. The modern version tends to be longer and softer than the original, blending more naturally into the rest of the hair.
Space Buns and Half-Up Styles
Space buns, those twin buns perched on either side of the head, were a 90s staple that have returned with renewed enthusiasm. The 2019 version ranges from tight, polished buns for a festival-ready look to loose, messy knots for everyday casual wear. Half-up space buns, where just the top section is pulled into small buns while the rest hangs down, offer a more wearable variation that works for almost any occasion.
Half-up, half-down styles in general are having a major moment. The 90s popularized the idea of pulling just the front sections back while leaving the rest of the hair down, creating a look that is part polished, part relaxed. This style is easy to do, keeps hair out of your face, and works on every hair length from chin-length bobs to waist-length locks.
Crimped Texture
Crimped hair, one of the most distinctively 90s textures, has made a selective return. You will not see many people crimping their entire head in 2019, but crimped sections used to add texture and volume to certain areas have become a popular editorial and event styling technique. A few crimped pieces underneath the top layer of hair can add significant volume and visual interest, while crimped tendrils around the face create a fun, playful look for parties and nights out.
Making 90s Hair Modern
The key to pulling off 90s-inspired hair in 2019 is restraint. Rather than replicating a look from the decade exactly, the most successful modern interpretations take one or two 90s elements and combine them with contemporary styling. A sleek center part paired with modern curtain bangs. Chunky face-framing layers styled with a current texturizing spray. Butterfly clips scattered through a modern balayage. The combination of vintage references and current execution is what makes these looks feel fresh rather than costumey.
Our stylists at Sofia Loren Salon are skilled at finding the right balance between throwback and modern for each client. We consider your hair type, face shape, lifestyle, and personal style when adapting any trend, including 90s-inspired looks.
Book Your Appointment at Sofia Loren Salon
Ready to rock a 90s-inspired style with a modern twist? Visit Sofia Loren Salon in Boca Raton and let our stylists help you find the perfect throwback look for your hair. Call us at (561) 444-0720 or book online at sofialorensalon.com.