Ah, the 90s. An era of grunge eyeliner, crimped waves, and enough body glitter to blind the entire front row at a Spice Girls concert. But beyond the pop culture goldmine and retro fashion revival, there's one thing we’re perpetually lusting over, those effortlessly cool, sculpted, statement-making 90s updo hairstyles.
Today, the hair gods have blessed us with a resurgence of hair trends in the 90s, and our favourite celebs are leading the way. Sky-high volume, swooping tendrils, and that perfect blend of elegance-meets-edgy. Let’s take a journey down a bouncy, backcombed memory lane with five stars who’ve nailed the 90s updo – and don’t worry, no butterfly clips were harmed in the making of this blog!
Kim Kardashian: Maid in Manhattan
Maid in Manhattan meets Cannes! This J-Lo inspired look is a pure masterclass in striking updos. Her glossy raven locks are swept skyward into a voluminous, textured round bun with a razor sharp centre parting, a true architectural hair moment by none other than legendary celeb hairstylist Chris Appleton. Whether you go for clip ins or permanent extensions, this hairstyle is more than achievable without a glam squad.
Bella Hadid: Wet and Wild
No one does 90s layered hairstyles quite like Bella Hadid. She’s giving poolside editorial with a touch of forest nymph. The glossy, curled tendrils and slicked crown are textbook 90s, but behind that nonchalant pout is a highly structured style that requires a little help from our friends – clip in extensions. Adding a simple one piece clip-in can create some serious and much-needed volume in a matter of minutes. For that fresh-off-the-beach, tousled, wet look, spritz a little of our moisturising silky spray when no one’s watching!
Rihanna: Retro Like RiRi
Rihanna, our forever hair chameleon, channels peak 90s supermodel with this retro, voluminous crown of glory. The fringe is flirtatiously swept to the side with a barely-tamed feel that screams Naomi Campbell. To recreate RiRi's look, you’ll want to go for a clip in top up piece to bulk out your bun or beehive, or even a clip in fringe if you’re feeling a little wild.
Millie Bobby Brown: Prom Night Perfection
Millie’s done it again with another Pamela Anderson-approved updo. Two face framing pieces of hair hang delicately either side of her cheeks, with a thick, high updo as the cherry on top. This is the kind of look you can wear for date night, prom, or when you want to get your 10k steps in on a hot girl walk. If you’re new to being a blondie like Millie and are yet to learn your shade, you can get your very own FREE express colour match! For Mills, we match her with our shade Barbie Blonde.
Megan Thee Stallion: Disney Channel Diva
This updo is straight out of a Disney Channel original movie. Meg is all about experimenting with hair, fashion, beauty, and a multitude of different characters, and this kawaii 90s hairstyle is no exception. Two spiky, layered low buns rest just above her shoulders, complimented by a sleek side fringe, with a stripy retro sweater, scarf and some fab silver hoop earrings to match. For more 90s hair and outfit inspo, you can read our latest blog Britpop Beauties: The Comeback of 90s Hairstyles for a treasure trove of 90s and y2k hair gems.
Why Are 90s Updos So Popular Right Now?
So, why the obsession? Maybe it's the nostalgia. Maybe it’s the infinite variations: half-up, messy bun, sculpted topknot, tousled beehive. Maybe it’s the way these styles make us feel instantly more confident, more powerful, more playful. Or maybe it’s because of Carrie Bradshaw.
The truth is, hair trends in the 90s weren’t just about looking cute; they were about making you the centre of all the gossip, whether it was at the club, a house party, or simply running errands at the supermarket. Daily fashion and hairstyles became the ultimate cool girl uniform when leaving your house (or tiny apartment), and these quirky updos are no exception.
The decade gave us iconic 90s rave hairstyles, maximalist volume, fearless texture, and serious attitude. And now, with the help of clip-in hair extensions and professional hair extensions like tape ins and nanos, you can bring that same energy.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re channelling Rihanna’s effortlessly undone power style or Megan’s unapologetic drama, one thing’s clear: a killer updo starts with killer hair. Thicker, fuller, healthier-looking hair is the foundation of every iconic look, all of which can be achieved with our high quality human hair extensions.
Explore your shade in Cliphair’s collection of Remy hair extensions and serve serious 90s realness. Shop clip in and permanent hair extensions today – because some trends are just too good to stay in the past!
