@harryjoshhair/ Instagram
When it comes to achieving the blowout of your dreams, it’s important to narrow down your goals. Do you want something stick straight or loosely curled? Do you prefer it sleek and streamlined or volumized with body? If you prefer the latter, look no further than the timeless ’90s blowout.
We know what you’re thinking—how can something with a time period in its literal name be timeless? Fair enough. But it doesn’t matter if it’s 1995 or 2011 or 2024, a big, bouncy blowout is always in style. Ahead, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about the ’90s blowout, from how to achieve it at home to our go-to inspiration.
Meet the Expert
- Hana Chong is a senior hairstylist at NYC the Team.
- Zanya Gissler is a hairstylist and makeup artist with over 26 years of experience.
What Is a '90s Blowout?
"When someone asks for a '90s blowout, a specific image comes to mind," says Hana Chong, a senior hairstylist at NYC the Team. "Think of Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford and their full, bouncy hair with body." A classic '90s blowout is all about the glam with big curls and lots of volume, but in a tamed, "done" way. And of course, the hair should be bouncy enough that it really moves.
For hairstylist and makeup artist, Zanya Gissler, it's all about creating a look that's glamorous yet effortlessly undone. "The key characteristic is the voluminous lift at the roots," she explains, "which sets it apart from a traditional blowout that typically focuses more on sleekness and smoothness."
How You Can Achieve the Look From Home
Read on for a step-by-step guide to the perfect DIY '90s blowout.
- Towel Dry: Start with clean wet hair. Chong suggests getting out as much water as possible by towel blotting.
- Prep Hair: Before you pick up any hot tools, prep your hair. According to Chong, cocktailing products is a great way to help achieve your desired result. First, apply a volumizing styler with a heat protectant—it doesn’t necessarily have to be two products; some volumizing products also protect from heat. Just make sure you’re getting heat protection, whether that be supplemental or all-in-one. The volumizer should be applied all over with a focus on the roots. Depending on your hair texture, you may want to add other products at this point. For example, textured hair that is prone to frizz might benefit from a frizz-fighting cream.
- Part Hair: Once most moisture is out of hair, section it off however it makes—halves, fourths, and so on.
- Dry Hair With a Round Brush: Using a large round brush, blow dry the top and front section of hair. Per Gissler, make sure to lift at the roots and curl the rest of the section around the brush to create that rounded shape. She also suggests using a round brush around two inches in diameter—any larger can diminish the volume that defines the style.
- Pin Curl: Once dry, roll up the hair into itself, starting from the ends up to the scalp. Secure with a clip. Alternatively, you can use velcro rollers, which Gissler prefers, to get the same effect. As Chong explains, rolling the hair while it’s still warm helps the hair set into that bouncy, rounded shape.
- Repeat: Repeat steps five and six throughout the rest of the head.
- Spray and Cool: Spray hairspray all over and let pin curls cool completely.
- Rake Out the Curls: Once fully dry, undo the rolls starting from the bottom back of the head and ending at the top front. Run your fingers through each section to style and set curls in place. You may want to slightly massage the scalp to bring all the sections together.
- Set: Set hair with another spritz of hairspray to ensure your style lasts—sparingly. Gissler warns against using too much hairspray, which can weigh down the hair and compromise some of that lift. Instead, she suggests opting for a texturizing spray.
Ahead, check out some of our go-to inspiration from '90s blowouts.
01 of 08
Bouncy Blowout
@felicerosee/Instagram
If big, bold roots aren't your vibe, focus the volume along the length of the strands rather than at the crown. Instead, simply smooth roots post style, as seen here. The result? The perfect mix between a sleek part and bouncy blowout.
02 of 08
XXL Volume
@harryjoshhair/ Instagram
When it comes to a '90s blowout, there's no such thing as too much volume. We love the way it creates body and movement throughout the entire style. This bouncy look on Rose Byrne is proof that short hair can rock this trend too.
03 of 08
Extra Curly
@nikkilee901/Instagram
For a more elevated take on a ’90s blowout, consider going over the style with a curling iron to really solidify the shape. This will be especially helpful if you are starting with pin-straight hair as the heat will provide lasting movement.
04 of 08
Deep Side Part
@haircolorkilla/Instagram
Lean into those throwback vibes with a deep side part. It’ll also help fake some volume at the root without putting in any extra work.
05 of 08
Modern Middle Part
@justinemarjan/Instagram
One way to modernize a '90s blowout is by pairing the bouncy style with a middle part. This will let you build up volume on either side for extra, face-framing movement.
06 of 08
Soft & Sweet
@whiterosecollective/Instagram
For a softer effect, focus on large waves instead of true curls when blowing out the hair. This will leave you with bouncy, wispy ends.
07 of 08
Lush Blonde
@haircolorkilla/Instagram
We love the way this blowout really complements the buttery blonde highlights—it gives the hairstyle a ton of body and movement.
08 of 08
Cascading Curves
Getty
It might be a '90s blowout, but there's something timeless about those beautiful bouncy curls. Here, Zendaya proved that the more bounce and the more curls, the better.
