There’s a hair trend happening on Instagram. Wait, I should be more specific… There are five hair trends happening on Instagram. Everyone, from the most fashion-forward celebrities to influencers and editors, seems to be wearing the same five hairstyles. (It’s almost as if they held some sort of secret meeting about it.) I’m not mad. How could I be? The five hairstyles in question are chic and low maintenance, which just so happens to be my favorite combination.
They’re also very ’90s-inspired. That doesn’t surprise me—not in the slightest. After all, the fashion and beauty industries are experiencing a full-blown ’90s renaissance right now. I mean, we already brought ’90s clothing items back (slip dresses, shoulder bags, and bucket hats). We already brought ’90s makeup looks back (glossy lips, black eyeliner, and brown lip liner). It only makes sense that we would bring ’90s hairstyles back, too. Keep scrolling to see them all.
If there’s a single hairstyle that fashion-forward celebrities can agree on, it’s this one. Everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Kim Kardashian to Ariana Grande and Millie Bobby Brown has worn some iteration of this ’90s-inspired trend. Luckily for us, it’s fairly easy to replicate. All you need is the right heat tool and some lightweight hair spray to keep the style sealed.
This might just be the most popular hairstyle on Instagram at the moment. Not only is it incredibly easy to achieve, but it’s also reminiscent of Sharon Tate circa 1968. (And who doesn’t want to channel that energy?) All it takes is for you to braid the front pieces of your hair on either side of your face. Secure each braid with a clear elastic (or hair spray), and you’re done.
Red lipstick, winged eyeliner, and a sleek updo—these are three things that never get old, no matter how often you see them or in what variation. Why, you ask? It’s simple. They’re timeless.
A sleek updo is also versatile. It takes you from day to night, taking you from the office to cocktail hour. It also compliments any outfit you pair it with, whether that’s a formal look or something more casual, like a slouchy sweatsuit (no shade—I love slouchy sweatsuits).
Sure, it’s not a hairstyle, per se. If anything, it’s more of a hair accessory. Nevertheless, headscarves are all over Instagram. The fashion crowd wears them in varying sizes, colors, and prints. The only consistency is that they’re placed atop natural hair texture, which means there are no heat tools (or hair damage) required. Trendy and easy rarely go hand in hand like this.
Remember how we said the theme of these hairstyles was ’90s effortlessness? Yeah, this is about as effortlessly ’90s as it gets. Reach for your trusty claw clip, twist your hair up into a messy bun on the back of your head, and clamp down. That’s literally all there is to it. There’s no need for products or heat tools. Ugh, why can’t every hairstyle be as simple as this?
Next, see 11 iconic 2000s hairstyles that could still fly in 2021.