The ‘90s were a revolutionary time for men’s fashion and hair. Edgy and unique looks were celebrated as the world embraced a variety of subcultures, from hip-hop to grunge, and even boy bands. Some of these looks are making a comeback, meaning whatever you’re style, you can take inspiration from one of the decade’s iconic ‘dos. Check out some of the most popular ‘90s hairstyles for men and get inspired for that trip to the barber.
One of the most popular hairstyles during the ‘90s was the bowl cut. Surprisingly, the look still holds up by today’s fashion standards, especially when coupled with an edgy attitude. One tip for rocking this style is to ask your barber for a choppy version. Whatever you do, don’t get your mom to place a bowl around your head and cut!
Before pomade got a name for itself as the preferred styling product in the market, hair gel reigned supreme. Able to hold the hair in place very effectively, hair gel was commonly used in the ‘90s to create bold, spiky hairstyles. To make this look effortlessly chic rather than hopelessly outdated, use less hair product and remember: the texture is the key.
During the ‘90s, it wasn’t only women who sported long and luscious hair. This hairstyle was particularly popular among the grunge subculture, with many men letting their manes grow long and loose. Parties and mosh pits are the natural habitats of this hairstyle made for headbanging.
Worn to perfection by the likes of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, the middle part was a common hairdo during the ‘90s. It was usually rocked by men with medium to long hair, and the style was designed for minimal product and maximum floppiness. For a modern look, make sure you amp up the volume of your hair so it doesn’t sit flat when parted in the middle.
Cornrows, originally from Africa, were worn by kings and warriors back in the day. In the 1990s, a wider variety of people embraced the look, including blonde and blue-eyed Justin Timberlake of the band NSYNC. While you can still sport this style today, just make sure you have the right overall look to back it up.
Sporting spiky hair was very popular during the ‘90s, and one way to define the pointy ends was to use some bleach to lighten the tips. The bleached or frosted look was popular among musicians of the decade, many of whom took it to quite a bleachy extreme. If you want to rock this look today, go for shades like platinum blonde rather than yellow-based ones. For a grown-out appearance, start coloring close to the roots too.
For men with wilder textured hair, the flat top look was a way off both taming and accentuating the ‘fro. The style involved a high ‘do which was cut flat at the top to achieve a head-turning look. With the right kind of attitude, you can rock this ‘90s look and impress others with your new ‘do.