The '90s Blowout Is Taking Over Hollywood

 Posted on April 30, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  817 words  |  Trudie Dory

After a decade of trending minimal beauty looks, the '90s blowout is back and better than ever. The term "90s fluffy hair" is trending on Pinterest, #90sblowout has over 64.5 million views on TikTok, and A-listers are leaning into the trend with perfectly coiffed blowouts. So, if you're feeling nostalgic, then you're in luck. We tapped stylists Sunnie Brook and Irinel de León to get their expert tips on how to DIY the voluminous blowout at home, plus rounded up our favorite celeb-inspired bouncy hair looks.

  • Sunnie Brook is a celebrity stylist and Biolage brand ambassador.
  • Irinel de León is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and Dyson global ambassador. Her clients include Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Chrissy Teigen, among others.

Keep scrolling for how to do a '90s blowout today.

What Is a '90s Blowout?

Think back to the '90s when the decade's supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Veronica Webb, and Claudia Schiffer all had hair that was always perfectly blown out with tons of bounce and volume.

"I think there is a certain sense of nostalgia — and that feels comforting after a turbulent couple of years," said Brook of the resurgence of the hairstyle. "I also think people are ready to feel glam again — that extra ooh la la when you walk out the door or go meet up with friends."

How to Prep Hair for a '90s Blowout

Before picking up any hot tools, it's paramount to set the proper foundation for your blowout. 

"I recommend washing the hair with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner like Biolage's Volume Bloom Shampoo and Conditioner to make sure the base you're starting with is aligned with your finished hairstyle," Brook said. "And any time you're using heat on your hair, you should be starting with a heat protectant."

Once your hair is freshly washed and damp, de León recommended treating strands with a styling prep product catered to your hair type. 

"For fine hair, prep the hair with a volumizing mousse throughout, and for medium to thicker hair, apply a volume spray at the roots," the stylist said.

How to Do a '90s Blowout

Once your hair is properly prepped, it's time to start your styling session. Follow these expert tips to achieve a bouncy '90s blowout.

  • Section off hair: de León said to divide hair into two to three-inch sections starting at the nape of the neck.
  • Dry hair with round brush: Once your sections are in place, use a round brush to dry the hair in an upward motion. De León recommended using the Dyson Airwrap with the round brush attachment because it uses less heat on the hair, which minimizes the risk of damage.
  • Pin curl the sections: "After each section is dry, roll the section up with fingers into a pin curl and secure with a duckbill clip," instructed de León. "If you don't have duckbill clips, then hit each section of hair with a cool shot of air before releasing."
  • Rake out the curls: Once each section is complete, release the pin curls and rake the hair with your fingertips to set it in place.
  • Finish with hairspray: Spritz a strong-hold hairspray all over to ensure your blowout holds up.

    • Blowout Mistakes to Avoid

    Nailing the '90s blowout does take a bit of arm coordination and practice. Brook said one area where many go wrong is not letting the sections cool long enough for the hair to set. Instead of pin curls, you can use Velcro rollers or the round brush itself. 

    "If you want your blowout to last longer, leave your brush or a roller in your section until it fully cools down," Brook advised.

    Using the right products is also important. Look for formulas that are "strong hold" when doing a '90s blowout, and be sure the product is evenly distributed in the hair. 

    "[Another mistake] is not evenly applying a product like a mouse or styling cream with a medium hold," Brook shared. "This can make your look fall flat within the hour and lose its bounce."

    To maintain your volume, Brook recommended blotting hair to remove excess water before applying product from roots to ends, section by section. Comb through and then start your blowout.

    '90s Blowout Inspiration

    Arnold Jerocki / Getty Images

    Eiza González is giving us full-on '90s supermodel vibes with her long, voluminous tresses.

    @hairinel / Instagram

    You don't need long hair to partake in the '90s blowout trend. Just look at Kourtney Kardashian's bouncy bob by de León as proof.

    Miikka Skaffari / Getty Images

    We can't decide which we like more: Crawford's '90s blowout then or now. Face-framing highlights add dimension to her dark brown mane while also brightening her complexion.

    @hairinel / Instagram

    Chrissy Teigen's Rapunzel-like mane is swoon-worthy. We love how the addition of hair clips — or your hair accessory of choice — adds a playful element.

    Taylor Hill / WireImage / Getty Images

    Laura Harrier modernizes the classic '90s blowout with some It-girl texture. Try spritzing a bit of something like Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray to strands to get her look.

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