The 2026 Comeback of 90s Curls and the 90s Brushing

Anyone who has been painstakingly blow-drying their hair poker-straight up to now may well feel ready for a change in 2026. A bouncy, softly curled 90s-style brushing is suddenly back in the spotlight - on celebrities, on catwalks and in everyday life. It feels nostalgic without looking dated, and it fits surprisingly well with the newer desire for hair that looks more natural.

Why 90s curls are suddenly everywhere again

Watch any recent awards show and one detail stands out straight away: hairstyles are getting wider, not just longer. Waves, curls and fullness are taking over - a nod to 90s film icons and TV characters, just softened and modernised.

"Volume beats sleek - in 2026 the trend is clearly moving away from tightly straightened lengths towards lively, touchable curls."

A few different forces are pushing the shift:

• Star power: Actresses such as Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker are being referenced again as curl inspiration.
• Red-carpet moments: At events like the Grammy Awards and the Golden Globes, big, glossy curls are replacing flat-ironed styles.
• Back to natural: More people want to show their natural texture rather than hide it or “iron” it away.
• The nostalgia factor: The 90s are seen as cosy, uncomplicated and a little romantic - and that’s exactly the mood this new curl wave delivers.

What’s interesting is that this isn’t a straight revival. The hairstyle clearly borrows from the 1990s, but modern care products and styling methods make it far more wearable day to day - and much less “built up” than it used to be.

What defines a modern 90s brushing today

A current 90s brushing isn’t simply “doing curls”. It follows recognisable rules that make the look instantly identifiable.

Curl shape and movement

The texture sits somewhere between a wave and a corkscrew. The curls are:

• generous and on the softer side rather than sharply defined,
• styled so they spring and move as you walk,
• deliberately uneven - some sections are more tightly twisted, others only gently waved.

That intentional “imperfection” is what makes it feel contemporary. It should look as though the curls happened to fall that way, not as if they were brushed, pinned and set for hours.

Volume at the roots and a soft frame around the face

A key feature is lift from the roots. Instead of lying flat against the head, the hair rises slightly and then falls into airy lengths. The face is framed by broad, smooth pieces that bring to mind classic 90s romcom heroines.

Depending on your length, the effect changes:

• Very long hair: The impression of a true cascade of curls that seems to “freeze” mid-motion - like a perfect snapshot.
• Mid-length hair: More romcom energy, lighter and more playful, with a pronounced blowout effect.

Slightly flicked-out ends are typical, inspired by old sitcom hairstyles, but with far more shine and conditioning than back then.

The relaxed parting rule

The parting is kept intentionally vague. It isn’t drawn with a tail comb; it’s nudged into place with your fingers. It can sit loosely in the middle or be shifted slightly to one side. The goal is hair that looks like it’s just settled after a breeze, not like you’ve only just left the salon chair.

How to achieve the 90s brushing with curly or straight hair

This trend depends heavily on what you start with. People with natural curls or waves approach it very differently from those with very straight hair.

For naturally curly or coily hair

Here, the focus is less on creating curls and more on shaping what you already have.

• Care and moisture: Use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner, then work in a rich leave-in treatment or curl cream.
• Diffuser instead of straighteners: Dry the hair upside down with a diffuser on a medium heat. This preserves texture while building volume.
• Targeted shaping: Lightly refine just a few face-framing sections with a curling wand to give the overall style a clear direction.
• Hold without crunch: Choose a lightweight mousse or a gel-cream blend that adds definition without making curls stiff.

What matters most is not constantly scrunching when the hair is nearly dry - that’s when frizz and unevenness can take over instead of clean, defined movement.

For straight or slightly wavy hair

This route takes a bit more technique, but the final shape is easier to control.

• Build a volume base: After washing, apply a volumising mousse through the lengths and lightly into the roots.
• Round-brush blow-dry: With a large round brush, roll each section outwards and let it cool properly after blow-drying.
• “Break up” the curls: If you’ve created perfect corkscrews with a curling wand, gently brush them out at the end with a soft brush.
• Fingers instead of a comb: Rake through with your fingers, adjust the parting, then re-twist a few pieces for a casual finish.

"The rule is: deliberately overstyle first, then ‘ruin’ it in a controlled way until the curls look effortless."

Products that make the 90s look practical for everyday wear

The style only works if the hair still looks healthy and glossy despite the volume. These product categories help:

Product type	Effect on the look
Moisture mask	Prevents frizz, adds softness and shine
Volumising mousse	Gives root lift and hold without stickiness
Heat protection spray	Protects the hair fibre during blow-drying and when using a curling wand
Lightweight curl gel or cream	Defines waves and curls without making them rigid
Shine spray	Makes the style look polished and well cared-for

If you have fine hair, it’s best to keep very rich oils strictly to the ends - otherwise the volume can collapse straight away.

Who the new 90s curls suit - and where the limits are

The good news is that the look flatters many face shapes and age groups. With soft waves, you can visually elongate or soften the face depending on where you place the volume.

• Round face: More height at the crown, less width at the sides, with the parting slightly off-centre.
• Narrow face: Fan the curls a little wider at the sides to add contour.
• Strong jawline: Turn pieces at chin level gently outwards to reduce harshness.

The main limitation is heavily damaged hair. If you bleach frequently or struggle with breakage, reduce heat styling and ask your hairdresser about gentler approaches. Overly aggressive blow-drying and curling-wand use can weaken the structure over time.

More than a trend: what the curl boom says about our beauty ideals

This renewed emphasis on curls reflects a bigger shift. For a long time, straight, “controlled” hair was treated as the unquestioned ideal. In 2026, it can feel almost freeing that hairdressers are once again working with natural texture and letting hair look like it has a life of its own.

There’s also a practical side: once you’ve mastered it, a 90s brushing can last for several days. On day two, a quick refresh - a fine mist of water, a little curl spray and a diffuser - is often enough to bring the fullness back. That saves time and is kinder to the hair than straightening every day.

It’s also striking how neatly the look slots into current fashion and make-up. Wide-leg trousers, oversized blazers, natural-looking foundation and glossy lips - soft curls complement it all. For a more elevated feel, pair them with a deep side parting and statement earrings; for something more relaxed, wear them with a sweatshirt and jeans.

If you’ve been considering moving on from standard straight styles, 2026 offers the perfect excuse: a trend that works not only on Instagram but also at the office, at university and on a date - while quietly proving how good hair can look when you give it a little more freedom.