12 trends ALL 90s girls will know

(And love)

Vibrant pattern of black retro style sunglasses over hot pink background
(Image credit: Getty Images)

When it comes to 90s beauty anything goes. 

We’re talking alien-inspired hair trends – we’re looking at you and your mini buns, Gwen Stefani – and eyebrows so thin they were basically drawn on with a sharpie. Yep the 90s were jam-packed with cringeworthy beauty trends that we’ll never ever forget, (mainly because our eyebrows never quite recovered), here are our all-time favourites…

 1. Mini buns 

Gwen Stefani at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, 1997

(Image credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images)

 Even with antenna-chic, alien-inspired hair, Gwen Stefani is still the coolest noughties star and all-round style queen.  

 2. Super-skinny eyebrows 

Kate Moss at the 13th Annual CFDA Awards, 1994.

(Image credit: Ron Galella/Getty Images)

 Oooh Kate Moss, even you couldn’t escape the skinny eyebrow trend. 

3. Pineapple ponytails 

Emma Bunton, aka Baby Spice at the Brit Awards 1998.

(Image credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

The Spice Girls have a lot to answer for, and we’re starting with the pineapple pony…. 

 4. Blue eyeshadow 

Reese Witherspoon at the 54 Premiere, 1998.

(Image credit: im Smeal/Ron Galella/Getty Images)

The brighter and bolder the better. Plus if you were really cool, you took it all the way up to your eyebrows. 

 5. The side ponytail 

Beyonce at The 2001 Teen Choice Awards

(Image credit: SGranitz/WireImage/Getty Images)

Ok, this one may have started in the 80s but the badass side-pony saw us through the 90s too (and we’re oh-so grateful). 

6. Chunky highlights 

Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls, in Paris.

(Image credit: Tim Roney/Getty Images)

Everyone from Julia Stiles to Geri Halliwell rocked thick, streaks of contrasting colours.  

 7. The ‘Rachel’ 

Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, 1994.

(Image credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images)

Those two little words summed up an entire decade of hair. Jennifer Aniston, we love you, but that hair…  

8. Diamante tattoos 

Mariah Carey attends the Fresh Air Fund's Annual Fall Benefit and Auction

(Image credit: Ron Galella / Getty)

If you didn’t have a crystal tattoo – preferably a butterfly or heart – for the school disco you were letting everyone down (including yourself). 

9.  So. Much. Brown. Lipstick. 

Angelina Jolie at the Director's Guild in Los Angeles, California, 1998

(Image credit: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella/Getty Images)

 It was everywhere…. 

 10. Tendrils  

Gwyneth Paltrow strolling on Madison Avenue, NYC. 1996

(Image credit: Lawrence Schwartzwald/Sygma/Getty Images)

Those two tiny pieces of hair that made every single updo/ponytail 10x better. Teamed with some kohl eyeliner and a crucifix choker and you could totally pretend you were Sarah from The Craft. 

 11.  Crimped hair 

Christina Aguilera arrives at the "My VH1 Music Awards" November 30, 2000.

(Image credit: Chris Weeks/Liaison/Getty Images)

Another 80s classic that kept us going through the 90s…  

 12. The statement sparkly side-clip 

Mariah Carey attends the Weinstein Co. Golden Globe after party held at Trader Vic's on January 16, 2006.

(Image credit: David Livingston/Getty Images)

We’ll never get back the hours we spent in Claire’s Accessories trying to find the perfect hair clip…. 

Sagal Mohammed

Sagal is a journalist, specialising in lifestyle, pop culture, fashion and beauty.  She has written for a number of publications including Vogue, Glamour, Stylist, Evening Standard, Bustle, You Magazine, Dazed and Wonderland to name a few.