90s Curls: Why the Voluminous Blowout Is Back for 2026

Anyone who has spent years painstakingly blow-drying their hair pin-straight may be ready for a major change in 2026. A full, softly curled 90s blowout has suddenly returned to centre stage, appearing on celebrities, catwalks and in everyday life alike. It feels nostalgic without looking dated, and it fits surprisingly well with the growing desire for a more natural finish.

Why 90s curls are suddenly everywhere again

One thing stands out immediately at recent awards ceremonies: hairstyles are gaining width rather than simply length. Waves, curls and volume are taking over, recalling 90s film icons and television characters, albeit in a softer, more contemporary way.

Volume beats sleekness – in 2026, the trend is clearly moving away from rigidly straightened lengths towards lively, bouncy curls.

Several influences are driving this shift:

• Star power: Actresses such as Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker are once again being held up as curl inspirations.
• Red-carpet moments: At events including the Grammy Awards and Golden Globes, large glossy curls are replacing flat, straightened styles.
• Back to natural: Many people want to embrace their natural texture rather than conceal it or “iron” it away.
• The nostalgia factor: The 90s are seen as cosy, uncomplicated and slightly romantic – precisely the mood conveyed by this new wave of curls.

Interestingly, this is not simply a revival. While the hairstyle draws heavily on the 1990s, modern care products and styling methods make it far more wearable for day-to-day life and less overly constructed.

What defines today’s classic 90s blowout

The current 90s blowout is not merely about creating curls. It follows a distinct set of visual cues that make the style instantly recognisable.

Curl shape and movement

The curls sit somewhere between a wave and a corkscrew curl. They are:

• generous and soft rather than sharply defined;
• styled to bounce as you walk;
• deliberately uneven, with some sections more tightly twisted and others only gently waved.

This very sense of “imperfection” is what makes the look feel current. The hair should seem as though the curls have fallen into place naturally, rather than having been combed through and fixed for hours.

Root volume and a soft face-framing shape

A key element is lift right from the roots. Instead of sitting flat against the head, the hair is slightly raised before falling into airy lengths. Broad, supple sections frame the face, evoking the classic heroines of 90s romantic comedies.

The overall effect changes with hair length:

• Very long hair: This creates the impression of a true cascade of curls, seemingly “frozen” in motion – almost like a perfectly timed snapshot.
• Medium-length hair: The result has more romantic-comedy energy: lighter, more playful and with a pronounced blowout effect.

Slightly outward-turned ends are also characteristic. They take their cue from old sitcom hairstyles, but with considerably more shine and care than in the past.

The relaxed parting rule

The parting should remain intentionally undefined. Rather than being drawn with a tail comb, it is adjusted with the fingers. It can sit loosely in the middle or be shifted slightly to one side. The aim is for the hair to look as if it has just fallen out of the wind, not as though it has come straight from the salon chair.

How to achieve a 90s blowout with curly or straight hair

The trend depends heavily on your starting texture. Those with naturally curly or wavy hair begin from a very different point to those with very straight hair.

For naturally curly or coily hair

Here, the focus is less on producing curls and more on shaping the texture that is already there.

• Care and moisture: Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, then work in a rich leave-in treatment or curl cream.
• A diffuser rather than straighteners: Dry hair upside down with a diffuser on a medium heat setting. This preserves the texture while building volume.
• Targeted shaping: Lightly reshape only a few face-framing pieces with curling tongs to give the look direction.
• Hold without crunch: Choose a lightweight mousse or gel-cream combination that adds definition without making curls hard.

The important thing is not to keep scrunching the hair once it is almost dry. Otherwise, frizz and untidiness will develop instead of defined movement.

For straight or slightly wavy hair

This texture requires a little more technique, but it also gives you good control over the final shape.

• Create a volumising base: After washing, apply volumising mousse through the lengths and lightly at the roots.
• Blow-dry with a round brush: Wrap each section outwards around a large round brush, then allow it to cool properly after blow-drying.
• “Break up” the curls: If curling tongs create perfect corkscrew curls, gently brush them out at the end with a soft brush.
• Use fingers, not a comb: Run your fingers through the hair, adjust the parting and re-twist individual sections slightly.

The principle is: deliberately over-style first, then carefully “undo” it until the curls look effortless.

Products that make the 90s look suitable for everyday wear

The trend only works when hair still looks healthy and glossy despite all the volume. These product types can help:

Anyone with fine hair should apply very rich oils only to the ends, otherwise the volume will quickly collapse again.

Who suits the new 90s curls – and what are the limits?

The good news is that the look works for many face shapes and age groups. By positioning the soft waves differently, the face can appear either longer or rounder.

• Round face: Create more volume at the crown and less at the sides, with a slightly off-centre parting.
• Narrow face: Fan the curls out a little wider at the sides to add contour.
• A pronounced chin: Turn sections softly outwards at chin level to soften the effect.

The main limitation is severely damaged hair. Anyone who bleaches their hair very frequently or is dealing with breakage should reduce heat styling and, where appropriate, ask their hairdresser about gentler options. Overly aggressive blow-drying and curling-tong styling can weaken the hair’s structure in the long term.

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

The renewed emphasis on curls reflects a deeper change. For a long time, smooth, “controlled” hair was the unquestioned ideal. In 2026, it feels almost liberating to see hairdressers working with natural texture again and allowing hair to “live”.

There is also a practical benefit. Once you have mastered the technique, a 90s blowout can last for several days. On the second day, a quick refresh with a fine water mist, a little curl spray and a diffuser is often enough to bring the fullness back. This saves time and is kinder to hair than straightening it every day.

It is also striking how naturally the style works with fashion and make-up trends. Wide-leg trousers, oversized blazers, natural foundation and glossy lips all pair perfectly with soft curls. For a more elegant take, wear them with a deep side parting and statement earrings; for a relaxed version, style them with a sweatshirt and jeans.

For anyone who has been considering moving away from standard straight hairstyles, 2026 offers the ideal reason: a trend that works not only on Instagram but also in the office, at university and on a date – while quietly showing just how good hair can look when it is given more freedom.