The 1990s style was a mix of grunge, minimalism and creative influences from pop culture and style icons. With everything ’90s being at the peak of fashion right now, hair colors from the era perfectly align with current trends: natural-looking and effortless shades or bold colors meant to draw attention.
Let’s take a closer look at ’90s hair color trends and see how we can make them fresh today.
1. Chunky Streaks
Contrasting chunky streaks are a statement look, which means that when it’s popular, it’s hot like fire, but when it goes out of style, it’s easily forgotten. Right now, they’re burning, so hop on the trend ASAP!
2. ’90s Natural Brunette
If understated, my-hair-but-better looks are more your speed, you’ll love the ’90s natural brunette. With very subtle highlights and lowlights that match your base, this low maintenance look has dimension and vibrancy.
3. Cinnamon Hair Color
Julia Roberts’ signature color in the 1990s, this reddish brunette shade has been updated for the modern era. Warm and spicy, but still subtle, this hair color will make those with warm skin tones look glowing and refreshed.
4. Golden Blonde
The rich golden blonde worn by stars like Claudia Schiffer and Cameron Diaz back in the day is the perfect summer blonde. This low-maintenance shade is easier to achieve and maintain than most—it’s not ultra-light, so the hair doesn’t need to be lightened to platinum and it’s warm, so it doesn’t need regular toning like ashy blondes.
5. Jet Black
Glossy, soft and silky or choppy and grungy, jet black hair could be both glam or edgy in the ’90s, depending on the cut, hair texture and styling.
6. Money Piece Highlights
In the late ’90s and early ’00s, the money piece was exclusively a high contrast, grungy look. This trend has changed since; nowadays, subtly lightened face-framing pieces are regularly used to brighten the face. Of course, if you want a dramatic look, you can still choose the classic version.
7. Honey Blonde
Subtle and warm dark blonde is the perfect companion to the ’90s minimalist style. It’s effortless and natural-looking, but glamorous—this beautiful sun-kissed shade will make your skin glow.
8. Soft Brown
Simple, rich and classic, soft brown was the quintessential ’90s hair color, natural and fresh. You can choose to wear this shade one-dimensional or highlighted—it will look beautiful either way.
9. Dirty Blonde
In the ’90s, you wore the smoky, dirty blonde because you were too cool to care, but you still looked good. Today, this natural shade is highly coveted and can be enhanced with subtle platinum highlights around the face.
10. Grungy Blonde
Grunge style today is far more polished than it used to be back in the ’90s—in fact, back then it was anything but. Grungy blonde was a little messy, probably dyed at home and regular toning appointments weren’t a thing.
11. Copper Brown
Dark copper brunette isn’t an easy hair color to wear—it’s intense and deep, and can easily overwhelm the rest of your coloring. Luckily, small tweaks can be used to make it suit almost everyone, so work with your stylist on finding the exact shade.
12. Dimensional Brunette
If your base is medium-to-dark brown, adding some dimension with subtle babylights can give you this beautiful, natural shade. If you have lighter hair, achieve a similar look with single-process color with just a few strategically placed highlights.
13. Red Highlights
Justice for red highlights! They made you instantly cool and stylish in the ’90s, but have fallen into obscurity since. It’s time we bring them back, don’t you think?
14. Bleach Blonde Hair With Dark Roots
Bleach blonde with dark roots is as grunge as it gets—it used to be worn both by Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. Try it with a choppy bob or bixie, and to keep it fully retro, add lots of messy texture.
15. Mahogany Red
Mahogany red can be achieved on dark brown hair with no bleach, which made it attractive for everyone trying box dye at home back in the ’90s. You can still try to DIY it today, but if your hair is lighter, you might get some unwanted results.
16. Platinum Blonde
There’s something ethereal about platinum blonde that makes us want it—it’s always trending, even though it’s at the top of the list of high-maintenance hair colors.
17. Warm Brown
Think Cindy Crawford’s glorious tresses, and you’ll know the shade we’re talking about. This beautiful warm brown is natural and rich and can be paired with very subtle highlights for extra sparkle.
18. Honey Highlights
Lustrous honey highlights are much easier to achieve and maintain than platinum or ash, and they’ll make your skin glow. What’s not to love?
19. Bright Copper
The ’90s loved red hair, including bright, dramatic copper hues. This color fades fast, but luckily, today we have more methods and products that can make it last longer than they did back then.
20. Bronde
Neutral, girl-next-door bronde is deceptively simple—creating color this natural-looking takes skill.