Hair trends come and go faster than we can grow out our bangs. Remember those styles we once thought were the height of fashion? Some cuts that dominated magazine covers and salon requests have now faded into obscurity, while others have made surprising comebacks. Let’s look at which haircuts should stay in the photo albums and which ones deserve another chance.
1. La coupe Rachel
Jennifer Aniston’s iconic 90s layered shag inspired millions of copycats. Those choppy layers and face-framing highlights defined a generation. Today, stylists rarely get requests for this dated look. The high-maintenance style required constant salon visits and expert blowouts most people couldn’t realistically maintain.
2. Feathered Farrah Fawcett Waves
Voluminous, feathered layers swept away from the face dominated the 70s thanks to Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett. The high-volume style required hours with hot rollers and cans of hairspray. Modern women prefer cuts that work with their natural texture rather than fighting against it.
3. La coupe en bol
Parents loved this practical cut that looked like someone placed a bowl on a child’s head and cut around it. Remember Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber? Thankfully, today’s kids have more stylish options. The unflattering shape did no favors for anyone’s face and created awkward grow-out phases.
4. Mullet (Business in Front, Party in Back)
Short on top and sides with long locks flowing down the back, the mullet screams 1980s excess. Country singers and hockey players embraced this divisive style. Despite brief ironic revivals, the traditional mullet remains firmly in the past. The dramatic contrast between short and long creates an outdated silhouette.
5. Crunchy Ramen Noodle Curls
The 90s obsession with crunchy, gel-soaked curls resembling uncooked ramen noodles dominated yearbooks nationwide. Justin Timberlake and boy bands perfected this sticky style. Today’s curl products enhance natural texture rather than creating stiff, unnatural spirals. Modern curly hair embraces movement and touchable softness instead.
6. The Extreme Pixie (Spiky Top)
Ultra-short cuts with heavily gelled, spiky tops dominated the early 2000s. Think Pink’s edgy style or Kate Gosselin’s infamous reverse mullet. While pixie cuts remain popular, the extremely short, aggressively styled versions have disappeared. Modern pixies feature softer edges and more feminine styling options.
7. Jersey Shore Pouf
The gravity-defying front pouf popularized by Snooki on Jersey Shore required industrial-strength hairspray and serious teasing. Height was everything with this dramatic style. The unnatural volume and excessive product made this trend mercifully short-lived. Modern volumizing focuses on all-over body rather than concentrated height in one area.
8. Cheveux crêpés
Zigzag-patterned cheveux crêpés reached peak popularity in the 80s and early 90s. Special heated tools created this accordion-like texture from root to tip. The unnatural, damaged look has fallen from favor. Today’s texture trends emphasize healthier approaches that enhance rather than fight against natural hair patterns.
9. Severe Asymmetrical Bob
The dramatically angled bob—super short in back, dramatically longer in front—dominated the 2000s. Victoria Beckham’s iconic sharp-angled cut inspired countless imitations.
Today’s asymmetrical cuts feature subtler graduation and softer lines. The harsh geometric precision of the original version looks dated and inflexible by modern standards.
10. Mall Bangs
Teased to impossible heights and shellacked with hairspray, 80s mall bangs defied both gravity and good taste. The higher the bangs, the closer to heaven, apparently. The excessive volume focused only at the hairline created an unbalanced silhouette. Modern bangs embrace natural movement and proportional balance with the rest of the cut.
11. Shaggy Layers Are Back
The 70s-inspired shag has returned with modern updates. Today’s version features softer layers that work with natural texture instead of fighting it. Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Dakota Johnson have embraced this versatile, low-maintenance cut. The current shag creates movement while requiring minimal styling effort.
12. Curtain Bangs Revival
Center-parted, face-framing frange de rideau have made a triumphant return from the 70s. These versatile, cheekbone-enhancing fringe pieces blend seamlessly into layers. Unlike committed straight-across bangs, curtain bangs grow out gracefully. Their adaptability and face-flattering effects have made them the most requested fringe style in modern salons.
13. The Bob is Eternal
The classic bob has transcended trends to become a permanent fixture. Today’s versions range from blunt chin-length cuts to slightly longer ‘lobs’ with subtle layers. The bob’s enduring appeal lies in its versatility and timeless elegance. Modern interpretations incorporate texture and personalized elements while maintaining the iconic silhouette.
14. Natural Texture Celebration
Embracing natural curls, coils, and waves has revolutionized modern hair trends. Specialized cutting techniques enhance natural patterns rather than straightening them away. This shift represents both fashion and social progress. The natural hair movement celebrates authentic texture and rejects damaging heat-styling and chemical treatments that were once standard.
15. Modern Mullet Comeback
The mullet has returned in a sophisticated, fashion-forward incarnation. Today’s version features softer transitions between lengths and more intentional styling. Celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Barbie Ferreira have championed this edgy, gender-fluid cut. The new mullet maintains the rebellious spirit while eliminating the dated elements.
16. 90s-Inspired Chunky Highlights
Bold, contrasting highlights have returned from the 90s with crucial updates. Modern versions feature softer blending and strategic placement rather than uniform stripes. Today’s interpretation creates dimension without the harsh, stripy effect of the originals. The new approach incorporates face-framing brightness while maintaining a more natural overall appearance.
17. Bixie (Bob-Pixie Hybrid)
The “bixie” combines the length of a bob with the layering of a pixie. This versatile cut offers the best of both worlds—short styling ease with more styling options. Celebrities like Florence Pugh have popularized this adaptable style. The bixie works for multiple hair textures and can be styled sleek or tousled.