5 Modern Celeb Updos That Scream The '90s

By the time the 1990s came around, the updo was definitely not a new hairstyle by long shot. However, that era transformed the look into something totally different, with it becoming a staple for celebrities on the red carpet to off-duty models who put their own spin on the look. Pictures from that time period show people rocking braids, twists on the French roll, loud highlights, tiny rubber bands, butterfly clips, and more. There were no limits to the different ways people wore the updo.

And just like any trend, they always come back around. Millennial and Gen-Z celebrities alike have led the mainstream resurgence of some nostalgic looks. From Megan Thee Stallion and Hailey Bieber, they are great at channeling that 90s vibe with their own takes on the updo.

Of course the queen Megan Thee Stallion can rock any look, but there's just something about her 90's inspired styles that really have us in a chokehold. You can't get more 90's than the high ponytail, like the one she sported following interview with Wired, according to her Instagram! Dozens of celebs owned the style back in the day, including runway model Naomi Campbell and Janet Jackson when she starred in the 1993 film "Poetic Justice." The best thing about the high pony is that it can be straight, curly, be made with braids and more. So, the possibilities are endless!

Every time you blink, it's like Kim Kardashian is trying on a different look and we are absolutely here for it. In this photo shared to Instagram in May 2024, Kardashian looks like she's channeling 90's bombshell, Pamela Anderson — minus the bold lip liner. This messy updo looks a lot like a look Anderson wore on numerous occasions throughout the 90's.

It's such an effortless way to dress up a look that can elevate any casual or dressy look!

Rihanna has been known to love a '90s look and we can't get enough of this bohemian braids updo. Bohemian braids are achieved by braiding a few inches down the braid (depending on what length you are going for) adding hair the sticks out of box braids. The look has been a longtime staple for Black hair, becoming increasingly popular around the late '90s, with celebrities like Alicia Keys  the and Beyonce wearing them. The updo version gives her braids a boost of volume, while still being a great protective style for her tight curls.

Yara Shahidi grew up on our TV screens and has been showing us how to rock so many amazing hairstyles, but one of our favorites is the look she wore to the 2019 LACMA Film and Art Gala. With her curly hair in a messy top bun with curly bangs, she channeled '90s IT girl Keri Russell, who was famous for her spiral tresses. The effortless look is a great updo style for those with thick hair, which is why it doesn't surprise us that it was so popular in the '90s. Russell wore her hair in a messy top bun for red carpet events herself along with Mariah Carey, both of whom showed that natural curls can be just as versatile, if not more so, as other hair types. 

Hailey Bieber is known for her love of basics, which is very '90s coded. She has also been known to channel the aforementioned decade with her hair. The same could be said for this updo she shared on Instagram in December 2023 when she attended the Rhodes holiday party. The hair pinned up in the back, the side part and the piece of hair left out to the side not only gives us '90s vibes, but also Y2K...which was pretty much '90s 2.0. Celebs like Kirsten Dunst and Kate Moss rocked the style. It's similar to the equally 90s messy bun she wears frequently on social media.