25 Best 2000s Hairstyles Making a Wild Comeback

You are certainly not the only person wanting to do 2000s hairstyles without looking like they are going to a Y2K costume party.

There is an unspoken truth about the hairstyle from the 2000s; they did not need to be dated, but the execution is what made them dated. A client came in with a picture of herself from 2003 with chunky blonde streaks and looked like she had a flat iron set to a temperature that would make her smell her own hair burning and said, “I want to feel like that again but I don’t want to look like that.” There was the most potential with the styles and structure of the hair in that time period; things like curtain bangs or face framing, braids, and messy updos were all styles that had a lot of structure and potential, but we simply lacked the right hair products or the restraint to avoid overdoing it.

I’ve noticed a pattern that clients who do the best with revival bookings tend to approach me with “touch up” requests rather than complete overhauls. A few examples include crimping with heat protectant (remember, we aren’t doing a full 2002 crimping job), softer highlights (think foils), and movement shags (as opposed to the stiff, piece-y layers that we used to shellac in). While the shapes might be the same, the finishes are different and that’s what really differentiates it from looking cheap. Here are 25 styles that I think are realistic, and the types of styles that I would recommend while sitting in my chair.

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#1: A Chin-Length Bob That Actually Grows Out Well

I love this cut so much I could talk about it all day! It’s super easy to maintain as it grows out, and that’s honestly the most important thing people seem to forget to ask about. The length is at the chin which is a super flattering length. The ends are textured so it definitely does not look too blunt or severe. The little woven highlights are just enough to add a little life to the hair without yelling “I just left the salon.” This cut is going to look amazing on you if you have medium density straight hair because there is enough weight to hold the shape of the hair but not so much that it gets a little puffy. You’ll want to come in for a trim every six weeks or so to keep the shape nice and clean along the bottom, but in between appointments it does its thing and looks super good!

#2 Soft Waves That Look Like You Didn’t Try

This color looks really nice, and the highlights look really flattering in terms of softening the overall look, and not being too harsh. On most skin tones, they tend to lean more toward that sun-kissed vibe rather than “done”. The waves are also loose enough, and you could totally achieve this with a large barrel curling iron. Or you could braid it and let it air dry. This look is so good for someone who wants to change it up a little bit but not go too drastic, and I can tell it’s enhancing what is probably already there with your natural texture. The length is the sweet spot, it’s easy to throw up, but looks really good when it’s down too.

#3 Double Braids That Don’t Read Too Young

I know what you’re thinking, an adult with double braids is a bit odd right? But hear me out! The little pieces you can pull out at the front around your face totally change the vibe. Instead of a “field day at the elementary school” look, it looks cool and intentional. The softness of the front pieces avoids it looking too sporty or too childish. For the best result, medium to thick hair works best for this style, as the braids need to be thick enough to look full. A tiny bit of light styling cream through those front pieces before pulling makes the difference between looking wispy and looking frizzy, which is a notable difference.

#4 A Braided Crown That’s Easier Than It Looks

Honestly speaking, a lot of customers usually want me to explain how long it takes to master the crown braid technique, and how much practice is required to achieve that “crown” effect, but that’s not the case with this image as she has a lot more movement with the waves underneath. This works for a ton of braids because that soft movement throughout the hair really lifts and blends nicely, and gives that romantic undone look (in a good way). It appears as though she has healthy hair that is in excellent condition, so it may photograph differently than most hair, and it also holds the shape of a braid perfectly without that fuzzy halo, which is a lot of help because healthy hair also braids differently. This is perfect for oval and heart shaped faces because of how it just sits across the crown and accentuates the cheekbones.

#5 Curls and Butterfly Clips Done Right

I like the reemergence of 2000s style and I love the fact that it’s not meant to be ironic. The butterfly clips style is fun and adds some personality to the whole fit. If you are worried about curls falling throughout the day, get a good curling cream that is going to provide some hold. The clips need to have good grip, so if you have baby soft curls this look is not for you. I believe this style works best on people with wave and curls in their hair already, because it looks more lived in rather than put together.

#6 Long and Sleek with a Headband That Actually Does Something

The simplicity of this look makes it even better. The hair is straightened and pulled back with a headband. If you have fine hair, this can be a hard style to achieve, so be sure to use some volumizing spray at the crown of your head before blow drying to add some lift. If you don’t, this style can go from nice and sleek to very limp. The headband is more than just a cute accessory, it actually helps with the lift at the front. This look is definitely a Tuesday morning hairstyle, it has that polished and put together vibe while only taking about ten minutes to do (assuming your hair is on board with the plan).

#7 A High Ponytail with Some Personality

I like the ponytail because it’s not super slicked back and looks really clean. The soft face framing pieces also really help and ensure it’s not too harsh or “gym”. The subtle wave really pulls this all together and makes it look intentional and not just thrown together. A bit of teasing at the crown before pulling it back can really help if your hair is on the finer side and typically looks thin in a ponytail. If your hair tends to droop, I would say this style probably needs a touch up half way through the day. A few bobby pins tucked underneath can really help tighten things up without needing to start over.

#8 Curtain Bangs and Layers That Move

In my opinion, curtain bangs suit heart or oval face shapes best, and they are ideal for those wishing to have bangs without a complete fringe. They provide a good frame for the face, and with curtain bangs, I think the more movement and poof the better. These layers are certainly moving and doing much more than simply being layers. These layers are mid-length and describe that bouncy look, which tells me whoever cut this really knew how to balance the weight. You’ll have bangs that will need styling, but as long as you do a round brush blow dry, you’ll be set. The rest of the cut is low effort. A rich chocolate or warm brunette like this one really deepens the dimension between the layers.

#9 Half-Up Curls with a Little Color

This option is great for hair that is naturally curly since the half-up style shows off the curls and keeps everything together while the curls can still flow. The colorful hair ties are a fun addition and will hold everything in place much more securely than a thin elastic would on this type of hair. You will want to put a good curl cream in your hair before styling since this will help define the curls and hold everything in place without making it stiff. If your hair tends to get large and poofy by the middle of the day then you’ll want to try this style on second or third day hair since the volume will be less and the look will be perfect. It may sound weird but trust the process.

#10 Two Long Braids with Texture at the Ends

These braids are nice and simple. The braids could be tighter, and the end taper looks too old for school. The braids look great on medium density hair. I like that the braids look full without me needing to pancake them. I always tell clients who ask about long braids that sleeping in them is a no go unless you want weird crimpy kinks in the morning. Although, if that’s the goal, then do it! When you take the braids out, you’ll have the best waves, no heat needed. The style is great for framing the face, but if you want it to be softer, you can take a few pieces out around the temples.

#11 A Pixie with Highlights That Have Some Attitude

I definitely spend a lot of time working on pixie cuts. Because of how short the hair will go, the detail really makes or breaks the cut, and this one captures detail really well. The highlights are really bold, somehow, they manage to not look stripey, and rather enhance texture. The layers add volume, especially near the top and crown, where it’s layered, and cut so close on the sides that it helps round faces visually elongated. I won’t say it’s a really low maintenance cut because you will have to be coming in every 4-5 weeks to keep the cut maintained and fresh, and highlights will have to be redone every couple months too, as well as your haircut. When everything is maintained and fresh, it will look incredible, and you will not be spending a lot of time to style it.

#12 Long Layers That Actually Do Something

I often see long layered cuts that look like long hair with just a few pieces cut to frame the face. This cut has true interior layering, which provides actual movement, and helps to avoid having thin, stringy ends. The highlights are subtle and have the appearance of naturally sun kissed hair. This look is perfect for those who have long hair and think that their hair has become flat and heavy. The layers redistribute the weight without losing any length. Maintenance is simple with just routine trims to keep the ends looking fresh.

#13 A Messy Bun That Looks Like You Meant It

I have to say the wispy bangs truly complete the look. Without those bangs, this hairstyle would look like just a random bun, but the bangs really add an entire dimension. A great bang look gives a really nice outfit that extra flair and takes the outfit from too plain to really classy. Unevenness on a bun is actually a really nice feature. A bun that is too tight is just falling apart all the way and seems far more stiff than this so it gives more of an off effort appearance. Perfecting that balance really is more of an art. What I will say is that the best way to do a bun is actually to do it without a mirror. Grab all the hair and do a twist then pin it and walk away from the mirror because when you pull it around too much to fix things it looks way more like you tried than it does right now. Overall, this entire look is basically five minutes but on a few of those mornings it may take a couple minutes to get the bangs right with a foam round brush.

#14 Layers and Face-Framing Highlights That Earn Their Keep

I really appreciate the placement of these highlights. The highlights were done on the face framing strands and on the top layers so that when the hair moves, the highlights brush and looks expensive. The waves look like they would hold all day which tells me there is a good product in there, probably some sea salt spray or a light texturizing one. This spray is good for the thick to medium hair. The waves and layers also avoid that triangle shape which is the number one complaint people have when they have thick long hair. This is great for everyone and especially for people with oval faces.

#15 Caramel Highlights on Long Waves

The caramel color here is warm and not orange, which may sound like a low bar, but you wouldn’t believe how many people come to me wanting to fix caramel highlights that have gone brassy. This was done right, the warmth goes really well with the base color, and the placement is scattered enough that it won’t grow out with a harsh line. This means you can stretch your appointments a little longer. The waves look relaxed and natural rather than like a perfect curling iron job, and on fine to medium hair this kind of texture really helps with the fullness. If your hair is fine and you want this look, make sure to tell your stylist to do a balayage instead of traditional foils because it will blend better as it grows, and you won’t get that harsh regrowth stripe.

#16 Beachy Balayage That Doesn’t Look Like Everyone Else’s

I estimate that I’ve done about 1000 balayages at this point, and the ones I take the most pride in my work are the ones that look the most natural and seamless. I love when a client looks like they were born with gorgeous hair. I love how the technique gives an airy transition from the roots to the ends. It never looks blocky or obvious. With fine to medium density hair like this, the waves will not need much encouragement. A simple product scrunch and a damp hair air dry will do the trick for the soft wave look. The length is great, but you’ve got to keep up with the trims. Long, fine hair shows damage quickly and nothing ruins a good balayage like see through ends.

#17 Mid-Length Waves with Layers That Frame Without Fuss

The layers on this cut are not very extreme, however, they do make a statement. When people see this hairstyle, they may think, “My blunt cut could use some layers.” Well, those subtle layers will create movement and not make the ends look big and heavy. The subtle waves created by the layers is a fun and skillful touch. While some cuts may seem to disrupt the natural curl of the hair, this one allows the hair to fall effortlessly. I think this hair length is very nice. It is long enough to be luxurious, but not so long that it takes forever to dry and gets caught in everything. You can just forget to style it and you will look good. I think that is the biggest compliment I could give to this haircut. It looks fantastic air-dried.

#18 A Lob That Keeps Its Shape

I get a lot of convincing to do long bob (lobs), and I stand by every single one, as this length is just universally good and works with almost every face shape. It also takes about half the time to dry and style as long hair, which people always seem surprised about even though it’s obvious when you think about it. The highlights on this are used to emphasize the texture and movement through the ends, while the layering is subtle, it is also effective by preventing the shape from going boxy, which is the main risk with a blunt lob on wavy hair. If you’ve been long for years and you’re nervous about cutting, this is the transitional length I’d recommend, because it still feels substantial, you can still put it up, but it moves and behaves in a completely different way. Fine to medium hair will love this cut because it instantly looks thicker and fuller at this length.

#19 A Curly Updo with Soft Bangs for Something Special

The bangs on this cut are doing something really lovely. They’re soft and slightly parted and frame the face without creating a solid wall of bangs. With bangs for fine hair this is key because you want them to look wispy and light not heavy. The updo has that messy feel to it which I think photographs really nicely. The curls are soft and there is a bit of volume at the crown which gives it a vintage softness. For me this is a style more suited to weddings or events rather than something you could wear every day. Not because it’s too dressy, but because it’s going to be really difficult to keep the curls and volume maintained throughout a normal day of errands and life. The layering at the front pieces is what makes those bangs fall so nicely so if you are thinking of recreating this, make sure to tell your stylist to put in some face framing internal layers.

#20 A Copper Pixie with Curls That Have a Mind of Their Own

Picking a favorite color can be difficult when getting your hair done, but the new bronze color is stunning. It is just so lovely against the skin. On fair to medium skin tones, this color will be jaw droppingly gorgeous. I can see people stopping you to ask what color it is and where you got it done. The little curls in this pixie cut are an adorable touch. Each little curl is going in its own direction which gives the look of being a bit more natural and fun, as opposed to looking really fussy. If you have a natural wave or curl, this will probably be one of the easiest styles to maintain everyday. The texture will do all the lifting. Just add a bit of product to it and then just mess it all up. The copper will fade for sure, but to stretch the vibrancy between root touch ups, use a color safe shampoo and then a color depositing conditioner in copper to keep the ends bright.

#21 Half-Up Waves That Work for Almost Everything

I find myself talking about this style a lot because it suits a variety of occasions. It’s perfect for dinner, but also casual enough for a Saturday errands. Plus, it’s great for pulling your hair out of your face, which is a main priority for many of my customers. The romantic waves are soft and large, extending throughout all of the lengths. The added height at the crown of the ponytail really gives the look a lot of nice visual lift and adds height which is great if you have a round face. If your hair tends to fall flat as the day goes on, a bit of texture spray at the crown before pulling it back will help it hold its volume and defy the afternoon deflation.

#22 A Short Copper Pixie with Soft Volume at the Top

The newest addition is another copper pixie and that’s totally fine with me. This color is trending and looks awesome on short hair. I appreciate the way it looks with less hair to dilute the color. The top is really soft and feminine and not so harsh and architectural, it’s more of a tousled I just woke up like this which is more wearable for a majority of the population. Clients with fine to medium hair will give the illusion of so much more thickness because the layers build up where you need the volume. I always warn my copper clients saying the color comes with a lot of maintenance. Your roots will show faster than you expect, the tone shifts quickly, and muddy copper is the absolute worst.

#23 A Textured Bob with Warmth

This cut really showcases the type of movement we love to see! It has the ability to elevate a basic mid length cut with tons of body and visual interest. The highlights are just right; they provide the right amount of warmth to give a glow to the entire style. How the hair moves is so great! She will look different with it tucked behind her ear, and it will look different when she shakes it out, and that unpredictability is really what keeps a cut looking alive as opposed to just stagnant. I also think this could be an excellent wash-and-go style for wavy hair because this cut looks like you could put in a lightweight mousse and head out the door without any effort. It’s so low maintenance! The layering is delicate enough that if you wanted to blow it out straight, it would still look clean and intentional. This gives you a ton of range!

#24 Double Buns That Are Cuter Than They Have Any Right to Be

Although double buns are coming back, I am still a little skeptical. Each era has its own specific connotation. However, I do like the combination of double buns, soft face tendrils, and butterfly clips. It really works and is not costume-y or anything. To get this look, make sure your buns are not perfect. You’ve got to do it with an undone, relaxed look. Your hair needs to be medium thick as that is easier to create these buns since they look fuller without any need for padding. If your hair is thin and slippery, be sure to add a texturizing product so your hair stays in the bun, as well as some extra bobby pins. It looks too harsh without the face framing pieces.

#25 Shoulder-Length Auburn Waves with Bangs That Tie It All Together

The first thing that stood out to me was the rich auburn color. Its lighter highlights merged into the color added a good dimension and depth, making the waves look richer and more lively. This looks like a perfect example of color work and the cut and color working together instead of fighting for attention. The bangs are soft enough not to overwhelm a small face but still look good holding the front of the style, and the shoulder length is one of those good spots where it is long enough to feel like you have some options, but short enough to behave and not get out of control. Most people will need to help the waves along, this is easily done with a quick scrunch of a light hold product, and an encouraging hand in the damp hair (no touching drying will cause frizz). All in all this is a great everyday cut that still has enough flair to feel like a real style choice.