The late 1990s and early 2000s saw some of the most iconic fashion of the last century. Whether it's low-rise jeans or bubblegum pink velvet tracksuits, popular pieces from this era are making a massive comeback.
Millennial beauty is having a renaissance, and with it comes the return of some iconic hairstyles! The millennial era has given us a lot of fashion and hairstyles to love, what we call y2k hairstyles. But for the younger generation trying them for the first time, the twisty part can be hard to pull off. While some millennial hairstyles may require a trip to the salon, others can be easily achieved at home!
Here are 10 best y2k hairstyles you can try and achieve at home, keep reading to learn.
Butterfly clips
Nothing exemplifies early 2000s style quite like a butterfly clip. Most original butterfly clips are metal, glitter or brightly colored plastic. These bobby pins are also versatile as they can be added to almost any hairstyle and texture.
Get creative with butterfly clips for a fun and playful look. Feel free to clip the butterfly clips at the roots to secure strands in the back, or clip them down the length of your hair. Slowly and carefully remove the butterfly skirt. If these clips are removed quickly, they can become tangled in the hair and cause hair breakage, especially for those with curly or brittle hair.
Face framing braids
Face framing braids elevate the face-shaping trend because it gives your hairstyle a 360° upgrade. It just adds a little texture and style without trying too hard. You can add these face framing baby braids to any natural hair style and it will give off an effortless cool-girl vibe in no time. To try this look at home, part your hair as you normally would, then braid the two sections and secure with a small or clear elastic.
Space buns
Space buns are so interesting. They do bring a lot of joy and whimsy into our lives and are one of the few hairstyles that instantly lift our mood. The space bun is a popular hairstyle for all hair types, especially for curls and coils. They're easier to achieve because they don't require any tools and can just be created using the natural texture of your hair. Part the hair into two sections, then tie the hair into a bun at the top of the head. This hairstyle can also be styled as a half updo by simply pulling the tops of the hair into two buns and leaving the rest of the hair loose.
Zigzag hair part
Now, a new millennial hairstyle is back: the zigzag hair part. More and more celebrities are wearing the zigzag trend. The best part about this trend resurgence is zero risk, and it goes for anything. You can wear your hair up, down, or somewhere in between. If you don't like it, you can quickly switch. To achieve this look, use the end of the comb (almost parallel to the scalp) and draw zigzags according to the part you want. Always keep the end of the comb on your scalp so your area is clean. After drawing the part with the comb tail, slowly lift the comb and clean the part.
High pigtails
Similar to a millennial-era ponytail, the taller the braid, the better. Many of the pop princesses of the early 2000s sported high braids. Try this hairstyle for a vintage look. This perky hairstyle is perfect for long hair. To create this hairstyle, part your hair in half from the center of your hairline down to the nape of your neck. Use hair ties to tie each section on the sides of the head, above ear height. Wrap a small section of hair around each headband and secure with bobby pins.
Flipped ends
For a look popular in the early 2000s and 1950s, try flipped ends. They are so simple, yet so elegant. They elevate any look. Flipping the ends of the hair also adds some dimension to the high ponytail trend. Flipped ends can be added to many looks, including ponytails, half updos, and even braids.
Spiky bun
The spiky bun was the signature hairstyle of many celebrities and models in the late 90s and early 2000s. It's even been featured in iconic movies and TV shows during this time. Spiky buns have been popping up on a lot of models lately. This updo is a simple, effortless style.
To achieve the look, start by parting hair sharply in the middle from the hairline to the nape of the neck and securing it with a rubber band towards the top of the head into a neat ponytail. Next, smooth the sides with a spoolie or brush coated with hairspray or clear gel to smooth flyaways. Then, secure the ends by twisting together the tied ponytail and looping it around, then fan it loosely around the bun.
Bubble braids
Bubble braids have been around since the early '00s. It has recently become popular among various celebrities and fashion personalities. First, tie your hair up. Then, tie a second hair tie two inches from the first. To form air bubbles, use your fingers to gently comb the space between the first and second hair bands to loosen them into a more air bubble-like shape. Repeat these steps for the rest of the ponytail, making sure to leave the same inch between each headband. If your puffs aren't big enough, try pulling some hair from between the headbands to add volume to the puffs—great y2k vibes.
Claw clips
Claw clips are the perfect hair accessory for lazy days. However, it's still very chic and stylish. What started as a millennial fashion must-have has become part of the modern day model's resting uniform. Styling your hair with claw clips is as easy as twisting the hair lengths to the back of your head and securing it with the pretty claw clips. They can make any look more stylish.
Crimped hair
Crimped hair was a must in the '90s and, we might be starting to see this come back. Crimping can look a bit silly but if done right, it can look chic and editorial. Be strategic on where to crimp, like keeping the roots sleek and only crimping the ends can look super cool, or a slick crimped ponytail can be such a vibe, too. For a modem look, work in bigger crimps versus tiny, this will create more of a beach wave look.