There is something irresistibly nostalgic about the big, bouncy blowouts that defined the 90s, and the trend has been making a serious comeback lately. This is hair with confidence, hair that takes up space, hair that looks like it just walked out of a glamorous salon appointment. The good news is you don’t need a professional to get that iconic volume and bounce at home, just the right brush, some heat, and a few tricks that have stood the test of time. Whether your hair is thick, fine, straight, or wavy, there is a version of the 90s blowout here that will work for your texture and give you that unmistakable retro glam finish.
1. The Classic Rounded Under Curl
This is the quintessential 90s blowout that started it all, with the ends of the hair curled smoothly under to create a rounded, polished shape. Use a large barrel round brush and dry small sections at a time, rolling the ends under as you go. A volumizing mousse applied to damp hair before you start gives the roots enough lift to support the weight of the curled ends. This look pairs beautifully with a middle or slight side part and works on medium to long hair lengths especially well.
2. Flipped Out Ends
The flip is the flirty cousin of the rounded under curl, with the ends curled outward and away from the face instead of tucking under. Use your round brush to roll the ends outward at the very last pass while blow drying, holding the heat for a few extra seconds to set the direction. A light hairspray locks the flip in place once you’re done, since this shape tends to relax faster than curling under. This style has a playful, confident energy perfect for a night out. If you love hairstyles with lots of texture and movement, be sure to check out our Curly Wolf Cut Hairstyle Ideas for more bold and effortlessly stylish looks.
3. Big Root Volume With Sleek Ends
For maximum drama, focus all your volume at the roots while keeping the rest of the hair smooth and straight. Blow dry your roots upward using a round brush lifted away from the scalp, then flat iron the mid lengths and ends for a sleek finish. A root lifting spray applied before drying gives lasting height that holds through the day. This combination of big roots and sleek ends captures that iconic exaggerated 90s silhouette perfectly.
4. Full Body Bouncy Waves
This style takes the bounce beyond just the ends, creating full waves throughout the entire length of the hair for maximum movement and volume. Use a large curling iron or hot rollers to curl the whole head in large sections, then brush through gently with a paddle brush to blend the curls into soft, bouncy waves. A shine spray finishes the look with that glossy, healthy finish so associated with 90s hair. This works beautifully for special occasions or anytime you want serious volume.
5. The Blown Out Bob With Curled Ends
Shorter hair gets the full 90s treatment too with a bob styled using the same rounded curl under technique on a shorter length. This creates a rounded, bell like shape that bounces beautifully with movement. Blow dry with a medium round brush, rolling the ends under as you dry each section. A flexible hold hairspray keeps the curl without making the bob feel stiff, allowing it to bounce naturally throughout the day.
6. Feathered Face Framing Layers
Feathered layers around the face, curled outward with a round brush, create that classic 90s frame that draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones. Focus your round brush technique specifically on the layers closest to your face, rolling them away from your features for a soft, flattering curve. A texturizing spray through the mid lengths adds a bit of grip to help the feathered pieces hold their curl throughout a long day or night out.
7. High Volume Crown With Curled Length
This style combines two signature 90s elements, a lifted crown and curled length, into one cohesive look. Backcomb the crown section lightly before smoothing the top layer over it, then curl the remaining length under with a round brush while blow drying. A strong hold volumizing spray at the roots keeps the lift from collapsing throughout the day. This combination creates serious height and movement that feels unmistakably retro glam.
8. Sleek Center Part With Curled Bounce
A precise middle part paired with bouncy curled ends creates a polished contrast between structure at the top and movement at the bottom. Part your hair evenly down the center, smooth the top section flat, then curl the length under using a large round brush and blow dryer. A smoothing serum applied to the part line before styling keeps flyaways under control while the ends do all the bouncing. This look is a timeless favorite for both work and evening events.
9. Voluminous Blowout With A Deep Side Part
A deep side part adds instant drama to a voluminous blowout, giving one side extra height and fullness that reads as glamorous and intentional. Blow dry with a round brush, focusing extra lift on the fuller side of the part before curling the ends under throughout. A volumizing powder at the roots on the fuller side helps maintain the height for hours. This asymmetrical approach to the classic blowout gives the whole look a slightly more modern edge.
10. The Supermodel Blowout
This is the ultimate glam version of the 90s blowout, inspired by the runway hair of that era, with maximum volume, shine, and movement throughout the entire length. Dry your hair upside down first for lift at the roots, then flip back over and use a large round brush to curl sections under while blow drying. Finish with a heavy dose of shine spray for that glossy, camera ready finish. This look works best for special occasions given the extra time and product it requires.
11. Curly Blowout With Diffused Ends
For naturally curly hair, achieving the 90s blowout look means embracing the curl while adding extra volume through diffusing rather than fully straightening. Apply a volumizing curl cream to damp hair and diffuse upside down at the roots for lift, then flip over and finish diffusing the rest. This creates big, bouncy curls that channel that same retro glam energy without needing to fight your natural texture with a flat iron.
12. The Wavy Blowout With Loose Curls
A slightly more relaxed take on the 90s blowout uses loose waves instead of tight, structured curls, giving the style a softer, more effortless bounce. Use a large barrel curling iron to curl random sections loosely, then brush through with a paddle brush to blend everything into soft waves. A light volumizing mousse applied beforehand adds body without the stiffness that can come with heavier styling products. This version works well for daytime wear when you still want volume without full glam.
13. Blunt Bangs With A Curled Blowout
Pairing blunt, full bangs with a voluminous curled blowout creates a striking contrast between the sharp fringe and the soft bounce of the rest of the hair. Blow dry the bangs flat and smooth with a small round brush, then focus your curling technique on the length behind them. A flat iron pass over just the bangs after drying ensures they stay perfectly smooth while the rest of the hair bounces freely. This combination feels distinctly retro and full of personality.
14. Voluminous Half Up With Curled Length
This style takes the classic 90s blowout and adds a half up element, pulling the top section back while leaving the curled length to bounce freely below. Curl the entire head first using a round brush and blow dryer, then gather the top section and secure it with a covered elastic, leaving a bit of a bump at the crown for extra volume. This look works beautifully for events where you want your hair partially pulled back but still full of movement.
15. Sleek Roots With Cascading Curls
Keeping the roots completely sleek and smooth while letting the rest of the hair cascade into full, bouncy curls creates a striking contrast that feels both polished and glamorous. Flat iron the first few inches of hair close to the scalp, then curl the remaining length with a large round brush while blow drying. A anti frizz serum keeps the sleek section shiny and smooth throughout the day, letting the curled length do all the visual work.
16. The Bouncy Lob Blowout
The long bob gets the full 90s treatment with a rounded, curled under finish that gives this shorter length serious bounce and movement. Blow dry with a medium to large round brush, curling the ends under in sections as you work around your head. A volumizing spray at the roots before you start adds lift that helps balance the weight of the curled ends. This length is a great option for anyone wanting the blowout look without committing to longer hair.
17. High Shine Glossy Blowout
Shine was just as important as volume in the 90s, and this version leans heavily into that glossy, healthy looking finish. Use a shine enhancing oil on the mid lengths and ends before blow drying, then curl the ends under with a round brush for that signature bounce. Finish with a light mist of shine spray once styling is complete. This look photographs beautifully and captures that polished, magazine cover quality that defined the era’s most iconic hairstyles.
18. The Curtain Bangs Blowout
Curtain bangs paired with a full voluminous blowout create a soft, face framing effect that feels distinctly nostalgic while still working well today. Curl the curtain pieces away from the face with a small round brush, then continue the curling technique through the rest of the length. A light hold hairspray keeps the framing pieces in their curved shape throughout the day. This combination balances soft, romantic framing with serious volume everywhere else.
19. Voluminous Ponytail With Curled Ends
Even a ponytail can get the full 90s blowout treatment by curling the entire length before pulling it back. Blow dry and curl your whole head first using a round brush, then gather it into a high or low ponytail, leaving the curled shape intact rather than smoothing it flat. A texturizing spray at the base of the ponytail adds grip and helps maintain volume at the crown. This style offers all the bounce of a full blowout with the convenience of being pulled back.
20. Soft Volume For Fine Hair
Fine hair can absolutely achieve the 90s blowout look with the right prep work focused on building volume from the roots up. Apply a lightweight volumizing mousse to damp hair before blow drying upside down for lift, then use a small to medium round brush to curl the ends under. Avoid heavy products that can weigh fine hair down, opting instead for a light finishing spray. This approach gives fine hair textures serious bounce without looking flat or greasy by the end of the day.
21. Dramatic Volume For Thick Hair
Thick hair has the natural density to really lean into the most dramatic version of the 90s blowout, with serious volume and bounce throughout the entire length. Section hair into smaller pieces than you might think necessary to ensure even heat distribution and full curl formation with your round brush. A heat protectant spray is essential given the extended blow drying time thick hair requires. This texture can handle the boldest, biggest version of this trend without any extra volumizing products needed.
22. The Retro Glam Updo Blowout
For a special occasion take on this trend, curl your entire head using the classic round brush blowout technique, then gather the top section into a glamorous half updo, pinning it at the crown for extra height. Leave the curled length to cascade down freely below the pinned section. A strong hold hairspray keeps both the pinned portion and the curled length looking polished throughout an event. This combination captures the full drama of 90s glam hair in one cohesive style.
Conclusion
The 90s blowout has earned its comeback with good reason, offering serious volume, bounce, and shine that feels both nostalgic and completely current. From sleek roots with cascading curls to full supermodel level glam, these 90s blowout ideas cover every hair length and texture so you can bring a bit of that iconic era into your own routine. Experiment with your round brush technique and favorite volumizing products to find the version that suits your hair best, and enjoy channeling that unmistakable big hair confidence anytime you want.
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