How to Get a Bouncy, ’90s-Style Blowout in 4 Easy Steps

February 21, 2023

By: Jordan Julian | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

ICYMI, some of this year’s hottest beauty trends are plucked straight from the ’90s. From the supermodel mani to the grunge makeup revival, ’90s nostalgia is dominating our Instagram and TikTok feeds. And the throwback sensibility is starting to inform hair trends, too. Blowouts are getting bigger and bouncier, inspired by the bombshell beauty vibes that defined the decade. We tapped Matrix Global Artistic Director Michelle O’Connor to share her tips on how to get the perfectly fluffy, voluminous ’90s-style blowout, so you can try it for yourself at home.

The ’90s blowout has been trending since the fall, with #90sblowout racking up 174 million views on TikTok as a testament to the popularity of the look. You can customize the blowout to your personal preferences, whether you like the look of cascading barrel curls or you prefer to blow your hair mostly straight with curled ends. But the main feature of the ’90s blowout is major volume. Imagine the famous supermodels of the era and their fluffy, bombshell manes.

“People are wanting more effortless hairstyles,” explains O’Connor, regarding the newfound popularity of this look. “Last year, the styles were more about severe, sharp, strong styles.” The soft, bouncy volume of the ’90s blowout is a stark contrast. Plus, you only need a few tools to recreate it yourself. Reach for either a standard blow dryer and a round brush, or an all-in-one styling brush. “For extra volume and hold, Velcro or hot rollers are a great option for when you are getting ready to go out, leaving them in until you are about to head out the door,” adds O’Connor.

How to Do the ’90s Blowout Hairstyle

Step 1: Wash Your Hair

“Start out by washing and conditioning with products that aren’t heavy and won’t weigh your hair down,” advises O’Connor. “I recommend Matrix’s High Amplify Shampoo and Conditioner for volume.” If you have naturally fine hair and need a little bit of a boost, we also like the Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Thickening Shampoo.

Step 2: Section Off Your Hair

Next, you’ll want to divide your hair into sections to make sure you don’t miss any areas when you’re blow drying. Before you go in with your blow dryer, towel dry your hair to get rid of any excess water.

Step 3: Start Styling

“Use a round brush or all-in-one styling brush to achieve the bouncy, supermodel look,” says O’Connor. Section by section, dry your hair upwards to add volume and use the round brush or styling brush to give it some curl. “For maximum volume, reach for Velcro rollers as you are blow drying to style a few front pieces to frame the face,” she recommends.

Step 4: Finish With Hairspray

Lock your stunning, voluminous look in place with some hairspray. O’Connor recommends the Matrix Fixer Hairspray.

Photo: @surrealbeautynashville; Design: Juliana Campisi