The year 2000, also known as Y2K, brought with it a massive cultural shift.
Fashion and beauty trends from the late 90s and early 2000s have come back in a big way, with Gen Z embracing the nostalgic styles of 20 years ago.
One of the biggest Y2K trends making a comeback is hairstyles.
What Are Y2K Hairstyles?
Y2K hairstyles refer to the popular hair trends during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
This era was known for experimenting with hair, from chunky highlights to intricate updos. Y2K style is bold, retro, and playful.
Some key characteristics of Y2K hair include:
– Butterfly clips and vibrant hair accessories
– Crimped or waved hair texture
– Streaky or chunky highlights
– Wispy or face-framing tendrils
– Half-up styles with tendrils hanging down
– Super straight and sleek styles
– Literal headbands worn across the forehead
– Tiny braids and twist styles
The Y2K period was a time when everyone let loose and had fun expressing themselves through fashion and beauty.
Keep reading for 13 of the best Y2K hairstyles you can rock this year!
Crimped Hair
One of the most iconic Y2K hairstyles was crimped hair.
This trend involved using a crimping iron to zig-zag small waves into the hair, creating a waved and almost zig-zagged texture.
The crimped look was often done all over the head for a shaggy, voluminous style. But it also looked cute just crimping the mid-lengths and ends.
To get the crimped Y2K look, start by washing and heat protecting your hair.
Apply mousse for texture and volume. Divide hair into sections and use a crimping iron to press in waves.
Run fingers through the crimps to break them up and add volume.
Finish with hairspray to lock in the style. Part your hair down the middle or offset for that true 90s look.
Butterfly Clips
What’s more Y2K than a set of butterfly clips?
These ’90s hair accessories were a staple in every girl’s collection.
They came in shiny colors and iridescent metallics. You could wear one clipped on each side of your head or scatter them throughout your hair.
Butterfly clips are such a fun way to accessorize your hairstyle.
They look great with braids, ponytails, half-up styles, and loose hair. Go for colorful metallic shades like pink, blue, purple, and green.
For a coordinating look, match your butterfly clips to your eye makeup or outfit.
Wearing two butterfly clips on either side of your head is the quintessential way to style them. But you can also take smaller clips and decorate braids, twists, and ponytails. Clip them wherever you want to add a playful focal point.
Chunky Highlights
Chunky highlights were another trend that peaked in the early 2000s.
Unlike subtle highlights, chunky highlights were applied in thick, bold stripes to instantly lighten and brighten the hair. The contrast created dimension and shape.
To recreate this look, get bright chunky highlights using foils.
Ask your stylist for thick strips of bleach applied strategically throughout the head for dramatic contrast.
Focus lighter pieces around the face and eyes to illuminate your features.
You can do chunky highlights with any hair color, but stark contrasts work best. Think platinum pieces paired with dark brown hair, or auburn highlights on black hair.
Pair chunky highlights with straight sleek hair to let the color stand out.
Or add waves to show off the different tones in your hair. This retro highlighting technique is bold and eye-catching for a true Y2K beauty look.
Face-Framing Tendrils
Having a few wispy tendrils hanging down to frame your face was a popular hairstyle tactic in the 90s and 2000s. It softened and accentuated the features beautifully.
They worked with updos, half-up styles, and letting your hair down.
You can recreate this look by leaving out two longer sections of hair in the front as you pull your hair back. Curl the tendrils with a curling iron or flexi rod for extra volume and bounce.
You want the tendrils to be lightweight and flowy, so avoid anything stiff or too structured.
Let the tendrils graze your cheekbones, drawing attention to your eyes and smile. Feel free to accentuate them further with some subtle highlights.
Face-framing tendrils give a romantic, carefree vibe just like Y2K-era beauty.
Half-Up Pigtails
Half-up pigtails are such a playful way to rock Y2K style.
You leave half your hair down while gathering the top into cute pigtails. This style works on all hair lengths and textures. It manages to be both practical and fun at once.
Start by parting clean, dry hair down the middle.
Apply product like mousse for grip and texture. Brush the top half neatly into a high ponytail, secured halfway back on your head. Then split into two equal pigtails. Curl the ponytails for extra bounce.
You can tie fluffy scrunchies around each to complement the look. Scatter some butterfly clips along the pigtails and throughout the loose hair for added Y2K flair.
Half-up pigtails are girly and on-trend when you want your hair out of your face.
The Rachel Cut
While the Rachel haircut rose to fame in the 90s thanks to Jennifer Aniston’s character on Friends, it was still going strong in the early 2000s.
This iconic cut featured lots of choppy layers framing the face, emphasizing volume and movement.
To recreate the Rachel, ask your stylist for a medium length layered cut grazing the shoulders. Add in feathery layers and angles around the face.
Style with a blowout using a round brush to flip the ends out. The key is lots of bounce, volume, and soft layers around the jaw and eyes.
Pair your Rachel cut with some chunky highlights to complete the Y2K look.
This cut is perfect for adding body and dimension to medium length hair. Upgrade it with some blonde highlights for that sun-kissed, California girl style.
Straight and Sleek
Slick, glossy straight hair defined Y2K era style.
Using flat irons to get perfectly sleek and smooth hair was all the rage. The straighter the better.
To get this look, start by applying a nourishing hair oil to condition.
Then blow dry hair with a paddle brush pulling the strands taut. Flat iron sections slowly from roots to ends. Use a comb to ensure every piece is super straight.
Finish with a glossing serum for mirror-like shine. Part down the middle or opt for a side part. Avoid volume and go for pin-straight locks. For added panache, use colored wax to spike the ends out slightly.
Sleek, glossy hair was a hallmark of 2000s divas like Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez.
Headband Styles
Wearing a headband across your forehead was a trendy Y2K hair accessory. The headbands slid on like a crown and could be plastic, metal, or fabric.
They came in every color and added a funky focal point.
You can rock a literal headband on its own over loose hair, or accessorize with it. Try weaving metal or fabric headbands into braids, ponytails, and buns.
Place it further back on your head for a double headband look.
Headbands work with straightened styles or big, voluminous curls. Have fun mixing and matching colors to your outfit.
Decorative headbands are a super easy way to accessorize for a quick Y2K throwback moment.
Low Ponytails
Slick, low ponytails were everywhere circa 2000.
They looked great on the red carpet, at school, or running errands. The lower placement elongated the neck and added sophistication.
To recreate Y2K low ponytails, start by sleeking hair back with gel.
Smooth any flyaways and gather into a low tail just above the nape of the neck. Wrap the elastic twice for extra hold.
Then wrap hair around the base to hide the band.
For added flair, spiral the length of the ponytail. Or, curl the ends under. Side part your hair severely for dramatic effect.
This versatile look works on all hair lengths and types. Amp it up with chunky blonde highlights throughout for dimension.
Topknot Bun
The topknot bun was a casual updo trend in the 90s that carried over big into the 2000s.
It involved sweeping all your hair cleanly up into a messy knotted bun atop your head. Topknots look great with jeans and tees or little dresses.
To get this look, part your dry hair deeply and spritz with texture spray. Brush it smoothly into a very high ponytail almost near the crown of your head.
Twist the ponytail and coil it into a rounded messy bun, securing with pins.
Pull out a few pieces around the hairline and nape for a tousled effect.
Topknot buns work on all hair types and textures. They also pair well with wispy tendrils left out to frame your features. This throwback updo is stylish in its nonchalant vibe.
Y2K Space Buns
Space buns were updated with a spunky Y2K spin in the 2000s.
These playful buns were set up high on each side of the head for a futuristic look. They work on short to long hair.
Part clean dry hair into two sections. On each side, apply gel to slick back into a sleek high bun. Wrap a hair tie twice around each one to secure. Fan out the front pieces for volume.
Add circles of colored hair tinsel wrapped around one or both buns.
Space buns are so versatile. Make them perfect and polished or messy with flyaways. Add butterfly clips or gemstones for galactic flair.
This retro sci-fi take on space buns screams Y2K in the most fun way.
Tiny Braids and Twists
Micro braids and twists were popular in the early 2000s for their cool, futuristic vibe. You would only braid a few small sections rather than the whole head.
When combined with loose hair it created an interesting dimension.
Start by parting out tiny 1-inch square sections in the front. Apply a creamy styler like mousse for hold. Braid each section into a 3-strand plait, securing with clear elastic.
Keep them tight and tiny. Pair with big loose curls or waves in the rest of your hair.
For extra flair, add beads or charms to the ends of your braids.
Or, knot the hair tinsel trend around a few. Tiny braids are an easy way to test drive this Y2K trend without a major commitment. They add edgy detail you can switch up daily.
90s Curtain Bangs
Though curtain bangs came back in a big way recently, they originated in the 90s and were still going strong during the Y2K era.
These wispy swooped bangs framed the face in a retro chic way that manages to still look modern.
To style 90s curtain bangs, ask your stylist to cut longer curved fringe that parts deeply to one side. Style them brushed across your forehead and tucked behind one ear. Pair with chunky highlights or crimped waves in the lengths.
The key is light, airy fringe that won’t overwhelm your features.
Avoid anything too dense or blunt. Go for breezy face-framers. Amp up the volume with round-brush blowouts. Part them on the opposite side for an asymmetrical look.
Curtain bangs flatter all face shapes.
Y2K trends have come full circle and are dominating modern fashion and beauty. These 13 hairstyles prove the early 2000s were full of inspiration we can recreate today for a bold, nostalgic vibe..
Have fun with these playful hairstyles and make them your own.
The beauty of Y2K style is anything goes, from sci-fi space buns to 60s-inspired flipping hair.
Hair is the ultimate form of self expression, so enjoy taking this retro trend and creating your own version.
The early 2000s were groundbreaking and experimental when it came to beauty.
So embrace that spirit and find your favorite throwback look to rock this year.
