Now that ’90s beauty and fashion trends have returned, searches for “the Rachel haircut” have increased by a whopping 174% since Friends: The Reunion, according to beauty retailer Justmylook. Even celebs like Bella Hadid, Mariah Carey, and Selena Gomez have sported the iconic “Rachel” haircut. With the resurgence, TikTokers are going to extreme lengths to replicate the style, steaming their hair with curling irons and pinning strands back with rollers. It’s not hard to see why the hairstyle is so hot; it’s just long enough not to feel too risqué, and you can get all the shaggy volume without chopping all your hair off. But fans of the hairstyle are quickly discovering that the style is not exactly easy to recreate. Even Aniston told Marie Claire that “the ‘Rachel’ was high-maintenance…I’d curse Chris every time I had to blowdry. It took three brushes—it was like doing surgery!” she said. So what does the modern “Rachel” look like? Luckily, less heat damage, thanks to modern blow-drying hairbrushes that make the famous flick 10 times easier. While the O.G. Rachel cut was much shorter (shoulder-length) and styled with maximum volume and hairspray (think piecey), the modern version is slightly longer, softer, and has more movement, says hairstylist Luke Williams. However, it still adopts the face-framing flick from its predecessor. “The ‘Rachel’ works best on hair with a lot of layers as it will give your hair more body by surrounding your face in a heart shape and framing it perfectly,” says Williams. Some stealthily placed highlights, like the money piece, can also create depth and complement the cut nicely. For a little extra guidance, the beauty experts at Justmylook shared three simple steps on how to style the “Rachel” at home.
Step 1: Use a Volumizing Shampoo
“It’s key to make sure your hair is light and fluffy—oil can weigh your hair down so avoid leaving your hair too long between washes. Using a volumizing shampoo in the shower will be your best bet.” Try: SexyHair Big Volumizing Shampoo ($16; amazon.com).
Step 2: Apply a Serum
“After washing and while your hair is still damp, apply a couple of drops of oil or serum to give your hair a smooth texture for styling.” Try: Redken Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Oil-In Serum ($31; ulta.com).
Step 3: Blow Dry With a Round Brush
“To finish the look, blow-dry your hair over a rounded brush or with a blow-drying hairbrush.” Start with a bouffant style at the roots, drying hair upward and away from your face and creating volume as it dries. As you go down, curl your hair inwards at the ends to frame the face. Avoid straightening it as this will take away from the volume you’ve created! Try: Drybar Full Keg Boar Bristle Round Brush ($85; ulta.com); Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush ($155; amazon.com).
