Pompadour
The Pompadour was a bold and iconic 90s men’s hairstyle, characterized by voluminous hair swept upward and back from the forehead, creating a striking lift at the crown. This style balances elegance with retro flair, making it suitable for both casual and formal occasions. It requires medium to long top hair while keeping the sides shorter for contrast. Proper product application and combing technique are essential to achieve the signature height and smooth, glossy finish.
| Hair Type | Straight |
| Categories | |
| Occasion | Casual/Formal |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Styling Time | 20 minutes |
| Setting Time | 5 minutes |
| Total Time | 35 minutes |
| Hair Length | Long |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Popularity | 93/100 |
| Tags | voluminousclassiciconic |
Instructions
- 1
Start with clean, towel-dried hair and apply a generous amount of pomade or styling wax evenly throughout the top section.
- 2
Use a fine-tooth comb to lift hair at the roots and comb it backward, focusing on creating maximum volume at the crown.
- 3
Blow-dry the hair while combing to set the height and shape of the pompadour.
- 4
Shape the front section carefully, ensuring the hair sweeps back smoothly without flattening.
- 5
Use fingers or comb to define the sides and blend them into the longer top for contrast.
- 6
Apply additional product to tame flyaways and enhance shine as needed.
- 7
Optional: Spray lightly with hair spray to maintain volume and hold throughout the day.
- 8
Check the symmetry from all angles, adjusting height or sweep for balance and visual appeal.
- 9
Regular trims on the sides and back keep the style sharp while maintaining the dramatic top length.
Styling Tips
Use medium to long hair on top with shorter sides for proper contrast.
Pomade or wax should be evenly distributed to avoid clumping or flattening.
Blow-drying is essential for achieving the lifted crown typical of a pompadour.
Check the style in natural light to ensure smoothness and shine.
Optional hair spray locks the volume and holds the pompadour in place all day.
Regular trims prevent the top from becoming unruly and maintain the clean look.
More 90s Hairstyles For Men
Undercut
The Undercut is a versatile 90s men’s hairstyle that features a stark contrast between the longer top and closely cropped or shaved sides and back. Popularized in both casual and formal contexts, it allows customization to suit different head shapes and personal style preferences. Ideal for warmer seasons, it keeps the hair off the neck and sides, while the longer top provides styling flexibility, ranging from slicked-back to textured, tousled looks.
Greaser
The Greaser hairstyle experienced a 90s revival, blending midcentury nostalgia with contemporary flair. Characterized by voluminous hair slicked back from the forehead, it conveys a rebellious, “bad boy” aesthetic. Popular for evenings out and stylish daytime appearances, the look requires smooth, shiny hair with controlled volume. Achieving the Greaser style demands proper product application and precise combing to maintain a sleek, polished finish while retaining a sense of effortless attitude.
High Top
The High Top was a bold and unmistakable 90s men’s hairstyle, defined by a tall, squared silhouette that emphasized height and structure. Perfect for showcasing natural hair texture, it became iconic within hip hop culture and urban fashion scenes. This style requires precision cutting and shaping by a skilled barber to achieve clean edges and balance. The high top is attention-grabbing, offering both a stylish statement and a nostalgic nod to the era’s influential trends.
Taper Fade
The Taper Fade is a classic 90s men’s hairstyle that remains timeless and highly versatile. Characterized by a gradual reduction of hair length from the top to the sides and back, it can be tailored to suit individual head shapes and facial features. This haircut allows for creative variations, including low, mid, or high fades, combined with different top lengths and textures. Its clean lines and customizable silhouette make it suitable for both casual and formal occasions, offering a polished yet stylish appearance.
Punk Length
Punk Length was a rebellious 90s men’s hairstyle associated with the punk rock scene. It features long, untamed hair that emphasizes individuality, self-expression, and a raw, edgy aesthetic. Popularized by rockstars who grew their hair out to convey attitude and emotion, this look combines natural texture with minimal styling for a carefree, rebellious vibe. While it may appear effortless, care and proper maintenance are key to keeping hair healthy, frizz-free, and manageable.
Dreamy Volume
Dreamy Volume was a quintessential 90s men’s hairstyle, popularized by romantic comedy leading men. This style features hair swept back from the face with natural-looking volume at the crown, giving a soft, effortless, and charismatic appearance. The look balances elegance and casual appeal, making it suitable for both formal and everyday occasions. Its key feature is movement and body, achieved through careful blow-drying and light styling products, rather than stiff gels, ensuring the hair flows naturally while maintaining shape.
Grunge Hairstyle
Grunge hairstyles became synonymous with 90s music culture, inspired by icons like Kurt Cobain. Characterized by long, straight, slightly messy locks, this style radiates a rebellious, rockstar attitude. Its low-maintenance nature and effortless appeal made it a favorite among men seeking an edgy yet casual look. Wavy or curly hair can be straightened to achieve the authentic aesthetic, while naturally straight hair flows freely to capture the signature disheveled vibe of the era.
Spiky Hair
Spiky hair was a defining trend of 90s men’s hairstyles, famously worn by boy band members like the Backstreet Boys. Short to medium length hair is styled into sharp, defined spikes using pomade or gel, creating a bold, playful appearance. This style allows for easy customization with frosted tips, subtle highlights, or vibrant hair colors, adding personality and flair. Its quick styling process and eye-catching look made it a staple for young men during the decade and a nostalgic favorite today.