’90s rom-com hair is back, and we’re not mad at it. Want that coiffed, limo-ready look? Take a seat.

Words: Nellie Eden 17th June 2022

The endless fascination with American colleges for us Brits knows no bounds. Those plastic red cups at house parties, corsages, limos, the elaborate ends high schoolers go to to bag a date for the big dance. The average US family spends $919 on prom, while we can only live vicariously through the John Hughes back catalogue. Or can we?

Here at THE FACE, we’ve been charting a spike in pop princess hair – curls, pins, coils and butterfly clips abound. It’s impossible not to be won over by the Cruel Intentions styles, and who isn’t interested in cultivating a coquettish, loosely-coiled strand of hair to frame the face? It’s an art form, not to be casually attempted with a few Bobby pins and a Tangle Teezer. The vibe is effortless, but the look is not. Think Mena Suvari’s hair during the bath scene in American Beauty. Interested? Here’s the best of the high school hair on the internet to try at home.

The first entry comes from a freshly-bleached Kim Kardashian. Not long from her turn as the century’s most famous busty blonde, Marilyn Monroe, at this year’s Met, Kim’s been keeping the centrefold hair front and centre. Pictured here at this year’s biggest emo wedding between her sister Kourtney and Travis Barker, Kim’s gone for glam at the front and grunge at the back (in an ode to Kravis, you could say). A centre parting with two sizeable fringe-framing pieces at the front, the back is more messily-teased and brushed-out curls add volume. Try starting with a scraped-back bun, leaving two pieces at the front. Tease the back out and pin pieces that fall loose to create an effortless voluminous bun. Tong the front sections to your heart’s desire.

What you’ll need: Dry shampoo Tail comb Bobby pins Clear plastic ties

Influencer Morgan Ashley takes the prom look up a notch. Her loose braids have been coiled and stacked tightly into a scalp-covering build at the back, giving the effect of miniature Bantu knots in perfect position. Her centre parting is arrow straight, baby hairs are laid and some essential flyaways are teased to perfection.

What you’ll need: Baby edge hair styler Hair edge gel A fine comb Clear plastic ties Bobby pins Hair gel Hair spray

Hairfluencer (yes, really) Victoria Sharp takes the ball-worthy look into the future. Her red pixie cut with visible roots has been parted, brushed, gelled and sealed into position. The flapper style two-part fringe gives the front sex appeal. She’s embellished her centre parting and top sections with graphic shapes and tiny little flowers. Ambitious, but well worth the time.

What you’ll need: Semi permanent red hair tint Hair gems Hair spray Fine tooth comb

US-based writer Mellany Sanchez provides pure nostalgia with her zigzag parting (remember those?) and fully bundled batch of curls at the back of the head. You’ll need to start with the parting, before tying the hair up and working on super-defined ringlets before securing the curls in place. This will work best on shoulder-length hair. Tongs at the ready!

What you’ll need: Tail comb Ringlet curlers Hair spray Hair ties

The slo-mo fringe flick that broke the internet. Here, we observe Bella doing what she knows best on the red carpet at Cannes this year. The hair is the result of a long term creative collaboration between Bella and hair stylist Evanie Frausto. The back is a coiled, impeccable plait. The sides are flat to the head: the fringe bit hangs in the centre, before being delicately tossed aside. A modern, slick update on graduation locks that we didn’t even know we needed.

What you’ll need: Tail comb Hair pomade Hair brush Dry shampoo Hair ties

got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray

In Your Dreams butterfly hair gems In Your Dreams satyr face and body gems

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