The Rachel Haircut Explained (with Inspiration Gallery)

Walk down memory lane as we are revisiting the iconic hairstyle that has been dubbed ‘the Rachel haircut’.

There are iconic haircuts and there is the Rachel haircut. Quite possibly the most replicated hairstyle of the ’90s, everyone who was anyone was sporting a Rachel haircut, and now it’s having a major revival with many of our favourite celebrities yet again.

So what is the Rachel haircut? The voluminous shoulder-length style with long layers was popularised in the ’90s after Jennifer Anniston’s character Rachel Green in hit US TV show Friends.

While we may have loved Monica Geller‘s humidity hair (Google it if you don’t know) and Phoebe Buffay‘s bohemian curls, there is no denying that the Rachel Green haircut was the standout look from the show.

The original Rachel haircut

Rachel haircut: Jennifer Aniston with shoulder length volume bob with long layers and side fringe 90s hairstyle. — The look that has inspired millions of women. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Jennifer Aniston sported many a good hairstyle in her role as Rachel Green, from straight and sleek styles to her flicked out bob, solidifying her credentials as a hair idol. However, with all those other lovely hairstyles, nothing has quite come close to this beauty.

Rachel haircut: Jennifer Aniston with shoulder length brown highlighted hair with long layers wearing a black dress in front of a red backdrop — ’90s throwback from head to toe. Credit: Instagram.com/eugeneberkowitz

The combination of striking blonde highlights against her medium brown hair, a side parting and all those face-framing layers has been a recipe for universal success. Don’t believe us? See who else has tried the style in more recent times, below. Credit: @eugeneberkowitz

Hailey Baldwin

Kicking off the revival was Hailey Baldwin. The model recently went for the chop, sporting the ever popular long bob, but what makes this style very Rachel Green-inspired is the relaxed side parting and shag-like finish.

Editor’s tip: To get Hailey’s effortless waves, we suggest using the TONI&GUY Sea Salt Texturising Spray as this non-sticky formula will help you create tousled texture all over, without the crunchy feel.

Jennifer Lopez

For her 46th birthday, Jennifer Lopez went for a fresh new look and gave the Rachel haircut the diva seal of approval. The choppy layers and flicked out tips give the iconic style a uniquely modern feel.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Queen of the long bob, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley went for what we at All Things Hair call the ‘Rachel haircut 2.0′.

Rosie’s blonde highlights and feather-like layers add definition and volume to her tresses, for a seriously enviable style. Because as we all know, volume is essential in replicating the Rachel haircut.

Editor’s tip: Are you looking for a product to plump up flat tresses? For natural-looking volume that doesn’t weigh hair down, we love the VO5 Big Volume Mousse.

With heat defence helping to protect against damage caused by heat-styling tools, this volume-boosting mousse is key to creating the Rachel.

Sofia Richie

19-year-old Sofia Richie would have only been very young when Friends was at its peak, but still, the model has been inspired by the iconic looks from the show and is the latest star to join the Rachel haircut line-up! Honestly, we can’t blame her.

Her bob-length blonde hair perfectly frames her heart-shaped face and that undone texture gives the look a natural finish.

More '90s Hair Inspo