Some hairstyles just scream, “I haven’t updated my look since flip phones were cool.”
We’ve all seen them—the crunchy curls, the chunky highlights, the over-teased disasters that refuse to retire. They’re clinging to the past and dragging your whole vibe down with them.
But don’t panic. You don’t need a total makeover—just a little style upgrade. The right cut or color can make you look instantly fresher, more current, and 100% more you.
This list spills the truth: 10 hairstyles that are past their expiration date, and 10 modern looks that bring the heat without trying too hard.
Outdated: Bowl Cut
The bowl cut, once a staple in the 1990s, has lost its charm in today’s style arena. It often looks too structured, giving a helmet-like appearance.
This style lacks the dynamic and flow desired in modern hairstyles. Its rigid lines can make the face appear harsh and unapproachable.
While nostalgia might drive some to try the bowl cut, it rarely achieves the intended retro appeal.
A lack of layering and texture means it doesn’t complement natural hair movement. This cut is often associated with outdated trends, making it a less desirable choice today.
Try Instead: Textured Fringe
The textured fringe offers a fresh and dynamic look, perfect for adding depth and dimension to any hairstyle.
Unlike the bowl cut, it embraces layers and natural flow, creating a soft and approachable appearance. This style frames the face beautifully, enhancing natural features with an effortless charm.
It’s versatile, suiting both casual and formal occasions, and can be tailored to individual hair types.
By incorporating a fringe with texture, the hairstyle gains movement and interest, making it a popular choice for trendsetters seeking a contemporary look.
Outdated: Gel-Spiked Hair
Gel-spiked hair, a relic of the early 2000s, often appears rigid and overly styled.
The heavy use of gel can make hair look unnatural and stiff, lacking the soft, touchable quality modern styles embrace.
This hairstyle tends to exude a harsh vibe, not aligning with the current trend towards more natural and relaxed looks. It can be challenging to maintain throughout the day, as the spikes may lose their structure.
Overall, this style is viewed as dated, not aligning with the current aesthetic preferences, which favor fluidity and texture.
Try Instead: Natural Curls
Embrace the beauty of natural curls for a softer and more organic hairstyle.
Unlike gel-spiked hair, natural curls exude a relaxed and playful vibe. They’re known for their versatility and ability to frame the face gently, enhancing features with a touch of whimsy.
This hairstyle encourages individuality, allowing each curl to follow its own unique path. With the right care, curls maintain their bounce and vitality throughout the day.
It’s a style that celebrates natural beauty, aligning with the current trend towards embracing one’s natural hair texture.
Outdated: Permed Mullet
The permed mullet, a signature look of the 1980s, has fallen out of favor in modern hairstyling.
Its stark contrast between short and long sections can appear unbalanced and awkward. The tight perm adds a layer of artificiality, detracting from the natural hair movement.
This style often conjures images of outdated fashion choices and is rarely suited to contemporary looks. While some might attempt to revive it for its retro allure, it often misses the mark in today’s fashion landscape.
Its striking appearance makes it difficult to adapt to modern aesthetics.
Try Instead: Soft Waves
Soft waves provide a timeless and elegant alternative, melding classic beauty with contemporary flair.
Unlike the permed mullet, soft waves enhance natural hair texture, creating a look that’s effortlessly chic. They offer a gentle movement that complements various face shapes, adding a touch of romance and sophistication.
This style is easy to maintain and transitions beautifully from day to night.
The soft waves’ adaptability to different hair lengths and types makes it a versatile choice for anyone looking to update their hairstyle with grace and charm.
Outdated: Beehive
The beehive, a towering symbol of 1960s glamour, appears out of place in today’s streamlined hairstyling trends.
Its exaggerated height and volume can overwhelm the face, detracting from one’s natural features.
Creating a beehive requires significant effort and maintenance, often involving heavy teasing and hairspray.
This style, though iconic, feels more suited to costume parties than everyday wear.
The bold silhouette clashes with modern aesthetics, which prioritize sleekness and subtlety. As fashion evolves, the beehive’s dramatic flair no longer resonates with contemporary sensibilities.
Try Instead: Messy Bun
The messy bun is a beloved modern classic, perfect for achieving a laid-back yet stylish look.
Unlike the beehive, it embraces a relaxed, effortless charm that’s easy to create and maintain.
This hairstyle is versatile, suitable for both casual outings and more polished events.
Its appeal lies in its simplicity and adaptability, allowing for personalized touches like loose strands or subtle accessories.
The messy bun frames the face naturally, enhancing features without overwhelming them. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a chic, contemporary look with minimal fuss.
Outdated: Rat Tail
The rat tail, a peculiar trend of the 1980s, often draws mixed reactions.
It features a long, narrow strip of hair at the back, contrasting sharply with shorter surrounding hair.
This distinct style can seem unbalanced and unusual, often garnering attention for its boldness rather than its aesthetic appeal.
While some may appreciate its quirky nature, the rat tail doesn’t align with today’s trends, which favor cohesion and harmony in hairstyles.
Its unique form makes it difficult to integrate into modern looks, often being viewed as a novelty rather than a style statement.
Try Instead: Undercut with Design
An undercut with a design offers a contemporary twist, combining edgy style with creative flair.
Unlike the rat tail, this hairstyle embraces modern trends, allowing for personalized artistic expression.
The undercut’s clean lines provide a striking contrast to the design etched into the hair, creating a dynamic look.
It’s a bold choice that frames the face with precision, enhancing features with a modern edge.
This style is versatile, offering endless possibilities for customization, making it a favorite among those seeking to make a style statement while staying on trend.
Outdated: Feathered Bangs
Feathered bangs, a hallmark of the early 1990s, often appear dated in today’s hair fashion.
Their layered, wispy structure can seem disconnected from the rest of the hairstyle, creating a fragmented look. This style tends to require constant upkeep to maintain its intended shape and flow.
In contrast to modern bangs, which favor sleekness and integration, feathered bangs can detract from a cohesive appearance.
While they once complemented bold fashion statements, they now stand out as less aligned with contemporary hairstyling, which emphasizes harmony and fluidity in design.
Try Instead: Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs have surged in popularity, offering a modern and elegant alternative. They drape gracefully on either side of the face, enhancing natural features with a soft, framing effect.
Unlike feathered bangs, curtain bangs blend seamlessly with various hairstyles, adding depth and interest.
They require less maintenance, allowing for a relaxed yet polished look. This style’s versatility suits different hair lengths and textures, making it accessible for many.
Curtain bangs resonate with the current trend towards understated elegance, providing a gentle, stylish update to any hairstyle.
Outdated: Frosted Tips
Frosted tips, synonymous with the late 1990s, often evoke nostalgia but lack appeal in modern hairstyling.
The stark contrast between the bleached tips and darker roots can appear harsh and dated.
This style requires frequent touch-ups to maintain its sharp look, which may not align with today’s preference for low-maintenance elegance.
Frosted tips often feel out of sync with current trends, which favor more subtle transitions and natural tones.
While they once complemented bold, experimental styles, frosted tips now stand out as relics of a past era, lacking modern grace.
Try Instead: Balayage
Balayage offers a sophisticated and natural-looking alternative, perfect for achieving a sun-kissed effect.
Unlike frosted tips, balayage involves hand-painted highlights that blend seamlessly with the base color, creating a soft gradient.
This style enhances hair’s natural movement, adding depth and dimension without harsh lines. It requires less frequent maintenance, aligning with the trend towards effortless beauty.
Balayage is versatile, complementing various hair lengths and textures, making it a popular choice for those seeking a chic, modern look. Its elegance and subtlety resonate with today’s stylistic preferences.