Hair can be a barometer of the times and nothing conjures up memories of the Spice Girls, Mandy Moore and Brandy than the spiky ’90s bun.
Buns have never exactly been relegated to the beauty back catalogue but the latest iterations have certainly been the most lust worthy. The knotted ballerina bun was this summer’s coolest hairstyle, having stolen the crown from the tiered bun and twist-knot bun. And now that Y2K hair is cool again, buns of all shapes and sizes had a serious moment on the SS23 catwalks. The loop bun was one of the most sought-after looks of London Fashion Week while the low bun was a staple in New York.
Celebrities are embracing throwback Noughties-era beauty, too, with the likes of Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo leading the charge. Bella Hadid, another staunch fan, has rocked the spiky ’90s updo with razor-thin brows in the past.
And only a few days ago, Megan Thee Stallion jumped on the spiky bun trend, too. The rapper styled her velvet red hair into a sleek side fringe and ballerina bun, with thick dramatic spikes protruding out of the sides.
Now Bebe Rexha has given the hair style her stamp of approval by donning a spiky ’90s bun in her latest music video for “I’m Good” – and just like that, it’s become our latest obsession.
According to hair stylist Pete Burkill, who created Bebe’s look on set, it was the perfect opportunity to tap into the ‘90s and early 00s aesthetic. “If you look at the music video there are various scenes; you have the glamorous yacht, where the hair is flowing in the wind and the villa with the casual ’90s Pammy up-do. So for the performance scene, where she’s wearing this incredible blue latex catsuit and really graphic eye makeup, we really wanted the hair to reflect the noughties but with a 2022 vibe.”
The look is defined by a high bun, an ultra-sleek finish and a spiky top knot. Better still, it couldn’t be easier to recreate at home. “The look is actually based on three ponytails,” Pete explains. “Leaving the fringe section out, create one ponytail that is pulled up to the centre of the head, just below the crown, and then create two further ponytails directly below each other.
“Twist each ponytail until it coils back on itself and secure into place with bobby pins, leaving the ends of the hair out,” he continues. “This is what will create your spiked finish.”
Pete sprayed the fringe section with Sasha Juan Strong Control Spray and brushed it behind the ear, securing it with a bobby pin until the hair had set. He then misted the ends with a heat protectant and hair spray before using the GHD Platinum + “to form a defined spiky finish,” he says.
Given the bun is the focal point, you will need to have bob-length hair at the very least, or longer strands. “The amount of hair you leave out at the end of the twist is what creates the spike,” Pete notes. “As long as you have enough hair, you’ll be able to create your own version of this look.”
If you have naturally curly or Afro textured hair and are worried about how to create the spikes, don’t be. The spiky 90s bun can be customised to suit all hair types and looks seriously cute with ringlets, too. “One option is to smooth your hair out with straighteners,” says Pete. “Alternatively, I’d recommend leaving your hair natural. Spritz on a little Sam McKnight Modern Hairspray and have fun creating your own textured variation of the look.”
