"The Rachel" Haircut Is a '90s Classic That We Can't Get Enough Of

When you hear the name Jennifer Aniston, what comes to mind? Sure, there’s a chance you're seeing scenes from The Morning Show or [insert romcom here], but most likely, images of Rachel Green rise to the surface. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Friends and Rachel’s quirky-cute personality on the sitcom, you’re almost definitely aware of "The Rachel," the women’s haircut inspired by Aniston's character that single-handedly defined the ‘90s.

Although it's been a while since "The Rachel" first premiered, the iconic haircut is still proving its relevance. Influencers like Matilda Djerf, Kaitlin Davis, and Shay Sullivan—as well as Aniston herself— have stepped out in "The Rachel" revived. So, if you’ve been on the hunt for a new ‘do, keep reading to discover why "The Rachel" hairstyle might just be the perfect look for you.  

What Is "The Rachel" Haircut?

"The Rachel" is an iconic 1990s haircut characterized by voluminous, shoulder-grazing strands with lots of layers. “The reason this haircut keeps coming back is because it’s a classic,” says celebrity stylist and R+Co co-founder Garren. 

"The Rachel" falls right between a bob and a lob in terms of length, but it’s the unique layering that makes it really stand out. “You can cut the layers anywhere from the cheekbone to the jawline to frame the face, leaving fewer layers in the back so that you still have volume and movement,” Garren says. “This works really great for thin/fine hair because it gives the look that you have more layers in your hair, without making it look too thin.” 

It’s because of this that Garren says "The Rachel" looks so alluring on Aniston. “The reason this haircut worked so well for Jennifer Aniston—back then and today—is because it’s the perfect haircut for the texture of her hair,” he explains. “That’s the most important part of asking for this haircut.”

Who It's For

"The Rachel" is a cut that works best on fine, straight hair, as the layering technique creates the illusion of major volume. “I wouldn’t cut this style on someone who has really, really curly hair,” Garren admits, noting that all the layers can create an unexpected, unintended shape.

Asking Your Stylist for "The Rachel"

Given "The Rachel" is so iconic, Arcadia Salon hairstylist and colorist Theo Pettway says that simply asking for “The Rachel” or “‘90s layers” should be enough. If you want to offer more in-depth instructions, Pettway says to request “short cascading face-framing layers accompanied by shorter round layering throughout the hair.” Still, it helps to bring photos to show the stylist what you're talking about.

If you rely on the photo method, IGK Hair Care co-founder Aaron Grenia says to bring a few pics if possible. “When getting a haircut, be sure to bring inspiration photos as there are many lengths and techniques for this style,” he explains. “You’ll want to decide on your desired length around the face, as those layers will determine the foundation for this cut.” And even if you bring several photos, you should still have one of the "exact style that you want to achieve so your stylist has a visual guide," adds Garren.

How to Style "The Rachel" at Home

The short, round layers of "The Rachel" can look beautifully bouncy, but you have to know how to style them for that renowned result. “Use a medium-to-large round brush,” says Pettway, who is also a Davines regional master trainer. “Roll the front of your hair towards your face and roll the top part away from your face. You can choose to flip out the bottom or style it under.”

No time to fumble with a round brush and dryer? Celebrity hairstylist Anastasia Stylianou says to streamline the process with a Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler. “You need to aim for loads of volume and lift at the roots,” she explains. “Blast your hair until it’s around 98 percent dry and then use a Dyson Airwrap with the [barrel attachment], then shake it out.” While you may be used to drying your hair back away from your face, Stylianou says that, with "The Rachel," transitioning inward works best. 

For a modern take on "The Rachel," take a butterfly cut approach. “Set your hair with large electric rollers, that would flick away hair from your face,” says Garren. (If you’re concerned about heat damage, velcro rollers are a popular pick too.)

Picking the Right Products

Knowing how to style "The Rachel" is definitely helpful, but without volumizing products to enhance hold on the fine or thin hair types the cut works best on, the va-va-voom will quickly fall flat. With that in mind, Grenia says to invest in high-quality volumizing products designed to maximize lift and bounce.