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These millennial hairstyles are cool enough for edgy Gen Z.

5 Millennial Generation Hair Trends That Are Gen Z-Approved

Trends always find their way back! These millennial generation hairstyles are cool enough for edgy Gen Z.

October 1, 2022
Read Time: 3 Minutes

Side-Swept Bangs>

Layered Hair with Highlights>

The Cool Bob>

Glam Pigtails>

Rockstar Mullet>


Hair trends from the millennial generation are back in style, and Gen Z trendsetters are eating them up. It was an era dominated by pop-punk sensibilities, iconic coming-of-age films, and MTV. And the hairstyles were eclectic and rebellious. Being different wasn’t trendy. It just was. Think Baby Spice space buns, Christina Aguilera braids, and several variants of The Rachel. Here are some of the most popular revivals.

Side-Swept Bangs

Woman with long blonde hair in a white dress
Sydney Sweeney styles her blonde hair with side-swept bangs.

The big debate over hair parts is over. Side-swept bangs, a style popularized by the millennial generation, has the Sydney Sweeney seal of approval. Almost every Gossip Girl character and most country singers on the OG Americal Idol had this ultimate girl-next-door style. Keep your bangs in place with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum, which removes frizz and boosts shine.

Layered Hair with Highlights

Woman with long hair and highlights wearing a black shirt
Highlights are flattering across all generations, as seen on Emilia Jones.

The ‘90s was the peak of the world’s love affair with highlights. They came in different variations: chunky, stringy, dirty, ombré. Mary Kate and Ashely Olsen once wore matching one sin New York Minute, a movie dubbed as the origin of every Gen Z trend. Modern-day highlights are either very subtle or in-your-face, such as two blonde streaks framing the face.

The Cool Bob

Asian woman with short hair and chain mail top
Malia Pyles rocks a wet-look bob.

Bob hairstyles have always been the cool chick go-to. Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed. Kate Bosworth in Blue Crush. Winona Ryder in real life. The bob is the way to go if you want to look effortlessly fresh. The Gen Z version is choppier and way more radical. Slick it back or go for the messy wet look for an ultra-modern take.

Glam Pigtails

Asian woman wearing pigtails
Gen Z pigtails, as seen on Bella Poarch, are sleek and shiny.

These are not the pigtails your momma gave you. Pigtails and space buns were big among millennials thanks to pop stars like Gwen Stefani, Emma Bunton, and – who can forget – Britney Spears. These days, these are the hairstyles of choice of so-called Gen Z baddies and e-girls. They are sleek, shiny, and extra bouncy. Don’t wear them too tight to avoid damaging your hair.

For easy styling and manageable hair, use Sunsilk Smooth & Manageable Shampoo. It contains five flower essences that make the hair five times smoother and more fragrant.

Rockstar Mullet

Woman with curly hair and sequined top
Rowan Blanchard wears a curly mullet.

Rockstars come and go, but the mullet seems to be here to stay. Once a much-ridiculed hairstyle, the mullet is now deeply entrenched in edgy Gen Z culture. Their versions? The wolf cut and the shullet (a cross with a shag). These are softer – the most elegant you can be with this style. The key to a modern mullet is soft, healthy hair. Keep it from looking grungy with Dove Botanical Silicone Free Shampoo for Damaged Hair Restore, which repairs damaged locks and restores moisture.

Whether you’re Gen Z or actually from the millennial generation, feel free to experiment with these trendy hairstyles to shake up your look.

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