Heinous Haircuts: Atrocities Through the Ages
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. Dickens wasn't referring to hairstyles in the '90s and 2000s, but there was grave foolishness being mistaken as chic coming out of salons. It was during that stage in our socio-cultural adolescence that such heinous hairstyles have permanently scarred the era.
The average woman changes her hairstyle about 150 times in her life and that span of years showed us some cringeworthy hairstyles that have us retrospectively shivering to look at. Let's revisit some of the most heinous culprits to ensure we don't repeat such stylistic atrocities…
Frosted Tips
What fashion faux pas list would be complete without frosted tips? This iconic look was a staple back in the '90s; by dying the tips of your hair blonde and spiking them high, men across the United States began to look like vanilla ice cream was tossed onto their head. And just like vanilla ice cream is the most popular flavor in America, everyone from young children to top-notch celebrities couldn't resist in the ash-white hair dye. While Justin Timberlake's ramen noodle hair is iconic, we can't forget that even the likes of Shaq and Jack Black were fashion offenders back in the day. With so much heat cast on this frosty faux pas, we can expect it to stay melted for years to come.
Curled and Crimped
The perfect juxtaposition to the overly-structured frosted tips, the combination of crimps and curls was the messy look that young girls once craved. Popularized by celebrities such as Britney Spears, this hairstyle spawned countless toys and stylers designed to make a child's hair all the crazier. Just don't forget to put in colorful hair extensions with feather accents to complete the look.
The Butt Cut
Remember all the cool kids in middle school and high school back in the late '90s and early naughts? Despite 99% of people thinking that their smile is socially important, this quintessential haircut was the pinnacle of social excellence in its time.
Just about every young man chose to rock the butt cut. If that term doesn't immediately send shivers down your spine, think Rider Strong from Boy Meets World.
The butt cut is a short hairstyle featuring close-cropped hair on the sides but longer layers on top. The final look sported a middle part that swooped back from the face for a wind-swept look, All in all, it offered a not-too-short-but-not-too-long appearance that confused just about everyone.
The worst part? This look might be due for a comeback. Thanks to the nostalgic Hulu original, PEN15, fans have been reminiscing about their glory days. Paired with the sudden surge of '90s fashion sweeping the nation, the butt cut could come back any day now. Let's hope that this treasure stays in the 2000s where it belongs.
The Zig-Zag Part
This seemingly rebellious statement was an easy way to create a messy look. By parting the front of your hair in different directions (akin to a zig-zag), '90s fashionistas were able to achieve a confusing look that lasted for far too long. Simultaneously busy and on-trend, this is a look that deserves to stay in the past.
While humans have been keeping time for more than 5,000 years, there are some trends we wish would stay in the past. Did you participate in these fads? How do you feel about decades-inspired fashion making a comeback thanks to shows like PEN15 and Stranger Things? Let us know!