Fashion: This '90s hair moment is back and TikTok can't get enough
- InsightTrendsWorld
- May 28
- 13 min read
Why it is the topic trending:
TikTok Popularity: The article explicitly states that TikTok is driving the resurgence of the "Topanga" hairstyle, with users embracing and showcasing the look.
Nostalgia for the '90s: The "Topanga" hairstyle is directly linked to the '90s and the character Topanga Lawrence from the popular show Boy Meets World. The trend taps into the current wave of '90s nostalgia across various aspects of culture.
Iconic TV Hairstyle: Similar to "The Rachel," the "Topanga" hairstyle was a recognizable and desired look from a popular television show, making it a natural candidate for a revival.
Shift Away from Minimalism: The trend represents a move away from the recent dominance of sleek, minimalist hairstyles like slick back buns and middle parts, signaling a desire for more volume and texture.
Celebrity Influence (Indirect): While not a current celebrity explicitly sporting the look, the enduring popularity of Danielle Fishel and the Boy Meets World show contributes to the trend's appeal.
Overview:
The "Topanga" hairstyle, characterized by long, bouncy blowouts and face-framing layers popularized by the character Topanga Lawrence in the '90s television show Boy Meets World, is experiencing a significant comeback, primarily driven by the social media platform TikTok. This revival signifies a broader trend of '90s nostalgia and a shift in beauty preferences towards more voluminous and textured hairstyles, moving away from the sleek minimalism that has been prevalent in recent years.
Detailed Findings:
TikTok is the main platform where the "Topanga" hairstyle trend is gaining traction.
The hairstyle is named after Topanga Lawrence, a central character in the television show Boy Meets World, which aired its last episode 25 years ago.
Topanga's signature hair was described as long, bouncy blowouts with face-framing layers, representing the ultimate '90s beauty goal.
Danielle Fishel, who played Topanga, was considered a style icon for millennials, with her hairstyle being particularly coveted.
Danielle Fishel revealed in 2022 that achieving the "Topanga" look on set took three hours and multiple hairstylists due to the heat and effort required for the voluminous style.
The "Topanga" trend is part of a larger shift in beauty towards maximalist hair, where volume and texture are embraced.
The trend is seen as a rebellion against the flatness of frizz-less styles promoted by "clean girl" influencers.
The "Topanga" blowout is described as a mix of romantic and nostalgic.
Key success factors of product (trend):
Nostalgia: The strong wave of '90s nostalgia in popular culture is a primary driver for the return of this iconic hairstyle.
Recognizability: The "Topanga" hairstyle is easily recognizable and associated with a beloved character and television show.
Desire for Change: Consumers are potentially seeking a change from the long-dominant minimalist hairstyles, looking for more expressive and voluminous options.
Social Media Influence: TikTok provides a platform for trends to spread rapidly and for users to easily share and recreate the look.
Sense of Fun and Sentimentality: The trend taps into a desire for a softer, more sentimental style, allowing people to feel "dreamy" and "familiar."
Key Takeaway:
The resurgence of the "Topanga" hairstyle on TikTok highlights the powerful influence of nostalgia and social media in shaping current beauty trends, signaling a move towards more voluminous and textured hair and a desire to reconnect with iconic styles from the '90s.
Main Trend:
The main trend is the cyclical nature of beauty trends, specifically the return and re-popularization of iconic hairstyles from past decades, driven by nostalgia and social media.
Description of the trend:
'90s Beauty Revival: This trend encompasses the return of various beauty styles, aesthetics, and products that were popular in the 1990s. This includes hairstyles like the "Topanga," as well as makeup looks, fashion choices, and overall beauty ideals that characterized the decade. The revival is often fueled by a sense of nostalgia and a desire to revisit or experience the styles of a past era.
What is consumer motivation:
Nostalgia and Comfort: Consumers who grew up in the '90s or have an affinity for the decade might be drawn to the "Topanga" hairstyle for nostalgic reasons, seeking comfort and familiarity in a style they remember.
Desire for Volume and Texture: After a period of sleek and minimalist hair, consumers might be motivated by a desire for more voluminous and textured looks that offer a different aesthetic.
Social Acceptance and Trend Following: The popularity of the trend on TikTok motivates users to try the hairstyle to fit in with current online beauty standards and participate in viral trends.
Self-Expression and Individuality: Embracing a retro trend can be a way for individuals to express their personal style and stand out by adopting a look that is both familiar and slightly different from current mainstream styles.
Feeling "Main Character": The article suggests that the trend is about wanting to feel a "little dreamy, a little familiar, and maybe just a little like the main character," indicating a motivation for self-empowerment and feeling special.
What is driving trend:
TikTok's Algorithm and Trend Cycle: TikTok's algorithm plays a significant role in amplifying and spreading beauty trends like the "Topanga" hairstyle, quickly exposing it to a large audience.
'90s Cultural Resurgence: The broader resurgence of '90s fashion, music, and entertainment in popular culture naturally extends to beauty trends from the same era.
Celebrity Influence (Nostalgic): The enduring fame of Boy Meets World and Danielle Fishel keeps the "Topanga" hairstyle in the cultural consciousness, making it ripe for a revival.
Beauty Influencers and Content Creators: TikTok beauty influencers and content creators play a crucial role in showcasing the hairstyle, providing tutorials, and inspiring their followers to try it.
Counter-Movement to Minimalism: The trend can be seen as a reaction against the "clean girl" aesthetic and the focus on sleek, effortless styles, with consumers seeking more expressive and intentionally styled looks.
What is motivation beyond the trend:
Desire for Versatility in Hairstyles: Consumers often seek hairstyles that can be adapted for different occasions and personal preferences. The voluminous nature of the "Topanga" could offer this versatility.
Preference for Styles That Appear Effortful (in a Good Way): The article mentions "hair that looks like it actually took effort is back," suggesting a motivation to move away from styles perceived as too simple or low-maintenance.
Influence of Media and Pop Culture: Television shows, movies, and now social media continue to significantly influence beauty standards and the hairstyles consumers desire.
Description of consumers article is referring to:
The consumers the article primarily refers to are users of TikTok, particularly those interested in beauty and hair trends. This demographic is likely to include a broad age range, encompassing Gen Z (who may be experiencing '90s nostalgia for the first time) and Millennials (who would have been familiar with the "Topanga" hairstyle during its original popularity).
Who are they: TikTok users, beauty enthusiasts, followers of hair trends, individuals interested in '90s nostalgia.
What kind of products they like: Based on the hairstyle, they likely use hair styling products like volumizing sprays, heat protectants, blow dryers, and potentially styling tools like the Dyson Air Wrap mentioned in the article.
What is their age? Primarily Gen Z and Millennials, given TikTok's user base and the '90s reference.
What is their gender? While the article doesn't specify, beauty trends on TikTok typically attract a broad range of genders interested in expressing themselves through their appearance.
What is their income? Likely a varied income range, reflecting the diverse user base of TikTok.
What is their lifestyle? Many are likely active on social media, interested in online trends, and potentially influenced by beauty influencers.
What are their category article is referring shopping preferences? They likely shop for hair care and styling products based on trends they see online and recommendations from influencers.
Are they low, occasional or frequent category shoppers? This could vary, but those actively participating in beauty trends on TikTok are likely to be more frequent shoppers of hair products.
What are their general shopping preferences-how they shop products, shopping motivations? They are likely influenced by social media, online reviews, and the desire to achieve current trendy looks. The "Topanga" trend suggests a motivation to experiment with different hairstyles and embrace a more voluminous aesthetic.
Conclusions:
The resurgence of the "Topanga" hairstyle on TikTok signifies the enduring power of nostalgia and the significant influence of social media in the beauty industry. This trend reflects a shift towards more maximalist hair aesthetics and a desire for styles that evoke positive memories and a sense of individual expression.
Implications for brands:
Capitalizing on Nostalgia: Beauty and hair care brands should pay attention to retro trends and consider how they can incorporate nostalgic elements into their marketing or product offerings.
Leveraging TikTok for Trend Identification: TikTok has become a crucial platform for identifying emerging beauty trends, making it essential for brands to monitor its content.
Creating Tutorials and Engaging Content: Brands can benefit from creating content on TikTok that shows users how to achieve trending looks like the "Topanga" hairstyle, featuring their products.
Collaborating with Influencers: Partnering with TikTok beauty influencers who are embracing the "Topanga" trend can help brands reach a wider audience and promote their products.
Adapting Product Development: Brands might consider developing or highlighting products that help users achieve voluminous and textured hairstyles reminiscent of the '90s.
Implication for society:
Cyclical Nature of Fashion and Beauty: This trend reinforces the cyclical nature of fashion and beauty, with styles from past decades often making a comeback.
Influence of Media on Beauty Standards: Even decades later, popular television shows and characters continue to influence beauty ideals and consumer preferences.
Democratization of Trends: Social media platforms like TikTok empower individuals to discover and participate in trends, potentially leading to a more diverse and rapidly evolving beauty landscape.
Implications for consumers:
Access to Retro Styles: Consumers have the opportunity to revisit and experiment with iconic hairstyles from the past.
Increased Inspiration and Creativity: TikTok provides a platform for sharing and adapting beauty trends, fostering creativity and self-expression among users.
Potential for Feeling More Expressive: The shift towards more voluminous hair allows consumers to explore a different aesthetic than the recent minimalist trends.
Understanding Trend Cycles: This trend highlights the fact that beauty trends are often cyclical, encouraging consumers to hold onto beloved styles as they may come back into fashion.
Implication for Future:
Continued Revival of '90s and Early 2000s Trends: The "Topanga" trend suggests that we will likely see more beauty and fashion trends from the late '90s and early 2000s resurfacing in the near future.
TikTok's Dominance in Trendsetting: TikTok will likely continue to be a primary driver for emerging beauty trends, influencing consumer preferences and brand strategies.
Blend of Nostalgia and Modernity: Future trends might involve a blend of nostalgic elements with modern techniques and products, offering updated interpretations of classic styles.
Consumer Trend (name, detailed description):
'90s Hair Nostalgia: This trend specifically focuses on the resurgence of popular hairstyles from the 1990s. Driven by a wave of broader '90s nostalgia, consumers are revisiting and reinterpreting iconic looks from the decade, such as voluminous blowouts, face-framing layers, and other characteristic styles. This trend is fueled by social media platforms like TikTok, where users share tutorials and showcase their modern takes on these classic '90s hairstyles.
Consumer Sub Trend (name, detailed description):
Voluminous Blowout Comeback: This sub-trend highlights the specific return of the voluminous blowout as a desired hairstyle. After years of sleeker styles, consumers are embracing more body and bounce in their hair, reminiscent of the popular blowouts of the '90s. The "Topanga" hairstyle is a prime example of this sub-trend, emphasizing the desire for hair that looks full, soft, and intentionally styled with volume.
Big Social Trend (name, detailed description):
The Power of Digital Nostalgia: This broad social trend refers to the increasing tendency for individuals to feel nostalgic for past eras, particularly those experienced during their childhood or adolescence, and to engage with cultural artifacts from those times through digital platforms. Social media facilitates the sharing and celebration of nostalgic content, driving revivals of trends in fashion, music, and beauty, as seen with the "Topanga" hairstyle on TikTok.
Worldwide Social Trend (name, detailed description):
Global Embrace of Retro Aesthetics: The trend of embracing retro aesthetics is not limited to one region but is a worldwide social phenomenon. Across different cultures, there is a growing interest in revisiting and adopting styles, trends, and cultural references from past decades. This is driven by a desire for familiarity, comfort, and a sense of connection to previous eras, often manifesting in fashion, beauty, and interior design trends globally.
Social Drive (name, detailed description):
Desire for Individuality Through Familiarity: While following a trend, consumers often seek ways to express their individuality within that framework. The "Topanga" hairstyle, while recognizable, allows for variations in how it's styled, the amount of volume, and the specifics of the face-framing layers. This social drive encourages participation in the trend while still allowing for personal expression and a unique take on a familiar look.
Learnings for brands to use in 2025:
Monitor TikTok Closely for Emerging Trends: Regularly analyze TikTok content to identify rising beauty and hair trends, including revivals of past styles.
Understand the Nuances of Nostalgia: Recognize that nostalgic trends are often driven by specific cultural moments and ensure that any marketing or product integration is authentic and resonates with the target audience.
Provide Educational Content on Achieving Trends: Create tutorials, how-to guides, and product recommendations that help consumers easily achieve popular looks like the "Topanga" hairstyle.
Engage with User-Generated Content: Encourage users to share their interpretations of trends and feature their content on brand channels to build community and authenticity.
Consider Limited-Edition Retro Product Lines: Explore the possibility of releasing limited-edition products or packaging that tap into the nostalgia of specific eras.
Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025:
Launch Campaigns Featuring '90s Inspired Looks: Incorporate '90s hairstyles and aesthetics into marketing campaigns to tap into the current nostalgia wave.
Collaborate with TikTok Creators Known for Retro Styles: Partner with influencers who specialize in recreating or modernizing vintage looks to promote relevant products.
Create Dedicated Content Series on Historical Beauty Trends: Develop engaging content that explores the history of iconic hairstyles and provides tips for recreating them with current products.
Run "Throwback Thursday" or Similar Social Media Initiatives: Regularly feature nostalgic content and encourage user participation by sharing their own retro-inspired looks.
Adapt Existing Products for Trending Styles: Highlight how current product offerings can be used to achieve popular retro looks, such as using volumizing mousse or hairspray to create a "Topanga" blowout.
Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article, and what brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it.
The "Topanga" hairstyle's TikTok-driven resurgence underscores the potent '90s beauty revival, prompting brands and companies in 2025 to actively monitor social media for such nostalgic comebacks and strategically leverage them by creating relevant content, collaborating with influencers, and potentially reintroducing or adapting products to resonate with consumers seeking these familiar yet newly trending styles.
Final Note:
Core Trend: '90s Beauty Revival: The significant return and reinterpretation of beauty trends, including hairstyles, makeup, and aesthetics, from the 1990s.
Core Strategy: Social Media Monitoring & Influencer Collaboration: Brands should prioritize actively monitoring platforms like TikTok to identify emerging nostalgic trends and partner with relevant influencers to authentically promote their products within these trend cycles.
Core Industry Trend: Influence of Social Media on Beauty Standards: Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have become dominant forces in shaping and rapidly disseminating beauty trends, requiring brands to adapt their marketing and product strategies accordingly.
Core Consumer Motivation: Nostalgia and Desire for Self-Expression: Consumers are driven by a combination of nostalgia for past eras and a desire to express their individuality by participating in trends that resonate with their personal style and preferences.
Final Conclusion:
The TikTok-fueled comeback of the "Topanga" hairstyle serves as a clear indicator of the cyclical nature of beauty and the powerful influence of social media in driving trends. For brands in 2025, understanding and strategically capitalizing on these nostalgic revivals will be crucial for connecting with consumers and staying relevant in the dynamic beauty landscape.
Core Trend Detailed: description.
The '90s Beauty Revival signifies a widespread resurgence of beauty trends and aesthetics that were prominent during the 1990s. This includes a return to specific hairstyles characterized by volume, texture, and defined layers, as seen with the "Topanga" blowout. The trend extends beyond hair to encompass makeup looks featuring bolder lips and eyes, as well as a general embrace of the more expressive and less minimalist beauty ideals of the decade. This revival is largely fueled by a generation that experienced these trends firsthand and a younger generation discovering them through social media and popular culture, finding a sense of novelty and appeal in the styles of the past.
Key Characteristics of the Core trend:
Emphasis on Volume and Texture: Moving away from sleek, flat styles, the '90s revival favors hairstyles with more body and noticeable texture.
Defined Layers and Face-Framing: Hairstyles often feature distinct layers and cuts designed to frame the face, a hallmark of '90s styles.
Nostalgic Appeal: The trend heavily relies on the emotional connection and positive memories associated with the 1990s.
Social Media Driven: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram play a crucial role in popularizing and reinterpreting '90s beauty trends for a modern audience.
Contrast to Recent Minimalism: The revival offers a departure from the "clean girl" aesthetic and the dominance of minimalist beauty routines.
Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend (bullets):
'90s Fashion Comebacks: The resurgence of '90s clothing trends like slip dresses, chunky sneakers, and high-waisted jeans naturally complements a revival in '90s beauty.
Popular Culture References: Mentions and depictions of '90s culture in movies, television shows, and music videos keep the decade's aesthetic relevant.
Social Media Influencer Engagement: Beauty influencers on platforms like TikTok are actively showcasing and creating tutorials for '90s-inspired looks.
Increased Search Interest: Online search trends show a growing interest in '90s hairstyles, makeup techniques, and beauty products.
Celebrity Adoption: While the article focuses on the character Topanga, other celebrities are also experimenting with '90s-inspired hairstyles and makeup, further fueling the trend.
How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior:
Shifting Preferences in Hair Styling: Consumers are likely to purchase more volumizing products, heat protectants, and styling tools that help achieve the desired '90s volume and texture.
Experimentation with Layered Haircuts: There might be an increase in demand for haircuts featuring defined layers and face-framing.
Increased Interest in Retro Beauty Brands and Products: Consumers might seek out brands or products that were popular in the '90s or are known for creating '90s-inspired looks.
Greater Willingness to Spend Time on Hair Styling: The "Topanga" blowout, as mentioned in the article, requires more effort than sleek styles, suggesting consumers are willing to invest more time in achieving these looks.
Implications Across the Ecosystem (For Brands and CPGs, For Retailers, For Consumers, bullets):
For Brands and CPGs: Opportunity to reformulate or re-market existing products for '90s-inspired styles, potential for launching new retro-themed product lines, need to adapt marketing to resonate with nostalgic consumers.
For Retailers: Chance to curate product selections that cater to the '90s beauty trend, create themed displays and promotions, collaborate with brands on showcasing retro products.
For Consumers: Access to a wider range of beauty styles, opportunity for self-expression through nostalgic looks, potential need to purchase new products and tools to achieve these styles.
Strategic Forecast:
The '90s beauty revival will likely continue to gain momentum throughout 2025.
We can expect to see more variations and interpretations of '90s hairstyles and makeup looks emerging on social media.
Beauty brands will increasingly incorporate '90s aesthetics into their marketing and product strategies.
The trend may eventually evolve, potentially blending '90s elements with other current trends or leading to the revival of beauty trends from the early 2000s.
Final Thought (summary):
The TikTok-driven resurgence of the "Topanga" hairstyle perfectly encapsulates the powerful '90s beauty revival currently influencing consumer preferences. By understanding the drivers and characteristics of this trend, beauty brands can strategically adapt their products, marketing, and engagement strategies to connect with consumers seeking to embrace the nostalgic and voluminous styles of the decade.
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