Haircuts don't get much more iconic than 'the Rachel' haircut! It's a look that defined the 90s, popularised, of course, by the effortlessly gorgeous Jennifer Aniston in 'Friends'. Since then, the look has never truly gone out of style and is just as popular now as it ever was. In this article, our styling experts at Regal Envy are going to walk you through everything you need to know about this all-time great hairstyle.
Why We LOVE The Rachel Haircut
'Friends' truly was an era-defining TV show, and the hold it had over fashion and culture throughout the 90s was something we haven't seen since! From Monica's perfect lipstick to Ross's questionable leather trousers, there were too many iconic looks to recount, but the Rachel haircut is undeniably top of the list. This style was SO influential that hairdressers around the world were inundated with requests for "the Rachel" - and honestly, can you blame anyone? Jennifer Aniston looked absolutely incredible! What makes this style so special is how it managed to be both effortlessly cool and perfectly polished at the same time. It was the kind of hairstyle that looked amazing whether you were grabbing coffee at Central Perk or heading out for a night on the town. Plus, it had this amazing ability to make everyone feel like they could achieve that perfect 90s glamour! So, in this article, we're going to walk you through what makes this style so endlessly appealing.
- What Is The Rachel From Friends Haircut?
- How To Style The Rachel Haircut At Home
- Celebs With The Rachel Haircut
- Jennifer Aniston Hairstyles
What Is The Rachel From Friends Haircut?
Simply put, the Rachel haircut is a shoulder-length hairstyle with choppy, face-framing layers that are blown out for a big and bold look with flicks at the ends. Think voluminous, bouncy, and absolutely gorgeous! The original cut featured loads of texture and movement, with shorter layers around the crown that gradually got longer towards the ends. It's all about creating that perfect tousled, "I woke up like this" vibe - even though we all know it takes quite a bit of work to achieve! The original Rachel haircut had those famous big blonde highlights that were SO 90s, but as the style has evolved throughout the years, many people now go for a more natural look that focuses on the layering technique rather than dramatic colour changes. The beauty of this cut is in those face-framing layers that flatter practically everyone and create amazing movement when you walk!
Who Does It Suit Best?
If you're wondering whether you could pull off the Rachel haircut, you're in luck! This style practically suits every face shape because of its gorgeous face-framing layers. The choppy texture and volume work magic for adding dimension and movement, making it incredibly versatile. The style is especially flattering for long and oval-shaped faces because those bouncy layers help add width and create beautiful proportions. But honestly, we've seen this cut look stunning on round faces, square faces, and pretty much everything in between! The key is working with your stylist to adjust the layer lengths and volume placement to complement your unique features. Want to know exactly which styles work best for your face shape? Check out our previous article on the Regal Envy blog for all the insider secrets on choosing the perfect hairstyle for you: What Hairstyle Suits Me?
How To Ask For It
The Rachel haircut is THAT iconic that most hairdressers will know exactly what you mean when you say "give me the Rachel". However, if your stylist needs a little more guidance (or if you want to be super specific about what you're after), ask for short face-framing layers with shorter round layers throughout the hair. The key elements are shoulder-length hair with lots of choppy layers and plenty of volume at the crown. We always recommend bringing a photo with you to your appointment to give your hairdresser a crystal-clear understanding of what you want. Screenshots from 'Friends', Pinterest inspiration, or even photos of modern interpretations of the Rachel can all help ensure you and your stylist are on exactly the same page!
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How To Style The Rachel Haircut At Home
Look, we'll be totally honest with you - the Rachel haircut isn't exactly low-maintenance! Even Jennifer Aniston herself has commented on how tricky it was to style. She told ABC News that she regularly struggled to make her Rachel cut look good, which honestly makes us feel so much better about our own hair struggles! If even Jennifer Aniston found it challenging, we're definitely not alone in this!
If you're determined to achieve this look at home, here's the technique that works best.
- Start with damp hair and apply a volumising mousse from roots to ends.
- Section your hair and work with smaller pieces. Use a large round brush and blow-dry your hair while rolling the front sections towards your face.
- Then, roll the top layers away from your face and flip out the bottom sections for that signature Rachel movement. The key is going for as much volume as humanly possible - we're talking big, bouncy, 90s-level volume!
The trick is to get the roots really lifted and create that gorgeous curved shape at the ends. If you're rocking some of our gorgeous extensions to achieve the length and volume, make sure to use a quality conditioner for hair extensions to keep them bouncy, smooth, and as fabulous as possible! Don't forget a good heat protectant spray and finish with a light-hold hairspray to lock in all that amazing volume and movement!
@haiirologybyjen The ultimate 90s Rachel Green inspired hairstyle. Who else is obsessed with Friends? 👀✨ #rachelgreen #blowouthair #blowoututorial #blowdrytutorial #roundbrush ♬ original sound - Jen | Hair Tutorials
Celebs With The Rachel Haircut
The Rachel haircut has been a celebrity favourite for decades, and honestly, we're not surprised! Let's take a look at some of our favourite stars who've rocked this iconic style:
Jennifer Lopez
J-Lo can literally pull off any look, but her take on the Rachel haircut is definitely one of our absolute favourites! Those chunky blonde highlights were SO perfectly 90s, and she absolutely nailed the layering technique that makes this cut so special. The way she styled it with that gorgeous volume and movement proves that the Rachel works beautifully on different hair textures and face shapes. Jennifer Lopez's version had that extra glamorous edge that only she could bring to the style!
Billie Piper
Billie Piper is most famous for her incredible role in Doctor Who, so it makes perfect sense that her take on the Rachel haircut is absolutely out of this world! She's completely nailed those gorgeous face-framing layers that make this cut so special. What we love about Billie's version is how she's made it her own while staying true to the original 90s spirit. The way the layers cascade around her face creates such beautiful movement and dimension - it's giving us major hair envy!
Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen absolutely loves experimenting with her hair, and honestly, can we blame her? She can pull off almost every single look she tries - and the Rachel haircut is absolutely no exception! What we adore about Chrissy's take on this classic style is how she brings her own playful personality to it. Her version has all the essential Rachel elements - those gorgeous choppy layers, the perfect amount of volume, and that effortless bounce - but with Chrissy's signature fun twist.
Jennifer Aniston Hairstyles
Let's be honest - when it comes to iconic hair moments, Jennifer Aniston is basically the queen! While the Rachel will always be her most famous look, she's served us so many other gorgeous styles over the years. Here are some of our favourite Jennifer Aniston hair moments that prove she's a true hair icon:
Straight Layers
This absolutely stunning style from a later series of Friends proves that Jennifer can pull off long and straight layers just as brilliantly as she can that iconic shoulder-length Rachel cut! The sleek, straight texture gives this look a completely different vibe - more sophisticated and polished, but still with that gorgeous movement that makes Jennifer's hair so enviable. These layers cascade beautifully and catch the light in the most flattering way. It's the perfect example of how you can take the layering technique from the Rachel and adapt it to work with longer lengths and different textures!
Textured High Ponytail With Curtain Bangs
This whole look just screams 90s, and we are absolutely LIVING for it! It's a stylish updo that's as practical as it is gorgeous - perfect for those days when you want to look put-together but still effortlessly cool. The textured finish gives it that casual, undone feel that was so popular in the 90s, while those curtain bangs frame her face beautifully. It's giving us major nostalgia in the best possible way!
Sleek Ponytail
Jennifer has honestly aged like the finest wine, and this incredibly sleek ponytail shows that she can do sophisticated and mature just as well as she can fun and playful! This is the perfect look for when you mean business - it's polished, professional, and absolutely stunning. The sleek finish and clean lines give this style such an elegant feel, proving that Jennifer's hair game has only gotten stronger over the years. It's a masterclass in how to look effortlessly chic while still maintaining that signature Jennifer Aniston glamour we all know and love!
Get The Rachel Look
There you have it - everything you could possibly want to know about the iconic Rachel haircut! From its 90s origins to modern celebrity interpretations, this legendary style has proven that great hair truly is timeless. Whether you're inspired by Jennifer Aniston's original look or one of the many gorgeous variations we've seen over the years, the Rachel remains one of the most flattering and confidence-boosting cuts you can get. Remember, achieving this look is all about those gorgeous face-framing layers, plenty of volume, and that perfect tousled finish. While it might require a bit more styling effort than some cuts, the results are absolutely worth it!
If you're planning to recreate this iconic style, don't forget that using the right products makes all the difference - especially if you're adding extensions to achieve that perfect length and volume. At Regal Envy, we're here to help you achieve any hair goal you have, including that perfect Rachel look! Whether you need gorgeous clip-in extensions for extra volume, quality shampoo for hair extensions to keep everything looking fresh, or our nourishing range of styling products, we've got everything you need to make your hair dreams come true. After all, life's too short for boring hair - so why not channel your inner 90s goddess and give the Rachel a try?