18 Hairstyles Everyone Regretted in the Early 2000s
From frosted tips to crimped chaos, the early 2000s were a wild ride for hair trends — and most of us weren’t ready.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The early 2000s were an experimental time for fashion — and hair wasn’t spared. Whether it was celebrity influence, bad salon choices, or DIY disasters, nearly everyone walked away from that era with at least one style they’d rather forget. These 18 cringe-worthy hair trends defined the decade and still haunt our old yearbook photos.
1. Frosted Tips
Halcyon Styn on Flickr
Made famous by boy bands, this look featured bleached ends on short, spiked hair. It was meant to be edgy but often looked more like a sun-fried mistake.
2. Chunky Highlights
Engin Akyurt on Pexels
Thick, contrasting streaks of blonde or caramel made their way into every mall photo booth. Instead of subtle dimension, the result often resembled zebra stripes.
3. Crimped Hair
Maggie on Flickr
Every teen girl owned a crimper — and overused it. The result was stiff, zigzag waves that defied logic and gravity.
4. Bowl Cuts
Anonuser4545 on Wikimedia Commons
Somehow, this medieval mushroom cut made a major comeback for kids and adults. It framed the face like a helmet and required zero layering skills.
5. The Mullet Revival
Zac Meadowcroft on Unsplash
Short in front, long in back — because why not confuse everyone? This style tried to be ironic but often landed in awkward territory.
6. Baby Bangs
Jarritos Mexican Soda on Unsplash
These micro-fringes barely covered a third of your forehead. Popular among artsy types, they were meant to be bold and daring.
7. Liberty Spikes
THOR on Wikimedia Commons
Inspired by punk but co-opted by suburban teens, this extreme spiked style took a gallon of gel to hold. It was more sculpture than hairdo.
8. The Rachel (Still Hanging On)
Ana Melo on Pexels
Though it started in the ’90s, this layered cut lingered well into the 2000s. By then, most attempts didn’t match Jennifer Aniston’s magic.
9. Hair Glitter and Butterfly Clips
parisa safaei on Unsplash
Sparkles and tiny plastic accessories invaded every inch of hair. It was supposed to be whimsical but ended up looking like a craft project explosion.
10. Emo Side Bangs
Amanda Valverde on Pexels
One eye was visible, and the other was hidden behind a dramatic swoop. This hairstyle was mysterious, moody, and totally impractical.
11. Spiky Pixie Cuts
Mary-Lynn on Flickr
Short hair with stiff, upward spikes was all the rage — for both genders. It was sharp, literal, and aggressive-looking.
12. Over-Gelled Everything
Harsha K R on Flickr
If it didn’t move, you probably used half a bottle of gel. Spiky tops, slick sides, even greasy curls — everything was crunchy.
13. Side Ponytails
Wenny Chen on Unsplash
The early 2000s made it trendy to wear your ponytail awkwardly behind one ear. It felt playful but rarely looked flattering.
14. Colored Clip-In Extensions
geehairimages on Wikimedia Commons
Think pink, blue, or green streaks randomly placed for “edge.” These fake strands often clashed with natural hair and looked anything but seamless.
15. Mohawk Fauxhawks
Marc Levi on Flickr
Not brave enough for a full mohawk? Enter the fauxhawk — a heavily gelled middle strip surrounded by flattened sides. It tried hard to look daring but rarely delivered.
16. Ultra-Thin Eyebrow Arches
Siora Photography on Unsplash
Okay, not exactly a hairstyle, but it falls in the same beauty regret category. Overplucked brows were practically penciled into oblivion.
17. Flip-Out Ends
Sơn Ngọc on Pexels
Flipping the ends of your hair outward was oddly popular. Whether with a straightener or a round brush, the goal was that winged-out finish.
18. Cornrow Braids (on Non-Black People)
Mostafameraji on Wikimedia Commons
Thanks to pop stars, many non-Black folks tried this style, and often looked terrible. Aside from cultural appropriation issues, the results were usually messy and uneven.