The 90s Princess Updo

Think back to the 90s red carpet: hair swept up into a soft, full knot, a few loose pieces falling around the face, everything looking glamorous but slightly undone, as if it might all come down at any moment. That's the 90s Princess Updo, and it's the hair-up look everyone wants for the season ahead. After years of slick, scraped-back buns, softness is back, and it's a style our stylists at Oxford Street and Covent Garden can create for anything from weddings to Christmas parties.

What Is the 90s Princess Updo?

At its heart, the 90s Princess Updo is a high or mid-height updo with plenty of volume at the crown and a deliberately loose finish. Nothing is pulled tight. The hair is gathered up, twisted or knotted, and pinned so that it looks romantic and a little tousled rather than perfectly sculpted.

It borrows from the decade's biggest red carpet moments, when updos were soft, full and finished with face-framing pieces, and it sits alongside the wider revival of 90s glamour we've written about in why 1990s supermodel hair still dominates luxury beauty. Emma Stone's undone 90s-style French twist at the 2026 BAFTAs showed just how modern the look can feel when the texture is right.

The key ingredient is volume. A princess updo on flat hair just looks like a bun, so the preparation matters as much as the pinning.

The Tendrils Are the Point

If there's one detail that makes this look instantly recognisable, it's the tendrils. Two or more loose pieces are left out at the front, curled into soft spirals or gentle bends, and allowed to frame the face. They soften the whole style and stop it looking too formal.

Getting them right is a fine balance. Too many and it looks like the updo is falling down; too few and you lose the 90s feel. We usually leave out a slim section just in front of each ear and sometimes a wisp at the temples, then curl them with a small tong and break them up with the fingers so they don't look like ringlets.

At home, the easiest way to keep them looking fresh is a little hairspray on your fingertips, twisted lightly through the ends. Resist the urge to keep touching them through the night, as they'll drop faster than you'd expect.

The French Twist Version

The French twist is the more grown-up cousin of the princess updo and a brilliant option if you prefer something a little more streamlined. The hair is gathered at the back of the head, twisted upwards and pinned along the seam, with the ends left to fan out loosely at the top rather than tucked away neatly.

For the 90s feel, keep it messy. Tease the crown first for height, loosen the twist with your fingers once it's pinned, and pull out a few pieces around the face. It works especially well on hair with a bit of natural texture or on second-day hair, which holds pins far better than freshly washed lengths. A long French pin or a few pearl slides along the twist is a lovely finishing touch.

The Half-Up Princess

Not everyone wants all their hair off their face, and the half-up version gives you the same romance with less commitment. The top section is lifted, twisted and pinned at the crown, while the rest falls in loose waves down the back.

It's an especially good choice for longer hair, for brides who want to keep some length on show, or for anyone who feels exposed with a full updo. Add volume at the crown before you twist, curl the lengths in different directions, and finish with a soft-hold spray so it moves. If you're planning hair for a big day, our wedding hair colour timeline will help you schedule colour so your hair looks its best in the photos.

Whichever version you choose, the foundation is the same: good volume, a little texture and a light touch with the pins. For more on getting that 90s lift, see our post on 90s hair volume.

Want a stylist to create the 90s Princess Updo for you? Our team does hair up for weddings, parties and special occasions at both London salons, and we'll tailor the look to your hair and your outfit. Book at Oxford Street | Book at Covent Garden