25 of the Most Iconic Early 2000s Hairstyles

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Master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson shares iconic Y2K hairstyles

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Crimped Hair

2 Zig-Zag Part

3 Chunky Highlights

4 Piecey Bangs

5 Butterfly Clips

6 Flipped Out Ends

7 Spiky Bun

8 Space Buns

9 Antenna Bangs

10 Beaded Braids

11 The Poof

12 Baby Braids

13 Spiky Pixie Cut

14 Side Bangs

15 Sleek High Ponytail

16 Side Ponytail

17 Barrettes

18 Bandanas

19 Blonde on Top, Brunette Underneath

20 Funky Updos

21 Face-Framing Layers

22 Colored Streaks

23 Pin-Straight Hair

24 Pigtails

25 The Shag

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Co-authored by Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: March 30, 2026 Fact Checked

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The early 2000s were truly an iconic (sometimes questionable) time for fashion trends—and the hairstyles of the era were no exception. If you’ve been feeling nostalgia for the crazy Y2K aesthetics, so have we—and we’ve got you covered! We partnered with a master hairstylist to put together this curated list of the 25 most iconic hairstyles to come out of the 2000s. Plus, we’ll give some Y2K celebrities that you can check out for hair inspo.

Iconic Y2K Hairstyles

Master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson says that some of the most iconic Y2K styles include antenna bangs, spiky buns, butterfly clips, and the zig-zag part. Other popular Y2K hairstyles include crimped hair, side bangs, beaded brads, colored streaks, bandanas, and barrettes.

Steps

1

Crimped Hair

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1. This style features lots of tight, zig-zaggy waves. In the early 2000s, you could see celebs on the red carpet with their whole head crimped or with their hair super straight with randomly crimped pieces. If you’re looking for some Y2K nostalgia, it might be time to bust out the old crimper.

   • Who wore it best? Tyra Banks

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Frankie Sanderson is a master hair stylist and the founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington D.C. He specializes in designer cuts and has styled celebrity clients like Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, and Alicia Keys.
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2

Zig-Zag Part

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1. This style adds a fun twist to the traditional hair part. Sanderson says that zig-zag parts were really popular during Y2K. He says you can try this look yourself by using a fine-tooth comb to create a messy Z motion from the front to the back of your hair. Sanderson adds that this looks especially great with space buns or pigtails.

   • Who wore it best? Scary Spice (Mel B)

3

Chunky Highlights

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1. These iconic highlights feature minimal blending and lots of contrast. Kelly Clarkson, Beyoncé, and Victoria Beckham are just a few of the iconic Y2K celebrities who sported this look. Who needs the perfect balayage, anyway?

   • Who wore it best? Lindsay Lohan
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4

Piecey Bangs

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1. This style offers a wispy variation of your classic full bangs. While full bangs were certainly on trend in the early 2000s (hello, Hannah Montana), there’s just something about piecey bangs that gives some extra Y2K energy. Piecey bangs are a timeless trend, and you can still see plenty of celebs rocking this look.

   • Who wore it best? Lisa Kudrow

5

Butterfly Clips

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1. The perfect Y2K accessory, butterfly clips add whimsy to any ensemble—and they were part of pretty much every iconic 2000s hairstyle out there. Sanderson says that it was especially popular to wear butterfly clips at the crown of your head. To try this style yourself, Sanderson says to start with a modern twist, leaving it a little messy, then use a butterfly clip around the top to secure it.

   • Who wore it best? Jennifer Aniston
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6

Flipped Out Ends

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1. This spunky hairstyle offers a youthful spin on the classic bob. With blown-out, straightened hair, early 2000s celebs rocking this look would flip the ends of their hair out and up. Add a zig-zag part for some extra volume, and you’ll look fresh off the set of Lizzy McGuire!

   • Who wore it best? Mandy Moore

7

Spiky Bun

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1. The early 2000s were all about spunk, and this look has it in spades. The spiky bun is a classic, slicked back bun, but with hair sticking straight out to add extra character. To get the look, Sanderson says to apply gel, flexible-hold pomade, or hairspray, then twist your hair into a bun. Leave 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) of your hair pointing upwards—Sanderson says you can even flat iron the tips into sharp points.

   • Who wore it best? Lucy Liu
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8

Space Buns

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1. Space buns are a super cute twist on regular pigtails. Y2K celebrities would wear 2 buns on the top of their head, often with ample accessories. If you really want to get crazy, you can even do some spiky space buns—very 2000s.

   • Who wore it best? Baby Spice (Emma Bunton)

9

Antenna Bangs

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1. Sanderson says that antenna bangs are one of the iconic Y2K styles. He describes them as two thin strands of hair that frame the face, while the rest of the hair is back. To get the look, Sanderson says to apply some heat serum and flat-iron the two small sections of hair straight down so they frame your face, then pull the rest of your hair back really tight into a high ponytail or claw clip.

   • Who wore it best? Rihanna
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10

Beaded Braids

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1. Because why have regular braids when you can have bling? The 2000s were nothing if not a time for maximal accessorizing. Y2K icons would add beads of all shapes and colors into their braided hairstyles, and we’re still living for it.

   • Who wore it best? Alicia Keys

11

The Poof

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1. The poof is a fun way to add a little volume boost to that super straight 2000s hair. No need to sacrifice the Y2K pin straight style! This style simply involves pushing forward some of the hair on your crown to make a bump at the top of your head.

   • Who wore it best? Hilary Duff
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12

Baby Braids

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1. As versatile as they are cute, baby braids are a Y2K staple. Whether they’re paired with crimped or straightened hair, baby braids add some extra glam to any hairstyle. Just add some beads or butterfly clips, and you’ll be ready to go!

   • Who wore it best? Brandy

13

Spiky Pixie Cut

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1. The timeless pixie cut gets even more iconic with this spiky style. For all the Alice Cullen (Twilight) lovers out there, this one’s for you. Just like the flipped-out ends, this is the ultimate Y2K spin on a classic cut.

   • Who wore it best? Halle Berry
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14

Side Bangs

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1. Side bangs are a great way to take that Y2K side part all the way to the bank. Everyone’s favorite Disney celebs sported the swooping side bangs at one point or another. And much to any 2000s nostalgist’s delight, they still trend from time to time (thank you, Taylor Swift).

   • Who wore it best? Aaliyah

15

Sleek High Ponytail

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1. Another timeless hairdo, the sleek high pony was a classic 2000s look. The higher the ponytail, the better. Then, add some gel and maybe crimp a few strands of the ponytail and you’ll be Y2K red carpet ready.

   • Who wore it best? Sporty Spice (Mel C)
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16

Side Ponytail

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1. The side pony is another way to show off that early 2000s side part. The side pony could be worn low or high, depending on the occasion. Some celebs opted for the low side pony with a beanie for a laid-back look.

   • Who wore it best? Emily Osment

17

Barrettes

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1. Barrettes can add glitz to any early 2000s look. More than just a clip for practical purposes, Y2K icons would strategically show off their barrettes as part of the style. Barrettes can keep your side bangs out of your eyes, with flair!

   • Who wore it best? Brittany Murphy
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18

Bandanas

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1. Bandanas offer an edgy, laid-back vibe to Y2K hairstyles. Sported on the red carpet or out and about, the bandana was a favorite in the early 2000s. This versatile accessory can give a chill skater aesthetic, or you can take a page out of J-Lo’s book and bedazzle it for extra glam.

   • Who wore it best? Jennifer Lopez

19

Blonde on Top, Brunette Underneath

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1. This 2-toned style is an iconic way to get the best of both worlds. Platinum blonde on top and dark brown underneath, this look is an edgy step up from chunky highlights. There were plenty of fun variations of this look with different colored streaks in 1 or both layers.

   • Who wore it best? Avril Lavigne
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20

Funky Updos

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1. Usually complete with signature Y2K side bangs, funky updos were all the rage. Celebrities in the early 2000s would go for outlandish, over-the-top styles with lots of height and lots of accessories. Updos could be curled, twisted, or teased—the more volume the better!

   • Who wore it best? Pamela Anderson

21

Face-Framing Layers

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1. Nothing says Y2K like lots and lots of layers. Whether you were sporting the chunky highlights or the piecey bangs, face-framing layers were a must in the early 2000s. Everyone from Britney Spears to Christina Aguilera rocked the layered look on the red carpet at one point or another.

   • Who wore it best? Danielle Fishel
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22

Colored Streaks

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1. For a classic early 2000s pop of color, colored streaks are a standout style. Hot pinks, neon greens, and electric blues were just a few of the crazy colors you could see in your favorite Y2K icons’ hair. We’ll go ahead and thank Billie Eilish for keeping this look alive in the 2020s.

   • Who wore it best? Kelly Rowland

23

Pin-Straight Hair

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1. Don’t let the crimped look fool you—the early 2000s were all about pin-straight styles. No matter the occasion, Y2K icons loved to go for a super straight look. This could feature a few crimped strands or accessories for flair, but the goal was almost always sleek.

   • Who wore it best? Paris Hilton
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24

Pigtails

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1. Pigtails are a cute and quirky Y2K classic. Whether they were high, low, braided, or crimped, pigtails added a fun, youthful vibe to any 2000s ensemble. And of course, the look isn’t complete unless your pigtails are tied off with something sparkly.

   • Who wore it best? Britney Spears

25

The Shag

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1. This is one trend we’ve never been able to shake, and the 2000s were no exception. The shag gave celebs a carefree, messy look that we are still obsessed with. Combining layers, bangs, and a little bit of spunk, this style screams Y2K.

   • Who wore it best? Meg Ryan
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Tips

• Embrace a playful vibe with your Y2K-inspired look. Sanderson says, “The Y2K era was so much fun! More clips, more texture, more gel, more mousse, more more more!”
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