The Rachel Revival: 7 Modern Takes On The Iconic '90s Haircut That Are Trending In 2025

The Rachel haircut is officially back and dominating hair trends for late 2024 and heading into 2025. This iconic, voluminous, layered style, made famous by Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel Green on the hit show *Friends*, has proven to be an evergreen phenomenon. While the original '90s version was notoriously high-maintenance, the latest revival is softer, more versatile, and has been updated to suit modern low-effort styling routines. As of December 2025, the style is experiencing a massive resurgence, often rebranded by stylists as "The Kitty Cut" or "The Everything Cut." It perfectly captures the current nostalgia for '90s and Y2K fashion, offering a flattering, face-framing shape that adds instant volume and movement to almost any hair type.

The Enduring Legacy of the Original Rachel Haircut

The haircut’s history is a fascinating blend of accident and cultural phenomenon. It was first introduced in 1995 during the first season of *Friends* and immediately became a global sensation.

The Genesis of the Global Hair Trend

The original "Rachel" was created by celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan. McMillan reportedly designed the cut to repair damage and help Jennifer Aniston grow out her bangs. The result was a voluminous, shoulder-length cut defined by heavy, choppy layers and a significant amount of lift. The style became so popular that it was requested in salons worldwide, often by people who didn't even know the name of the TV show. It was a defining look of the mid-90s, symbolizing a fresh, aspirational, and effortlessly chic aesthetic.

Jennifer Aniston’s Love-Hate Relationship with the Cut

Ironically, the woman who popularized the style famously loathed it. Jennifer Aniston has repeatedly joked that she would "rather shave her head" than wear the original cut again, describing it as incredibly difficult to style without Chris McMillan’s help. She revealed that the original version required constant blow-drying, a round brush, and a lot of product to achieve that signature voluminous flick. This high-maintenance reputation is precisely what the modern "Rachel Revival" aims to fix.

7 Modern Variations of The Rachel Trending for 2025

The 2025 version of The Rachel is less choppy and more blended. It focuses on face-framing layers that create a soft, rounded shape, often eliminating the blunt ends of the original. These updated cuts are designed to be lower maintenance and work on a wider range of hair lengths and textures.

1. The "Everything Cut" (The Soft Rachel)

This is Jennifer Aniston's current go-to style, a subtle nod to the original. It features soft, long, face-framing layers that blend seamlessly into the rest of the hair. It’s polished, low-maintenance, and adds movement without the dramatic '90s volume.

2. The "Kitty Cut"

Often cited as the new name for the modern Rachel, The Kitty Cut is a mid-length, heavily layered cut that falls between the classic Rachel and the shag haircut. It features layers around the face that hit the cheekbones and collarbone, creating a flattering, feline-like flick at the ends.

3. The Rachel with Curtain Bangs

A popular modern update is pairing the layered body of The Rachel with soft, sweeping curtain bangs. This hybrid style instantly frames the face and adds a contemporary twist, making the grow-out process much easier than traditional bangs.

4. The Long-Layered Rachel

For those with longer hair, the modern Rachel can be adapted with rounded layers that start below the chin. This keeps the length while still providing the essential face-framing shape and volume at the top, preventing long hair from looking flat.

5. The Chin-Length Flick

This variation is perfect for shorter hair, focusing on a strong, chin-length perimeter with internal layers that allow the ends to naturally flick outwards. It’s a bold, chic look that requires minimal styling—often just a quick blast of heat to shape the ends.

6. The Wavy/Curly Rachel

The original cut was primarily for straight hair, but the modern version is all about texture. Stylists are adapting the layers to enhance natural waves and curls, creating a voluminous, rounded shape that works *with* the hair's texture rather than fighting it.

7. The Textured Rachel with Highlights

To truly capture the '90s essence while keeping it fresh, many are opting for a dimensional color treatment. Chunky, golden highlights and lowlights, reminiscent of the original Rachel Green color, are being used to emphasize the movement and depth of the layers.

Essential Styling Tips for The Modern Rachel

Achieving The Rachel’s signature volume and movement is easier today thanks to new styling tools and products. The key is lift, movement, and a polished finish.

Tools and Products for Volume

* Volumizing Mousse or Spray: Apply to damp roots before blow-drying to build a foundation of lift. * Round Brush: This is non-negotiable for the classic look. Use a medium-sized round brush to lift the hair at the crown and curl the face-framing layers slightly inward or outward. * Velcro Rollers: For a low-heat, high-impact volume boost, set the top and face-framing sections in large Velcro rollers while your hair cools after blow-drying. * Hair Dryer: A good blow-dryer is crucial. Focus the heat on the roots to maximize lift.

The Face-Framing Technique

The most important part of The Rachel is the face-framing layers. When drying these sections, use your round brush to pull the hair up and away from the face, curling the ends slightly to create the signature "flick." For a more modern look, curl the ends *out* (away from the face) rather than *in* (towards the chin), which gives a softer, more relaxed finish.

Maintenance and Upkeep

Because the cut relies on precise layering, regular trims are essential. A visit to your stylist every 6 to 8 weeks will help maintain the shape and prevent the layers from growing out into a shapeless mass. Ask your stylist for "internal layers" and "face-framing flicks" to ensure you get the modern, softer version of the cut, avoiding the overly choppy look of the original.