Rihanna&rsquo;s go-to hair stylist offers ultimate tips on achieving the 90s updo hair trend, as seen on the Fenty mogul and South African star Tyla.

The <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/90s">'90s </a>were unmatched, with no shortage of enviable fashion and beauty trends. But let's focus on the latter: From hair to makeup to nails, every detail was seamlessly executed, embracing audacity without restraint. Today's trends lean toward a similarly understated aesthetic, and this season nostalgia is in full swing with the return of the '90s updo.&nbsp;Some of the most beloved &lsquo;90s stars from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/pamela-anderson-style-evolution-best-looks-90s-2000s" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Pamela Anderson</a> to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gwyneth-paltrow-young-best-90s-style" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Gwyneth Paltrow</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/halle-berry-biggest-disappointment-after-winning-oscar" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Halle Berry</a> donned the timeless hairstyle back in the day, and it's having quite the comeback.
<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/tyla-fringed-bra-push-2-start-music-video-watch">Tyla</a> shutdown the red carpet at the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/red-carpet-highlights-winners-cfda-fashion-awards-2024">CFDA Fashion Awards</a> last month while wearing a vintage Tom Ford for Gucci look from Spring/Summer 1996. The daring archive ensemble wasn&rsquo;t the only part of the look that turned heads: the South African singer's perfectly tousled updo was another point of focus. It was reminiscent of Rihanna's recent style while attending a Moncler show in Shanghai alongside her beau A$AP Rocky. What do these two have in common? Celebrity hairstylist, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yusefhairnyc/?hl=en">Yusef Williams</a>.
&ldquo;When it came to Tyla&rsquo;s CFDA look, we were heavily inspired by the timeless elegance and bold glamour of the &lsquo;90s,&rdquo; the Fenty Hair Global Stylist tells L&rsquo;OFFICIEL. &ldquo;Tyla and I had a lot of conversations about the era&mdash;specifically referencing iconic supermodels like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/tyrabanks">Tyra Banks</a>. There was this one photo of Tyra that stuck in our minds.&rdquo; Amplified further by the buzz surrounding the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/everything-you-missed-from-the-victoria-s-secret-fashion-show">return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show</a>, the style captured the magic of the singer's performance at the buzzy runway's return.

This look wasn&rsquo;t just about paying homage to the era&rsquo;s icons, but channeling the essence of the decade&rsquo;s aesthetics. &ldquo;The &lsquo;90s Tom Ford for Gucci aesthetic also played a huge role,&rdquo; Williams adds. &ldquo;That era was about unapologetic sensuality and sophistication, and we wanted to reflect that through her hair.&rdquo; The result? A sculpted, yet effortless updo&mdash;tying together the allure of the pivotal time while heralding its resurgence today.
Reflecting on the cyclical nature of beauty trends, Williams believes "beauty styles always find a way to repeat themselves," and the '90s are no exception. He believes the return of adjacent trends from the era to be inevitable, adding that it&rsquo;s only a matter of "when and how" at this point. You&rsquo;ll find French rolls, top knots, and pinups on his moodboard, which he describes as &ldquo;classic styles whose names we could never change.&rdquo; But now, he quite enjoys the modern experimentation of it all when it comes to the texture, volume, and creative detailing.
To get the 90s-inspired updo look, Williams advises against rushing the process, in favor of a methodical yet flexible approach of working in sections to sidestep those pitfalls. &ldquo;A common mistake is trying to do it all in one swoop. Always work in three sections, starting with your foundation first. A solid foundation is key for any hairstyle,&rdquo; he explains. Once the base is set, the second section focuses on shaping and pinning to build structure, followed by the third section, which adds the finishing touches for a polished look.
To create the look, Williams always starts with a solid base. "I used the <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/fenty-beauty-rihanna-the-protective-type-5-in-1-heat-protectant-styling-cream-P513332?country_switch=us&amp;lang=en&amp;skuId=2816916&amp;om_mmc=ppc-GG_17791296871___2816916__9060354_c&amp;country_switch=us&amp;lang=en&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiArva5BhBiEiwA-oTnXZuXUI7_jLyR2i55Ubtv4DBxxvtILzfeN9ajbKl4yH5uYo0uwdKp6BoCZu0QAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Protective Type 5-in-1 Heat Protectant Styling Cream by Fenty Hair</a> to protect the hair while styling and for frizz control," he explains. From there, he sections off the top-center of the hair to craft different shapes that can be incorporated into a French roll. The sides and back are twisted and secured with large hairpins, while the hairline is kept sleek with <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/fenty-beauty-rihanna-the-controlling-type-hair-thickening-edge-control-gel-P513392?skuId=2816809&amp;icid2=products%20grid:p513392:product">Thickening Edge Control Gel</a>. "It&rsquo;s perfect for that smooth, clean finish," Williams adds, noting that he uses the <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/fenty-beauty-rihanna-the-sidestick-3-in-1-edge-styling-tool-P513319?skuId=2816882&amp;icid2=products%20grid:p513319:product">Side Stick</a> for precision. Whether locking the hair in place or adding creative edge designs, this ensures every detail in the updo is flawless.

A key technique of his is foregoing the need for perfection and surrendering into that effortlessness feeling that epitomizes this iconic style. &ldquo;Lean into the messy&mdash;you want that &lsquo;messy&rsquo; look to be effortless, so I never start with a true direction,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It comes together organically based on how the hair is falling.&rdquo; His go-to tools to achieve this include a big barrel curling iron and large hair pins. (Williams, who was appointed as a Fenty Hair Global Stylist in September, naturally uses the line's products most.)
If you&rsquo;re eager to try this style, but think it won&rsquo;t last, fear not: Williams says the key to making your '90s updo last all night lies in the details, namely meticulous pin placement and the liberal use of hairspray for a firm hold. For sleek edges and making sure baby hair stay put, he swears by an edge control gel, which he calls &ldquo;a game-changer.&rdquo; The right products and techniques make all the difference in the quest for that flawless finish, channeling the timeless and now-trending hairstyle that looks good from night to day.

"The '90s were a defining era of femininity and bold self-expression for women; qualities that remain as timeless as they are relevant," Williams says on why the style has managed to transcend decades. He&rsquo;s quite fond of '90s braids, voluminous curls, and edgy top knots too. This is evident in the work he does with his high-profile clientele. 
&ldquo;I love being a part of the beauty community today because my clients are so self-expressive and creative. They&rsquo;re fearless. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/rihanna-dior-jadore-campaign">Rihanna</a> being one of them&mdash;we&rsquo;ve done every hairstyle, color, and cut, it feels like, and we&rsquo;re always continuing to push the boundaries and take inspiration from past eras.&rdquo;
Often the inspiration starts within, and Williams encourages tapping into your roots&mdash;quite literally. "It&rsquo;s always a great idea to look through old family photos to see the hairstyles your mom and aunts were wearing that can be reinvented," he says, offering tips on hairstyle inspiration. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be afraid to be your own trendsetter&mdash;personal inspiration is where the best ideas come from.&rdquo;

Rihanna at the Moncler Genius Event in Shanghai. Photography: Getty Images.

Master the 90s Updo with Tips From Rihanna’s Hair Stylist, Yusef Williams

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