Who Remembers Frosted Tips?
Joey Skladany
May 21, 2021
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After watching Hulu’s Nickelodeon documentary, The Orange Years, we were left with a longing for Blockbuster, Butterfinger BBs, and even dial-up AOL. The ‘90s were a wonderful (and frankly, bizarre) time to grow up, chock-full of kitschy trends and products that truly defined our millennial generation. But some things are better left in the past, like butterfly clips, JNCO jeans, and the inexplicable desire to wear a Hawaiian shirt at least once a week.
While the ‘90s were fun and full of personality, they weren’t the most, well, beautiful. All the evidence you need can be found in an elementary school yearbook, even if you look beyond the rows of bowl cuts.
RELATED: AskMen Grooming Awards 2021
We’ll be damned, however, if we let these middle part, pompadour-loving Gen-Zers be responsible for all future beauty decisions. In fact, the post-pandemic world has now actually allowed for some of the most notable ‘90s grooming trends to be socially acceptable again.
Sure, they may be the byproduct of months of laziness and carelessness (looking at you, shaggy hair and frosted tips), but the best decade is back, better than ever, and to that we say a resounding “booyah!”
To break down these looks, we chatted with celebrity hair stylist Nick Arrojo, owner and founder of famed ARROJO NYC and former resident stylist on TLC’s What Not to Wear. Arrojo also offers some helpful tips and tricks on how to elevate and update these former trends to meet the needs of the modern gentleman.
Frosted Tips
You begged for them, you rocked them, and you have the disposable camera pictures to prove it. The act of bleaching or highlighting hair and then growing it out to reveal your natural roots was all the rage, especially in the late ‘90s as we patiently awaited the Y2K bug to wipe us all out. (Spoiler alert: It didn’t.)
“In the ‘90s, the blonde highlighting on men was pretty stark,” remarks Arrojo. “The contrast between the light ends and the dark roots became too much.”
How to modernize frosted tips: “For a modern take, go for a soft gradient effect that is vibrant, yet natural-looking. [They] also look best when the hair on the top of the head is worn longer than on the sides, such as an undercut. For styling, go loose and laid-back,” says Arrojo.
What we recommend:
TailaiMei Temporary Silver Gray Hair Wax
Dying your hair is a commitment. Why not experiment first with a tinted hair wax? And since silver is continuing to have a moment, embrace the dad vibes and be doubly on-trend.
Promising Review: “I bought this product because I recently stopped coloring my hair. I love my new grey but wanted to add a little depth without having to permanently color again. This was the perfect option. When I want to add some lowlights to my white hair I use some of this. Gives my hair great hold while adding the little bit of color I want. And it washed out when I shampoo the next day without staining or coloring my hair permanently. Would recommend to anyone wanting to add a little or a lot of color without the long-term commitment.” - Vicki
Goatees
If Leonardo DiCaprio says a goatee is in, then a goatee it is. The polarizing facial hair has seen a resurgence among A-list celebrities, but was once a Hollywood staple in the ‘90s.
“Goatee beards are great...for the right face shape,” says Arrojo. “It is best kept for oval and round shapes, as it helps create a more slimline silhouette on these features.”
How to modernize goatees: “Goatee beards look best with slightly disheveled hairstyles,” recommends Arrojo. “[You want] to create a perfectly imperfect style.”
What we recommend:
Every Man Jack Beard Butter
A healthy beard is a happy beard and this ultra-moisturizing lotion with cocoa butter will keep your goatee looking smooth, shiny, and, most importantly, in-tact.
Promising Review: “Best beard balm I have ever used. Unlike others I've tried, this beard butter (balm) really does make what it stands for: softening the beard, makes it shiny (but not too shiny) and tameable. All other beard balms I've used made my beard rock-hard and were very greasy. This one makes your beard very easy to manage and maintain. The scent is just on the spot: not too weak, not too strong. A huge plus is that this beard balm is vegan and, unlike many others, does not contain beeswax or any other animal-derived ingredients. You only need to use a very small portion, say a pea size plus a little more for a medium-length beard. Perfect!” - Midas
Faux Hawks
Perhaps the most approachable hair style on this list, the celebrated faux hawk has crept its way back into barber shops because of its versatility and low maintenance. And no, you don’t have to be Avril Lavigne’s Sk8er Boi to rock it.
“They’re edgy and stylish, great fun on the weekend, yet easy to tone down for the office. The faux hawk is back with a vengeance for summer 2021,” claims Arrojo.
How to modernize faux hawks: “A short to mid-length faux hawk—three to four inches—with short, tapered edges works best for a contemporary version of this rebellious style.”
What we recommend:
ARROJO Hair Gel
Nick’s own concoction boasts oat proteins and essential minerals to give your faux hawk a strong hold that lasts all day, but is flake-free and soft to the touch.
Promising Review: “Great product, good hold without being overly glossy.” - Hayden
Buzzcuts
Sometimes it’s just easier to shave it all off and start from scratch. This is particularly common among men who are suffering from hair loss and want to take control of their once-luscious locks by either embracing baldness or starting a topical treatment like Rogaine or finasteride.
“Buzzcuts became popular during lockdown. It’s pretty much the easiest, most hassle-free way for men to maintain their hair at home,” says Arrojo.
How to modernize buzzcuts: “What makes them modern, cool, and Instagrammable is the addition of color,” suggests Arrojo. “Whether it’s pastel or acid pop, adding a bold hue to your buzzcut is the kind of attention-grabbing statement we love in 2021.”
What we recommend:
Yes to Tea Tree Gentle and Soothing Pre-Shampoo Scalp Scrub
Since it’s your scalp that will be doing all of the talking, you’ll want to ensure that it’s itch and flake-free. This soothing blend of tea tree and sage oils will balance the pH levels of your head’s surface and leave behind a spa-worthy scent.
Promising Review: “I never write reviews. I've never used a product that I felt warranted a great review, until this product. I have struggled with what I thought was dandruff for years. No matter how many anti-dandruff shampoos I used, it made no difference. I had started to accept that I would have this for life. One of my friends recommended I try scalp exfoliation to see if that would help. This is the first product I've tried and I have only used it one time. ONE TIME. My scalp feels so clean and I have absolutely no little specks and flakes anymore. After one use, this has completely eradicated all of the build-up and junk on my scalp. My hair is also the softest it has been in my adult life, and looks fantastic. I even cried a little because I have been dealing with the ‘dandruff’ for years with no relief. This product smells good, it is easy to use, and is 100 percent effective (at least for me). It did make my hair feel a bit dry after I used it, so just make sure to use a decent shampoo and conditioner. I will buy this for the rest of my life. If you are struggling and are looking to try something, buy this. Seriously, what are you waiting for?” - Samantha
Grunge Hair
If you used 2020 to channel your inner rockstar, chances are likely that you’re not too sure how to deal with your shaggy mane. But why not celebrate the effort you put into it and make it your new signature look?
“Converse to the buzzcut, many men also took the chance to let their hair grow long during lockdown. Ergo, we are now seeing the return of the grungy looks of the 1990s,” says Arrojo. “Kurt Cobain’s thrown-together, long and bleached blonde [hair] with roots is still the archetype to follow.”
How to modernize grunge hair: “Rather than letting your long locks actually be grimy and dirty, as they were in the 1990s, bring this look up to date by keeping it in good, clean condition,” says Arrojo. “Be grungy in your style, not your nature.”
What we recommend:
Dove Men+Care Charcoal and Clay Shampoo
With hair this long, chances are likely that you’re washing it often, if not daily. To save on price but not on quality, Dove’s Men+Care line boasts an impressive line of shampoos and conditioners to maintain voluminous, healthy hair without breaking the bank.
Promising Review: “Works well for my husband’s hair. He has thick curly hair. He has to use a lot of styling products to manage and control his hair. This shampoo removed the product build-up but is also very gentle on his hair. I wish it would restore more moisture. But I will be looking into more Dove + care products to pair with this shampoo.” - Amber
Body Spray
This one may have been more of a trend with the girls, but who can forget the practically offensive smell of cucumber melon from Bath and Body Works? It was so strong that you almost felt like you were wearing it after your crush walked by. We got them back with AXE, though, which actually didn’t reach peak popularity until 2002.
How to modernize body spray: You can obviously opt for a light and fresh cologne, but there are now upgraded men’s body sprays in a wide variety of alluring scents.
What we recommend:
Jack Black All-Over Body Spray
Keep this citrus, rosemary, and mint blend in your office desk drawer for some quick spritzes throughout the day. The cool and invigorating scent will not be an assault to everyone’s noses and you can guarantee that you’ll be clean and rejuvenated before every meeting.
Promising Review: “This stuff smells so dang good! My wife loves it! Not too overpowering. Just the right amount of smell good to get you through the day!” - Nick
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