Image Source: Getty / Axelle/Bauer-Griffin, Daniele Venturelli, Jon Kopaloff, Unsplash / Jan Kopriva, Photo Illustration by Becky Jiras [1]

TikTok has become an absolute gold mine for beauty trends, particularly when it comes to hair. The app sparked no-poo movements in the form of "scalp detoxes" [2], the rise of the "Farrah Fawcett" flip [3], and countless styling hacks [4]. The newest hair trend to come out of TikTok, however, may be one that you've seen before. A video by influencer James Edward [5] went viral after depicting different iterations of the "surfer curtains" hairstyle — a look that was extremely popular in the '90s.

"The surfer-curtains trend is a cut that is generally parted in the center, or slightly off-center, and worn with a beachy texture," hairstylist Kylee Heath tells PS. "The cut and style leaves some length in the front that is worn almost like a curtain bang [6] that can be tossed left to right. This look is also great when it is a little tousled with some volume and texture."

Ahead, Heath explains everything you need to know about the trend.

Experts Featured in This Article

Kylee Heath [7] is a celebrity hairstylist and Hair Rituel [8] partner.

@je2steezy [9]

I would honestly die to have this #day12 [10]

♬ On Sight - Kanye West [11]

What Is a Surfer Curtains Harstyle?

Though Edward's video primarily shows the surfer-curtains hairstyle on short hair (the surfer-curtains haircut is particularly popular with men), you can wear this style on long hair as well. "This hairstyle does have a bit of an edge and an overall more tailored look when worn on shorter hair," Heath says. "Keeping the length a bit longer will give the style a little bit more femininity."

As for why the hairstyle is gaining popularity again, the short answer: Y2K beauty is back [12]. "Surfer-curtains hair is a real nod to the '90s and early 2000s," Heath says. "We have been seeing a lot of that era recently, particularly when it comes to fashion. It is only natural to go back to those hair trends as well."

How to Get a Surfer Curtains Hairstyle

If you want to get the surfer-curtains look at home, Heath has a few tips. "If you have straight to wavy hair, I would recommend brushing your hair when you get out of the shower before air-drying. After the hair is brushed, create a center part [13] and apply Hair Rituel by Sisley The Cream 230 [14] ($115)," she says. After that initial step, apply your favorite volumizing spray — we like the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray [15] ($35) — on top, and scrunch the hair with your hands. Once the hair has air-dried, you may want to add a bit more of the volumizing spray to bump the texture up even more.

This style might look a bit different if you have curly hair, but Heath has another technique that can still give you the surfer curtains of your dreams. "For curly hair, I recommend getting out of the shower and towel-drying the hair to begin," Heath says. "Apply The Cream 230, but also add a small amount of the Hair Rituel by Sisley Precious Hair Care Oil [16] ($120.) Then scrunch the product in with your hands and push the hair forward at the roots, twisting the length a bit away from the face." After applying the oil mixture, you can let your hair air-dry or diffuse to save some time. Then leave it as is. This style is great on day-two hair that has a bit of volume.

Hairstyles from the '90s will no doubt continue to make their rounds, but surfer curtains feel like a particularly classic look that will always be on trend. Make sure to keep these tips in mind if you decide to give the look a try.