Everyone on TikTok Is in Their Topanga Haircut Era

In the cinematic masterpiece that is the television show "Boy Meets World," there is no greater love story than Topanga and Cory. Well, except for Topanga's hair and everyone at home watching.

For the first three seasons, Topanga has long straight hair that flows below her hips. When she decides to get a shoulder-length cut in the second episode of season four to show Cory that inner beauty is more important than outer beauty, chaos ensues. Until everyone — including Topanga — realizes that she somehow looks 10 times hotter post-chop. That bouncy, voluminous '90s style remained her signature until the series ended in 2000.

While the look is technically nothing new, TikTok has given the cut new life, and everyone on the platform has been showing off their Topanga-inspired hair. The style is similar to other '90s looks that have had a recent resurgence, but it has a few key differences worth noting. Below, celebrity hairstylist David Lopez and balayage expert Abby Haliti, founder of Abby Haliti Color Studio, tell us everything to know about the Topanga haircut, like what it is, how to style it, and who it looks best on.

"The Topanga haircut refers to a hairstyle inspired by the character Topanga Lawrence from the TV show 'Boy Meets World,'" Haliti says. It typically features a mid-length cut roughly five inches below the collarbone, with lots of layers. "The look is similar to Cher Horowitz's hair from 'Clueless,'" Lopez adds.

While the Topanga haircut can be versatile, Haliti says there are a few factors to keep in mind before trying it out for yourself. "It may not be the best choice for those with very fine or thin hair, as the layering and volume can potentially make the hair appear thinner." (Danielle Fishel, the actor who played Topanga, has thicker hair.) It also might be difficult to achieve the exact style on shorter lengths since the layers won't be as prominent.

If you're ready to take the plunge, Lopez and Haliti agree that showing up to your hair appointment with inspiration photos is key. "Visuals are important to the consultation, even if you've been going to [your stylist] for 10 years, always show a photo and be explicit about what you like about the haircut, and also ask what the styling routine would be like for [your hair type]," Lopez says.

Haliti says you should ask for long layers throughout your hair to create movement and texture, as well as face-framing pieces that start around the jawline. Then, specify your desired length and make sure to mention if you want to maintain fullness in your hair so that your stylist can avoid excessive thinning or removing too much weight.

This look is all about volume, so when styling at home, you'll want to start with clean, towel-dried hair, then apply a volumizing mousse or spray. Lopez says he loves the Kenra Professional Volume Mist 2 ($20), which will help give you the bouncy blowout Topanga is known for. From there, you'll want to use a heat protectant before you use any hot tools, then go in with a blow dryer and a round brush, making sure to curl the ends of your hair inward. Lopez says a great way to accentuate the layers this cut is famous for is to use hot rollers, like the T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers ($140), which can be placed in the hair once it's dry. (A full tutorial on how to use hot rollers can be found here.)

"Once you've achieved your desired look, set your hairstyle with a lightweight hairspray like the Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25 ($21), which will hold the style without weighing it down," Haliti says. We also love the Drybar Triple Sec Finishing Spray ($29) for this as well.

The cut's maintenance depends on your hair type, length, and personal preferences, but it's recommended you get regular trims every six to eight weeks. "As soon as you start feeling like the shape isn't there anymore and it's not quite hitting the same, it's probably time for a trim," Lopez says.

Ahead, check out examples of the Topanga haircut you can bring with you to your next salon appointment.