We Asked Our Editors to Re-Create Their Favorite Childhood Hairstyles, and Oh the Nostalgia

“After I graduated from the wearing-tights-on-head-for-longer-hair-effect phase of my life – which, as my mom will attest, went on for way too many years of my earlier youth – I decided Ren Stevens from Even Stevens would be my hair icon. I styled it in every which way she would on the show (think crimped, up with face-framing tendrils, you name it) – but one that’s surprisingly carried on into my adult life is this messy, half-up look. The key here is the hair that’s spiked forward (and sometimes, sideways) at the knot. Choker not required, but obviously welcome.” – Kelsey Castañon, senior beauty editor

“Growing up, the hairstyle I wore most frequently was box braids. It was pretty much the only style I wore when I was 13 – mostly because my mom rarely ever let me style my natural hair on my own – but it really helped my hair continue to grow and stay healthy as a kid. These days I’ll wear box braids once or twice a year, either in the summer months or just as it starts to get chilly out. A few months ago once we all started social distancing, I decided to do a little experiment and install some myself. It was an interesting journey considering I’m not the most experienced braider, but I was happy with my results in the end.” – Danielle Jackson, assistant beauty editor

“From preschool to the end of elementary school, my mom would style my hair in two long braids every single day. I don’t have them anymore, but the look wasn’t truly complete without ’90s butterfly clips on the top of my head and colorful beaded hair ties at the bottom of each braid – yes, the kind from Claire’s. My hair used to be a lot longer, thicker, and shinier (oh, how the years go by), but I still feel like a little kid every time I decide to put my hair in braids.” – Chanel Vargas, editorial assistant, trending & viral features

“I don’t think there was a single day that went by in middle school that I didn’t wear my hair in this infamous bump hairstyle. I had side bangs at the time (of course I did), and would pull back this front section of my hair with bobby pins and a lot of hairspray. Staying true to trends of the early aughts, I also wore it with way too much black eyeliner on the top and bottom of my eyes. I couldn’t have been any more teenage Jersey girl if I tried.” – Jessica Harrington, associate beauty editor

“I’ve actually been throwing it back on the regular with my French braids now that it’s warming up and I have the time to do them in the morning. My mom used to French braid my hair all the time when I was young, and I can still picture myself holding my American Girl Felicity doll in matching dresses and braids. It’s amazing how a simple hairstyle can make you so nostalgic.” – Tara Block, content director, growth and strategic features