Top 10 Trending E-Girl Hairstyles That Slay in 2023

E-girls & E-boys have been around for a hot minute, but the aesthetic is a mainstay on TikTok these days. With a deep admiration for mismatched trends pulled from goth, anime, grunge, and indie sleaze — the result is somewhat reminiscent of the Myspace “Top 8” Scene Girl aesthetic.

What we love about this trend is one of its standout features — the heavily Y2K-inspired E-girl hairstyle. Think two-toned colored highlights, high ponys, sleek pigtails, shag bangs, and ultra-soft accessorized glam. It’s super cutesy and versatile, giving off an air of innocence with every look. Ready to give this contemporary TikTok trend a go? Check out our top 10 favorite E-girl hairstyle inspo for your Y2K vibe check.

1. Split-tone Hair

Why rock one hue when you can rock two? Split it down the middle and try two bold contrasting colors for a maximum E-girl effect. This wildly popular colorblock gives you twice the love and twice the looks. It’s easy to do and often seen with dark hues against a more vibrant shade to make your mane pop.

Get @youremynirvana look with Red for Brown Hair.

2. Half-Up Money Piece Highlights

It’s no secret that half-up hairstyles were all the rage in the ’90s. Give the style a modern update by adding some neon highlights. You’ll have an edgy look perfect for a casual trip to the mall or your fave festival. You’ll also need plenty of attitude to pull this look off, so don’t be shy and let your inner baddie shine.

Get @mauriokart look with Vibrant Yellow and Espresso Brown.

3. 90’s-esque Long Hair Don’t Care

For a ’90s-meets-e-girl style, keep the hair color playful and neutral with a focus on style. Part your front strands and playfully pull them forward. Add in a small side braid for an extra nostalgic touch. The result is the ultimate throwback hairstyle that looks great paired with low-rise jeans and a slinky spaghetti strap.

Get @juliaswibes look with Ginger and a dash of Espresso Brown.

4. Pastel Shag + Grunge Buns

This half-updo embodies 90’s Nirvana grunge vibes with a feminine twist. Pastel hair is an E-girl trademark, so add subtle highlights for extra points. What we love about this hairstyle is that it works great for all hair types and looks extra cute with a short and sassy shag cut.

Get @itssaraphillips look with Rose Gold.

5. Sunset Space Buns with Front Braid Twist

It’s nice to see the 90s Space Bun look alive and well, appearing around campus, during weekend brunch, and at your favorite festivals. Add wild colors to your mane for a statement-worthy edge and maximum dimension to make you stand out. Take it a step further and give the look an extra cool 90s twist by adding mini face-framing braids.

Get @maddiecarina look with Neon Yellow and Vibrant Orange.

6. Cute and Vivid Color

Bold, bright, and beautiful are very on-brand for the E-girl trend. Vibrant pinks and purples give Barbie chic taking us back to the playground. Add colorful makeup & adorable hair accessories — you’ve nailed the signature cutesy E-girl aesthetic.

Get @aloudmess look with Pastel Purple, Vibrant Pink, Vibrant Teal, and Vibrant Magenta.

7. Bold Shaggy Pixie

Bring out more movement to your look with a statement-worthy Shaggy Pixie. This trend is androgynous, bold, and looks great with all kinds of coloring. What we love about this look is that it's low maintenance, easy to style, and a surefire way to slay an edgy new hairstyle.

Get @nonbinate look with Purple for Brown Hair.

8. Subtle Peekaboo Highlights

Inspired by anime culture, subtle Peekaboo Highlights have won our hearts. What we love about this look is that color choices are endless, and minimal upkeep is perfect for those low-maintenance babes. Contrast your soft peekaboo highlights with bright, bold clothing and simple makeup such as a sharp, sophisticated cat’s-eye wing or pastel eyeshadow.

Get @contrashelby look with Extreme Blue and Extreme Purple.

9. Goth-Inspired Face Framing Highlights

The E-girl trend isn’t all pastels, neon colors, and butterflies. It also embodies a darker, grungier side of the 90s, and we kind of love it. Goth and emo-inspired cuts and colors are a popular facet of the aesthetic. In particular, short shag cuts with sharp eye-level bangs have resonated with this trend. Think cute but rough around the edges, adding a dark splash of contrasting color to your look.

Get @mckenziecatron look with Pastel Silver.

10. Chunky Neon Highlights

If you’re looking for an affordable and fun way to add color to your hair with minimal effort but maximum Y2K sass, then chunky neon highlights are just what you need. This look has been spotted on Billie Eilish, making it the definition of E-girl chic and a go-to for the aesthetic. We love this neon green hue, but know that this style looks great with any shade of pastel hair color.

Get @effie_terrestrial look with Pastel Green and Extreme Yellow.