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Jennifer Aniston Hated The Rachel Haircut -- Here's Why

Here's what actress Jennifer Aniston thought about the haircut that launched her into superstardom
Anyone who was around in the '90s remembers the Rachel haircut. Of all of the iconic looks of the decade, it was the hairstyle worn by Friends actress Jennifer Aniston that launched a style craze overnight. Keep reading to find out what Jennifer had to say about the look that every woman wanted.


Jennifer Aniston wearing the Rachel haircut
Image via Getty

What Started as an Accident
With the entire series of Friends now available on Netflix, new generations of viewers are seeing Rachel Green's signature '90s style as well as her famous Rachel haircut for the first time. Played by Jennifer Aniston, Rachel quickly became a fashion icon as the sitcom reached incredible heights of popularity during its first season.

In addition to her preppy yet casual fashion style, the star's Rachel haircut became one of the most imitated looks for years to come. Interestingly, however, the creation of the Rachel haircut was a complete accident.

Hairstylist Chris McMillan, a longtime friend of Aniston's prior to the early days of Friends, decided to give his client a new look to suit the stylish character she played on television. Aniston, as it turns out, is more of a bohemian chic kind of gal who prefers long, beachy waves with fringe.

McMillan began taking inches off of Aniston's long, flowing locks. When it was time to create the now-iconic Rachel haircut layers, he decided to use a razor for the first time instead of cutting shears. What resulted was seamless tapered layers at varying lengths around the head and massive amounts of volume. Needless to say, it was a completely brand-new look in 1994.

He styled it with a large, round brush and a blow dryer and gave his A-list client instructions on how to maintain the look at home.

Less Than Thrilled
Aniston, who we now know is more of a laid back, low-maintenance lady, found that maintaining the Rachel haircut was a nightmare. With zero experience when it came to styling hair, she had to devote a large portion of her morning to keeping the iconic haircut looking its best.

As it turns out, Aniston has naturally frizzy, extremely thick and wavy hair. To keep her Rachel haircut looking smooth and in place, she had to master the art of blow drying, which did not come easily to her. As a result, she recalls frequently seeking help.

Additionally, Aniston simply didn't think the look suited her. In fact, she has been known to call it the ugliest thing she has ever seen.

The Rachel Haircut Aftermath
Watch any movie that was filmed between 1994 and 1998 and you're likely to see a variation of the Rachel haircut. The volume created by numerous razored layers became highly desirable and imitated by style-conscious women everywhere.

Interestingly, though, Aniston notes that her Rachel haircut lasted for barely an entire season. By the beginning of season two, her Rachel haircut had already grown out. Today, Aniston can recall her signature Rachel haircut with humor. The beauty has stuck to long, beachy waves ever since the show ended in 2004.

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JUN 21, 2016 | SHARES
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