The Rachel
{{Short description|Hairstyle named after Friends character Rachel Green}}
File:The Rachel.png portraying her character, Rachel Green, while donning the eponymous hairstyle]]
The Rachel haircut, commonly known as simply "The Rachel",{{Cite web |title=Rachel Haircut |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/fashion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/rachel-haircut |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=Encyclopedia.com}}{{Cite news |last=Gould |first=Halle |date=July 8, 2014 |title=25 Iconic Layered Hairstyles |work=Good Housekeeping |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/tips/g1178/iconic-layered-hairstyles-evolution/?slide=1 |access-date=June 2, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Bjornson |first=Greta |date=February 14, 2022 |title=How 'The Rachel' Haircut from Friends Became a Global Phenomenon Influencing Stars like Jessica Alba |work=People |url=https://people.com/style/how-the-rachel-haircut-from-friends-became-a-global-phenomenon-influencing-stars-like-jessica-alba/ |access-date=June 6, 2022}} is an eponymous hairstyle popularized by American actress Jennifer Aniston. Named after Rachel Green, the character she played on the American sitcom Friends (1994–2004), Aniston debuted the haircut during the show's first season, and continued to wear it throughout its second season while the series was nearing peak popularity. Designed by Aniston's hairstylist Chris McMillan to repair her damaged hair and grow out her bangs, "The Rachel" is a voluminous shoulder-length haircut, with several distinct layers that frame and turn outwards from its wearer's face. It has been described as a variation on both the shag and bob haircuts.
Aniston first wore the hairstyle in the first-season episode "The One With the Evil Orthodontist", shortly after which it became a global trend and one of the most requested styles at hair salons throughout the decade. Although the style experienced peak ubiquity during the 1990s, it has experienced several revivals in the years since the show aired, notably following the advent of social media and airing of the television special Friends: The Reunion in 2021. The hairstyle itself has received mixed reviews from journalists, with some arguing that it flattered few apart from Aniston and several criticizing its difficulty to maintain.
"The Rachel" is widely considered to be one of the most famous hairstyles in history, having been constantly emulated by millions of women worldwide and remaining popular for over 20 years since its debut. Despite its popularity, Aniston has publicly stated that she dislikes the hairstyle due to its difficulty to maintain and replicate without McMillan's assistance.
History
= Background and design =
"The Rachel" was created by hairstylist Chris McMillan,{{Cite web |title=Chris McMillan |url=https://www.chrismcmillanthesalon.com/#chris |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=Chris McMillan Salon}}{{Cite news |last=Messina |first=Victoria |date=April 19, 2020 |title=Jennifer Aniston's Hairstylist Shared At-Home Haircut Tips, and We're Taking Notes |work=PopSugar |url=https://www.popsugar.co.uk/beauty/chris-mcmillan-haircut-at-home-tips-47387876 |access-date=May 18, 2022}} and colored by Michael Canalé.{{Cite news |last=Eksouzian-Cavadas |first=Ana |date=November 1, 2020 |title=Tracking Rachel Green's complete hair evolution, from 'The Rachel' to sunkissed strands |work=Vogue Australia |url=https://www.vogue.com.au/beauty/hair/tracking-rachel-greens-complete-hair-evolution-from-the-rachel-to-sunkissed-strands/image-gallery/310a2dfc7b72e118424a073713f1da05 |access-date=May 18, 2022}}{{Efn|Colorist Michael Canalé has sometimes been identified as a co-creator.{{cite news |last1=Jensen |first1=Erin |title=Jennifer Aniston's colorist gave me a makeover. Here's what I learned. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/05/23/jennifer-anistons-colorist-michael-canal-gave-me-a-hair-makeover/101711086/ |access-date=May 24, 2022 |work=USA Today |date=May 23, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Hollis |first1=Tyler |title=The "Salon Tea" from Hollywood's most sought-after colorist and co-creator of "The Rachel," Michael Canalé |url=https://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/valleygirlblog/shopping/the-salon-tea-from-hollywoods-most-sought-after-colorist-and-co-creator-of-the-rachel-michael-canale/ |access-date=May 19, 2018 |work=Arizona Foothills Magazine |date=July 13, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Epstein |first1=Elena |title=Hollywood Colorist Michael Canalé Shares His Tips on Healthy L.A. Summer Hair |url=https://www.laparent.com/keyword/michael-canale/ |access-date=May 19, 2022 |work=LA Parent |date=March 16, 2021}} He told StarCentral Magazine, "Together [with Chris McMillan], we created the 'Rachel' for Jennifer Aniston – it was his cut and my color. Both that cut and her color, have withstood the test of time."{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Jason |title=One On One Interview With Hollywood's Most Sought-After Colorist: Michael Canalé |url=https://starcentralmagazine.com/entrepreneurship/2020/04/01/michael-canale/ |access-date=May 18, 2022 |work=StarCentral Magazine}}|name=Michael Canalé co-creator|group=lower-alpha}} Recommended to Aniston by her Friends co-star Courteney Cox,{{Cite web |last=Rector-Gable |first=Mary |date=March 30, 2016 |title=The Legend Gets Real: Chris McMillan |url=https://behindthechair.com/articles/the-legend-gets-real-chris-mcmillan/ |access-date=May 17, 2022 |website=BehindTheChair.com}}{{Cite news |last1=McMillan |first1=Chris |last2=Pergament |first2=Danielle |date=December 22, 2015 |title=How Jennifer Aniston's Hairstylist Chris McMillan Kicked His Drug Addiction |work=Allure |url=https://www.allure.com/story/celebrity-hairstylist-chris-mcmillan-overcomes-drug-addiction |access-date=May 17, 2022}} Aniston's manager first recruited McMillan to style the actress' hair for the Friends pilot. Aniston's manager was also managing actress Patricia Arquette, whose hair McMillan had been styling around the same time. Insisting that her client get her hair done urgently because she found it to be in poor condition and "a terrible length",{{Cite news |last=Weifang |first=Zhang |date=January 24, 2014 |title=Your locks are Jennifer Aniston's business |work=Today |url=https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/beauty/your-locks-are-jennifer-anistons-business |access-date=May 18, 2022}} the manager suggested that Aniston visit McMillan's salon for the first time. McMillan was determined to convince Aniston, whose hair was very long and frizzy at the time,{{Cite news |last=Bates |first=Daniel |date=May 13, 2013 |title='I was high when I created The Rachel' |work=Independent Online |url=https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/style-beauty/beauty/i-was-high-when-i-created-the-rachel-1514975 |access-date=May 18, 2022}} to attempt a different hairstyle that included a shorter length and highlights.{{Cite news |last=Delahaye |first=Julie |date=February 19, 2016 |title=Jennifer Aniston's hairstylist on convincing her to get 'The Rachel' |work=Hello! |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/hair/2016021929897/jennifer-aniston-hairstylist-chris-mcmillan-talks-the-rachel-haircut-from-friends/ |access-date=May 17, 2022}} McMillan drew inspiration from several sources, including male surfers from his Manhattan beach hometown, model Beri Smither's bob cut, and model Amber Valletta's blowouts styled by hairstylist Garren.{{Cite news |last=Valenti |first=Lauren |date=February 11, 2022 |title=The Hair Products Jennifer Aniston Swears By, According to Her Longtime Pros |work=Vogue |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/jennifer-aniston-hair-products-color-styling-routine |access-date=May 18, 2022}} McMillan insists that he did not intentionally create the hairstyle for Aniston, admitting that he had also given a similar haircut to actress Cameron Diaz. According to McMillan, the hairstyle was created to grow out Aniston's bangs, which he achieved by bringing "up the length to make the bangs seem longer" before pulling "the hair over so she didn't look like she had bangs", from which "the layers started falling forward". Having known Aniston prior to the pilot, Canalé had already been coloring her hair before the haircut itself occurred, adding "highlights from roots to ends" to "create the perfect canvas for" McMillan's cut. Canalé lightened Aniston's naturally medium-brown hair into a caramelized brown while using blonde highlights on the tips, which the colorist believes gave her hair the impression that it had been gradually faded by the Sun over time.{{Cite news |date=November 5, 2011 |title=Hair colorist to the stars Michael Canale explains the origins of 'The Rachel' |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/hair-colorist-to-the-stars-michael-canale-explains-the-origins-of-the-rachel/ |access-date=May 19, 2022}} After the cut, he incorporated additional "paper-thin highlights" for which the look has become known. Canalé has since continued to color Aniston's hair.{{Cite news |last=Day |first=Emma |date=February 16, 2020 |title='Meghan, give me a call!': Celebrity hairdresser Michael Canale wants to get his hands on the Duchess of Sussex's locks |work=The National |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/fashion/meghan-give-me-a-call-celebrity-hairdresser-michael-canale-wants-to-get-his-hands-on-the-duchess-of-sussex-s-locks-1.979757 |access-date=May 18, 2022}} At this time, McMillan was struggling with a drug addiction, and admitted to having been under the influence when he cut Aniston's hair into "The Rachel".{{Cite news |date=May 11, 2013 |title=Quote of the Day: Chris McMillan |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2013/05/10/quote-day-chris-mcmillan/OJLYiIT9uIqtaDFeHM7fcJ/story.html |access-date=May 18, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Rachael |date=February 11, 2015 |title=8 Fast Facts About the Rachel Cut |work=Hairdressers Journal International |url=https://www.hji.co.uk/inspiration/8-fast-facts-about-the-rachel-cut/ |access-date=May 18, 2022 |quote=It's one of the most iconic hairstyles of all time}} Aniston and McMillan have since maintained a strong friendship,{{Cite news |last=Ranscombe |first=Sian |date=February 18, 2016 |title=Stylist Chris McMillan: How creating 'the Rachel' changed his life |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/hair/stylist-chris-mcmillan-how-creating-the-rachel-changed-his-life/ |access-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220130831/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/hair/stylist-chris-mcmillan-how-creating-the-rachel-changed-his-life/ |archive-date=February 20, 2016}} and she credits "The Rachel" with forcing her to pay attention to her own hair going forward.
"The Rachel" is described as an intricate, voluminous, feathered haircut that ends just shy of its wearer's collarbone, with "choppy layers, chunky blonde highlights, and a blown-out look".{{Cite news |last=Glusac |first=Melina |date=February 7, 2020 |title=From the 'Rachel' to the silky blowout, here's Jennifer Aniston's famous hair evolution |work=Insider |url=https://www.insider.com/jennifer-aniston-hair-evolution-the-rachel-2019-1#1990-when-jennifer-aniston-was-just-starting-out-as-an-actress-she-rocked-her-natural-dark-brown-color-and-wispy-bangs-1 |access-date=May 17, 2022}} Comedian Dewayne Perkins identified layers, highlights and a "weird bang opening" as the hairstyle's defining characteristics. Accentuated with a side-parted fringe,{{Cite news |last=Stanovick |first=Katie |date=October 3, 2020 |title="The Rachel" Haircut Is Officially A Thing Again & Selena Gomez's Latest Style Is Proof |work=The Zoe Report |url=https://www.thezoereport.com/p/selena-gomezs-hairstyle-on-the-kelly-clarkson-show-is-proof-the-rachel-is-making-a-comeback-22607116 |access-date=May 26, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Storey |first=Katie |date=December 11, 2020 |title=Jennifer Aniston teases new look as she teams up with hair stylist who gave her that iconic 'Rachel' cut from Friends |work=Metro |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/12/11/jennifer-aniston-reunites-hair-stylist-who-gave-her-iconic-rachel-cut-13735942/ |access-date=May 26, 2022}} the hairstyle has alternately been referred to as a shag or bob cut, In addition to framing the face, the haircut is styled to "flick outwards" to increase movement. Describing its original color as "caramelized blonde with natural roots that blended out to her ends", Canalé said the cut is distinguishable by its "signature colour pop around the front, and a little colour exaggerated in the tips".{{Cite news |last=Docherty |first=Erin |date=August 29, 2019 |title=Why 'The Rachel' is still trending |work=Beauty Crew |url=https://www.beautycrew.com.au/jennifer-anistons-rachel-green-hairstyle-still-trending |access-date=May 18, 2022}} Before "The Rachel", Aniston typically wore her hair on Friends in a longer, wavier style.{{Cite news |last=Ray |first=Alyssa |date=February 11, 2022 |title=An Ode to Jennifer Aniston's Hair Journey on Friends |work=E! Online |url=https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1274095/an-ode-to-jennifer-anistons-hair-journey-on-friends |access-date=May 18, 2022 |quote=One of the most iconic hairstyles in pop culture and celebrity history}} Aniston debuted the hairstyle in the first-season Friends episode "The One With the Evil Orthodontist", which premiered in 1995.{{Cite news |last=Serafino |first=Jason |date=September 19, 2019 |title=The One Where Jennifer Aniston's 'Rachel' Haircut on Friends Became a Phenomenon |work=Mental Floss |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/598225/jennifer-aniston-the-rachel-haircut-friends-history |access-date=May 17, 2022}} Eventually becoming her character's signature hairdo,{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Annie |date=May 13, 2015 |title=Jennifer Aniston explains why she hated 'Rachel' haircut |work=United Press International |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2015/05/13/Jennifer-Aniston-explains-why-she-hated-Rachel-haircut/3411431543411/ |access-date=May 18, 2022}} she continued to wear it throughout the show's first and second seasons.{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2011 |title=Jennifer Aniston derides her Friends hairstyle |work=The Scotsman |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/jennifer-aniston-derides-her-friends-hairstyle-1688477 |access-date=May 18, 2022}} Although the style remained at the beginning of season three, the haircut began to grow into a longer, more "more full-bodied" version of itself by 1996, with Aniston having decided to grow it out after only eight months.{{Cite news |last=Naughton |first=Julie |date=February 3, 2011 |title=Jennifer Aniston on Scents, Babies and Tabloids |work=Women's Wear Daily |url=https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/fragrance/jennifer-anistons-fragrance-launches-in-us-3458685/ |access-date=May 25, 2022}} The actress abandoned "The Rachel" altogether by season four, replacing it with a longer layered look that she preferred.
Aniston has publicly stated on several occasions that she is not fond of "The Rachel",{{Cite news |last=Perron |first=Alexandra |date=February 11, 2015 |title=8 Things Jennifer Aniston Has Said About Her Famous 'Rachel' Haircut |work=Yahoo! Life |url=https://ca.style.yahoo.com/8-things-jennifer-aniston-has-said-about-her-famous--rachel--haircut-195521220.html |access-date=May 19, 2022 |id=The article cites several interviews in which Aniston has shared her tepid opinion about "The Rachel" between 2011 and 2014, discussions with Allure, BuzzFeed, ABC News, Living Proof, Women's Wear Daily and E! Online.}}{{Cite news |date=December 2, 2022 |title=Jennifer Aniston wasn't a fan of 'The Rachel' haircut, here's why |work=Devdiscourse |url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1920572-jennifer-aniston-wasnt-a-fan-of-the-rachel-haircut-heres-why |access-date=May 27, 2022}} going as far as to say she would rather shave her head than wear it again,{{Cite news |date=August 14, 2013 |title=Jennifer Aniston will never have her Rachel haircut back |work=NDTV |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/jennifer-aniston-will-never-have-her-rachel-haircut-back-613399 |access-date=May 18, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Chang |first=Rachel |date=March 26, 2020 |title=Why Jennifer Aniston Hates 'The Rachel' Haircut From 'Friends' |url=https://www.biography.com/news/jennifer-aniston-hated-the-rachel-haircut-friends |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=Biography}} and calling it "the ugliest haircut I've ever seen".{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2011 |title=Jennifer Aniston: 'The Rachel' 'Was The Ugliest Haircut I've Ever Seen' (POLL) |work=HuffPost |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jennifer-aniston-hated-the-rachel_n_810229 |access-date=May 26, 2022}}{{Cite news |date=January 19, 2011 |title=Jennifer Aniston: The Rachel Was "the Ugliest Haircut I've Ever Seen" |work=People |url=https://people.com/style/jennifer-aniston-the-rachel-was-the-ugliest-haircut-ive-ever-seen/ |access-date=June 7, 2022}} Her feelings towards it have fluctuated over time,{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Zach |date=May 14, 2014 |title=Jennifer Aniston: "'The Rachel' Was One of the Hardest Hairstyles to Maintain" |work=E! Online |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/542106/jennifer-aniston-the-rachel-was-one-of-the-hardest-hairstyles-to-maintain |access-date=May 25, 2022 |quote=Nearly two decades after Jennifer Aniston debuted 'The Rachel' on Friends, the world is still talking about the actress' now iconic haircut.}} eventually explaining she was frustrated that "It was all anyone ever wanted to know about, all Chris ever got asked to do". Aniston liked the haircut when it was first styled,{{Cite news |last=Adamiyatt |first=Roxanne |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Jennifer Aniston Spills What Really Happened After Chris McMillan Gave Her 'The Rachel' |work=Us Weekly |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/stylish/news/jennifer-aniston-talks-chris-mcmillanthe-rachel-haircut-at-instyle-award/ |access-date=May 17, 2022}} identifying it as the first time her hair received compliments.{{Cite news |last=Decker |first=Megan |date=September 8, 2021 |title=Jennifer Aniston On Her Love/Hate Relationship With 'The Rachel' Haircut |work=Refinery29 |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2021/09/10666819/jennifer-aniston-lolavie |access-date=May 17, 2022}} However, she found it very difficult to maintain and replicate without McMillan's involvement,{{Cite news |last=Messer |first=Lesley |date=May 14, 2014 |title=Jennifer Aniston's Surprising Hair Washing Habits |work=ABC7 News |url=https://abc7news.com/news/jennifer-anistons-surprising-hair-washing-habits/58519/ |access-date=May 26, 2022}}{{Cite news |date=May 15, 2015 |title=Jen Aniston admits "The Rachel" was hard to maintain |work=Elle |url=https://www.elle.com.au/celebrity/jen-aniston-admits-the-rachel-was-hard-to-maintain-9401 |access-date=May 18, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Messer |first=Lesley |date=May 1, 2014 |title=Jennifer Aniston: I Wash My Hair Every Three Days |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jennifer-aniston-opens-beauty-regimen/story?id=23704477 |access-date=May 24, 2022}} likening the unsuccessful results of styling it herself to a "frizzy mop". Despite being bemused by its popularity, Aniston has since described herself as having a love-hate relationship with the hairstyle, finding herself able to appreciate the history of its simplicity. Although he considers "The Rachel" to be "an easy cut" to provide, McMillan agreed that the style is high-maintenance, requiring regular trims, a blow dryer and a round brush to "define all those flicks", as well as three brushes and at times Velcro rollers. Aniston likened the process of styling the look to performing surgery.{{Cite news |last=Chao |first=Ning |date=June 13, 2013 |title=Hair Majesty: Jennifer Aniston |work=Marie Claire |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/hair/a7749/hair-majesty-jennifer-aniston/ |access-date=May 18, 2022}}
= Initial reaction and popularity =
Shortly after "The One With the Evil Orthodontist" premiered in April 1995,{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Traci |date=May 21, 2021 |title=The One Where We Wished 'The Rachel' Haircut from 'Friends' Would Make a Comeback |work=98.1 The Hawk |url=https://981thehawk.com/the-rachel-haircut/ |access-date=June 2, 2022}} Aniston's haircut became an international phenomenon during the mid-1990s,{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Natalie |date=October 25, 2017 |title=Jennifer Aniston's 'Rachel' Haircut: The Story Behind the Iconic Photo of Her Wildly Popular Friends Hairdo |work=People |url=https://people.com/tv/jennifer-aniston-story-behind-friends-rachel-haircut-photo/ |access-date=May 17, 2022}} inciting a global trend by becoming one of the time's most sought-after hairstyles among fans and celebrities alike.{{Cite news |last=Ruffo |first=Jillian |date=October 26, 2017 |title=Debra Messing Reveals She Once Got Jennifer Aniston's 'Rachel' Haircut: 'It Looked Like a Mushroom' |work=People |url=https://people.com/style/debra-messing-rachel-haircut-friends/ |access-date=May 25, 2022}} E! Online's Alyssa Ray wrote that the haircut became popular to the point where it practically morphed into its own Friends character. McMillan recalled that several magazines and publications nicknamed it "The Rachel" soon after the haircut debuted, and began inviting him for interviews. Some fans of the show flew themselves to McMillan's salon in Los Angeles so he could give them the haircut personally, a service for which he only charged $60 at the time. In 1995, photographer Robert Trachtenberg photographed Aniston for an issue of Entertainment Weekly, at the time describing the look as having "a gigantic presence in pop culture". Conceived by Trachtenberg, the Entertainment Weekly image depicted Aniston's head surrounded by multiple wig heads as shown through the window of a wig store. The photo required Aniston to place her head in a wooden hole. Although she was physically uncomfortable during the photoshoot, she supported the idea of poking fun at the hairstyle, with Trachtenberg describing her as "a real trooper about it".
The cut remained one of the most requested hairstyles throughout the decade, with Becky Hughes of Parade reporting that it was the most-requested haircut of the 1990s.{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Becky |date=December 28, 2016 |title=Photos: The Best of Jennifer Aniston's Hairstyles Over the Years |work=Parade |url=https://parade.com/535348/beckyhughes/photos-the-best-of-jennifer-anistons-hairstyles-over-the-years/ |access-date=May 27, 2022}} Reaching peak popularity around its third year, it inspired millions of women to receive similar haircuts during the 1990s,{{Cite news |last=Escobar |first=Sam |date=February 2, 2020 |title=The 30-Year Evolution of Jennifer Aniston's Hair – 1995: The Rachel |work=Good Housekeeping |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g2527/jennifer-aniston-hairstyles/?slide=5 |access-date=May 18, 2022}} in turn helping to establish Aniston as the show's breakout star. By the show's second and third seasons, newspapers and magazines reported that salons from Los Angeles to New York were being overwhelmed with female customers requesting Aniston's haircut. Some customers brought their own copies of magazines such as TV Guide for reference, while others recorded and played episodes of the series at the salon to ensure accuracy. In 1996, Alabama-based hair stylist Lisa Pressley claimed she was styling approximately four "Rachels" per week to women between the ages of 13 and 30, not including touch-ups and re-stylings. Another hairstylist estimated that "The Rachel" accounted for at least 40% of her business among female clients during this time.
Some television shows attempted to achieve the hairstyle's success on their own programs. Inspired by its popularity, producers suggested that Will & Grace star Debra Messing attempt to replicate the hairstyle on her own sitcom.{{Cite news |date=February 12, 2019 |title='Late Night': Debra Messing Rocked 'the Rachel' Hairstyle |work=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/late-night-debra-messing-friends-the-rachel/2138237/ |access-date=May 25, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Castañon |first=Kelsey |date=October 25, 2017 |title=Debra Messing Once Got "The Rachel" Haircut — & It Went Horribly Wrong |work=Refinery29 |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/10/178199/debra-messing-the-rachel-hair |access-date=May 25, 2022}} Although McMillan himself styled the first cut, Messing recanted once they realized maintaining it without McMillan was impractical, with the show spending several hours trying to straighten her hair with little success. Singer Mariah Carey also attempted to don the hairstyle during the mid-1990s, which Carey retrospectively called a "sad attempt" but Aniston defended.{{Cite news |last=Vivinetto |first=Gina |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Mariah Carey's throwback pic of 'Rachel' hairdo draws response from Jennifer Aniston |work=Today |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/mariah-carey-s-throwback-pic-rachel-hairdo-draws-response-jennifer-t220267 |access-date=May 27, 2022}}
Friends hair stylist Richard Marin would sometimes receive fan mail lambasting him for changing Rachel's hair.{{Cite web |last=Caruso |first=Lauren |date=October 15, 2020 |title=The Hairstylist From 'Friends' On What Makes Him Cringe When Watching Reruns |url=https://thedipp.com/friends/hairstylist-from-friends-on-rachel-phoebe-hair |access-date=May 19, 2022 |website=The Dipp}} Cox jokingly expressed that she envied the fact that her hairstyles did not experience the same widespread popularity as "The Rachel", which she found perplexing due to the fact that they shared the same hairdresser.{{Cite news |last=Duboff |first=Josh |date=September 23, 2014 |title=Courteney Cox Was Envious of Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel" Haircut on Friends |work=Vanity Fair |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/09/courteney-cox-jennifer-aniston-friends-rachel-haircut?intcid=inline_amp |access-date=May 26, 2022}} McMillan said that, in retrospect, he regrets not taking advantage of the haircut's popularity by establishing a business deal or launching a "Rachel" product line, but maintains that his profession is more focused on establishing close relationships with clients than being a businessman. Although Aniston eventually grew out the haircut and adopted a more conventional hairstyle, "The Rachel" remained a popular choice among women into the early 2000s.
= Resurgence =
Remaining popular beyond the 1990s,{{Cite magazine |last=Sanchez |first=Chelsey |date=March 10, 2020 |title=Selena Gomez Rocks "The Rachel" Haircut |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a31344514/selena-gomez-rachel-haircut/ |access-date=May 27, 2022}} MSN reported that women were still requesting the Rachel haircut fifteen years after it debuted.{{Cite news |title=Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel" Cut |work=MSN Lifestyle |url=http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com/beauty-fashion/celebrity-style/hearst-gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=24725132 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511185223/http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com/beauty-fashion/celebrity-style/hearst-gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=24725132 |archive-date=May 11, 2014}} The hairstyle experienced a resurgence at the beginning of the 2020s.{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Amelia |date=December 22, 2020 |title=I Got 2020's Biggest Trend, Feathered Hair – & It's So Versatile |work=Refinery29 |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/feathered-haircut-trends |access-date=June 2, 2022}} Refinery29 reported that it reemerged "at the forefront of fashion" during the fall and winter of 2020, 25 years after it debuted.{{Cite news |last=Midkiff |first=Sarah |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Chrissy Teigen's New Haircut Proves That "The Rachel" Is Trending |work=Refinery29 |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2020/12/10227197/chrissy-teigen-rachel-hair-cut-instagram |access-date=June 6, 2022}} Singer Selena Gomez wore a longer version of the haircut on The Kelly Clarkson Show,{{Cite web |last=Vivinetto |first=Gina |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Chrissy Teigen is giving us Rachel/'Friends' vibes with her latest hairstyle |url=https://www.today.com/style/chrissy-teigen-giving-us-rachel-friends-vibes-her-latest-hairstyle-t203983 |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Today}} inspired by a combination of Aniston's layers and actress Goldie Hawn's curtain bangs.{{Cite news |last=Decker |first=Megan |date=March 10, 2020 |title=Selena Gomez's Latest Haircut Was Inspired By "The Rachel" |work=Refinery29 |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/2020/03/9537034/selena-gomez-the-rachel-haircut-friends |access-date=May 26, 2022}} The cut was styled by Gomez's hairstylist Marissa Marino.{{Cite news |last=Rosa |first=Christopher |date=March 11, 2020 |title=Selena Gomez Is Bringing Back the 'Rachel' Cut |work=Glamour |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/selena-gomez-the-rachel-haircut |access-date=May 27, 2022}} Gomez and model Chrissy Teigen are credited with leading the hairstyle's resurgence during the early 2020s.{{Cite news |last=Embleton |first=Fiona |date=January 27, 2021 |title=The 'Rachel Green' cut is back for 2021– why celebs are loving this feathered style |work=Woman & Home |url=https://www.womanandhome.com/us/news/beauty-news/kate-middleton-rachel-green-cut/ |access-date=June 2, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Norman |date=December 19, 2020 |title=Is Friends' The Rachel haircut making a comeback? |work=Primetimer |url=https://www.primetimer.com/item/Is-Friends-The-Rachel-haircut-making-a-comeback-0GSWJo |access-date=June 2, 2022}} Katie Stanovick of The Zoe Report described the hairstyle's resurgence as ultimate "proof [that] '90s looks are in a full-swing comeback".
Admitting that he continues to give clients "The Rachel" frequently as of 2021, McMillan contemporizes the style by decreasing its volume at the crown. In the wake of Friends: The Reunion in July 2021,{{Cite news |date=July 1, 2021 |title=Meet the Best Wash 'n' Go Shag |work=Hershesons |url=https://www.hershesons.com/blogs/hair-stories/meet-the-best-wash-n-go-shag |access-date=May 26, 2022}} "The Rachel" drastically resurged in popularity due to revived interest in several of the sitcom's fashion trends as a result of the television special. Beauty retailer Just My Look reported that demand for the haircut had surged by 179%, with salons noticing a dramatic increase in customers requesting a "modern version" of the cut. On the social media platform TikTok, the hashtag #RachelGreen had received upwards of 600 million views by June 2021, with similar hashtags causing the hairstyle to go viral on other platforms such as Instagram, where the hashtag #rachelgreen had been used over 1 million times by June 2021.{{Cite news |last=Bermingham |first=Laura |date=June 2, 2021 |title=The 'Modern Rachel' haircut goes viral after Friends reunion |work=Evoke.ie |url=https://evoke.ie/2021/06/02/style/modern-rachel-goes-viral-after-friends-reunion |access-date=May 27, 2022 |quote=One of the most important features of the Rachel ... was the volume}} Predicting that the resurgence will surely keep stylists busy, at the time Evoke.ie reported that "we're not sure we've ever seen numbers like these for any other trend". TikTok users attempted to achieve the look using curling irons and hair rollers, in turn suffering far less heat damaged than the original style.{{Cite news |last=Hong |first=Hana |date=August 24, 2021 |title=The "Rachel" Haircut Is Back—Here's How to Wear It in 2021 |work=Real Simple |url=https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/hair/hair-care/the-rachel-haircut |access-date=May 24, 2022 |quote=If you were to travel back in time to the '90s and ask any woman about the most iconic hairstyle of the times, the "Rachel" would definitely be the common denominator.}} Model Bella Hadid were among the most notable to adopt trend, as well as actress Renée Zellweger.{{Cite news |last=Vischer |first=Annie |date=September 8, 2021 |title='The Rachel' Haircut Is Officially Back In Business |work=Grazia |url=https://graziadaily.co.uk/beauty-hair/hair/the-rachel-cut-hairstyle-jennifer-aniston-hair-friends/ |access-date=May 24, 2022}} Dubbed the "Modern Rachel" by the media, the revived rendition was notably slightly longer, softer and allowed for more movement, while retaining "the face-framing flick from its predecessor".
Reception and analysis
File:Farrah Fawcett 1977.JPG |url=https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-farrah-fawcett-hair-trend-5180230 |access-date=June 10, 2022}}]]
Named after Aniston's Friends character Rachel Green,{{Cite news |title=Jennifer Aniston Biography |work=People |url=http://www.people.com/people/jennifer_aniston/biography |access-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423043914/http://www.people.com/people/jennifer_aniston/biography |archive-date=April 23, 2012}}{{Cite news |last=Tipnis |first=Sanika |date=December 8, 2020 |title=These Career-Changing Celebrity Hairstyles Were Actually Accidental |work=Savoir Flair |url=https://www.savoirflair.com/beauty/523464/iconic-celebrity-hairstyles |access-date=May 27, 2022}} "The Rachel" is considered an eponymous hairstyle.{{Cite news |last=Potter |first=Hugo |date=June 3, 2007 |title=Eponymous haircuts |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/jun/03/fashion.features3 |access-date=May 26, 2022}} Although several single-word and eponymous hairstyles had trended before, Emma Day of The National reported that "few could be captured in just one first name until" Friends introduced "The Rachel". Rachel Chang of Biography.com identified "The Rachel" as a successor to oft-imitated hairstyles worn by actresses Lucille Ball and Farrah Fawcett on their respective television series that aired during the 1950s and 1970s, while TV Guide highlighted both the "Farrah-do" and "The Rachel" as examples of television hairstyles audiences real life for decades.{{Cite news |date=July 31, 2014 |title=Video: The TV Haircuts That Changed Our Lives |work=TV Guide |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/complete-fox-fall-2022-tv-schedule/ |access-date=June 13, 2022}} "The Rachel" was the first hairstyle since the 1970s to garner an enthusiastic reaction comparable to that of Fawcett's.{{Cite news |last=West |first=Rachel |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Jennifer Aniston Praises Stylist Who Gave Her The Iconic 'Rachel' Hairstyle |work=Entertainment Tonight Canada |url=https://etcanada.com/news/379301/jennifer-aniston-praises-stylist-who-gave-her-the-iconic-rachel-hairstyle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023172230/https://etcanada.com/news/379301/jennifer-aniston-praises-stylist-who-gave-her-the-iconic-rachel-hairstyle/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=June 10, 2022}} Both hairstyles have been compared to each other,{{Cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Caroline |date=Jun 12, 2020 |title=The Feathered Haircut: An Untold History |url=https://www.formulate.co/journal/p/feathered-haircut |access-date=June 10, 2022 |website=Formulate |quote=The Farrah" was the 70's version of The Rachel}}{{Cite news |last=Tarlin |first=Ellen |date=June 25, 2009 |title=Farrah Fawcett: The Hair That Launched a Thousand Feathers |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2009/06/farrah-fawcett-the-hair-that-launched-a-thousand-feathers.html |access-date=June 13, 2022}} with Fawcett's experiencing its own social media revival in the 2020s shortly after "The Rachel".{{Cite web |last=Harrington |first=Jessica |date=April 12, 2021 |title=The "Farrah Fawcett Flip" Hairstyle Trend Is All Over TikTok Right Now |url=https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/farrah-fawcett-flip-hairstyle-trend-tiktok-48264637 |access-date=June 10, 2022 |website=PopSugar}} Saturday Night Live writer Sudi Green complained that "The Rachel" was derivative of hairstyles that preceded it, such as actress Meg Ryan's shag, explaining, "the Meg Ryan cut walked so that 'the Rachel' could soar".
Critical reception towards "The Rachel" has been generally mixed. Mental Floss writer Jason Serafino opined that the haircut "may have been a bit too Hollywood-looking for a twenty-something working for tips, but it fit in the world of Friends", while Metro
Both industry professionals and journalists have analyzed "The Rachel"{{-'}}s popularity at great length. Although McMillan did not create the haircut with the intention of garnering attention, Serafino believes its impact was inevitable in hindsight, citing Friends
Hersheson theorized that the cut was particularly popular among members of Generation Z due to their fascination with the 1990s, while Taylor credits its resurgence in the 2020s to middle-aged people longing for the decade's youth. In 2017, Canalé suggested the haircut will be making a comeback because customers whose hair suffers from "aggressive coloring techniques" often turn towards collarbone-length styles, to repair damaged ends. In addition to its "more natural look", the colorist found that "The Rachel" "enhances your natural texture, and softens the face". Hair stylist Luke Williams felt the hairstyle is more flattering when the wear's hair has natural layers, believing this allows for more volume "by surrounding your face in a heart shape and framing it perfectly". Cartner-Morley observed that the haircut "based its appeal on being an everywoman cut, a style everyone could and did emulate with the help of a high-street salon and some hair straighteners".{{Cite news |last=Cartner-Morley |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cartner-Morley |date=January 18, 2016 |title=The Friends style legacy: more than just oversized Gap shirts and tartan pyjamas |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2016/jan/18/friends-style-legacy-oversized-gap-shirts-tartan-pyjamas-normcore-reunite-tv-special-zuckerberg |access-date=May 26, 2022}} In a 2013 interview, Aniston said that despite not quite understanding the hairstyle's appeal herself, she believes "It's a big deal because ... a lot of people, a lot of gals, kind of thought was fun".{{Cite news |last=Malec |first=Brett |date=May 19, 2013 |title=Jennifer Aniston Talks the Rachel Haircut—Watch Now! |work=E! Online |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/416800/jennifer-aniston-talks-the-rachel-haircut-watch-now |access-date=May 26, 2022}}
Legacy
Due to its widespread impact on popular culture and women's fashion,{{Cite news |last=N. |first=Lori |date=January 10, 2021 |title=HowThe Rachel Haircut Changed A Generation |work=GentNews |url=https://gentnews.com/index.php?m=entertainment&d=viewvideo&id=252632 |access-date=May 26, 2022}} "The Rachel" is widely considered to be one of the most famous hairstyles in fashion history,{{Cite news |last=Coates |first=Hannah |date=June 11, 2021 |title=Yes, The Rachel Haircut Is Trending Again – This Is How To Wear It |work=British Vogue |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/modern-rachel-haircut |access-date=May 19, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Elle |date=June 1, 2021 |title=Everyone's Getting the 'Modern Rachel Haircut' Right Now |work=Glamour |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/modern-rachel-haircut |access-date=May 24, 2022 |quote=And, of course, it refocused our attention on one of the most famous haircuts in pop culture history: the Rachel.}} as well as one of the defining fashion trends of the 1990s and early 2000s.{{Cite magazine |last=Maril |first=Madge |date=May 17, 2021 |title=10 Iconic Hairstyles from the 1990s |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/g36145820/90s-hairstyles/ |access-date=May 18, 2022}}{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2011 |title=Jennifer Aniston hated Rachel Green's haircut |work=National Post |url=https://nationalpost.com/arts/jennifer-aniston-hated-rachel-greens-haircut |access-date=May 18, 2022 |quote=The "Rachel" was "the" haircut of the '90s}}{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Lindsay |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Jennifer Aniston admits she had trouble styling her signature 'Friends' hairdo |work=Today |url=https://www.today.com/style/jennifer-aniston-had-trouble-styling-friends-haircut-t140465 |access-date=May 18, 2022 |quote="The Rachel" was the haircut of the '90s}}{{Cite news |last=Decker |first=Megan |date=February 9, 2020 |title=Jennifer Aniston's Best Haircuts, From 1990 To Now |work=Refinery29 |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2020/02/9382717/jennifer-aniston-haircuts-hairstyles#slide-3 |access-date=May 19, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Alyssa |date=February 8, 2021 |title=14 Iconic Hairstyles in Pop Culture History |work=L'Officiel USA |url=https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/iconic-hair-pop-culture-history-jennifer-aniston-farrah-fawcett |access-date=May 26, 2022}} Entertainment Weekly declared it the most desired haircut of the Clinton era, as well as one of 25 fashion trends that impacted the entertainment industry.{{Cite magazine |date=February 18, 2016 |title=25 Fashion Moments That Changed Entertainment |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=http://www.ew.com/gallery/pop-culture-fashion-moments/2487508_6-rachel-1995 |access-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220230438/http://www.ew.com/gallery/pop-culture-fashion-moments/2487508_6-rachel-1995 |archive-date=February 20, 2016}} By as early as 2004, the year Friends ended, "The Rachel" had been voted the most influential haircut of all time by 2000 women polled by Morphy Richards, ahead of Fawcett, Princess Diana, Mary Quant and Marilyn Monroe.{{Cite news |date=December 13, 2004 |title=Rachel haircut the one to get |work=The New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/rachel-haircut-the-one-to-get/AS5OPZCCHKQSHTM3R4FU72BZ5Y/ |access-date=June 13, 2022}} Best Life
"The Rachel" is one of Friends
"The Rachel" has remained popular for more than two decades since it debuted,{{Cite news |last=Mandell |first=Andrea |date=May 16, 2014 |title='The Rachel' was super-hard to maintain, says Jen |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2014/05/16/the-rachel-was-super-hard-to-maintain-says-jen/77278378/ |access-date=May 24, 2022 |quote=It's been almost 20 years since Jennifer Aniston debuted "the Rachel," but the style that took hair salons by storm ... still makes headlines.}} with Beauty Crew
Both The Independent and Vanity Fair observed that a Wikipedia article had been written for the hairstyle.{{Cite news |date=November 17, 2009 |title=Iconic Haircuts: The 'Blake' Is Becoming the New "Rachel" |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/iconic-haircuts-the-blake-is-becoming-the-new-rachel-1822249.html |access-date=June 13, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Julie |date=June 13, 2013 |title=Jennifer Aniston, Like the Rest of the Universe, Is Understandably Envious of Kate Middleton |work=Vanity Fair |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/06/jennifer-aniston-kate-middleton |access-date=May 27, 2022}} In 2017, People included Trachtenberg's Entertainment Weekly photo in their book The 100 Best Celebrity Photos, with editor-in-chief Jess Cagle declaring "You can't put together the 100 Best Celebrity Photos of all time and not include 'The Rachel'." Cagle joked, "Today, Jennifer Aniston's haircut would have its own Twitter feed". In 2009, The Independent deemed actress Blake Lively's hairstyle from Gossip Girl the successor to "The Rachel".
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}