Madonna’s Iconic ’90s Style Secrets Revealed by Her Hairstylist!

Madonna’s latest album, a follow-up to her 2005 hit “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” marks a nostalgic return to her roots, accompanied by one of her favorite beauty experts.

Famed celebrity hairstylist Garren has been instrumental in crafting some of Madonna’s most memorable looks from the ’90s and early 2000s, continuously shaping her dynamic persona.

“Creating characters from already fascinating people is what I adore,” he shared with Page Six Style. “And she thrives on reinventing herself.”

Their partnership started during an Italian Vogue photoshoot and solidified over the next two decades, with Garren providing input on more than just her hairstyles.

“She appreciated my straightforwardness,” he chuckled, remembering how his comments about her appearance at the Venice Film Festival led to an impromptu trip to a Tom Ford store in Canada. “She said, ‘You need to come to Toronto with me… you have to help me put together a more serious look,’” he recalled.

Garren often drew styling inspiration from the past, collecting books on Old Hollywood. “We’d bring these books to our shoots, and I’d mark the important pages,” he noted.

Considering Madonna remains a style icon for many, we asked Garren, who is also a co-founder of R+Co and R+Co Bleu, to discuss three of her timeless hairstyles and the contemporary products he’d use to recreate them.

1995 Vanity Fair Cover Channeling Marilyn Monroe

“She adorned herself with her own Harry Winston jewels that she personally selected. Those were simpler times when she’d arrive at the studio alone, occasionally joined briefly by her publicist,” Garren reminisced.

R+Co Bleu Blonded Brightening Masque

For those seeking the perfect care for blonde tresses, Garren recommends this hair mask, along with the Blonded Brightening Shampoo, to achieve a similar glossy look. “Her hair was a light yellow then, lacking the platinum sheen,” he explained, adding that these luxury products would add the desired shimmer.

MTV VMAs, 1995

“I pulled out a hairpiece from the late ’80s from my collection. I have an entire section dedicated to Madonna’s hair,” he revealed. “She was inspired by a photo of Catherine Deneuve and wanted something similar. It really elevated her look and made Courtney Love quite uneasy with how glamorous she appeared. Madonna joked, ‘Here we go, she’s going to ruin me… keep her away from my hair.’”

R+Co Bleu Cult Classic Hairspray

Although Madonna was wearing a hairpiece for this memorable VMA look, Garren would use this hairspray to achieve a similar effect today. “It has a great feel and maintains style even after brushing,” he noted.

“Sex” Book and “Erotica” Music Video, 1992

“That four-week period was just a blast. Looking at the ‘Sex’ book, you might wonder, ‘How did all this come to be?’ But we were actually laughing throughout, setting up each scene with joy,” he shared.

R+Co Bleu Optical Illusion Smoothing Oil

For the slicked-back chignon seen in Madonna’s “Erotica” video, Garren suggests using this oil for a sleek, enduring finish. “We wanted a product that wouldn’t just remove waves or curls but would smooth over the hair,” he explained.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping

This article was crafted by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Associate Editor for Page Six. Hannah uncovers deals on celebrity-approved styles that won’t break the bank, tests celebrity brands, and explores beauty products that keep stars looking flawless. She engages with stylists and industry experts, including celebrities themselves, to gather genuine product recommendations and insight into upcoming trends. Hannah has been a contributor to Page Six since 2020, with her work also appearing in USA Today and Parade.