Our ‘Girls on Film’ posts tend to spotlight one actress and her envy-inducing tresses, but 1999’s Girl, Interrupted is so rich with hair inspiration that we couldn’t choose between its two lovely leads.

Girl, Interrupted features two of our favourite 90s muses – Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie – as friends who find each other in the unlikely setting of a psychiatric hospital. The film has been praised for its frank portrayal of the taboo topic of mental illness in young women, and Jolie’s performance earned her an Academy Award in 2000.

Based on Susanna Keyser’s 1993 memoir of the same title, Girl Interrupted follows the story of 18-year-old Susanna (played by Winona Ryder) and her unconventional relationship with Lisa (Angelina Jolie).

Since its release almost 20 years ago, Girl, Interrupted has become a much referred-to cult style favourite, with the hairstyles sported by the two main characters coming at the top of many a wishlist. Each ’do is daring in its own special way. Susanna’s short, close cut is certainly not one for the faint hearted but Winona pulls it off easily, showcasing her delicate bone structure. Equally, Lisa’s long blonde style matches her more free-spirited nature, with Angelina wearing barely-there baby bangs as if she was born to.

Both styles are adventurous for the film’s late ’60s setting, and we love the alternative vibe that they give off. Baby bangs can be a slightly off-kilter choice, lending an über punk rock, chopped-it-yourself feel to otherwise conservative tresses, whilst going as short as Winona takes serious guts. We applaud both actresses for pulling off these sometimes tough cuts with buckets of style.

And though their hair looks have now become iconic in their own way, the good news is that they’re easy to recreate whether you’re an Angelina or a Winona.

To style your crop like Winona’s, Glasshouse stylist Ashleigh advises you to “Rub a coin-sized amount of a defining product like Organic Colour Systems’ Texture onto your hands, and then run your fingers through your hair, strategically placing each piece where you want it to go.”

Alternatively, if you’re longer haired like Angelina and want to achieve her natural, textured look (miniscule baby bangs optional), Ashleigh suggests using a simple sea salt spray like her hero product, Original Mineral Surf Bomb Sea Salt Spray: “Just spray it in at the roots and down towards the ends, and scrunch it into the hair with your hands – this will create natural lift, volume and movement,” she says.

Girl, Interrupted is a quietly stylish film overall - we’re also huge fans of Winona and Angelina’s casual but statement-making wardrobes, and the comeback of laid back retro fashion makes them especially relevant right now. Set in 1967, the film captures the essence of the time through Winona’s boyish looks and Angelina’s loose-fitting tops, slightly flared trousers paired with ankle boots, and that sheepskin coat. It’s an overall well put together affair, exuding unique, directional cool and presenting two Glasshouse muses in their prime.

Words: Lauren O’Neill
All images: Girl, Interrupted