The ’90s blessed us with many amazing things – like text messaging, the adorable Tamagotchis, and the only Drew Barrymore! Okay, so Drew was around before the ’90s, but that was when she slayed with her iconic beauty looks alongside legends like J.Lo, Brandy, and Cameron Diaz. 😍
These fabulous ladies brought us unforgettable ’90s makeup trends like brown lipstick, cool blue eye shadow, and that smoking tight liner! And guess what? Their iconic styles are making a major comeback in 2023 on TikTok, the ultimate hotspot for all things trendy! 🎉
Sure, not every ’90s looks aged like fine wine. Like, remember those permanent thin eyebrows? Yikes! 😬 But don’t worry, we can update many of our fave trends from the decade to make them more modern and wearable. For instance, you can fake thin eyebrows with concealer, rock a subtle blue eye shadow, and still look flawless with a matte foundation that doesn’t feel cakey. 💁♀️
So, how can we rock these beloved ’90s Makeup Trends in 2023 and beyond? Let’s see what the experts told Allure magazine about giving these looks a fresh spin! Here are the 12 Best ’90s Makeup Trends to try right now! 🤩✨
12 Best ’90s Makeup Trends to try right now! 🤩✨
1. Frosted Eye Shadows
The ’90s were all about iridescent lilacs and frosted silver, right? 💜✨ Claire’s and Limited Too were practically bursting with those icy shades! Makeup artist Sara Wren is super excited about the frosted hues comeback in 2023, but this time, it’s a bit more curated and not, like, EVERYWHERE. “I love it with dewy skin and clear gloss,” she says. “Bright, reflective pinks, lilacs, and blues look much more fun and effortless!”
Wren suggests trying Milk Makeup Color Chalk Multi-Use Powder Pigment as a light wash of color on your lids. Lilac Taupe is the ultimate ’90s cool-girl shade! Want to go all out? Swipe it on your hair too! 💁♀️
2. Brown Lipstick
A red lip is like a Ferrari, but a brown lip? Totally an Aston Martin — reliable and sexy, just like a Bond girl. 💄 Remember ’90s Bond girl Denise Richards rocking that sultry brown lip? But “brown” is a broad term, so makeup artist Nikki DeRoest recommends trying different brown-toned lipsticks to find your perfect shade. Once you find your match, line your lips with a matching pencil and blur it outward.
For a real ’90s brown lip, check out Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Cocoa for lighter skin tones and Dark Chocolate for deeper tones. 😍
3. Sultry Black Tightliner
Millennials, who else remembers trying not to poke our eyes while applying that super close black tight liner? 👀 It defines the eyes and gives you that smudgy, Britney-Spears-circa-Blackout vibe as it settles into your lashes. Makeup artist Katie Mellinger says, “That’s the beauty of ’90s makeup. It isn’t supposed to be perfect.”
Mellinger suggests using Chanel Stylo Yeux in Noir Intense on the top and bottom water lines and blending it out with a smudge brush for a faster effect. Give Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner a try!
4. Ultra-Lined Lips
Remember the iconic dark lip liner with lighter-tone lipstick look? 🙌 It started when makeup brands didn’t have neutral lip liners for melanin-rich skin tones, so Black and Latina women used darker brows and eye pencils instead. By the ’90s, it was a huge trend, seen in Naomi Campbell and Mary J. Blige!
To update this look for 2023, makeup artist Nick Lujan suggests using a lip liner 2-3 shades darker than your natural lip color, blending it toward the center. Then, apply a lighter lipstick or lip gloss for added dimension. 💋
Try Nyx’s neutral lip liners for a beautiful glide, and pick your perfect ’90s neutral lipstick from MAC’s Matte Lipstick range. Time to slay, ’90s style! 💄✨
5. Allover Body Glitter
Remember when our Caboodles were stuffed with body glitter options like gels, roll-on sticks, and loose shimmer? 🌟 Makeup artist Mellinger says HBO’s Euphoria has brought back the glitter trend, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a little sparkle?
Try Colourpop’s Glittery Obsessed Glitter Gel for a whole shine along your collarbone. Our Magic 8 Ball says Moon Prism Power and Ur a Firework are the shades you need. For a subtle shimmer, Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil adds a touch of shine to your shoulders and décolletage. You can mix loose glitter with lotion or body oil to create a color combo!
6. Lacquered Lip Gloss
Whether Hailey Bieber’s influence or our lips craving hydration after years of matte products, shiny ’90s lips are back in 2023! Mellinger loves lip gloss because it’s easy to apply and draws attention to your lips. 💋
Tower 28 Shine On Lip Jelly adds a subtle touch of color, like neutral peach or beige, while the Rhode Peptide Lip hydrating treatment gives your lips a healthy, pillowy look with a clear gloss.
7. Bleached Brows
’90s brows were all about tweezing, but today’s barely-there brows are all over TikTok! So how can we get the look without causing permanent damage? Bleached brows – or better yet, fake bleached brows! Wren suggests using concealer and a blond brow gel to create the faux-bleached effect. Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel in Cool Light Blonde can help you achieve this look.
8. Peachy Pink Lips
Imagine if Cher Horowitz from 1995 could bring one thing with her to 2023 – it would be a flirty pink lipstick! 💄 Makeup artist Tobi Henney loves the warm, deep peach tones from the ’90s and thinks they look great on all skin tones. She recommends Armani Beauty Lip Power Satin Long Lasting Lipstick in Eccentrico for a warmer pink or Desire for a cooler tone.
9. Grungy, Smoky Eye
Before tight liner, we had the messy, grungy eyeliner look à la Courtney Love. Sasha Ghodstinat suggests using a kohl pencil and smudge brush for that I-stayed-up-all-night vibe. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil and Charlotte Tilbury Eye Smudger Brush are the perfect tools for this iconic ’90s look.
10. Blue Eye Shadow
Now and then, a pop star reminds us that blue eye shadow can be unique. In the ’90s, it was Christina Aguilera; now, it’s Taylor Swift’s Midnight cover art. Dillon Pena suggests blending blue shadow from the lash line to the crease for a bold look. Trixie Cosmetics Nighttime Realness Mini Palette offers a range of ’90s-style blues.
11. Monochromatic Makeup
“The monochromatic trend never really left,” says Lujan. It’s simple and looks great on everyone. You can match your eye, lip, and cheek makeup or pick two to coordinate. Use lipstick as a cream blush and lip color for an easy hack. Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Cream satin-finish lipsticks are perfect for this.
12. Velvety Matte Skin
There’s a difference between dehydrated skin and matte skin. When ’90s-style matte skin is done right, you’ll look as stunning as Halle Berry. 🌟 “Controlling shine at the skin-care and priming level is what creates a smooth, soft-focus, matte finish,” says Wren. Start with a mattifying moisturizer, primer, matte-finish foundation, and setting powder.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Blurring is a silky primer that absorbs oil without depleting your skin of moisture. For foundation, try Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation, which is buildable and lightweight. Finally, set your makeup with Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder, a hydrating formula that gives even dry skin a perfect matte finish.
Now you’re all set to rock these fabulous ’90s-inspired makeup trends in 2023! Embrace your inner ’90s icon and have fun experimenting with these nostalgic looks. 😍✨
The iconic ’90s makeup trends are making a robust comeback in 2023, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🥳 From frosted eye shadows to sultry black tight liner and ultra-lined lips, these trends give us major nostalgia and inspiration to embrace our inner ’90s icons. The resurgence of these styles is a testament to the timeless nature of beauty and fashion, proving that old-school glam never truly goes out of style.
As you dive into the world of ’90s makeup, remember to have fun and get creative with these trends. Feel free to mix and match styles, such as pairing grungy, smoky eyes with peachy pink lips or rocking monochromatic makeup with a touch of body glitter. 💖 And while you’re at it, don’t forget to capture your fabulous looks and share them with your friends and followers on TikTok, Instagram, or any other social platform. Who knows, your ’90s-inspired makeup masterpiece might become the next viral sensation! 🤩
Moreover, as you experiment with these trends, always prioritize your skin’s health. The ’90s were notorious for some not-so-great beauty practices (hello, overplucked eyebrows! 😱), but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from the past and make more intelligent choices today. Opt for fake bleached brows instead of the real deal, and give your skin the care it deserves by using high-quality, hydrating, and nourishing products.
With so many incredible ’90s makeup trends returning, there’s never been a better time to embrace your inner Drew Barrymore, J.Lo, or Brandy. So go ahead and whip out your Caboodles, dust off your favorite brown lipstick, and get ready to slay the 2023 beauty scene in true ’90s style! 🌟
To sum it up, the return of ’90s makeup trends is an exciting opportunity to relive the glory days of this great decade and incorporate its iconic styles into our everyday beauty routines. So, grab your favorite makeup brushes, gather your besties for a 90s-themed makeover party, and celebrate this unforgettable era’s bold and beautiful looks! 💄✨🎉
