Picture the scene. The Spice Girls are on Top of the Pops, Destiny’s Child’s debut album is ready to go in your portable CD player and makeup aisles of your local drugstore are full to the brim with frosted eyeshadows and lipsticks—it was an iconic time for beauty. And while there are plenty of ‘90s beauty trends I’m keen to leave in the decade (thin eyebrows, for one) there are some ’90s makeup trends that are coming back around again in 2024. And with a bit of makeup fine-tuning and learnings, I’m seriously into them again.
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It’s not hard to miss that all things ’90s are making a comeback right now. First things first, the iconic ‘Rachel’ haircut has made a nostalgic return, with those flicky layers having a revival with a nod to supermodel blowouts and 90s hairstyles. Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, a standout makeup icon from the decade, has now been discovered by a whole new generation with its suits-everyone formula.
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Destiny’s Child in matching purple dresses and eyeshadow.
So, how to we wear those ’90s makeup looks today? Scroll ahead for the best ’90s-inspired makeup looks I’ve saved.
’90s Makeup Looks
1. Brown Lipstick
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Halle Berry wearing brown lipstick in 1999.
Brown lipstick was a universally loved makeup trend among many celebrities in the ’90s, and we’re seeing brown tones continue to be popular. Nowadays, we thankfully have more inclusive lipliner and lipstick shades to suit all skin tones, and formulas that sit comfortable on our lips all day.
How we’re wearing it now:
Get the Look:
MAC
Lip Pencil in Chestnut
VIEVE
Modern Matte Lipstick in Ninetease
Hourglass
Phantom Volumising Glossy Balm, Rouse 180
2. Blue Eyeshadow
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Christina Aguilera wearing an iconic ’90s makeup trend: blue eyeshadow.
We can’t talk about ’90s makeup without talking about blue eyeshadow, right? Back then, the blue eyeshadow was usually of the pastel blue variety, had a frosted effect and was often paired with red lipstick. Nowadays, it’s been given a modern update with a matte texture in deep blue, that’s worn alone to showcase it in its true glory.
How we’re wearing it now:
Get the Look:
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Matte Eyewear in Cornflower
Violette FR
Yeux Paint in Dieu Bleu
3. Frosted Lipstick
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Kate Moss is one if the major poster girls for ’90s beauty.
I’m here for Kate Moss’s ’90s frosted lip gloss and kohl eyeliner look. While we haven’t seen frosted lipstick make a full comeback, we have seen the return of lips that have a subtle shimmer or metallic glow. Look for lipsticks or glosses that offer a iridescent shimmer in neutral tones.
How we’re wearing it now:
Get the Look:
Charlotte Tilbury
Superstar Lips in Pillow Talk
Illamasqua
Illamasqua Beyond Lipstick in Treasure
Milk Makeup
Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss
4. Lip Gloss
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Reese Witherspoon wearing glossy berry lips.
Lip gloss was a ’90s makeup staple, and we saw just about every kind of shade and finish to the glossy (yet sticky) formulas. In 2024, we’re less inclined to reach for those berry tones, and are instead opting for neutrals like brown to coat our lips. Thankfully, lip gloss textures have also come a long way and we now have balmy glosses that impart shine without feeling tacky to the touch, as well as lip oils, which add moisture and a healthy sheen to lips.
Get the Look:
Get the Look:
Dior
Lip Glow Oil in Mahogany
R.E.M. BEAUTY
On Your Collar Plumping Lipgloss in Away Message
MAC Cosmetics
Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick in Simulation
5. Frosted Eyeshadow
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Britney Spears wearing frosted eyeshadow.
Ah, frosted eyeshadow. While chalky frosted shades were everywhere during the ’90s, we’ve traded them in for sheer, iridescent veils that add a transparent sparkle to eyelids.
How we’re wearing it now:
Get the Look:
Pat McGrath Labs
Mothership V: Seduction Palette
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Infinite Chrome Flakes in Strobe Light
ILIA Beauty
Liquid Powder Eye Tint in Hatch
6. ’90s Minimalism
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Christy Turlington wearing natural makeup.
When I think of the ’90s, I think of Calvin Klein campaigns and the minimal makeup looks that accompanied them. In 2024, with brands such as Glossier and Merit championing streamlined makeup and natural-looking results (think lightweight skin tints and a slick of mascara) we can draw a lot of similarities today with those in the ’90s.
How we’re wearing it now:
Get the Look:
Hourglass
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Saie
Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer Shade
7. Kohl Liner
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Naomi Campbell wearing kohl eyeliner.
Grungy kohl eyeliner was another trend we saw in the ’90s. Back then, the application was usually around the entirety of the waterline (think both upper and lower lash line), but the look has been modernised by softly diffusing the liner around the lash line for a soft-focus effect, and brown is often used instead of black to soften the intensity.
How we’re wearing it now:
Get the Look:
Beauty Pie
Supercolour Kohl Eyeliner in Brown Beauty
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Victoria Beckham Beauty
Satin Kajal Liner in Matte Black
Lisa Eldridge
Seamless Glide Eye Pencil in Night Forest
8. Matte Skin
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If there is one thing we can spot from the ’90s, it’s the penchant for matte foundation. While trends like cloud skin have brought the velvety complexion back into the limelight, we’re adding blusher and bronzer to add dimension to prevent the look from washing out our complexions.
How we’re wearing it now:
Get the Look:
Charlotte Tilbury
Pillow Talk Cheek to Chic Pink Powder Blush
Westman Atelier
Vital Pressed Skincare Powder in Pink Bubble
Givenchy
Prisme Libre Loose Powder
