Get The Look: ’90s Makeup Cool

What’s more ’90s makeup cool than a perfectly lined brown lip? (Spoiler alert: nothing). From burnt red to chocolate, vampy brown lipstick paired with neutral makeup makes for a memorable beauty look.

The 1990s ushered in a whole new era of makeup: burgundy lipstick, smudged black eyeliner, matte skin and thin eyebrows were just a few key trends that emerged during the decade that put grunge on the map. It terms of beauty, compared to the excess of the 1980s – which included OTT glitter, bold colours and lots of blue eyeshadow – the’90s seemed to be considerably pared back, but that doesn’t mean the decade didn’t have its own distinct style and makeup looks.

One trend in particular really defines the makeup of the decade: brown lipstick. From actresses on the silver screen to supermodels on the runway and women experimenting with their beauty looks daily, brown lipstick quickly became the trend. From warm red to taupes to beige, all tones of brown were the shade du jour for the decade. Often paired with a swipe of black liner, matte skin and sleek strands, the neutral lip was the focal point.

For a makeup tutorial on how to recreate this classic 1990s style, follow along with this step-by-step guide.

Steps for 90s hair:

Step One: If you’re starting with wet hair, blow-dry with a paddle brush so hair is straight and smooth. If you hair is already dry, brush out any knots or tangles to prep your hair for the hair straightener. Ensure that hair is parted down the middle to capture the right vibe of the hairstyle.

Step Two: Plug in a hair straightener and turn the heat up about halfway. Once the iron has reached the right temperature, run small sections of your hair through to achieve straight, sleek strands. The ends of your hair don’t have to be stick straight; they can curl slightly inwards to still nail the look.

Step Three: Reach for a medium-hold hairspray and lightly spritz strands from root to tip to keep your mane frizz-free and to hold the style in place.

Steps for 90s makeup:

Step One: Start this makeup look off with clean, bare lids. Using a fluffy blending eyeshadow brush, apply a taupe eyeshadow all over the lid. Try shade 1 in the Lancôme Hypnôse Palette 5 Couleurs – 03 Brun Adore for a flattering neutral shade. It has a slight shimmer texture throughout to open up the eye. Buff the shade into the lid and ensure it’s evenly blended.

Step Two: To help define your eyes and make your lashes appear thicker, apply LA Girl Fineline Eyeliner in Black in a cat-eye shape. Begin at the outer corner of your eye and slowly work your way in to get a small, even line. The eyeliner should have a slight uptick at the outer corner of your lid to elongate the eye and also lift it upwards.

Step Three: Mascara is a must for a full, fanlike fringe. Brush two coats of the Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara through your upper and lower lashes to finish your eye look.

Step Four: The final step to get a true ’90s beauty makeup look is to apply a brown-based lipstick. Check out the LA Girl Lip Attraction Lipstick in “Nudie” for a deep reddish brown that perfectly reflects the look of the decade. Use the tip of the bullet to help get a super clean and precise lip line.

And just like that, you’ve transformed into a ’90s video vixen. While this beauty look originated during that decade, many of the key parts of this style – brown lipstick, super-sleek strands and more – have made a huge comeback. That means that you’ll be perfectly on trend when you rock this look in 2020 and beyond.

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