5 ways to wear ‘90s makeup trends without looking like you’re in costume

Date October 20, 2015

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If there’s one thing millennials are confident about (aside from knowing how to take the perfect selfie, the importance of Sriracha, and the fact that we’re so not #basic), it’s that the ‘90s were the best decade of all time. And it’s not just because we don’t want to be a “traitor to [our] generation or anything,” but come on. We had 90210, Spice Girls, BFFs Gwyneth Paltrow and Winona Ryder, and forever-relevant Clueless quotes (see previous line for example).

And with every unforgettable TV show, movie, and minimalist style icon came some of the coolest makeup looks we’re still crazy about today. Of course, there are a few beauty trends that make us cringe (we’re still mending out brows from the pencil-thin trend), but amongst the grunge mess are a few winning looks that can look amazing when incorporated into your daily look today.

Since we don’t want you to become a ‘90s beauty victim, we’re sharing five simple ways to channel ‘90s makeup without looking, uh, insane. From brick-brown lipstick to a pale, matte complexion, these trends will help you channel your inner Cher Horowitz.

5 ways to wear '90s makeup trends without looking like you're in costume

#1: Choose brick-brown lipstick

Take a break from the typical berry hues of fall and welcome brick brown into your lipstick shade line-up. Keep the look current by pairing it with light eye makeup and dewy skin. For the perfect vixeny shade, try Marc Jacobs’ Le Marc Lip Crème in J’Adore 230, which is a rich terracotta hue.

Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème in J’Adore 230 ($38, sephora.com

).
#2: Go for opalescent eyeshadow Like Christina Aguilara in her “Genie in a Bottle” music video, glittery eye makeup was a hot trend–and the brighter or more opalescent, the better. Modernize the look by opting for a more subtle hue, like creams, peaches and grays, and dust lightly on the lid. In other words, don’t wet your brush prior to application to get a more enrich the pigment, like our 90s glossies told us to do. Mac Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Crystal Avalanche (

$19, maccosmetics.com

).
#3: Opt for a matte, bronzer-free complexion Bid that dewy complexion adieu along with the mild temps, and go for a matte, pale complexion this fall. Think Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew Barrymore in their early twenties. Make Up For Ever has a mattifying foundation that offers a velvety finish with a formula that controls shine and completely evens out the skin tone. Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Mattifying Foundation (

$44, sephora.com

).
#4: Embrace lip liner Ninetines trend it may be, but the truth is, we love lip liner. Perhaps Kylie Jenner is somewhat to blame, but we love its ability to give the appearance of a full, defined pout. If you haven’t already, welcome this classic 90s trend back into your beauty regime, but be sure to take the modern approach–meaning don’t choose a shade that’s ten times darker that your lipstick of choice. Try NARS’s Velvet Lip Liner. The deep brick-red shade Lanikai is perfect if you’re also going 90s with a brick-red lipstick. This liner is great at preventing your lipstick from feathering. NARS Velvet Lip Liner in Lanikai (

$30, sephora.com

).
#5: Try glossy, icy lips If you were going to wear lip gloss in the nineties, a frosty pick was the only way to go. Instead of choosing an option that could have you look like you’re channeling a Spice Girl go for one with a simple pearlescent sheen. Our pick? Chantecaille’s Galactic Lip Shine. It not only offers a lustrous, patent finish, but it also boasts nourishing properties to moisturize your lips and keep dryness at bay. As for the shade, it’s soft and ladylike and flatters all skin tones. Chantecaille Galactic Lip Shine in Moonlight (

$42, net-a-porter.com).

Renée Reardin

Renée Reardin is a writer and editor with 15 years of experience in the beauty, fashion, and wellness spaces. You'll also find her work on other Canadian publications like Elle Canada and The Globe and Mail, and American publications like InStyle and Glossy.

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