If you were born near the ’90s or just love the nostalgia of that era, you know very well that this specific decade defined the beauty world. The ’90s aesthetic has made a massive comeback on TikTok and Instagram, proving that raw, effortless glam is completely timeless.
1. Grunge Frosted Eyeshadow
If there is one look that defined ’90s pop idols—from Britney Spears to Drew Barrymore—it was frosted, metallic eyeshadow. This trend moves away from warm earth tones and embraces the cool, iridescent shades of silver, baby blue, and soft lavender, giving a bright yet mysterious look.
How to get it:
- Swipe a soft layer of silver or icy-blue shadow across your entire eyelid.
- Keep your complexion matte and add plenty of mascara to give definition to the eyes.
2. Smudged “Day-After” Eyeliner
The ’90s grunge movement, with Kate Moss as the ultimate muse, dictated a look that made it seem like you just woke up with yesterday’s makeup. Forget perfect, sharp winged eyeliner. Here, we want a soft black kohl pencil, slightly smudged around the eyes, delivering a rock-n-roll, effortlessly attractive vibe.
How to get it:
- Apply a soft black pencil along your upper and lower lash lines (and the waterlines).
- Use a small, dense brush or your ring finger to smudge the edges outward, creating a lived-in smoky effect.
3. Cool-Tone Mauve Lips
Before the pink-nude domination of the 2010s, the ’90s rightfully belonged to the cool tones of mauve, plum, and grey-brown. This was a favorite look of Winona Ryder and R&B icons of the era, offering a sophisticated and alternative charm.
How to get it:
- Choose a semi-matte or satin-finish lipstick in a cool mauve-brown shade.
- Pair it with a slightly darker liner to give a three-dimensional shape to your lips.
4. Overlined Nude-Gloss Lips
Inspired by the supermodels of the era like Naomi Campbell, this look features a lip contour that is visibly darker than the lipstick or gloss placed in the center. It is the ultimate trick to make lips look instantly fuller and plumper without going overboard.
How to get it:
- Outline your lips with a deep brown or chocolate lip liner.
- Gently smudge the lines inward with your finger and fill the center with a clear or very soft nude lip gloss
