90's Makeup Ideas for Iconic Retro Vibes

The ‘90s was the decade defined by the supermodel boom (think Kate Moss, Naomi Camplee, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, and more). That said, it’s only natural that ‘90s makeup trends were all about getting that runway-ready glow.

If that sounds like a daunting task, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’re going to walk you through makeup ideas that will help you capture the classic ‘90s smolder from home. With just a few simple tips and tricks, you’ll be ready to take to the streets of New York, Paris, or Milan Fashion Week (or to serve a glammed-out look for your weekly grocery run).

Dive into this guide to embrace your inner supermodel, enhance your natural beauty, and make the world your catwalk.

What Are 10 ‘90s Makeup Ideas?

Get ready to experience the grungy, glittery magic of ‘90s makeup. With these 10 ideas, you’ll look like you just stepped into the world of Friends.

Keep in mind that with Christmas and New Year's coming up, any of the products mentioned in this guide would make a great present for the makeup aficionado in your life.

1. Matte Base

Nowadays, it feels like dewy skin is all the rage. In the ‘90s, it was all about getting a matte, air-brushed finish. To get this look for your base, start by applying a matte foundation to create that smooth look.

Go for something that’s full coverage but still natural-looking, like our matte foundation. Part of what makes this foundation an instant go-to is that it’s specifically formulated to be water and sweatproof. The oil-control formula allows you to wear it all day without feeling greasy, so you can easily transition your ‘90s glam from day to night.

Once you’re happy with your base, take a lighter shade of concealer and apply it under your eyes, on any dark spots, around your lips, and anywhere else you want extra coverage. To keep your base in place and get the iconic ‘90s finish, grab a pressed powder to finish out your face makeup.

A finishing powder will smooth out the look entirely and give you that flawless complexion you’re going for. Although you might automatically think “drying” when you hear powder, our makeup setting powder is specifically designed to keep your skin hydrated and looking fresh.  

2. Brown Lipstick

Another undeniable ‘90s makeup classic is brown lipstick. To find the shade that’s best for you, look for a brown or deep red lipstick that’s a couple of shades darker than your skin tone.

Before applying any lip product, using a lip scrub to prep your lips is always a good idea. Once they’re hydrated and exfoliated, you’re ready to try this throwback trend. Apply a coat of matte brown lipstick, blot it with a tissue, then apply another coat to ensure your lipstick lasts all day.

If you want to add extra definition and drama to your lip look, apply a layer of dark lipliner, slightly overlining your lips. This will make them pop and stand out even more. For a more subtle take on this trend, you can apply just the nude lip liner and a sheer or shimmering lip gloss.

3. Dark Brown Smokey Eye

If you want that “yesterday's makeup that looks better today” look that was everywhere in the ‘90s, go for a dark brown smokey eye. A slightly more subtle take on a classic eyeshadow trend, using brown instead of black shadow gives a more lived-in appearance that’s great for a night out or brunch with friends.

For the perfect ‘90s smokey eye, you’ll need an eyeshadow palette in coffee and cappuccino tones. Start by applying a slightly darker shade from the lashline to the crease. With an even darker shade, fill in the crease (starting at the inside and working your way out).

Using the lightest shade in your palette, highlight the inner corner of your eye and just beneath your eyebrow. Top the look off with eyeliner and mascara, and you’re ready for any occasion.

4. Subtle Blush

Coming off the trend of bright, bold blush in the ‘80s, in the ‘90s, blush played a smaller role. That said, you can still incorporate blush into your ‘90s makeup look — there are just a few things to keep in mind.

First, choose a cool-toned shade that’s not too bright. Apply it lightly, just to the apples of the cheeks. You want to go for a slightly flushed look that doesn’t steal the show.

5. Vinyl Lips

Another lip trend that was a fan-favorite in the ‘90s was vinyl lips. We’re talking super glossy, glassy lips that are ultra-shiny.

To get this look at home, you can either apply a pigmented gloss or layer your favorite lipstick with our lip glow oil. When you’re trying this trend, don't be afraid to experiment with bold colors, and remember, the shinier your lips are, the better.

6. Bronzed Definition

Although face makeup was far more subtle and no one was contouring in the ‘90s like we are today, there was definitely an emphasis on creating a sculpted face structure.

With a matte bronzer, lightly apply the product to the contours of your face, cheeks, forehead, and jawline. When you’re doing your ‘90s contour, don’t forget to apply a line to either side of your nose to complete the look.

Given that the ‘90s was the era of the supermodel, lifted cheekbones were the name of the game. To get this definition at home, make sure to blend your bronzer high on your cheeks all the way to the top of your ears.

7. Skinny Brows

For many people, when they think of ‘90s makeup, the first thing that comes to mind is the unforgettable skinny brow trend that defined the era. Now, if you want to try out this look but aren’t ready to fully commit and tweeze your brows into that pencil-thin shape, we’ve got a few tips for you.

With a brow brush, tame your brows by brushing sideways so that all of the hairs are going in the same direction. Then, with a brow pencil, draw a defined line under your brows, starting in the middle and tracing all the way out to the tail. This will make them appear thinner and more well-defined. From there, lock the whole look into place with a sculpting gel.

8. White Eyeliner

For those mornings when you didn’t get enough sleep and need your makeup to help you look more awake, try out one of the classic ‘90s makeup trends: white eyeliner.

A swipe of white eyeliner on your lower lash line can make your eyes look bigger and more alert. When you consider all the late nights and epic parties that the supermodels were attending in this era, it makes perfect sense why this trend was so beloved.

When applying eyeliner to your lower lash line, keep in mind that the skin there is super fragile. Instead of pulling your eyelids, try to gently open your eyes and apply the eyeliner quickly. To make your eyes pop even more, swipe on a layer of lengthening mascara, and you’re good to go.

9. Metallic Eyeshadow

Metallic eyeshadow is a great option for when you want your ‘90s look to be bold and daring. In the ‘90s, everything was metallic (from pants to jackets to bags to shoes), including makeup. Given that this look is bold and bright, you want to apply primer to your eyelids first to make sure the shadow has something to grip onto.

When it comes to choosing the color, you’ve got options. Frosty blues and purples were everywhere on the red carpet in those days, but more classic metallic shades like silver and gold were also a go-to.

Once you have your metallic shade of choice, apply it generously to your entire lid. The supermodels of the ‘90s might have been applying their blush and bronzer lightly, but when it came to eyeshadow, there were no limits.

10. Body Shimmer

The cherry on top of any ‘90s glam look is a little bit of body shimmer. With your fingers or a blush, evenly apply shimmering powder or oil to your chest, arms, and anywhere else you want to pop. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when applying body shimmer is to start with a little bit and build up to the glow you want.

Rock Your ‘90s Glam

With these ten tips in mind, you’re ready to rock a ‘90s supermodel glam look. As with every era and trend, keep in mind that these ideas are just a starting point. Experiment with these iconic ‘90s looks to find your ideal throwback glam look.
Once you’ve got it perfected and are ready to start posting pics in your ‘90s makeup, make sure to tag us. At SHEGLAM, we want to be part of your ‘90s makeup moment!

Sources:

90s Supermodels Did Model-Off-Duty Style Like No Other | Vogue

Every look that proves Rachel Green’s ‘90s Friends style is worth the throwback | Vogue Australia

’90s thin eyebrows: Get the look without damaging your brows | Vogue

’90s Supermodel Hair & Makeup Never Go Out of Style—Here’s How to Achieve the Look | Vogue