90s makeup looks
Recreate the decade’s most iconic trends with these curated beauty essentials.
90s grunge makeup
Achieve an edgy look with smudgy liners and moody matte shades.
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NYX Professional Makeup
Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Icy blue eyeshadow and makeup
Recreate the ultimate throwback eye look with this cool, frosty shade and shimmery pastel pigments.
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NYX Professional Makeup
Shine Loud High Shine Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick
HALF MAGIC
Glitterpill Eye Paint + Eyeliner
Nude matte makeup
Go monochromatic with classic tawny and brown tones.
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Urban Decay Cosmetics
Naked2 Basics Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Vinyl lip and eye makeup
Swipe on high-shine lacquers for a bold, reflective and wet-look finish.
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HALF MAGIC
EUPHORIA X HALF MAGIC Glitterpill Glitter Eye Paint + Liner
Stila
Stay All Day InkWear Liquid Eye Liner
90s body and face glitter
Add some Y2K energy with holographic sparkles and all-over shimmering gels.
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Urban Decay Cosmetics
24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow Singles
HALF MAGIC
EUPHORIA X HALF MAGIC Glitterpuck Pressed Fairy Dust for Eyes, Face + Body
ColourPop
Glitterally Obsessed Body Glitter Gel
90s Makeup: Frequently Asked Questions
How to do 90s makeup?
To achieve the classic 90s look, follow these steps to balance a sculpted face with iconic color palettes:
- Prep a Matte Base: Apply a medium-coverage foundation and set it thoroughly with translucent powder to achieve a velvet, shine-free finish.
- Define the Brows: Use a thin pencil to create a slim, defined arch, keeping the shape structured rather than bushy.
- Sculpt with Earth Tones: Apply a matte bronzer or contour powder in the hollows of your cheeks and across your eyelids to create depth using "coffee" and "tan" shades.
- The Signature Lip: Outline your lips with a liner two shades darker than your lipstick; fill in with a matte nude or brownish-pink shade and blend the edges slightly for a seamless but defined look.
What makeup was popular in the 90s?
The era was a mix of extremes, featuring "coffee-bean" brown lipsticks, visible dark lip liner, blue and silver frosted eyeshadows, and thin, arched brows. Toward the end of the decade, face gems and chunky body glitters became the go-to staples for the burgeoning club and rave scenes.
How do I do 90s grunge makeup?
The goal of grunge is a "lived-in" look that appears effortless and slightly rebellious. Follow these steps:
- Tightline the Eyes: Use a soft black or dark plum kohl eyeliner to heavily line both your upper and lower waterlines.
- Smudge and Smoke: Use a small smudge brush or your ring finger to blur the liner into your lash line, pulling the pigment slightly outward for a "slept-in" effect.
- Apply Muted Shadow: Sweep a matte slate, taupe, or burgundy shadow over the lids, blending it into the liner to soften any harsh lines.
- Stain the Lips: Apply a deep berry or brick-red matte lipstick, then blot it firmly with a tissue to remove the "perfect" finish, leaving behind a dark, moody stain.
Was 90s makeup matte?
Predominantly, yes—the 90s prioritized a velvety, "flat" complexion achieved with heavy powder, a sharp contrast to today’s dewy trends. While skin and lips were usually matte, shimmer was reserved for specific "frosted" accents on the brow bone, the center of the lips, or the eyelids to create a metallic, icy pop.
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