90s Makeup Style Guide: Trends Looks Tutorials

makeupstyleguidetrendslookstutorials">90s Makeup Style Guide: Trends, Looks, Tutorials

Get ready to rewind the clock! The 90s are back, and with them comes a resurgence of bold, playful, and iconic makeup trends. From grunge to glam, the 90s offered a diverse landscape of looks that are ripe for inspiration. Whether you're a 90s kid reminiscing about your youth or a millennial discovering the decade's beauty treasures, this guide will take you through the key trends, iconic looks, and step-by-step tutorials to help you nail the 90s makeup aesthetic.

The Grunge Revolution: A No-Makeup Makeup Look

"Less is more" was the mantra of 90s grunge. Think effortless, natural beauty with a touch of attitude. The focus here was on enhancing your natural features rather than covering them up.

Key Elements:

Barely-there foundation: Opt for sheer coverage or skip it altogether. A tinted moisturizer or BB cream will provide light coverage while keeping your skin looking fresh.
Effortless contour: Skip the heavy contouring. Instead, use a bronzer to subtly define your cheekbones and jawline.
Neutral eye shadow: Opt for soft, muted tones like beige, brown, or gray. Blend seamlessly for a natural, no-makeup look.
Winged eyeliner and mascara: This is the signature Grunge touch, allowing you to create a dramatic effect without being too overdone. Keep the liner thin and slightly extended for a subtle lift.
Glossy lips: Choose a sheer lip gloss or a nude lipstick for a natural, yet polished finish.

The Spice Girls Sparkle: Bold & Bright Colors

The Spice Girls weren't afraid to experiment with vibrant colors and dramatic eyes, and they made it cool. Let's dive into the world of 90s pop culture and embrace the bold and bright!

Key Elements:

Color-blocked eye shadow: Embrace color play on your lids. Try pairing contrasting shades like blue and green, or pink and purple, for a playful and striking look.
Luminous skin: A dewy, glowy complexion was all the rage. Use a highlighter on the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow for a healthy, radiant look.
Black liquid eyeliner: Sharp, winged eyeliner was a must. The thicker and more dramatic, the better, mimicking the iconic Spice Girl look.
Lush lashes: False eyelashes were a popular choice, adding extra volume and drama to the eyes. Try a natural-looking strip for a more subtle effect.
Bold lips: Cherry red, bright pink, and berry shades were all the rage. Don't shy away from a bold lipstick that pops!

The 90s Supermodel Glow: Bronzed & Defined

Remember the golden era of supermodels? They were the epitome of 90s beauty, with sculpted cheekbones, shimmering skin, and defined brows. This look is all about achieving a natural, sun-kissed glow and emphasizing your features.

Key Elements:

Bronzer is your best friend: Apply bronzer liberally to your cheekbones, temples, and jawline to create definition and a healthy tan.
Defined brows: Strong, sculpted brows were a must. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in sparse areas and define the shape.
Neutral eye shadow: Focus on enhancing your natural eye shape with neutral shades like beige, brown, or taupe.
Glossy lips: A sheer or nude lip gloss complements the bronzed skin and defined features.

The Minimalist 90s: Effortless & Chic

This look is inspired by the minimalist fashion trends of the 90s. It's all about sleek simplicity and effortless elegance.

Key Elements:

Minimal makeup: This look is all about enhancing natural beauty without being too heavy-handed. Focus on a flawless skin base.
Neutral eye shadow: Stick to soft, neutral shades like beige, light brown, and gray. Blend seamlessly for a natural effect.
Winged eyeliner: A subtle winged eyeliner will add a touch of drama and definition to the eyes.
Nude lips: Opt for a nude lipstick or lip gloss to complement the minimal makeup look.

The 90s Rave Glow: Sparkle and Shine

Prepare to get funky! The rave scene of the 90s was all about bold color, glitter, and a touch of rebelliousness.

Key Elements:

Shimmery eyeshadow: Embrace glitter and iridescent eye shadow for a bold and playful look. Experiment with colors like silver, gold, or blue.
Dramatic eyeliner: The thicker and more dramatic, the better. Try a dark black liquid liner with a winged tip to create a striking effect.
Metallic lip gloss: Add a touch of shimmer and shine with a metallic lip gloss in silver, gold, or bronze, for a dramatic statement.

How to Recreate 90s Makeup Looks: Step-by-Step Tutorials

1. The Classic Grunge Look:

Prep: Cleanse and moisturize your skin.
Foundation & Concealer: Apply a light, sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer. Use a concealer to cover any blemishes.
Contour: Using a bronzer, lightly contour your cheekbones and jawline.
Eyes: Apply a neutral eyeshadow to your entire lid. Use a thin black liquid liner to create a winged effect.
Lashes: Apply mascara for added definition.
Lips: Finish the look with a sheer lip gloss or a nude lipstick.

2. The Spice Girls Sparkle:

Prep: Cleanse and moisturize your skin.
Foundation & Concealer: Apply a light foundation and concealer.
Eyes: Apply a bright, colorful shadow to your lids. Blend well. Apply black liquid liner with a thick wing.
Lashes: Apply false eyelashes for a dramatic effect.
Lips: Choose a bright red or pink lipstick for a bold statement.

3. The 90s Supermodel Glow:

Prep: Cleanse and moisturize your skin.
Foundation & Concealer: Apply a light foundation and concealer.
Bronzer: Apply bronzer liberally to your cheekbones, temples, and jawline to sculpt your face.
Eyes: Apply a neutral shadow to your lids. Use a black liquid liner to define the lash line.
Brows: Define your brows with a brow pencil or powder.
Lips: Finish with a sheer or nude lip gloss.

4. The Minimalist 90s:

Prep: Cleanse and moisturize your skin.
Foundation & Concealer: Apply a light foundation and concealer.
Eyes: Apply a neutral eyeshadow to your lids. Use a thin black liquid liner to create a subtle winged effect.
Lashes: Apply mascara for added definition.
Lips: Use a nude lipstick or gloss for a natural finish.

5. The 90s Rave Glow:

Prep: Cleanse and moisturize your skin.
Foundation & Concealer: Apply a light foundation and concealer.
Eyes: Apply a glittery eyeshadow to your lids. Use black liquid liner to create a bold winged effect.
Lashes: Apply false eyelashes for added volume.
Lips: Finish with a metallic lip gloss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the key makeup tools for 90s makeup looks?

You'll need:

A good set of brushes for blending eye shadow, applying bronzer, and contouring.
Black liquid eyeliner for creating wings and defining the lash line.
A decent mascara for adding definition and volume to your lashes.
A good quality foundation that gives you coverage without feeling heavy.
A contouring kit with a bronzer and a highlight.
A selection of eye shadow palettes with both neutral and bright colors.
False eyelashes for adding drama and volume.

2. How do I create a natural glow for my skin?

To achieve that dewy, luminous 90s glow, use a hydrating primer, apply a light, sheer foundation, and use a highlighter strategically on your cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow.

3. What are the best 90s makeup brands to try?

Some popular brands that were making waves in the 90s, and are still thriving today, include:

MAC Cosmetics: Known for their vibrant pigments, innovative textures, and iconic looks, MAC continues to be a favorite among makeup enthusiasts.
Benefit Cosmetics: They're known for their cult-favorite products, including the legendary "Benetint" blush and "They're Real!" mascara.
Bobbi Brown: They offer a wide range of natural-looking makeup products with a focus on enhancing your natural beauty.

4. How can I nail the perfect 90s brow?

The 90s brow is about bold, defined arches. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in any sparse areas, define the arch, and create a sculpted shape.

5. What are some of the biggest 90s makeup trends to avoid?

Over-lining the lips: Avoid overlining the lips with darker liner, as this can create an unnatural look.
Using too much blush: 90s blush was about achieving a natural flush, not a clown-like effect.
Over-contouring: Don't go overboard with contouring. Use a light hand to create natural shadows.

Conclusion: 90s Makeup is Back!

The 90s makeup scene was all about bold experimentation, playful colors, and embracing your individuality. Whether you're channeling your inner grunge queen, a Spice Girls-inspired pop star, or a minimalist beauty icon, you're sure to find inspiration in this decade's diverse range of looks. So, grab your favorite 90s tunes, put on your favorite vintage clothing, and get ready to rock the 90s makeup look!.

Video The REAL Mid 90s Makeup Look