Vintage 90s Makeup Looks & Tutorials

grungetasticguide">Vintage 90s Makeup Looks & Tutorials: A Grunge-tastic Guide

The 90s was a decade of iconic style, and makeup was no exception. From the bold grunge looks of the early 90s to the shimmering "heroin chic" of the late 90s, there's a 90s makeup look for every personality. This guide explores the most popular 90s makeup trends, offers step-by-step tutorials for recreating these looks, and provides expert tips for achieving that authentic vintage vibe.

The Grunge Aesthetic: Embrace the Rebellious Spirit

Grunge makeup embodied the rebellious spirit of the early 90s. Think smudged eyeliner, dark lips, and a natural, almost "undone" complexion. Key elements of this look included:

H3: Eyes

Dark, smudged eyeliner: The goal was to create a smoky eye effect, rather than a precise line. Popular colors included black, brown, and navy blue.
Minimal eyeshadow: A wash of neutral color, or no eyeshadow at all, allowed the eyeliner to take center stage.
Thick lashes: Mascara was applied liberally, often using a lash comb to create a clumpy, dramatic effect.

H3: Lips

Dark lips: Deep reds, plums, and browns were the go-to shades for a grunge look.
Matte finish: Matte lipsticks and lip liners were preferred over glossy options.
A bold statement: The focus was on creating a strong lip that complemented, rather than competed with, the dark eyes.

H3: Skin

Natural finish: Grunge makeup embraced a "no makeup" makeup aesthetic.
Minimal foundation: Foundation was used sparingly, focusing on covering imperfections rather than creating a full-coverage look.
Contouring: The use of bronzer to define the cheekbones and jawline was popular, creating a slightly sculpted look.

Recreate the Grunge Look:

Prep your skin: Apply a light moisturizer and foundation.
Create the smoky eye: Apply a dark eyeliner to your upper lash line and smudge it outwards with a brush.
Enhance lashes: Apply mascara to your upper and lower lashes.
Contour your cheeks: Sweep a bronzer along your cheekbones and jawline.
Choose a bold lip: Complete the look with a dark, matte lipstick.

The "Heroin Chic" Era: Minimalism with a Touch of Glamour

The late 90s saw a shift towards a more minimalist, "heroin chic" aesthetic. This look was characterized by pale skin, thin brows, and a slightly androgynous feel.

H3: Eyes

Thin brows: Brow pencils were used to create a naturally defined, but thin eyebrow shape.
Neutral eyeshadow: Nude, beige, or light brown eyeshadows were used to create a subtle, natural eye look.
Minimal mascara: One or two coats of mascara were enough to enhance the lashes without creating a dramatic effect.

H3: Lips

Nude lips: Light nude lipsticks were used to create a barely-there look.
Glossy finish: Lip gloss was often added on top of lipstick for added shine.
Emphasis on shape: Lip liner was used to define the lip shape, creating a precise and polished look.

H3: Skin

Pale complexion: Foundation was used to create a flawless, porcelain-like finish.
Contouring: Bronzer was used sparingly to create subtle definition in the cheekbones and jawline.
Dewy finish: Highlighter was applied to the cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid's bow for a natural, healthy glow.

Recreate the "Heroin Chic" Look:

Prep your skin: Apply a primer and light foundation.
Shape your brows: Use a brow pencil to create thin, natural-looking brows.
Create a nude eye: Apply a neutral eyeshadow to your eyelids and crease.
Enhance your lashes: Apply one or two coats of mascara to your upper lashes.
Define your lips: Use a lip liner to create a precise lip shape and apply a light nude lipstick.

The "Spice Girls" Influence: Pop Star Glamour

Spice Girls makeup was all about vibrant colors, bold eyeliner, and a playful approach to beauty. This look was perfect for embracing the fun and energy of the 90s pop scene.

H3: Eyes

Bold eyeliner: Black liquid eyeliner was used to create dramatic winged eyeliner, thick black lines on the upper lash line, or graphic shapes.
Bright eyeshadows: Vibrant colors like blue, green, purple, and pink were used to create statement eye looks.
False lashes: False lashes were often used to enhance the eyes and create a more dramatic effect.

H3: Lips

Bright lips: Bold lipstick colors like red, pink, and plum were popular choices.
Glossy finish: Lip gloss was often used to add shine and a touch of fun.
Statement lips: The focus was on creating a vibrant lip that was the focal point of the makeup look.

H3: Skin

Fresh and radiant: Foundation was used to create a flawless, even-toned complexion.
Bronzer and blush: Both were used to add warmth and dimension to the face.
Highlighting: Highlighter was applied to the cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid's bow for a natural, healthy glow.

Recreate the "Spice Girls" Makeup Look:

Prep your skin: Apply primer and foundation to create a flawless base.
Create a bold eye: Use a black liquid eyeliner to create a winged eyeliner or a thick line on your upper lash line. Add a bright eyeshadow to your eyelids and crease.
Enhance your lashes: Apply false lashes for added drama.
Choose a bold lip: Complete the look with a vibrant lipstick and lip gloss.

The "90s Supermodel" Look: Effortless Elegance

The 90s supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss popularized a look that combined natural beauty with a touch of elegance. The key elements were:

H3: Eyes

Defined brows: Brow pencils were used to create a natural, arched brow shape.
Subtle eyeshadow: Nude, beige, or light brown eyeshadows were used to create a natural eye look.
Defined lash line: Black eyeliner was used to define the upper lash line, creating a subtle definition.

H3: Lips

Neutral lips: Nude, beige, or light pink lipsticks were used to create a natural lip look.
Glossy finish: Lip gloss was often added on top of lipstick to create a dewy finish.
Emphasis on the natural lip: The focus was on enhancing the natural lip shape and color, rather than creating a bold statement.

H3: Skin

Flawless complexion: Foundation was used to create a seamless, even-toned complexion.
Light contouring: Bronzer was used sparingly to create subtle definition in the cheekbones and jawline.
Dewy finish: Highlighter was applied to the cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid's bow for a healthy glow.

Recreate the "90s Supermodel" Look:

Prep your skin: Apply primer and foundation to create a flawless base.
Define your brows: Use a brow pencil to create natural-looking brows.
Create a natural eye: Apply a neutral eyeshadow to your eyelids and crease.
Define your lash line: Use black eyeliner to define your upper lash line, creating a subtle definition.
Enhance your lips: Use a neutral lipstick and top with lip gloss for a dewy finish.

Tips for Achieving the Authentic 90s Vibe

Embrace imperfection: Don't be afraid to let your makeup look slightly undone or smudged.
Use matte finishes: Matte eyeshadows, lipsticks, and foundations were popular in the 90s.
Experiment with color: The 90s was a time of experimentation, so don't be afraid to try bold colors and textures.
Focus on your brows: Whether you're going for a grunge look or a more polished style, defined brows were a key element of 90s makeup.
Don't forget the lip liner: Lip liner was used to define the lip shape and create a more precise look.

FAQs

1. What are some popular 90s makeup brands I can try?

Some popular 90s makeup brands that are still available today include:

MAC: Known for their high-quality pigments and iconic products like their "Ruby Woo" lipstick.
Bobbi Brown: Known for their focus on natural beauty and their iconic "Sunkissed Bronzer."
Clinique: Known for their dermatologist-developed skincare and makeup products.
Estee Lauder: Known for their luxurious makeup and skincare products.

2. What are some essential 90s makeup tools?

Eyeliner brush: A fine eyeliner brush is essential for applying and blending eyeliner.
Blending brush: A fluffy blending brush is perfect for creating soft, diffused makeup looks.
Lash comb: A lash comb is helpful for separating lashes and creating a clumpy, dramatic effect.
Lip liner: A lip liner is essential for defining the lip shape and preventing lipstick from bleeding.

3. How can I find inspiration for 90s makeup looks?

YouTube: Many beauty YouTubers create tutorials recreating classic 90s makeup looks.
Pinterest: Pinterest is a great source of inspiration for vintage makeup looks, including 90s styles.
Instagram: Many beauty influencers and makeup artists post photos and videos of 90s-inspired makeup looks on Instagram.

Conclusion

The 90s was an era of bold experimentation and self-expression in the world of makeup. From the rebellious grunge aesthetic to the minimalist "heroin chic" look, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Embrace the era's iconic trends, and don't be afraid to experiment with different styles to create your own unique 90s makeup look.

Call to action: Ready to channel your inner 90s icon? Start experimenting with these looks today and share your results with us on social media using the hashtag #90smakeup.