How to Create a 90s Inspired Makeup Look 

If you didn’t live through the 90s, let us set the scene: frosted tips, Spice Girls on repeat, and 90s makeup that swung from minimal matte skin and skinny brows to frosted lips and body glitter. And if you did live it? Welcome back — 90s makeup trends are officially on a comeback tour (well, they never really left TBH), and your makeup bag is the VIP ticket.  
This guide is your crash course on nailing the ultimate 90s makeup look: brows, base, lips, eyes — all with that perfectly undone-yet-polished vibe. Let’s dive in.

90s Makeup Trends: What Defines 90s Makeup? 

The 90s makeup aesthetic was all about contrast. On one side you had pared-back, velvety matte skin; on the other, smoky shadow and glossy lips. 90s eye makeup leaned towards dusty neutrals or charcoal shades, often paired with sharp, defined 90s eyeliner and a kohl-lined waterline. Brows were a statement in themselves — from naturally full 90s brows to ultra-thin arches. And of course, 90s lips are still one of the most legendary beauty moments of the decade: dark liner paired with nude lipstick, or a slick of high-shine gloss that caught the light. 

Iconic 90s Makeup Looks for Inspo 

There wasn’t just one 90s makeup look — the decade gave us a whole spectrum of beauty moments, each now serving as timeless 90s makeup inspo. Here are five of the most standout:

  • Supermodel Grunge Look

Matte skin, smudgy 90s eye makeup, and an undone vibe that felt effortless. Kate Moss may have led the runway version of this, but Winona Ryder was its Hollywood poster girl — pale matte skin, barely-there eyeshadow, and a moody, minimal edge that defined 90s cool. 

  • The Pop & R&B Gloss Look

High-shine 90s lips, bronzed skin, and slick liner. This was the era of Jennifer Lopez, Destiny’s Child, Brandy, and Aaliyah, where gloss was non-negotiable and everything caught the light.

  • The Dark Lip Statement

One of the most unforgettable 90s makeup looks was the bold, vampy lip. Drew Barrymore is known for it — pairing deep lipstick shades with matte skin and her trademark 90s brows. Liv Tyler offered a softer spin, contrasting her fresh-faced glow with rich berry tones. Together with Gwen Stefani, Nia Long, Lauryn Hill and Courtney Love, they defined a look that was moody, dramatic, and unapologetically 90s.

  • The High-Glam Runway Look

Polished and precise: flawless skin, sharp 90s eyeliner, and statement brows. Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, and Linda Evangelista all embodied this powerful side of 90s makeup.

  • The California Glow Look

Fresh, radiant skin and a barely-there approach to makeup. Cameron Diaz was the ultimate poster girls for this vibe, with sun-kissed cheeks, neutral tones, and relaxed gloss. Gwyneth Paltrow, Gabrielle Union and Jennifer Aniston also embodied this understated, healthy-skin aesthetic — the softer, laid-back answer to the bolder 90s makeup trends.

Must-Have Products for a 90s Makeup Look

The beauty of 90s inspired makeup is how simple the toolkit really is: a buildable base, a powder bronzer and blush, a versatile shadow palette, liner and mascara for definition, and of course, a brown lip liner with nude lipstick and gloss to finish. Here’s everything you need for 90s makeup, all in one edit.

The 90s Base: Matte Where It Mattered

The 90s makeup base was all about balance: matte and photo-ready, but never so heavy that it looked mask-like. Skin was perfected but still real — you’d see texture and a little natural life peeking through. 

To recreate it today, start with Skin Nova as your primer. It preps the skin, adds hydration, and gives your foundation something to grip to. Then go in with Skin Nova Complexion Balm. It’s buildable, so you can dial up the coverage until your skin looks flawless — but because the texture still peeks through, it keeps that “skin, but better” vibe that feels authentic to the 90s. Think blurred and evened out, not airbrushed flat. 

Lock it down with Modern Powder Perfector through the T-zone, chin, and jawline for that soft matte finish the decade was known for.  

Blush and bronzer were a constant through the decade, but the way they were worn shifted. In the early 90s, blush led the way — matte tones like dusty rose, peach, or mauve were swept onto the apples of the cheeks for a healthy flush, while bronzer added just a hint of warmth. By the mid-to-late 90s, bronzer came into sharper focus, often used to subtly sculpt cheekbones and jaws in the Kevyn Aucoin style, while blush softened into the background. 

If you’re recreating the 90s makeup aesthetic now, you can take it either way — play up the blush for a fresh, youthful look or lean into bronzer for warmth and definition. For authenticity, Sunset Blush and Modern Bronzer give you that classic matte powder finish. But if you prefer a modern twist, Sunset Blush Balm and Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer deliver the same 90s colour story in a skin-like, dewy texture that feels totally 2020s.

Perfecting 90s Eye Makeup

When it came to 90s eye makeup, the looks were surprisingly varied. From dreamy pastels to bold metallics, razor-sharp liner to smudgy kohl, the decade gave us an eye moment for every mood. The common thread? Eyes always made a statement. Whether you’re channelling grunge, supermodel chic, or R&B glam, the right shadow and liner will lock in the look.

90s Eyeshadow Look

90s eyeshadow was all about contrast. On one side you had pared-back, muted neutrals in taupe, grey, and soft brown — the go-to for everyday or that supermodel grunge aesthetic. On the other, you had playful pops of pastel and bold metallic finishes that shimmered under every flashbulb. Frosty blue, silvery lilac, and reflective gold all had their moment. 

The Ninetease Palette is perfect for capturing every side of 90s eyeshadow. For the supermodel look, shades like WHTVR, Low Rise, and Soot deliver that clean, sculpted wash of taupe and soft brown across the lids — polished, minimal, and runway-ready. If you’re leaning into grunge, reach for deeper tones like ’93 and Soot, smudging them along the lash line and diffusing with your fingertips for that moody, undone haze that defined the decade’s cooler edge. And when it’s time to channel the playful side of the 90s, metallics and frosts like Acid Wash, VHS, and Dial Up bring back the shimmering, club-kid energy. For something more effortless, Eye Wand in Concrete or Smoke can take you from a soft wash to a full smoky eye in one swipe.

90s Eyeliner and Eyelashes

If there’s one thing that instantly defines 90s eyeliner, it’s the lived-in look. Liner was worn sharp and winged by some, but most of the time it was at least smudged into the lash line or swept across the waterline for that grunge-y finish. Think less precision, more attitude. 

For razor-sharp wings, Power Ink Liquid Liner is your best friend — inky, precise, and unapologetically bold. To channel the smudged 90s softness, press Soul Shadow in Noir or an Eye Wand in Concrete or Smoke along the lash line, then buff it out with a fingertip or brush. The result? That perfectly imperfect liner the 90s rebels were all about. 

And of course, no eye was complete without standout lashes. 90s eyelashes were bold and defined — mascara was layered unapologetically, even clumpy, for that spiky, statement texture. Icon Mascara delivers the same vibe today: inky black pigment, instant volume, and the kind of definition that makes your lashes look deliberately dramatic, not dainty. 

The 90s Brow Revival

When you think of 90s brows, one trend stands out: thin, arched, and sometimes barely there. From supermodels to pop stars, skinny brows ruled the decade — a look that’s as divisive now as it was then. Luckily, you don’t need to reach for tweezers to recreate them. 

If you’re wondering how to get 90s brows today without committing, it’s all about illusion. Start by softening the natural shape with a touch of Modern Radiance Concealer over the outer edges of your brows to slim them down temporarily. Then, use a brow pencil to sketch in a thinner line or subtle arch. The result? Brows that nod to the 90s without permanently altering your natural shape — so you can bring back the skinny-brow aesthetic for a night out and return to your full brow life the next morning. 

The Return of 90s Lips

When people picture 90s lips, one thing usually comes to mind: contrast. Dark brown lip liner paired with a lighter nude lipstick became the decade’s signature, sometimes left matte and sometimes finished with a vinyl-like gloss. It was bold, a little rebellious, and instantly recognisable. 

Here’s how to recreate it: 

  • Line it up – Start with Modern Lip Definer in a deeper brown shade like Bark or Tailored. Overline slightly if you like, focusing on creating a clean, defined edge. 
  • Fill the centre – Apply Modern Matte Lipstick in a lighter nude or peach tone — Ninetease is perfect for this. The contrast between the liner and the lipstick is what makes this lip so unmistakably 90s. 
  • Add the gloss – Finish with Lip Dew to lock in that 90s shine. Mirror gives a crystal-clear, glass-like finish that feels straight out of the decade. Or try Supermodel and Socialite — two new shades created with the 90s in mind. Supermodel is a deep neutral brown laced with golden shimmer, perfect for amping up that brown-liner-and-nude combo. Socialite is a light neutral beige that delivers a softer, polished take on the era’s glassy lip. 
FAQs About 90s Makeup Trends

Are 90s Brows Back? 

Yes, 90s brows are making a comeback — Pamela Anderson 90s-style pencil-thin arches included — but today’s version is softer. No overplucking required: just concealer, brow pencils, and gels to get the look while keeping your natural fullness 

What Colour Lipstick Was Popular in the 90s? 

The most iconic 90s lips were created with dark brown liner and nude or peach lipsticks, sometimes left matte and sometimes topped with clear gloss. Deep berry shades and vampy reds also had their moment on the red carpet. 

Which Celebrities Inspired 90s Beauty? 

Supermodels like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, musicians like TLC, Brandy, and Lauryn Hill, and Hollywood stars like Drew Barrymore and Halle Berry all helped define the 90s makeup aesthetic. Their looks still inspire the trends we’re recreating today. 

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