Are These the '90s Makeup Trends Making a Comeback This Fall?

When it comes to fashion, it seems everything old is new again as the ‘90s style trends have made a major comeback in recent years. And now it seems ’90s makeup trends are following suit. From pastel eyeshadows to vampy lipstick, we’re covering the ‘90s-style makeup and beauty trends that are headed for a comeback this fall.

Defined lip liner

A defined lip was a staple beauty note of the 1990s, with models like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford donning their versions of the look, and famous celebrities of the day like Pamela Anderson making it a signature. Typically worn with nude lipstick or a bare lip and a swipe of gloss, the look created a neutral-yet-full effect on the lip.

In recent times, Kim Kardashian, Lizzo and Bella Hadid have all rocked updated versions of this look, meaning we think it’s going to continue to be more and more popular this season.

To achieve a bold lip try: MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil, Sephora, $27.

Icy and pastel eyeshadow hues

While most of us consider a “statement eye” to include a dark and smokey effect in a deep and rich hue, in the ‘90s, achieving a bold eye looked a little different. Back in the day, this trend would have meant bright pastels or icy eyeshadow shades layered across the full lid. Britney Spears took this trend to another level in the ‘90s by adding bold swipes of colour to the corners of her eyes.

Currently, Lily-Rose Depp is a fan of this throwback makeup trend, often opting to add a smokey effect to her eye makeup.

Try: Morphe M2 Ready in 5 Eyeshadow Palette – Ocean Blues, Sephora, $11.

Thin brows

Now, we’re not telling you to take a tweezer to those perfectly-fluffed brows you’ve worked so hard to grow out. But there’s no denying that the thinner brow trend from the ‘90s has begun to creep back in, a la legendary throwback brows like those rocked by Drew Berrymore and Tyra Banks.

You can try this trend in a less severe (and commitment-free way) by using a brow freeze gel to shape your brows, pencilling and shading them in a slimmer shape with concealer to mute out some of the existing volume.

Try: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer 3-in-1 Triangle Tip, Sephora, $33.

Natural-looking highlights

Of all the severe beauty trends in the ‘90s, you might be surprised to recall that natural-looking highlights cropped up around this time, supplying beauty fans with a more subtle style to mimic than the then-popular high-contrast roots and colour trend.

Nobody has exemplified natural highlights then and now than Jennifer Lopez — we love how she’s stuck to this trend as her signature hair look and made it timeless.

Try: dpHUE Clarifying Vitamin C Brightening Powder for Blonde & Highlighted Hair, Sephora, $42.

Vampy lips

From dark lip liner to a fully dark lip, a bold pout was the go-to in the ‘90s, where even a bare lip would be traced in a deeper hue liner. For the vamp lip throwback beauty trend, it was all about getting a dark, typically brown or plum shade, and filling in the lip with a well-defined shape.

Stars like Rihanna and Vanessa Hudgens are big fans of this statement lip style and are bringing it back again.

Try: MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick, Sephora, $27.

Smudged eye makeup

The original smokey eye was a little less perfect and a lot more grungy than today’s take on the throwback beauty trend that inspired it. And with the rise of marinated makeup, we’d argue that this trend is fully on its way back in once again.

Try: GXVE BY GWEN STEFANI Eye See in Color Clean Multidimensional Eyeshadow Palette, Sephora, $36.

Destiny's Child in matching outfits — Getty Images

Body shimmer

Face and body glitter were the unsung heroes of the ‘90s beauty scene. Think: dewy skin, glossy lips, butterfly clips and all the sparkles needed to complete the ultimate throwback beauty look (or the perfect ’90s girl Halloween costume).

Try: Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil, Sephora, $49.

Bright blush

Rosy cheeks achieved with bright blush were considered a ‘90s must, when “more is more” was the rule of thumb for creating the quintessential flushed look of the decade.

This fall, don’t be afraid to let your cheeks have some colour.

Try: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, Sephora, $26.

Moody black eyeliner

Black liner to line the eyes, pencilling in the bottom and upper lids, was once a thing. And while no, it isn’t the most flattering look if you’re trying to “open up” your eye shape, it’s still a fun throwback trend to play with when creating a moody, retro eye.

Try: SEPHORA COLLECTION 12 Hour Contour Pencil Eyeliner, Sephora, $15.

Bare-faced beauty

In the ‘90s, when “everything in excess” felt like the makeup standard, there was still a solid trend of natural beauty looks in the mix. No celebrity has exemplified that “girl next door” fresh-faced vibe over the years quite like everyone’s favourite Friends alum, Jennifer Aniston.

A healthy complexion achieved with nourishing serums is a great base to build on to recreate this less-is-more throwback trend that’s withstood the test of time.

Try: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum, Sephora, $8.

Shimmery highlighter

From the same ‘90s beauty icons that brought you body glitter and blue eyeshadow: the all-over face shimmer trend had us leaving trails of makeshift pixie dust everywhere we went, but hey, it was the ‘90s.

For a current update on an old favourite, try subbing that retro shimmer with a face highlighter. The bridge of the nose, inner corners of the eyes, cupid’s bow and cheekbones are some easy points to accent with just a touch of this nostalgic beauty hack.

Try: MILK Makeup Cream Highlighter, Sephora, $29.

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