Table of Contents
- Key Highlights:
- Introduction
- The 90s Makeup Philosophy
- 90s Makeup Looks Beyond the Basics
- Mastering the Techniques
Key Highlights:
- The 90s makeup aesthetic is defined by its minimalism, featuring matte skin, bold lips, and a focus on natural beauty with defined brows and neutral eyes.
- Essential steps to recreate the iconic look include achieving a flawless matte base, well-defined brows, understated eye makeup, and bold lip colors reminiscent of the decade.
- Various styles inspired by the 90s, such as Grunge Glam and Minimalist Chic, offer flexibility in adapting the trends to modern aesthetics.
Introduction
The 1990s was a defining decade for makeup, showcasing a fascinating blend of diverse styles and cultural influences. From the sleek, polished looks of supermodels to the raw, edgy vibes of grunge, the era offered an array of beauty expressions that spoke to the pop culture of the time. Enter the realm of 90s makeup, where the interplay of matte finishes, defined features, and striking lip colors created an impactful aesthetic. Today, as nostalgia reigns in the beauty world, many are eager to master the iconic looks that defined this unforgettable decade. This guide serves as an authoritative resource for those looking to recreate the 90s makeup styles, covering essential techniques and tips to achieve that quintessentially bold yet understated look.
The 90s Makeup Philosophy
At the heart of the 90s makeup trend lies a commitment to minimalism and a focus on natural beauty. Rather than relying on heavy layers of makeup, the era celebrated a clean, polished appearance that emphasized individual features. The hallmark of this style can be encapsulated in four key elements: matte skin, defined brows, neutral eye shadows, and bold lip color. Understanding how to execute these elements effectively is crucial for anyone wishing to emulate the look.
Step 1: Achieving a Flawless (But Matte) Base
The 90s beauty ideal revolved around achieving a flawless complexion with a matte finish, steering clear of the dewy textures that have since triumphed in modern makeup trends. Here’s how to recreate the perfect base:
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Primer: Start with a mattifying primer to set the stage for a shine-free complexion. This base layer smooths skin texture and controls oil, essential for maintaining a polished look throughout the day.
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Foundation: Choose a medium-coverage matte foundation that suits your skin tone. Apply it using a damp sponge for an even finish, ensuring it remains lightweight and natural-looking while providing coverage for blemishes or uneven skin tone.
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Concealer: Use a matte concealer to address specific areas, such as under-eye circles or blemishes. Blend it seamlessly into your foundation for an undetectable finish.
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Powder: To lock everything in place, set your foundation and concealer with a translucent setting powder, paying special attention to the T-zone. The 90s look often involved heavier powder application to ensure a fully matte appearance.
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Contouring: While highlighting wasn't a staple of the era, subtle contouring around the cheekbones helps to define facial features. Select a matte bronzer that is a couple of shades darker than your skin and use it sparingly.
Step 2: Emphasizing Brow Power
Defined eyebrows are a cornerstone of the 90s makeup aesthetic. However, the excessively thin brows that were trendy in the past may not fit modern tastes. Here's how to adapt this trend while maintaining a natural look:
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Shaping: Begin by brushing your brows upward with a spoolie brush to create a full appearance.
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Filling: Match a brow pencil or powder to your natural brow color, carefully filling in sparse areas with soft, feathery strokes, steering clear of harsh lines.
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Defining: For added structure, define the arch of your brow using a shade that’s slightly darker than your natural hue.
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Setting: Finish with a clear or tinted brow gel to maintain the shape throughout the day.
Step 3: Crafting Neutral Eyes
The 90s aesthetic favored mellow, neutral tones for eye makeup, opting for subtlety over drama. The goal is to create a softly defined eye look:
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Base: Apply an eyeshadow primer to prepare the eyelids, preventing creasing and enhancing the color pay-off.
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Transition Shade: Blend a matte taupe or brown eyeshadow into the crease as a transitional tone to create depth.
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Lid Color: Use a matte beige or light brown shadow across the eyelids to unify the base.
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Defining: Accentuate the outer corners and crease with a darker eyeshadow, such as deep brown or black, blending well to provide a smoky effect.
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Eyeliner: While a prominent liner wasn't always utilized, a subtle thin line close to the lash line may enhance your look. A smudged effect can channel the 90s grunge vibe effectively.
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Mascara: Complete the eye look with one or two coats of black mascara on both upper and lower lashes, amplifying volume and definition.
Step 4: The Iconic Lip
No 90s look is complete without an iconic lip, characterized by bold and dramatic colors. Here’s how to master this essential step:
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Lip Liner: Choose a lip liner that is slightly darker than your chosen lipstick shade. Define the shape of your lips carefully to avoid feathering, and consider overlining slightly for a fuller effect.
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Lipstick: Choose a matte lipstick in a rich berry, deep red, or chocolate brown. The matte finish was integral to achieving the 90s aesthetic.
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Blotting: Blot with a tissue to remove any excess product, creating a lasting impression.
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Reapplication: Apply a second layer of lipstick to enhance color intensity and longevity.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
The final elements of your makeup application can pull your entire look together. Here are a few tips:
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Blush: If desired, opt for a matte blush in softer tones, such as muted rose or mauve. Keep the application light to maintain the essence of the 90s, which leaned toward understated rosy cheeks.
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Setting Spray: A mist of setting spray can help bind the makeup together and provide longevity without compromising the matte finish.
90s Makeup Looks Beyond the Basics
Once you’ve mastered the classic 90s makeup look, consider exploring additional styles that draw inspiration from the era:
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Grunge Glam: A bold departure, this look features heavy eyeliner, smudged eyeshadow, and a dark berry or plum lip. Inspired by the likes of Courtney Love, this style channels the rebellious spirit of 90s femininity.
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Minimalist Chic: This approach embraces nearly bare skin paired with defined brows and muted tones. Channeling the looks of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, this style is refined and elegant.
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Supermodel Shine: For those wanting a more polished approach, opt for natural skin with a hint of blush and a glossy nude lip. Inspired by supermodels like Cindy Crawford, this look is timeless and sophisticated.
Mastering the Techniques
Perfecting 90s makeup techniques takes time and patience. Experimentation is key; play with shades, textures, and finishes to find what best complements your features and skin tone. Embracing the nostalgic charm of the 90s doesn't mean you can't make it your own. Whether opting for a full-on 90s aesthetic or incorporating elements into your daily routine, let creativity and individuality guide your makeup journey.
FAQ
1. What’s the most crucial element of 90s makeup to get right?
The lip liner and lipstick combination is arguably the most important. A darker lip liner with a matte lipstick in shades like berry, brown, or red instantly evokes a 90s vibe and sets the foundation for the entire look.
2. How can I adapt the 90s brow trend to suit current fuller brow trends?
Instead of overly thin brows, aim for a fuller, natural shape while defining the arch with a pencil or powder. The focus should be on a soft, elongated tail that maintains the brow's overall fullness.
3. What are the best lipstick shades to achieve a 90s vibe?
For an authentic 90s look, think of shades like brick red, wine, mauve, and chocolate brown. Matte finishes are essential for maintaining the signature look.
4. Can I use a dewy foundation for a 90s look?
No. The 90s makeup aesthetic revolves around matte skin; thus, a dewy foundation contradicts this style. Stick to matte or semi-matte foundations for authenticity.
5. How can I achieve a smudged eyeliner look without it looking messy?
Use a gel eyeliner pencil that blends easily. Apply a thin line along the upper lash line and smudge immediately with a brush or cotton swab to achieve the desired effect before it sets.
6. What blush colors were popular in the 90s?
Muted rose and mauve shades were the go-to options. The emphasis was on a subtle flush rather than bold or shimmery formulations.
7. How can I incorporate 90s makeup trends into my everyday makeup routine?
Select one or two signature elements, like a defined brow and a nostalgic lipstick shade, to integrate into your current look without going all-out 90s.
8. Was highlighting a common practice in 90s makeup?
Highlighting, as seen today, wasn't the norm. The focus was firmly on matte skin. If desired, use a light matte eyeshadow slightly brighter than your skin tone to add minimal highlight.
9. How important is lip liner in achieving the 90s lip look?
Lip liner is essential, serving not just to define the lip shape but also to prevent lipstick from feathering and enhance dimension through its darker shade.
10. What if I don’t want to wear dark lipstick? Can I still achieve a 90s makeup look?
Absolutely! Choose a nude lipstick with a brown undertone. Pair it with defined brows, matte skin, and neutral eyeshadow to maintain the essential 90s aesthetic.
By mastering these elements of 90s makeup, anyone can channel the spirit of the era while tailoring it to fit their unique style. Whether preparing for a nostalgic trip down memory lane or simply wanting to explore a sophisticated aesthetic, the timeless techniques of 90s makeup are impactful, straightforward, and endlessly versatile.