15 Iconic ’90s Makeup Trends That Are Making A Major Comeback
Remember when Friends was the hottest show on TV and butterfly clips reigned supreme?
The ’90s were a wild time for makeup – both glamorous and grunge.
I’ve been noticing these throwback trends popping up everywhere, from TikTok to high-fashion runways. What’s old is new again, and honestly, I’m here for it!
Let’s look at the ’90s makeup trends that are having their well-deserved renaissance moment.
1. Brown Lipstick
The earthy, chocolatey pout that dominated the ’90s has returned with a vengeance! I remember saving up my allowance to buy my first tube of brown lipstick because everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Naomi Campbell was rocking it. Today’s versions have improved formulas with better hydration and staying power. Modern brown lipsticks range from rich mocha to subtle tawny shades that complement all skin tones.
Pair it with minimal eye makeup for that perfect ’90s vibe, or go full throwback with matte skin and defined brows. The best part? Brown lipstick works for both casual coffee runs and formal events, making it the ultimate versatile comeback trend.
2. Frosted Eyeshadow
Those pearly, shimmery lids that made everyone look like ice queens are back! Frosted eyeshadow was my go-to for school dances, and I’d spend hours trying to perfect that silvery-blue sheen that stars like Drew Barrymore made famous. The 2023 version has been upgraded with finer shimmer particles that catch light beautifully without that chalky finish we struggled with back then.
Makeup artists are now applying it with a lighter hand, focusing on the inner corners or center of the lid for a more wearable look. Brands have expanded the color range too, offering sophisticated frosted taupes, champagnes, and even lavenders that feel fresh while nodding to the past.
3. Thin Eyebrows (But Make It Modern)
Those pencil-thin arches that we all regretted overplucking are staging a comeback—but with a crucial update. I spent years growing back my brows after the ’90s, so I’m approaching this trend cautiously! The modern take features a more tailored approach—slightly thinner than the bold Instagram brows of recent years, but not quite as sparse as the original trend.
Think of it as a sleeker, more refined brow with a defined arch that frames the face without disappearing completely. Rather than plucking yourself into oblivion, try using a brow pencil to create a thinner shape first. If you like it, consider careful professional shaping. The key difference? We’re keeping some natural fullness at the front of the brow.
4. Matte Skin Finish
After years of dewy, glazed donut skin dominating beauty trends, the pendulum is swinging back to the powder-perfect complexion of the ’90s. My teenage makeup bag was filled with oil-blotting sheets and pressed powder compacts to achieve this look! The updated version isn’t the flat, cakey finish we sometimes ended up with back then.
Today’s matte skin has dimension and looks natural while controlling shine. New powder formulations contain light-diffusing particles that minimize pores without settling into fine lines. Pro tip: Apply a hydrating primer first, then use a damp beauty sponge to press (not swipe) foundation into skin. Set with a finely-milled powder only in your T-zone for that perfect ’90s-but-better finish.
5. Darker Lip Liner Than Lipstick
The infamous ’90s lip combo is back! I still have photos where my lips were outlined in deep chocolate with a lighter center – a look straight from music videos and red carpets of the era. Today’s version is more subtle and blended. Instead of the stark contrast we once loved, makeup artists are now choosing liners just 1-2 shades deeper than the lipstick, then softly diffusing the line with a brush for a gradient effect.
This technique actually makes lips appear fuller without looking overdone. Try pairing a mauve liner with a similar but lighter lipstick shade, or go classic with a brown liner and a peachy natural center. The key is blending those harsh lines we once proudly sported!
6. Electric Blue Eyeliner
Bright blue liner was THE statement eye of the ’90s, and it’s electric again! I wore this to every concert in high school, feeling like a total rockstar with my cobalt-rimmed eyes. The 2023 interpretation offers more versatility than the original trend. You can go full ’90s with a solid line around both lids, or modernize it with a subtle blue flick at the outer corners.
Some makeup artists are even placing it just on the lower waterline for a pop of color that’s surprisingly wearable. The formulas have improved dramatically too—today’s blue liners are creamier, more pigmented, and actually stay put instead of migrating down your face by lunchtime. Pair with minimal makeup elsewhere to let those blue lines be the star of your look.
7. Glittery Eyelids
Those chunky glitter eyeshadows that left a trail of sparkles wherever you went are making a spectacular return! I remember applying craft glitter with clear lip gloss before proper glitter formulas existed—thankfully, things have improved. Modern glitter shadows feature finer particles and better adhesion technology, meaning you’ll actually keep the sparkle on your lids instead of your cheeks.
Makeup artists are layering them over cream shadows for intense color payoff and longer wear. The placement has evolved too—try concentrating glitter just on the center of the lid for a spotlight effect, or along the lash line for a subtler nod to the trend. For special occasions, a wash of silver or gold glitter across the entire lid brings all the ’90s party vibes with none of the fallout drama.
8. Grunge-Inspired Smudged Eyeliner
The deliberately messy, slept-in eyeliner Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love made famous is enjoying a major revival. I spent hours trying to perfect that imperfect smudge—the irony wasn’t lost on teenage me! The contemporary approach focuses on controlled chaos. Start with a creamy pencil liner along your lash line, then use a small smudge brush or your finger to diffuse the edges before it sets softly.
The goal is to look cool, not like you’ve been crying. Black is classic, but try deep plum or navy for a modern twist on this ’90s staple. Unlike the original trend where we’d wear the same makeup for days (yikes!), today’s version starts fresh each morning with better formulas that stay smudgy without traveling down your face.
9. Brick Red Lips
Those deep, rusty red lips that defined the ’90s power woman are strutting back into our makeup bags! I saved my babysitting money for my first brick red lipstick because it made me feel instantly grown-up and sophisticated. The modern interpretation of this trend embraces the warmth and depth of brick red but with formulas that feel comfortable all day.
The finish has evolved too—while matte was the only option back then, today’s versions range from velvet-matte to satin finishes that don’t dry out your lips. For a contemporary take, try blotting the lipstick after application and adding a tiny dab of clear balm to the center of your lips. This creates dimension while maintaining the iconic ’90s color that works amazingly well across all skin tones.
10. High-Contrast Blush
Those bold, sculpted cheeks that made everyone look like they’d just finished an aerobics class are bouncing back! I remember applying bright pink blush in sharp streaks across my cheekbones, thinking more was definitely more. Today’s revival takes the drama of ’90s blush placement but blends it more seamlessly.
The key is choosing bold colors—think vibrant corals, rich berries, and true pinks—but applying them with a lighter hand and diffusing the edges for a more natural transition. Placement has shifted slightly too. Rather than the hollow of the cheeks, try sweeping color slightly higher on the apples and blending upward toward the temples. This creates that characteristic ’90s sculpted look but with a freshness that feels current.
11. Metallic Lip Gloss
Those shimmery, space-age lip glosses that made your lips look like liquid metal are orbiting back into style! My first tube of metallic lip gloss made me feel like a pop star every time I applied it. The updated versions have ditched the gritty texture and sticky finish we endured in the ’90s.
Today’s metallic glosses feature finer shimmer particles suspended in comfortable, non-tacky formulas that actually hydrate your lips instead of drying them out. Colors have evolved beyond the frosty pinks and silvers of yesteryear. Try bronze-gold for a subtle nod to the trend, or go bold with unexpected metallic plums and berries. For maximum impact, keep the rest of your makeup minimal—just like we did in 1995.
12. Minimal Eyes with Bold Lips
The classic ’90s contrast of barely-there eye makeup paired with statement lips is making a triumphant return! This was my go-to college look—quick, easy, but still put-together enough for classes and coffee dates. The modern approach maintains that striking balance but with improved products. Today’s neutral eye shadows have better blendability and subtle dimension that wasn’t available back then.
A wash of matte taupe or beige across the lid, the lightest touch of mascara, and then BAM—a bold lip color. For the most authentic ’90s vibe, pair this eye look with brick red or brown lipstick. The beauty of this trend is its efficiency—you can create a complete look in under five minutes, perfect for our busy lives while still looking intentionally styled.
13. Monochromatic Brown Tones
The all-brown-everything approach that dominated ’90s beauty is staging a sepia-toned comeback! I used to apply the same brown eyeshadow to my lids, cheeks, and even lips, thinking I looked like Cindy Crawford (spoiler: I didn’t). The contemporary version of this trend focuses on varying shades and textures of brown for dimension.
Think warm terracotta on the eyes, soft tan blush, and creamy mocha lips—all in the same color family but not identical.
What makes this trend so wearable now is the quality of products. Today’s brown tones have undertones that complement different skin tones rather than the one-shade-fits-none options we had back then. For a modern finish, add one non-matte element—perhaps a touch of shimmer on the center of the lips or inner corners of the eyes.
14. Inner-Corner Highlight
That bright pop of shimmer in the inner corners of the eyes is lighting up makeup looks once again! This technique was my secret weapon for looking awake after studying all night in the ’90s. While the original trend often featured stark white or silver highlight, today’s version offers more options.
Soft champagne, pale gold, or even subtle rose tones can brighten the eyes while looking more natural than the frosty highlights we once loved.
Application has evolved too. Rather than a concentrated dot of shimmer, try blending the highlight slightly onto the inner third of your lower lash line and a bit onto the lid for a more cohesive effect. This small detail makes a surprising difference in your overall look—making eyes appear larger and more awake while adding a touch of ’90s nostalgia.
15. Spider Lashes
Those deliberately clumpy, separated lashes that gave us all slight arachnid vibes are crawling back into fashion! I can still remember carefully separating my lashes with a safety pin (please don’t do this) to get that perfect spidery effect. The 2023 version maintains the drama but with safer application methods and better formulas. Start with a volumizing mascara, applying multiple coats while the previous layer is still slightly wet.
Then use a clean spoolie or lash comb to create those defined separations. What makes this trend work now is pairing it with an otherwise clean face—fresh skin, subtle blush, and neutral lips let those dramatic lashes be the focal point. For special occasions, try adding a few individual false lashes at the outer corners to enhance the effect without going full costume.