Skip to Content

11 Of The A-List Working The Most Nostalgic '90s Make-Up Looks

From brown lipstick to blue eyeshadow.

By
Lip, Beauty, Fashion, Dress, Event, Long hair, Premiere, Performance, Singer, Brown hair,
SGRANITZ / GETTY IMAGES

Butterfly clips, crimped hair, and outrageous style choices defined the '90s. But something we need to talk about is what our favourite actresses and singers were wearing on their faces. The best '90s makeup trends were widely adopted by the most beautiful, iconic celebrities of the time.

From Britney and Christina to every member of Destiny’s Child, bold eyeshadows and overdrawn lips were just a couple of the popular '90s make-up ideas. Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, and Reese Witherspoon also have their fair share of epic make-up looks from back then.

And while we definitely copied them, we’re not so sure we were making the best choices with these '90s make-up looks. Before we knew about contouring and lip kits, it was all about having the glossiest lips and thinnest eyebrows possible. Our preferences and styles have certainly evolved since then, but it’s always nostalgic and fun to look back on the good ol’ days.

Whether you’re preparing for a wild '90s dress-up party or want to show your kids why mum was wearing blue eyeshadow 20+ years ago, we have all the evidence you need. So, now that you’ve been warned, prepare for the most iconic make-up looks of the '90s.

1

Angelina Jolie

Face, Hair, Facial expression, Smile, Lip, Eyebrow, Beauty, Head, Skin, Hairstyle,
JIM SMEAL / GETTY IMAGES

Blue eyeshadow was seen on any and every celeb back then, and Angelina Jolie wasn't afraid to put it all over her lids and under her brows. Typically we focus on emphasising one part of the face, but here, she clearly couldn't pick which she wanted to flaunt most.

2

Britney Spears

Performance, Entertainment, Performing arts, Singing, Music artist, Music, Singer, Event, Stage, Performance art,
PAUL NATKIN / GETTY IMAGES

Makeup wasn't just for your face in the '90s. As pop sensation Britney Spears showed us, body glitter was almost a requirement for shining as brightly as possible. After all, nothing goes with a bright pink tube top quite like gold body glitter.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Courtney Love

Hair, Blond, Hairstyle, Beauty, Eyebrow, Shoulder, Lip, Dress, Fashion, Premiere,
KMAZUR / GETTY IMAGES

Though this is a somewhat subtle look for both Courtney and the decade itself, we can't get over how popular electrolysis was in the '90s. From the looks of her brows today, it appears she made the decision to make hers permanently thin.

4

Drew Barrymore

Hair, Face, Hairstyle, Blond, Eyebrow, Chin, Forehead, Lip, Neck, Layered hair,
RON GALELLA, LTD. / GETTY IMAGES

The wet look made its way to the late 2010s, but we're thinking brick-brown lipstick might stay there, as one of the best '90s makeup looks. That, combined with those skinny, over-plucked brows (and the choker!) make it an iconic overall style.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Destiny's Child

Clothing, Fashion, Jeans, Abdomen, Event, Trunk, See-through clothing, Trousers, Hip, Premiere,
JIM SMEAL / GETTY IMAGES

We're quite impressed that the girl group matched from eyeshadow to toe for this red carpet look. Showing us a variety of the best '90s make-up looks, we're still talking about that glowy, opalescent eyeshadow all four of them are wearing.

6

Reese Witherspoon

Hair, Face, Lip, Eyebrow, Hairstyle, Beauty, Chin, Head, Skin, Eye,
STEVE EICHNER / GETTY IMAGES

We can't really get over the spiky updo happening here, but Reese's makeup has a lot going on too. You can see her foundation is quite pale and her lips are that super deep, on-trend red.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Tyra Banks

Clothing, Fashion, Dress, Beauty, Hairstyle, Shoulder, Blond, Arm, Fashion model, Cocktail dress,
RON GALELLA / GETTY IMAGES

There are few things that are more '90s than being matchy-matchy. But Tyra took it to the next level when she wore a dress that was complemented by an almost identical shade of eyeshadow. And we hope you noticed her earrings and necklace bobbles are exactly the same.

8

Christina Aguilera

Hair, Blond, Face, Pink, Hairstyle, Eyebrow, Beauty, Shoulder, Chin, Lip,
FRED DUVAL / GETTY IMAGES

Lips were matching clothing too! Just look at how pop star Christina Aguilera wore a super-pigmented gloss that paired far too well with her bright pink t-shirt.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Gwen Stefani

Hair, Face, Pink, Hairstyle, Hair coloring, Chin, Lip, Beauty, Eyebrow, Wig,
J. VESPA / GETTY IMAGES

From her tube top to neon hair, the singer simply added to her epic '90s style with a deep red lip and yes, those teeny tiny brows. We're thrilled to report that she's returned to her classic blonde locks and fuller brows since.

10

Jennifer Lopez

Lip, Beauty, Fashion, Dress, Event, Long hair, Premiere, Performance, Singer, Brown hair,
SGRANITZ / GETTY IMAGES

Not even the always-glam J.Lo could escape the cringe-worthy trends of the '90s. Here, she's rocking the ultra glossy lip and blue eyeshadow. You can tell she's proud of the look, as she decided to pull her hair back into a decade-friendly, slicked-back pony.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Pamela Anderson

Hair, Blond, Face, Eyebrow, Hairstyle, Lip, Chin, Beauty, Hair coloring, Forehead,
BARRY KING / GETTY IMAGES

Talk about making a statement. The actress couldn't be more '90s if she tried, with basically all the trends we've discussed going on here. With a go-to '90s hairstyle, floral hair clips, and a statement necklace, use this entire look as inspo for your next throwback party.

Headshot of Blake Bakkila
Blake Bakkila
Freelance Writer

Blake Bakkila has been writing about everything from pop culture to lifestyle products for more than eight years. Her work has appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com, WhattoExpect.com, Health.com, and in the print and digital versions of Real Simple and People.

Watch Next 
Hair, Face, Eyebrow, Hairstyle, Nose, Lip, Chin, Beauty, Skin, Blond,
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Page was generated in 5.952428817749