Each era has it’s own looks, some of which most people agree might be better off staying the past. However, there are quite a few 1990s beauty trends which are becoming popular again. These include some really well known celebrity looks, but also the everyday ones that most of us enjoyed a lot at the time. Love them or hate them here are 9 beauty trends from the 1990s that are making the rounds again.
9) Chunky Highlights
Who remembers those wide tooth applicators for extra chunky highlights that came in box dye kits? These highlights were a part of the Rachel hairstyle, but was also saw them on the Spice Girls and the Olsen Twins and even on some famous men of the era. This look was not at all about being subtle, but instead embraced the wide streaks that were many shades lighter than one’s original hair color. Today’s versions are slightly more blended or else keep the highlights mainly in the front for a face-framing effect.
8) No-makeup Makeup
Ask women in the 1940s and 1950s how they did they their makeup and most would say they used powder, rouge, and cherry red lipstick on a daily basis. While this is fewer products than most women use today, the red lipstick lets everyone know in no uncertain terms that you’re wearing makeup. But, in the 1990s brown, terra cotta, and other earth tones were the dominating color palette of cosmetics. Advertisements for Merle Norman showed women how to use these dusty tones to create glamorous looks unseen by any previous generation. Using a light hand, one could very convincingly make it appear as though there was no makeup involved at all.
This type of makeup is again popular, but now with more of a focus on clean-looking skin, lips with only a slight tint, and subtly-pink cheeks. One thing that today’s no-makeup makeup has that wasn’t around back then is the highlighter.
7) Layered Haircuts
The Rachel, named after the character of Rachel Green on Friends (played by Jennifer Aniston), was a revolutionary haircut when it came out. It was created specifically for her and soon women across the globe were imitating this ‘do. Layered haircuts are one again in, though many are choosing to wear them with curly hair instead of straightened hair. When layers are done this way it can read more as Carly Simon than the straight version and it sometimes called the “wolf shag”.
6) Chin-length Bobs
Another hairstyle that’s catching on again are chin-length bobs. Stars like Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz, and supermodel Christy Turlington each had their turn with this youthful hairstyle. A looser version is being worn today, often referred to as the “Parisian bob”. The name stems from the relaxed and effortless chic styles of the City of Lights. But, it’s an extremely popular haircut across France as well and was previously known as the “French bob”.
5) Brown Lipstick
Everyone from Beyoncé to Drew Barrymore rocked this lipstick back in the day. This bold color has made it onto the lips of young women again thanks to a revival of ’90s style. To avoid looking awkward in brown shades stick to colors that compliment your own undertones and don’t go dark brown unless you’re aiming for a vampy look.
4) Glittery Eye Makeup
In the ’90s many women wore frosted or sparkly eyeshadow from lid to brow bone. This shimmering look even extended to wearing straight up glitter on the eyes as well. Thankfully, innovative formulas have made this look much more wearable today, with even some soft eyeshadow sticks being offered in frosted shades.
3) Caramel Hair Color
Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry rocked caramel hair in the 1990s and both have revisited this color hair recently. On darker hair this can be done through soft highlights, but can also be more of an all over honey or golden color tint as well.
2) Scrunchies
Be they waffle knit, cotton print, or velvet these little hair accessories were an unthinkable repeat of the 1990s only a decade ago. Now they are once again a staple for most women with longer hair. The nice thing about them is that they can help to make thinner hair look fuller by fluffing it out in buns and ponytails.
1) Frosted Lipstick
This trend has been competing with the uber-matte lipstick made popular by the Kardashians and is a throwback to the types of lipstick women wore throughout the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s. Pinks, taupes, and nudes are the most popular shades in this style of lipstick and tend to go well with a variety of eye looks.