We all know that ’90s beauty trends were the best. From blue eyeshadow to smudged eyeliner to matte skin, everything about the era is iconic. Ask anyone which makeup era is their favorite and they’ll tell you it’s hard to beat the ’90s.
But what we’ve noticed lately is that a lot of ’90s makeup trends are making a comeback, especially when it comes to lipstick. There are so many lipstick trends that are iconic from this era, and we’ve seen just about every one of them pop up on our Instagram feeds over the past few months.
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In the ’90s, all the stars were wearing red lipstick.
If you’re not familiar with ’90s lipstick trends, let this be your guide on how to rock these retro styles in 2024. From matte red lipstick to dark lip liner and even frosted finishes, there are plenty of ways to add a ’90s vibe to your makeup while still keeping it fresh and modern.
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Frosted strips were huge in the 90s.
Whether your makeup style is loud, bold or subtle, there’s a ’90s lipstick trend for everyone. So, without further ado, scroll through to check out some of the biggest comeback lipstick looks of the season and get ready to embrace your inner ’90s kid in new ways this summer…
’90s lipstick trends are back
1. Dark lip liner
Dark lip liner is definitely making a comeback this summer. In case you didn’t know, this trend was huge in the ’90s. Stars would always wear a dark brown lip liner and then apply a light-colored lipstick or lip gloss in the center to make the liner stand out even more.
To make this trend look a bit more modern, go for a more subtle contrast, like Bella Hadid in the photo above, where she used a nude lip liner that’s a bit darker than her natural lip color and blended it with the rest of her lipstick for a seamless finish.
Get the look:
Charlotte Tilbury
Lip Cheat
Charlotte Tilbury has so many amazing options for that ’90s-inspired eyeliner look.
Victoria Beckham’s Beauty
Lip Definer
I love this shade from Victoria Beckham Beauty.
2. Frosted Lips
The ’90s saw the rise of frosted finishes on everything from eyeshadow to nail polish to lipstick, and this glossy, reflective formula gives off a pearlescent effect that’s perfect for summer.
The trick to making this lipstick trend even more accessible is to choose a frosted gloss that matches your skin tone perfectly.
Get the look:
This shimmery lip gloss from Surratt gives you a matte finish.
As the name suggests, this lipstick from Mac features reflective particles that give it a frosted look.
3. Matte red lipstick
When I want to make a statement with my makeup, I opt for a matte red lip color. I remember my mom always wearing this lipstick in the ’90s, and I loved stealing it from her bathroom shelf and trying it on in my bedroom mirror.
It’s important to experiment with different shades of red to find what suits you best in 2024. This summer, I plan to incorporate more coral-toned reds to keep things as bright as possible.
Get the look:
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Matte Lipstick
This matte red lipstick will bring you endless compliments.
Byredo
Liquid Lipstick Matte
Prefer liquid lipstick? We’ve got our eye on this matte formula from Byredo.
4. Glossy finish
Yes, I know lip gloss is super popular now, but this trend was even bigger in the ’90s. Back then, we all had tons of colorful, fruity-scented tubes of gloss, but luckily, these formulations have evolved a lot over the past few years.
These days, there are many products on the market that come in sophisticated shades that are moisturizing and have a glossy finish.
Get the look:
This high shine lip gloss is a favorite in my makeup bag.
Yves Saint Laurent
Loveshine Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balm
If you’re not a fan of lip gloss but still want a glossy finish, I recommend this tinted butter balm from YSL.
5. Nude tones
Nude lipstick was huge in the ’90s, with brown and beige hues being seen all over the red carpet, and thanks to its classy, timeless finish, this lipstick trend remains just as popular today.
From matte lipsticks to nude lip glosses, there are so many different ways to embrace this trend.
Get the look:
Beauty Pie
Future Lipstick™ Matte Refill (Oh Sienna)
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This deep nude color from Beauty Pie is so chic.
Burberry
Kiss Satin Lipstick
I’m sure I’ll be wearing this nude shade from Burberry all the time.
