’90s Supermodel Hair & Makeup Never Go Out of Style—Here’s How to Achieve the Look

By Kiana Murden

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There’s an enduring allure to the ’90s supermodel hair and makeup. Decades later, the supers’ glam still makes its way onto mood boards and TikTok feeds as inspiration. Naomi with her statement lip. Cindy with her voluminous blowout. Linda with her sleek chin-length bob. Christy with her fresh, flawless skin. But what gives these looks timeless appeal? Here, we’re breaking down the essential tenants of the supermodel beauty look—from bombshell hair to matte finish makeup.

“’90s glam was an interesting time for makeup, having just exited the era of “more is more” in the ’80s featuring heavy blush and bold neon colors, ’90s makeup evolved into fresh, lightweight skin, with more subtle but impactful lined lips, frosted colors, and a wearable playfulness that makeup prior to this time didn’t have,” celebrity makeup artist Taylour Chanel says of the era. The look was sophisticated and impactful, yet neutral, as makeup artist Sean Harris puts it. Fresh-faced simplicity, warmed up by a bronze sculpt, was contrasted with vibrant colors and dazzling shimmers. Kevyn Aucoin, Mathu Andersen, Sam Fine, Pat McGrath, Bobbi Brown, and François Nars were the artists leading the trends here—creating memorable looks that graced countless runways, campaigns, and super’s faces.

According to pro makeup artist Ash K. Holm, “overall, the look was all about a balance between bold and natural, emphasizing certain features while maintaining an air of effortless elegance” that, in many ways, still holds true in 2023. To modernize it for the 21st century, she recommends leaning first into browns and smokey tones (hello latte makeup!) then infusing a touch of drama. “There’s an indescribable quality to this look that consistently evokes a sense of allure, capturing the true enchantment of this makeup era.”

The pros say sculpted cheeks are most important. “A defined bone structure characterizes this era,” says Valeria Ferreira, adding that flawless skin plus a few freckles can make it more current. Pro tip: “Use a soft fluffy brush and warm bronzer to sculpt the cheeks and warm the forehead,” Harris instructs.

Fenty Beauty

Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer

SEPHORA

Merit

The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick

SEPHORA

“[The] classic ’90s supermodel eye utilizes cool-toned browns and lighter neutral tones to enhance the eye shape,” Chanel says. To create this, Harris recommends using a rich brown or smokey grey shadow along the lash line. Many of the pros recommend Makeup by Mario’s often sold-out Master Mattes palette because, according to makeup artist Emily Gray, “[it] features brown shades for all skin tones and you can make the best ’90s glam smoky eye.”

Makeup By Mario

Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

SEPHORA

Charlotte Tilbury

Luxury Eyeshadow Palette

SEPHORA

NORDSTROM

Violette_FR

Yeux Paint

VIOLETTE_FR

Laura Mercier

Caviar Stick Eye Shadow

SEPHORA

“Frosted glitter in blue, periwinkle, pink, steel, or copper shades” are a must, according to Chanel. The pigments can be placed on the lips or eyes via formulas by MAC, Danessa Myricks, Isamaya, and Surratt Beauty.

MAC

Frost Lipstick

MAC COSMETICS

Danessa Myricks

Colorfix

SEPHORA

Isamaya

Luckykiss Diamond Lip Glow Lipstick

MODA OPERANDI

FARFETCH

Surratt Beauty

Halogram Eyeshadow

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

“Fresh (never heavy), velvety skin with a diffused natural sculpt” is how Chanel describes the ’90s supermodel complexion. This barely-there finish can be achieved by Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk foundation or YSL Beauty All-Hours. The latter is a top pick of Gray’s because it “has a hint of radiance, so that the skin doesn’t look too dull.” Then, veil dark circles and spot conceal before diving into contour and blush.

Giorgio Armani

Luminous Silk Foundation

SEPHORA

NORDSTROM

Yves Saint Laurent

All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

NORDSTROM

Danessa Myricks

Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder

SEPHORA

Nars

Radiant Creamy Concealer

SEPHORA

It’s hard to talk about ’90s glam without mentioning brows. Celebrity makeup artist Robert Sesnek remembers supermodels preferring a very thin brow by the mid-’90s—filling them in with pencil or powder. “To keep it modern, you do not have to fill them in—just use a brow gel to shape them,” pro makeup artist Robert Rumsey notes.

Kimiko

The Super Fine Eyebrow Pencil Automatique

MODA OPERANDI

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Brow Wiz

SEPHORA

Refy

Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel

SEPHORA

Glossier

Boy Brow

GLOSSIER

“When it comes to lipstick, both browns in light nude shades to really deep browns and [reds] were very of the time,” Sesnek explains. “Most of these tend to be matte and sometimes you would have a satin finish.” Holm notes that lips were always lined in a darker shade for dimension with contoured corners.

Chanel

Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour

CHANEL

Charlotte Tilbury

Matte Revolution Lipstick

SEPHORA

Fara Homidi

Essential Lip Compact

VIOLET GREY

Merit Beauty

Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick

SEPHORA

“Eyeliner on the eyes and [lip liner] always,” Ferreira says. The liner, typically some shade of brown, was “a little overdrawn but blended through the lip to create an undetectable finish.” The eyes, on the other hand, could be accentuated with a smokey wing.

Huda Beauty

Creamy Kohl Longwear Eye Pencil

SEPHORA

Urban Decay

24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

SEPHORA

MAC

Lip Pencil

ULTA

Victoria Beckham Beauty

Lip Definer

VIOLET GREY

“Don’t forget a thick coat of mascara,” Harris says. Rumsey is a fan of Lancôme’s Définicils—an acclaimed formula that expertly lifts and lengthens each lash. The idea is to create a wispy flutter. If you want to take your natural lashes up a notch, Holm says Kiss’s Falscara system will do the trick.

Lancôme

Définicils Defining and Lengthening Mascara

ULTA

Kiss

Falscara Natural Wispy Wisps

ULTA

AMAZON

For celebrity hairstylist Ricky Fraser, ’90s glam has always been a huge inspiration. The pro names the aforementioned supers plus Claudia Schiffer, Yasmeen Ghauri, Helena Christensen,Nadja Auermann, Stephanie Seymour, Tyra Banks as hair goals. “It was an era that exuded confidence and power, while still owning your femininity,” he says. “The women of this era personified strength while still being the ultimate pillars of glamour.”

Celebrity stylist and eponymous brand founder Andrew Fitzsimons explains that the ’90s look—coiffed to perfection by the likes of Oribe Canales, Kevin Mancuso, Sam McKnight, Oscar James, Frederic Fekkai, Guido Palau, and Kim Kimble—was about being bold and blunt. “Highlights were chunky and more pronounced versus wispy and blended, ponytails were sleek and sharp, and loads of people were wearing their hair straight with blunt bangs,” Fitzsimons says. Even the softer styles were big—voluminous blowouts and messy updos à la Pamela Anderson.

“To bring the essence of ’90s glam to 2023, it’s about infusing classic hairstyling with modern sensibilities,” celebrity hairstylist Sami Knight details. “Start with sleek, well-defined hair that embraces symmetry, as seen in the era’s middle parts. Modernizing this look involves striking the right balance–polished yet not overly rigid, with a hint of contemporary texture and movement.”

“One tip, when trying to achieve bold voluminous hair, is to start with clean wet hair, as trying to add volume to already dry hair may make your look weighed down,” Fitzsimons says. “For a powerful sexy voluminous look, you should round brush your hair from damp and set each section in rollers or pins so the volume and wave lasts over time,” Fraser explains. To amp up the body and bounce, he’d reach for Oribe’s texture spray, while Knight opts for a volumizing mousse.

Oribe

Dry Texturizing Spray

SEPHORA

IGK

Big Time Volumizing Mousse

SEPHORA

Revlon

One Step Volumizer

AMAZON

Rōz

Santa Lucia Styling Oil

MODA OPERANDI

An undone updo begins fresh out the shower. “[To start], I would free hand blow dry the hair with Pattern Beauty heat protectant, then pop a few natural curls with the curling iron,” says pro hairstylist Mideyah Parker, finishing the look with shine spray. Fraser shares a tip to achieve that messy, yet polished style: “pull hair up, and twist into loose buns or knots, securing with chic hairpins; don’t forget to leave some tendrils hanging for that sultry finish.”

BabylissPro

Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

AMAZON

IGK

Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray

ULTA

Pattern

Heat Protectant

SEPHORA

Kérastase

Laque Couture Medium Hold Hair Spray

SEPHORA

“’90s symmetry” is another tell-tale tenant of this era’s glam, according to Knight. “Give a good round brush blowout with mousse as your primer and use a shine-enhancing serum or hair oil for a glossy effect,” she explains. “For flyaway free middle parts, use a little pomade or hair balm along that part, to keep them at bay.”

Andrew Fitzsimons

Body Volume Blowdry Hold Spray

ULTA

Unite Hair

7Seconds Detangler Leave-In Conditioner

AMAZON

Ghd

Narrow Dressing Brush

DERMSTORE

Bumble and bumble

Sumotech Flexible Cream Solid

SEPHORA

“Incorporate scrunchies, hairpins, and headbands for a playful touch,” says Knight. “I find the best place for this is Target, or your local drugstore. Anything from barrettes to butterfly clips can be found within.” Per Parker, glitter, clips, and hair jewels are all fair game.

Scunci

Interlock Headwraps

TARGET

Scunci

Effortless Beauty Stretch Hair Combs

AMAZON

Goody

Hair Ouchless Jersey Variety Scrunchies

AMAZON

Goody

Classics Mini Claw Clips

AMAZON