If the ’90s had a color palette, it was iridescent lilacs and frosted silver. (You remember the explosion of icy lavender in Claire’s and Limited Too, don’t you?) “I love seeing frosted hues making a return,” says makeup artist Sara Wren, who notes that frosted makeup in 2023 is a little more curated and less about covering every surface. “I like it paired with dewy skin and clear gloss,” she says. “This makes bright, reflective pinks, lilacs, and blues seem more fun and effortless than harsh or stark against the rest of the makeup.”
Wren recommends using this powdery multi-stick as a light, allover color wash on your lids. Lilac Taupe is the perfect ’90s cool-girl shade. (You can also swipe it on your hair if you want to amp up the frosted look more.)
Color is a commitment, so if you want something more neutral but equally dazzling, Stila’s Glitter and Glow Eye Shadow in Perlina is a frosted white that skews to juuust a hint of blue and pink.
Brown Lipstick
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If a red lip is a Ferrari, then a brown lip is an Aston Martin — dependable yet sexy enough for a Bond girl. (In fact, we saw ’90s Bond girl Denise Richards wear a sultry brown lip back in the day.) Of course, “brown” is a very broad descriptor. “Your best bet is to go into the store to try on different lipsticks in the brown-tone category,” says makeup artist Nikki DeRoest. “Some have more red in them, some have more rose, and some are straight brown.” After you find a shade that plays nicely with your skin tone, DeRoest recommends lining the lips with a matching pencil. Place the lipstick at the center of your lips and blur it outward.
For a true ’90s brown lip, try this creamy lipstick in Cocoa for lighter skin tones and Dark Chocolate for deeper tones.
This Best of Beauty-winning lip liner glides on and comes with a small blending brush for a more diffused look. “Teddy Bear” is a perfect color match for a milk chocolate lipstick.
Sultry Black Tightliner
