90s-inspired beauty is back. Here are the best products to nail the trend

Best 90s-inspired beauty products

Credit: Brands

Stylist Loves


90s-inspired beauty is back. Here are the best products to nail the trend

By Hanna Ibraheem

4 years ago

Sales for 90s-inspired beauty products have skyrocketed, reports John Lewis. Here, we take a look at the old-school trends making a big comeback.

The 90s will always be an iconic decade – and one, it seems, we’re keen on frequently revisiting.

Just last month, we saw Friends return to our TV screens and now, we’re constantly refreshing our Instagram pages for updates on the Sex and the City revival. Our love for the 90s has extended into our make-up bags, too.

Since stores opened in April, John Lewis has reported a 145% rise in lip gloss sales. Additionally, bold lip liners – particularly dark shades – are increasing in popularity with sales up 129% compared to this time last year.

Then there’s eyes. Frosted blue eyeshadow, a trend we’ll always associate with the 90s, has “seen a dramatic uplift”, according to John Lewis.

Keen to revisit some of the trends yourself? Here, we round up the best beauty products to help you nail a 90s-inspired beauty look.


Best beauty products to nail the 90s trend

Lip glosses

Gone are the days of sticky lip glosses that attract your hair at even the slightest gust of wind. Today’s formulas are comfortable to wear, deliver high-shine and look great alone or layered over another lip product.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Diamond Milk

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Diamond Milk

Coined “a dewy highlight for your lips”, this lip gloss leaves behind a shimmering pearlescent wash of colour. Plus, it’s formulated with shea butter to avoid causing dryness.

Shop Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Diamond Milk at Boots, £17

buy now

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss in Dip

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss in Dip

As well as a high-shine, wet look finish, this Kosas gloss is formulated with nourishing ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, konjac root and avocado and primrose oil. It’s also available in four shades. Our favourite? Dip, a rosy yet natural pink.

Shop Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss in Dip at Cult Beauty, £25

buy now

Glossier Lip Gloss

Glossier Lip Gloss

If you prefer a classic and clear lip gloss, this is the one for you. It delivers a glassy shine and is formulated with vitamin E and jojoba oil to keep lips moisturised.

Shop Glossier Lip Gloss at Glossier, £11

buy now

Dark lip liners

Naomi Campbell, Brandy, Geri Halliwell and Drew Barrymore are just some of the stars who often sported a dark lip pencil in the 90s.

Uoma Badass MF Lip Liner in Simone

Uoma Badass MF Lip Liner in Simone

Uoma’s lip pencils are packed with impressive pigment. But despite delivering a matte, opaque finish, they have a silky smooth texture, meaning no dragging or tugging.

Shop Uoma Badass MF Lip Liner in Simone at lookfantastic, £12

buy now

Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer in No. 6

Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer in No. 6

A lip liner created by a Spice Girl; it just feels right, doesn’t it? Inspired by her Posh Spice days, Victoria Beckham’s lip definers are waterproof, pigmented and don’t budge.

Shop Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer in No. 06 at Victoria Beckham Beauty, £20

buy now

MAC Lip Pencil in Spice

MAC Lip Pencil in Spice

Quite possibly the brand behind many iconic 90s beauty looks, MAC’s lip pencils are cult. The creamy texture applies with ease and comes in a wide range of nudes tones – though Spice has always been one of its most iconic shades and was named as a current bestseller in John Lewis stores.

Shop MAC Lip Pencil in Spice at Asos, £15.50

buy now

Frosty blue eyes

Yes, you read that right. Frosty. Blue. Eyes. It might sound intimidating but stay with us, there’s a way to make it work…

Nars Single Eyeshadow in Baby Jane

Nars Single Eyeshadow in Baby Jane

This Nars eyeshadow delivers a subtle wash of blue to eyelids, making it perfect for those who want to dip their toe in the trend. To amp up the colour, apply it with a damp brush.

Shop Nars Single Eyeshadow in Baby Jane at Space NK, £17

buy now

Stila Magnificent Metals Shimmer Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

Stila Magnificent Metals Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

The perfect option for those feeling a bit braver, this Stila liquid eyeshadow dries into high impact shimmer colour that makes a statement (with zero glitter).

Shop Stila Magnificent Metals Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow at Stila, £12

buy now

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner

If you’re not entirely sold on blue eyeshadow all over your eyelids, opt for a frosty blue eyeliner instead. Marc Jacobs’ Highliner formula is known for its smooth texture and intense colour pay-off.

Shop Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner at Marc Jacobs, £15

buy now

Brown eyeshadow

It may not sound particularly exciting but a deep brown eyeshadow can make a big difference to anybody’s make-up. Case-in-point: countless iconic looks by Aaliyah.

Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Coffee Ground

Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Coffee Ground

Described as a “deep chocolate taupe”, Laura Mercier’s Coffee Ground is the perfect brown to wear for a subtle wash, intense smoky eye or eyeliner. A make-up bag essential.

Shop Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Coffee Ground at Cult Beauty, £19.50

buy now

Huda Beauty Caramel Brown Obsessions

Huda Beauty Caramel Brown Obsessions

Inspired by tortoiseshell designs (another great trend to re-emerge from the 90s), this eyeshadow palette is packed with caramel shades in a range of finishes, including mattes, shimmers, metallics and pearlescent flakes.

Shop Huda Beauty Caramel Brown Obsessions at Cult Beauty, £27

buy now

MAC Small Eye Shadow in Satin Brun

MAC Small Eye Shadow in Satin Brun

Another classic multitasker, MAC’s Satin Brun has a velvety sheen and ashy undertones. Very 90s.

Shop MAC Small Eye Shadow in Satin Brun at lookfantastic, £15

buy now


Main image: brands

Sign up for our edit of what to buy, see, read and do, and receive a free mini-mag of the top 5 fashion trends you’re sure to see in 2024.

By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy

Thank you!

You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.