It was the era when we were drowning ourselves in CK One, asking our hairdresser for The Rachel and begging anyone visiting the US to bring us back MAC's lip liner in Spice. Ah yes, the 90s! In terms of fashion and beauty, it was one of the biggest breakthrough decades for personal style. A complete U-turn from the bouffant hair, red lipstick and power suits of the 80s, the 90s were a revelation and we had a host of famous faces to inspire us - Jennifer Aniston, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, to name but a few. The 90s was also the decade of the model - Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and the rest of the Supers - and glam grunge made the average gal look edgy and cool. No wonder brides are turning to the hair and makeup of the 90s looks for inspiration.
Anyone with a social media account knows that 90s nostalgia has totally infiltrated wedding style. We're seeing its influence in everything from wedding dresses to wedding flowers, and with famous brides channelling the hair and beauty looks of the 90s era in a cool, modern way. Nicola Peltz went full 90s supermodel for her wedding to Brooklyn Beckham, giving serious Claudia Schiffer vibes, and the results were breathtaking. Here, we break down how you can take the best of this iconic era's hair and makeup looks to shake up your bridal look with 90s magic.
90s Hair & Makeup Looks for Brides
Overlined Lips in Brown
If there was anything more 90s than the skinny brow then it was the overlined brown lip. Thankfully, the pin-thin brow trend isn't returning, but the overlined lip is definitely back and modernised. In the 90s, it was MUA Bobbi Brown who first launched a 10-piece line of neutral brown lipsticks to suit all skin tones. Stocking 100 lipsticks in Bergdorf Goodmans, they were gone by the end of the first day.
How to wear it now: Nude lipstick hasn't been out of fashion since, and today it's very cool worn with a slightly overlined and darker lip liner. As for the finish, semi-matte is the goal, use lipstick that hits that sweet spot between matte and glossy.
Glossy Red Lip
90s hair and makeup looks were made to be lived in - after you got ready for a night out you were done with it. That's why when Witherspoon, Moss and Aniston went 'out out', they looked rosy-cheeked, a little messy and makeup-free by the end of the night. Glowing, and oh-so-natural, it sparked a trend for flushed cheeks and a glossy red lip that wore off throughout the night.
How to wear it now: This lip look is striking, and the most modern take on it is with a soft-filter demi-matte lipstick. For durability, use a lip stain or long-wear lipstick tapped into your lips with your ring finger and add a little balm for comfort. For more impact, use lipstick with opaque colour with a finish that looks soft and powder-like. We have a post on the best long-wear lipsticks for brides here!
Pretty Pastel Shadow
Reese, Gwyneth and Drew Barrymore rocked the blue pastel shadow trend in the 90s, but today think lush washes of lilac, mauve, antique gold, and pink.
How to wear it now: For a bridal look, team it with a great (waterproof!) mascara or wispies to accentuate the outer lash line, for a look that is delicate and dreamy. To keep your wedding day look in place all day, use a long-wear shadow stick in your favourite pastel shade.
Tightlined Eyes
Eyeliner was used to maximum effect in the 90s, and it's still one of the coolest makeup looks, from smudged and grungy, to tightlined on the upper and lower lash line.
How to wear it now: Updating this style for a bridal look is easy - keep the sharpness at the inner corner of the eye and line the upper lash line. Under the lower lashes create definition with a lightly smudged pencil liner to create a vixen eye look. Pair with natural-looking false lashes and a bitten red lip for a very modern bridal look.
Gorgeous Glowing Skin
The 90s was the decade that celebrated glowing skin, and who doesn't have this at the top of their wishlist when consulting with their makeup artist. Self-tan, body makeup and radiance products like highlighter and shimmering oils are de rigueur today.
How to wear it now: The savvy bride will plan her tanning well in advance (we have a whole post on that here!), and add in anything extra she needs like bronzer or golden touch of highlighter. Even for non-tan fans, the palest of skin tones can benefit from a light lick of colour to warm up the skin's natural coolness and for deeper skin tones, self-tan can neutralise any ashiness. But remember, a professional spray tan is best if you're a beginner.
Natural Foundation
Kate Moss defined 90s hair and makeup looks in many ways. Her lightly freckled face and golden skin played a major part in how the beauty market changed, and now a flawless, natural base is what most brides request.
How to wear it now: The new era of foundations is all about lightweight and long-wearing formulas with plenty of pigment for coverage. This means that you have a thinner liquid, but the right amount of colour to cover up any blemishes or uneven skin tone. Even though some of these foundations are as light as a serum, they can last up to 16 hours.
Textured Hair
In the 90s having texture in hair added an edginess, even to a glam red carpet look. Today, it's an easy way to do the same with your bridal look. The Boho braid or wave has become a favourite with brides because it's relaxed, romantic and slightly undone, and embellished with fresh or dried flowers, with or without a veil, it's one of the most versatile bridal hair looks.
- For medium to long hair that's pretty straight, using the Dyson Airwrap can help create loose waves that create texture, follow with hairspray to hold the look for longer.
- For shorter hair, spritz with heat-memory spray when the hair is damp and twist it into sections. With the air set on low and medium heat, gently dry the hair to activate the spray. Allow it to cool completely before gently separating the sections and adding hairspray.
90s Hairbands
Opting for a statement hairband instead of a veil really is a nod to one of the best 90s hair looks. Easy to wear and very cool, the fussy headpieces beloved of the 80s bride were replaced with thicker, padded and often embellished hairbands and we're happy to say the look is going strong today. For a more casual wedding or second-day look, a hairband looks distinctly bridal and very chic. See here for where to find cool bridal hairbands.
The Modern Rachel
The defining celebrity hairstyle of the 90s, The Rachel was as famous as its owner, Jennifer Aniston and it's back with bangs. From Julia Roberts to Anne Hathaway, heavy fringes are hot in the hair world, and you can even fake it with a clip-in hairpiece. An easy way to frame the face and define cheekbones, the modern Rachel works with a veil or hairband. If you are getting bangs, get the cut three months or more before the big day, so that you still have time to grow it out if you feel it's a bit short. If you love them simply have them trimmed when you're getting your pre-wedding colour done.
More great beauty posts and makeup looks for brides to get you wedding-ready!
