90S NUDES ARE BACK!
September 1, 2023 by Cat Quinn
Three things you’d never catch a 90s supermodel without: Walkman headphones, black oval sunglasses and a whittled-down nub of Lip Pencil in Spice. Nude lip shades from M·A·C were so ubiquitous that “people would come into M·A·C asking for Spice without even knowing what Spice was,” says Terry Barber, M·A·C Global Director of Makeup Artistry. “Inspired by the supermodels or the early hip-hop videos, using neutral colours on the face gave you a bit of swagger.”
Now, 90s makeup is inspiring a new generation. We’ve kept the overlined lips and smoky cut creases of the decade - but swapped ultra-matte, carved-out complexions for glowing skin and subtle shaping. You can still find classic M·A·C Lipstick shades, such as Frost Lipstick in Gel,or try newcomers including everyone’s favourite neutral, Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks, It’s M·A·C! The same goes for lids. Rediscover Eye Shadow in Scene or pick up the brand-new Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite. This cool-toned eye shadow palette has the softest, most pigmented powders M·A·C has sold since the 90s. Like those formulas, this trend has true staying power. “It’s timeless and as relevant now as it used to be,” Barber says.
Now, 90s makeup is inspiring a new generation. We’ve kept the overlined lips and smoky cut creases of the decade - but swapped ultra-matte, carved-out complexions for glowing skin and subtle shaping. You can still find classic M·A·C Lipstick shades, such as Frost Lipstick in Gel,or try newcomers including everyone’s favourite neutral, Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks, It’s M·A·C! The same goes for lids. Rediscover Eye Shadow in Scene or pick up the brand-new Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite. This cool-toned eye shadow palette has the softest, most pigmented powders M·A·C has sold since the 90s. Like those formulas, this trend has true staying power. “It’s timeless and as relevant now as it used to be,” Barber says.
Lip Pencil
$40.00
An ultra-precise lip liner in a wide range of creamy shades designed for shaping, lining or filing in lips.
Frost Lipstick
$40.00
A Lipstick formula with smooth, medium buildable coverage, high pearl and a semi-lustrous finish.
Lustreglass Lipstick
$44.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
Eye Shadow
$35.00
A saturated pressed powder eye shadow in four textures featuring even more pigment-packed payoff.
SHOP 90S NUDES
The Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite is a must-have item to recreate this 90s-inspired makeup look.
M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Honeylove is a neutral hue that speaks volumes.
Get the supermodel look with 90s favourites like Lip Pencil in Oak.
HOW TO GET THE TREND
LOOK 1: Take cues from your favourite supermodels with this new neutral take on 90s makeup.
- Prep lids with Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base.
- Sweep shade Satin Taupe from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite onto eyelids using a 240S Large Tapered Blending Brush. Then, define creases using shade Swiss Chocolate from the same palette and a 217S Blending Brush.
- Line lash lines and creases with Eye Kohl in Teddy, smudging out using a 219S Pencil Brush.
Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
$49.00
A shadow primer specially formulated to prolong the look of your eye makeup.
240S Large Tapered Blending
$60.00
A large and fluffy brush with a tapered tip that blends out shadows and allows for soft washes of colour.
- Coat lashes with a generous amount of M·A·CStack Mascara.
- Colour cheeks using Skinfinish Sunstruck Radiant Bronzer in Radiant Light Rosy and a 129S Powder/Blush Brush.
- Line lips using Lip Pencil in Oak, then fill in with M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Honeylove.
M·A·CStack Mascara
$57.00
MEGA BRUSH: A continuously buildable mascara that stacks on infinite layers of volume and length, with a bigger brush that delivers instant volume and is ideal for longer or upper lashes.
MICRO BRUSH: A continuously buildable mascara that stacks on infinite layers of volume and length, with a smaller brush that delivers ultra-precise application and is ideal for shorter or lower lashes.
MICRO BRUSH: A continuously buildable mascara that stacks on infinite layers of volume and length, with a smaller brush that delivers ultra-precise application and is ideal for shorter or lower lashes.
SKINFINISH SUNSTRUCK RADIANT BRONZER
$71.00
A dimensional radiant bronzing powder that adds warmth and glow, available in Artist-crafted, colour-true shades.
Lip Pencil
$40.00
An ultra-precise lip liner in a wide range of creamy shades designed for shaping, lining or filing in lips.
M·A·CXIMAL SILKY MATTE LIPSTICK
$40.00
A silky matte lipstick with full-coverage, pigment-rich colour and 12 hours of comfortable wear.
Carve out a cut crease using the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite.
Cool-toned nudes lip Lip Pencil in Stone make a subtle statement.
LOOK 2: Help 90s makeup make a comeback by pairing neutral lips with contrasting lip liner.
- Prep lids with Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base.
- Sweep shade Clear History from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite onto lids and brow bones using a 252S Large Shader Brush.
- Define creases using shade Power Mode from the same palette and a 224S Tapered Blending Brush. Drag the same shade along lower lash lines with a 219S Pencil Brush.
- Line lips using Lip Pencil in Stone, then fill in with M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy.
Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
$49.00
A shadow primer specially formulated to prolong the look of your eye makeup.
224S Tapered Blending
$60.00
A brush for the sheer application and blending of shadow, especially in the contour.
Lip Pencil
$40.00
An ultra-precise lip liner in a wide range of creamy shades designed for shaping, lining or filing in lips.
M·A·CXIMAL SILKY MATTE LIPSTICK
$40.00
A silky matte lipstick with full-coverage, pigment-rich colour and 12 hours of comfortable wear.
Terry Barber, M·A·C Creative Director of Makeup Artistry, shares his perspective on 90s makeup trends.
