The uber-cool, trailer launch of the new retro Archies threw me back into an undefined era in my life. I grew up on shows like Sex and the City and Gilmore Girls, so while I’m not proud to admit it, these shows defined ‘beauty‘ for me. With all these trends I’ve seen on the small screen coming back, I have to ask, why are we so obsessed with makeup/fashion from the ’90s?
It could also be because a lot of beauty trends were more whimsical than functional, that there was a focus on experimentation instead of looking a certain way. But as micro trends become more aggressive, we see many of these age-old looks return to the big screen with a new panache. Looks like I’m not the only person yearning for simpler times. Nostalgia makeup really is a thing so here are a few trend comebacks that prove it!
KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid
One of the biggest reasons I look back at makeup trends from the ’90s and early 2000s is because of how effortless they look. I’m sure that behind every voluminous mullet, there was a 90-minute blowout. But the finished result? Fresh, flirty, and a treat to look at. Almost every single one of Carrie’s looks from any season of Sex and the City has her in a wonderfully large hairstyle, a light luminous base, and a little bit of blush – just enough to look sunkissed.
This is a trend that’s still circulating and has been since the pandemic. Less heat, more natural hair. Less makeup, more skincare. It’s what every celebrity from Alia Bhatt to Kareena is parroting.
Classic Shades For The Win
As we move away from Euphoria and Barbie-core makeup trends, we see a shift towards colours that are either timeless or insanely versatile. The full-face brown look has been one of Jennifer Aniston’s most iconic ones and Rekha’s red lip has been an ongoing fan favourite for decades. And I can keep going.
I love a good return of the classics. From latte brown to cherry red to Hailey’s glazed nails/lips/cheeks. All of these things have one thing in common: the impressive use of one single, timeless colour.
Never Say No To A Little Bit Of Glitter
Now I recently did a piece on glitter eyeshadow and how it has evolved from the ’90s. Back then, glitter eyeshadow was mostly block shades applied on the crease of the eye, usually matching the dress, the purse, or the wearer’s eyes. One of the most popular looks was the baby blue shadow, popularised by Christina Aguilera and Beyonce in their prime.
One of the biggest trends last fashion week was glitter shadow. And it’s back on Kareena, Janhvi and so many more celebrity’s eyelids.
When In Doubt, Lip Line.
One thing that changed up my own makeup game was adding lip liners to my routine. While the bitten lip, smudged tint look is an unsaid favourite, you can add so much dimension to your look with a simple liner and gloss. These looks were propagated by industry moguls like Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, and Mariah Carrey.
In past years, this visible liner look has evolved into the ‘supermodel’ lip look. Everyone from the Kardashians to the Hadids has done it repeatedly.
Big Blush? Big Yes!
As seen on Kate Moss and many supermodels of that time, including Christy Turlington, bold blush was the way to go. It accentuated your cheekbones and added a desperately needed flush of colour to an otherwise seemingly bare face.
Now, this look is favoured by celebrities like Hailey Bieber and the Kardashians as well as our very own Alia Bhatt.
The consistent revival of ’90s makeup trends in a world where trends come and go in the snap of a finger, showcases their enduring appeal. It takes us back to an era that was more about accentuation and less about perfection – something we are yet to see in the mainstream media of the 21st century.
Featured Images: Instagram
