25 Reasons Why ’90s Beauty Is Still Totally Awesome

Jul 27, 2014

If there was one decade that you probably thought would never re-emerge from the beauty trend box, it was the ’90s. Yes, we’re pretty jazzed about all things from that amazing decade, but the looks from our teen years are awful and not at all doable, right? Wrong. ’90s hair and makeup looks are back and more wearable than they ever were before. With these 25 amazing updated tutorials and beautiful bits of throwback inspiration, we’ve even convinced ourselves that we don’t have to be Cindy Crawford to make brown lipstick look good.

1. Heavy Side Part: Before we begin, move all your hair to the left (or the right). Only the deepest of side parts will be acceptable in your ’90s transformation. (via Little Plastic Horses)

2. Everything Cara Delevingne: Cara’s look screams 1993 on a daily basis, but especially with the deep plum lips and her dark, contrasting eyebrows in this Burberry shoot. She looks so ’90s, in fact, that we’re pretty sure this woman is a time lord. (via Makeup 4 All)

3. Liz Taylor Eyebrows: The early ’90s brow is quite lovely in comparison to the thin, penciled-on version that we’d like to forget. Other than Ms. Taylor herself, nobody has ever rocked the sculpted brow as hard as Audrey Horne in Twin Peaks. Although, Megan Fox puts up a pretty good effort these days. (via XXY Magazine)

4. Not-Quite-a-Scrunchie: Depending on who you ask, scrunchies may or may not be back, but we just can’t. Instead, we updated and polished the scrunchie style using a cute scarf, and it makes all the difference! (via Brit + Co)

5. Goth Chic: Yep, black lipstick can and will translate into your normal existence. Don’t believe us? This Beautylish guide will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about black lipstick. (via Girls Who Wear Lipstick)

6. Candy Girl: We just had some major flashbacks to flipping through YM Magazine and eating Sweet Tarts. This sugary, pastel makeup is high fashion, but could easily be toned down for a pretty, angelic style. (via Catalog Flash)

7. Blue Nails: Baby blue nail polish will go nicely with your baby T-shirt and the spaghetti strap slip dress you plan on wearing over it. Dior’s long-wearing, dusty blue Junon shade ($25) is quite perfect. (via Pshiiit)

8. Modern Grunge: Brightened up and softened up for the modern era, this makeup tutorial is inspired by the one and only queen of grunge, Courtney Love, with a bit of Gwen Stefani thrown in for good measure. (via Monroe Misfit)

9. Supermodel Hair: Big, bouncy and beautiful, this site gives a step-by-step tutorial on how to achieve Cindy-Crawford-in-a-Pepsi-commercial locks. (via You Beauty, image via Khola’s Kloset)

10. Paint Splatter Nails: These awesome nails remind us of this neon paint-splattered jean skirt that we wore to school every single day. It matched our Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper. (via Sarah Lou Nails)

11. Natural Hair Lightening Spray: OMG, do you guys remember Sun-In? Free People’s blog does, and they share three chemical-free, ingredients-found-in-your-pantry hair lighteners for ’90s-inspired beach highlights that don’t give you that orangey glow! (via Bldg 25)

12. Matte Makeup: We swear, it will not look like a mask. The matte makeup trend has been back long enough that foundation, primer and lip formulas are pretty much perfected (Clinique’s Stay Matte is fab!). This tutorial runs through five ways to forgo the shimmer. (via Real Simple)

13. Glitter Makeup: Matte may be a ’90s thing, but (ironically enough) so is glitter. Bonnie Bell, anyone? (via Vecko Revyn)

14. Hair Chalk Tutorial: Grunge can be pretty, too. (via Brit + Co)

15. Fresh + Natural: Minimal, youthful glows aren’t necessarily the trend you immediately associate with the ’90s, but it wasn’t all brick red and pressed powder. Natural faces were all the rage among your friends on Saved by The Bell and 90210 — and on the runway. Kate Moss, watch out. (via Brit + Co)

16. Barrette Beauty: Betsey Johnson and Urban Outfitters nailed this ’90s beauty look from head to toe. Soft neutral makeup, side swoops and barrettes for everyone! (via Refinery29)

17. Darker-Than-Dark Lips: Dark, matte lipsticks ruled the decade, and this fall we will be sporting the NARS Pure Matte line line ($26) of deep brick reds, plums and almost-blacks. (via Gold N Dust)

18. French Twist: Screw those stuffy and severe twists of olden days. This artfully disheveled version is much more our speed, and it won’t make you look like a Disney villain. (via Once Wed)

19. Henna Lipstick: Mood lipstick is back, and now you can temporarily tattoo your lips with the same stuff that you used to dye your hair. This bright green henna lipstick warms to everybody differently, blooming into a unique, flattering shade of red. It’s hard to find, but we tracked some down here. (via Man Repeller)

20. Spiky Pixie Cut: Winona’s signature pixie hair is a reality that certainly doesn’t bite, even today. (via Scout It Out)

21. Crimped Hair: Crimped hair is not the worst thing in the world. Wait, did we just say that out loud? (via Beauty Bets)

22. Colorful Grunge: Pastel hair is so in right now, and we hope this throwback style doesn’t go anywhere. (via Vogue)

23. Long Bob: Cropped tops and cropped hair — yes and yes. (via We’re Doomed)

24. Modern Heavy Neutral: Celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge is a beauty goddess in every way. She’s created an awesome tutorial for the most flawless supermodel makeup. (via Lisa Eldridge)

25. Drew Barrymore Makeup: Literally, there is no one with more clout in the authentic ’90s makeup department than Drew. She will walk you through the quintessential throwback beauty routine in her tutorial. Hair daisies optional. (via New York Magazine, image via Ruby)

What ’90s trick are you going to try first? Let us know which styles you’re happy to see making a comeback in the comments below!

I Found The Best Drugstore Lipstick — & I Already Bought It 3x In A Row

Move over expensive MAC haul — I've discovered the best drugstore lipstick that rivals my $20+ purchases. I love finding dupes for my beauty lovers who can't continuously drop a huge amount of money on new products that eventually expire. Since I'm 100% against using old makeup, I'd rather chat your eat off about the affordable drugstore finds I'm using consistently these days.

IMO, the best drugstore lipstick is the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick! Coming from one of the OG beauty brands, it's formula was surprising because I almost expected it to fail. It sounds silly, but trying drugstore brands used to be a hit or miss before social media started demanding that all makeup products stop being subpar.

Since this lipstick passed the test, here's everything you need to know about it — including why I l keep buying it and all the other best drugstore lipsticks I love!

What is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink used for?

Jasmine Williams

Anyone can say that their lipstick is THE BEST, but that's not always true. So, what's the tea on the Super Stay Matte Ink formula? According to the brand's notes on Amazon, here's what you can expect to this lipstick to do:

Glide on easily because of the "unique arrow application"
Provide a "perfectly matte" finish
Remain "smudge-free" for up to "16 hours"

It sounds like a lot of fluff if you've never tried the formula before, so I scrolled through the comment section to see what other customers think.

What are other customers saying about it?

Maybelline

Most of the customer reviews I read through on Amazon are extremely thorough so here are the ones that stood out the most:

"I am really hooked on this lipstick! It's very long wearing and it's super gentle on my lips...Let me address some common complaints among other reviewers and why I think they're wrong...Oil takes this stuff off quite easily, so do some makeup wipes...Secondly, I do agree that this product is very sticky. I have found that I can put my Mac lipgloss on over top and now it's not sticky anymore!"
"I’ve purchased this longevity wand type lipstick a few times and I like the texture and staying power. Sometimes I put another glossy lipstick over if it seems drying however it stays very nicely for the day."
"This is my first time purchasing this brand. When I say it last all day, it doesn't come off until you take it off! Some might see this as bothersome, but having it stay on until I need it off is the greatest thing."
My Favorite Review: "I put it on at around 3:30 pm and fell asleep with it on cause it was a busy night, it was still on the next morning. I had to use multiple makeup remover wipes and wash my face with a good makeup remover to get it off."

My Review For Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick

Jasmine Williams

I used to be terrified of wearing 'nude' lip colors because I thought they would be too much of a contrast against my complexion, but watching a few YouTube tutorials nipped my fear in the bud. I make the 'Seductress' shade work for me by lining my lips with a dark brown liner. Once I did that, I immediately fell for the way it looks on me. It's to the point where I actually can't stop wearing lip combo — it's so easy to apply and takes less than two minutes to set!

How long does Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick last?

Before I started applying gloss over my nude lip combo, I wanted to test two very important things:

If this matte lipstick could pass the smudge-proof test. I've tried other brands, and they haven't always stayed in place — especially when eating or drinking something — so I was skeptical.
How long it actually lasts, smudge-proof or not. I mean, who among us hasn't gotten home after an evening out to find their lipstick basically nonexistent?

Like one of the customer reviews suggests, this lipstick has come off a little while eating things like pasta or pizza, so it's not 100% "smudge-free." Given that, I only had to reapply this lipstick once throughout an 8-hour day — which isn't a huge deal to me because it takes less than 30 seconds to reapply it. The best way I get it to stay put is by applying lip gloss and a teeny amount of setting spray over it.

Target

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick

Lately, I've even been adding the Maybelline Lifter Gloss in the shade 'Stone' as a way to truly lock in the color. It highlights the 'Seductress' shade of the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick which is a huge plus for me.

For less than $12, I think it's absolutely worth buying multiple times!

More Best Drugstore Lipsticks

Target

The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick

When I'm in the mood for a universal red lipstick that has the best color payoff, I always turn to The Lip Bar's 'Bawse Lady.' She's a gorgeous blue-red that highlights all undertones without making anyone looked washed out.

Target

Revlon Colorstay Limitless Matte Lipstick

I discovered Revlon's Colorstay formula while browsing for a deeper lipstick for fall and it does not disappoint! It's another vegan product that has triple hyaluronic acid and upcycled cranberry extract in it so it literally feels like you're not wearing anything on your lips!

Target

Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick

The word 'Fetish' may be off-putting, but don't write this lipstick off because of the name — ha! I typically wear this when I don't want to wait for a liquid lipstick to dry. It's super velvety and also contains hyaluronic acid in it to help keep lips moisturized.

Target

Nyx Professional Makeup Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream

Last but not least, Nyx has never let me down in the lip department before. If I'm truly shopping on a budget, I'll reach for the Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream because it glides on my lips like butter. That's not to say I know what it feels like to rub butter all over my lips, but you get what I mean! It's soft and has a gorgeous color payoff that makes me feel like it's comparable to the best lipstick I swear by.

Have you tried Maybelline's Super Stay Matte Ink lipstick before? Let us know in the comments and subscribe to our newsletter for more beauty finds!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Why Timothée Chalamet Abandoned “Good Friend” Austin Butler’s ‘Elvis’ Method For Bob Dylan Role

Austin Butler as Elvis, Selena Gomez as Linda Rondstat, and now Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan — there will never be enough biopics for me! (The real question is when are we going to get a Taylor Swift movie?). When pictures from the set of the new Bob Dylan movie, A Complete Unknown, hit Twitter, I had to do a double take because Timothée Chalamet looks so much like the musician I couldn't believe my eyes! You can watch the A Complete Unknown trailer here.

Timothée is going to be joined by Met Gala queen Elle Fanning, as well as Top Gun superstar Monica Barbaro. Here's everything you need to know about the movie — and our favorite Bob Dylan songs to listen to while you wait for its release.

Keep reading to see the latest updates from Timothée Chalamet's Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.

Timothée Chalamet stars in A Complete Unknown, coming to theaters December 25, 2024.
He's joined by Elle Fanning and Monica Barbaro.
The movie follows Bob Dylan's career in the 1960s as he rises to fame and later shifts from folk to rock'n'roll.

Did Timothée Chalamet take inspiration from Austin Butler’s Elvis?

Timothée Chalamet recently revealed that while he originally wanted to approach A Complete Unknown by taking direct inspiration from Bob Dylan, he quickly changed his tone...so to speak. "Somebody once said to me, you can't make a movie about a painter because it's not interesting to watch paint dry," he says in People's exclusive video. "Bob has that element because he's not one of these forward-facing musicians."

While Timmy saw Natalie Portman a sequence in Jackie "step-for-step exactly what Jackie did," and paid attention to "all this stuff that I saw my good friend Austin Butler crush it with on Elvis," he quickly realized "I gotta do none of this because this is not my style."

"Bob did not have a vocal coach," he continues. "He had two bottles of red wine and four packs of cigarettes. There's no way to impersonate that." One of my favorite things about biopics is seeing how a well-known actor portrays a recognizable figure. And you can see Timothée Chalamet's interpretation of Bob Dylan in theaters December 25!

Monica Barbaro Sings Her Heart Out

twitter.com

We got a look at Monica Barbaro as singer-songwriter Joan Baez, who was one of the first major artists in the 1960s to record Bob Dylan's music!

I was super impressed to learn Timothée showed up and sang live for the film. "It was important for me to play and sing on set because it was in the spirit of the movie to do it live," he says in a video from People. "Many of the artists through American pop culture that had the balls to turn their back on what was expected of them, that moment started with Bob. His words are relevant; 'Times They are A Changing' ' is relevant, 'Blowin' in the Wind' is relevant."

Elle Fanning and Timothée Chalamet In "A Complete Unknown"

twitter.com

Elle Fanning totally embodies the late '60s vibe in this fall outfit. The bold maroon blazer, the long straight hair, and the striped turtleneck — I love it all! Elle is starring this Bob Dylan movie as Sylvie Russo, a university student and artist Bob falls for in the '60s.

twitter.com

Thanks to some onset leaks, we also got a glimpse of the movie's version of The Freewheelin'! Elle Fanning and Timothée Chalamet look incredible as Sylvia Russo and Bob Dylan. I'm a sucker for any kind of recreation, so seeing this new version of the classic record cover is incredible!!

The First Pictures From Timothée Chalamet's Bob Dylan Movie

twitter.com

Timothée Chalamet has totally transformed into Bob Dylan on the set of A Complete Unknown. And when I saw the pictures of Timothée carrying the guitar my jaw dropped!! He completely engrossed himself in Wonka and Dune 2 and I'm so excited to see him do the same for this Bob Dylan movie.

What is the movie about Bob Dylan called?

H. Thompson/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Amy Sussman/Getty Images

A Complete Unknown Plot

Timothée Chalamet's Bob Dylan movie is called A Complete Unknown. The movie filmed around New York City in the spring of 2024, and James Mangold is serving as director (you might recognize his name from Logan, Girl, Interrupted, and Walk the Line). The movie will cover the period during the 1960s when Bob Dylan shifted from folk to rock'n'roll, changing the face of pop culture (and culture in general, TBH), forever.

"When that movie finally comes out, people are going to be shocked because you're going to think you're hearing Bob Dylan sing," vocal coach Eric Vetro tells PEOPLE. "[Timothée Chalamet] just has this uncanny ability to not impersonate, but really breathe life into it. He's embodying Bob Dylan and what he was like at that age."

Who else is in A Complete Unknown with Timothée Chalamet?

Amy Sussman/Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Gotham Film & Media Institute

A Complete Unknown Cast

The A Complete Unknown cast is incredible! Alongside Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, we'll see Top Gun: Maverick's Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, and Nick Offerman as Alan Lomax.

When is the Bob Dylan movie coming out?

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

A Complete Unknown Release Date

A Complete Unknown will hit theaters on December 25, 2024. And since Timothée Chalamet has been seen in turtlenecks, hats, and jackets on set, this sounds like the perfect cozy movie to me!

I always need some brand new music to listen to once the weather gets chilly, and I will for sure be listening to anything Timothée records.

What song did Bob Dylan write for a movie?

Christopher Polk/Getty Images for VH1

Bob Dylan wrote "Things Have Changed" for the 2000 movie Wonder Boys, which starred Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, and Katie Holmes. This Bob Dylan song ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Original Songand the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song!

"Knockin' On Heaven's Door," which is arguably the singer's most popular track, was released two months after the 1973 premiere of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid as a part of the film's soundtrack.

What are some other Bob Dylan songs to listen to?

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

I totally agree that one of the best Bob Dylan songs is "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," but "Blowin' In The Wind" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'" are also great songs to listen to if you're a new Bob Dylan fan. So far, "The Times They Are A-Changin'" is my personal favorite song.

His style is the perfect blend of rock and folk that reminds me of summer picnics and walks in the woods. His sound also reportedly inspired Taylor Swift's Folklore!

What are you most excited to see in Timothée Chalamet's Bob Dylan movie A Complete Unknown? Check out our Facebook for more movie news!

This post has been updated.

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10 Long-Lasting Matte Lipsticks To Perfect Your Moody Fall Pout

If you're thinking about trying out latte makeup looks this fall, you're going to need the best long-last matte lipsticks you can coat your lips with. Think of your genetic pout as a blank canvas that can create a soft-glam or high-fashion moment to match the cute dresses you just bought.

Well, pucker up because we have matte lipsticks for everyone, from reds with blue bases to soft neutrals with brown undertones! Here are 11 matte lipsticks to add to your makeup bag ASAP!

The Best Matte Lipsticks For Fall

Target

The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick

The Lip Bar's 'Rebel' Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick is going to give you the sultry pout you've been dreaming of. It almost looks brown in the tube, but you'll see that it's actually more of a deep burgundy shade.

The fun thing about this formula is that it applies like lipgloss, but dries down to a matte texture that feels oh-so-good. With just one swipe, your lips will be rewarded with an intense color pay-off that'll have people asking you where you found such a gorgeous shade.

Sephora

Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick

Liquid formulas aren't for everyone because they can get out of hand if you forget about their initial glossy application. A good alternative to that is Huda Beauty's Power Bullet Matte Lipstick with it's cruelty-free ingredients! It does have a creamy texture, but it only adds to the smoothness you'll feel when wearing it.

Sephora

Tom Ford Lip Color Matte Lipstick

Everyone should at least have one tube of sexy red lipstick in their makeup bag because it's going to brighten your face while making you look like you're on top of business for the day. Since you have more pressing things to worry about than finding the perfect shade, Tom Ford's 'Ruby Rush' is the vibrant true red you need!

Formulated without parabens and sulfates, the soothing Vitamins E & C will provide all the comfort your lips need.

Target

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick

Want to achieve a long-wearing matte look on a budget? Head to your local CVS or Target to pick up one of Maybelline's Superstay Ink Lipsticks! The 'Exhilarator' shade is slightly darker than Tom Ford's 'Ruby Rush,' but that may make you feel more comfortable. We've found that darker reds tend to be a little more forgiving if you don't want to wear lipliner.

Despite the affordable price, Maybelline's lipstick provides the same rich intensity as luxury brands and offers over 10 hours of wear. You also won't see as much transfer when drinking or planting a kiss on someone special.

Amazon

Revlon Colorstay Suede Ink

If you ever see the word 'ink' in a matte lipstick's name, trust that you're going to be wearing something that barely budges. While you won't be able to wear this past your work shift without reapplying it before happy hour, you'll get crisp color that'll make everyone stop and stare at you in admiration.

You're free to get any shade you want for less than $10, but 'Lip Bloom' is speaking to the leopard print outfits we have planned.

Westman Atelier

Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick

This may surprise you, but this 'Lou Lou' shade is still considered a red lipstick. It's as bold as it's comfortable to wear, thanks to its suede texture. You won't experience any icky feathering that occurs when you wear some matte lipsticks nor will you have to worry about reapplying multiple coats throughout the day.

Ulta

WYN BEAUTY Word of Mouth Max Comfort Matte Lipstick

WYN Beauty may have created the prettiest berry matte lipstick of the year, and the fact it's universal makes us want to personally thank Serena Williams for the inclusivity. Since we can't do that yet, we're here to tell you why you should get this if you're afraid of wearing matte lipsticks that contrast with your skin's undertone.

Not only is Word of Mouth Max Comfort a vegan product, it also boasts up to 24 hours of hydration. Based on the 4.6 rating on Ulta, we think other customers can vouch for it!

Ulta

Juvia's Place Nude Velvety Matte Lipstick

Instead of wearing so much color on your lips this fall, you can choose a neutral matte lipstick to pair with your favorite lipgloss for the ultimate '90s "It" Girl look! This 'Toffee' shade is a safe bet because it offers a hint of color that won't overpower your makeup. Plus, it has hyaluronic acid in it!

Makeup Forever

Makeup Forever Longwearing Matte Lipstick

"Everything's coming up roses" with Makeup Forever's Longwearing 'Memorable Spice' Matte Lipstick. It's another neutral that works well with a brown lipliner and gloss, but you can always skip the shiny finish if you want! Delivering high-performance color and a weightless feel, you'll be glad you decided to give it a chance.

P.S. The sleek design makes it easy to fit in the smallest of Target bags!

NYX Cosmetics

Nyx Cosmetics Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick

It's hard not be influenced by TikTok trends, but we're not pretending that we're above them! We've come across some of our best makeup buys because of other people's thorough reviews which is why NYX Cosmetic's Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick made our list!

'Dusky Muted Rose' is a "full-bodied matte lipstick" that's long-wearing and vegan; two things we can't get enough of. Honestly, no one wants to wear something that disrupts their hormones!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Renée Zellwegger & Leo Woodall Prove Age Gaps Are Sexy In 'Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy' Trailer

If you're a rom-com fan who also can't get enough of Jane Austen's books, you've probably seen the Bridget Jones movies. The story (which is loosely based on Pride & Prejudice) follows the titular Bridget Jones, a 30-something who sets out on a mission to improve herself over the course of a year while she looks for a partner. And, in true romantic movie form, she keeps a diary the whole time. Not only can we rewatch the original trilogy as many times as we want, but we're also getting a fourth movie! Here's everything we know about Bridget Jones 4.