Back to the ’90s: What’s old is new in beauty

The revival of ’90s trends isn’t limited to fashion – old-school beauty looks are also making a comeback in 2018.

Defined lip

It doesn’t get more quintessential ’90s than brown lips, with the perimeter outlined a darker shade. The polarising trend is slowly returning, albeit a softer adaption.

The modern take, dubbed ‘lip contouring’, involves careful shading and highlighting to make lips appear larger.

To get the updated ‘90s lip:

  • Press a light amount of concealer into your lip to cancel out its natural pigment. This is also a great base for your lip products to stick to.
  • Apply a mid-tone neutral lip liner over the entire lip. For a fuller pout, the key isn’t over-lining, but rather extending your natural lip line, slightly raising the corners of the lip line but meeting the natural lip line at the centre.
  • Apply your lipstick of choice, ideally a medium matte brown.
  • This is where the contouring begins. Go over the perimeter of the lip with a darker lip liner from the same shade family as your lipstick. Start softly and go more heavy handed around the inner corners, creating a shadow effect.
  • Slightly smudge the lip liner with your finger to give a smoky, ombre-effect that blends the pencil into the lipstick.
  • For extra poutiness you can add a vertical line into the centre of the lower lip. Again, you’ll want to smudge and blend in the lines.
  • For extra oomph, apply a lighter lipstick onto the centre of your lips to add fullness.

Voluminous blowout

Bouncy blowouts were huge in the ’90s, but faded into obscurity when straightening irons took off at the turn of the millennium.

Voluminous hair is a classic look that can flatter and frame the face when properly styled. The 2018 version of this trend is similar to the original, but less reminiscent of big Texan hair.

To get the modern blowout:

  • Wash and towel dry your hair. If your hair is prone to limpness, use a shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated to add body.
  • Roughly blow-dry your hair without a nozzle until air dry.
  • Section the hair and apply electronic hot rollers.
  • Leave the hot rollers on until the hair has cooled and effectively ‘set’. To lock in the hairstyle, apply a strong, but flexible hairspray.
  • After you’ve removed the rollers, flip your hair upside down and lightly brush through to soften the look.
  • Style the hair until you’re satisfied with how it’s sitting and then, using a curling iron or straightener, lightly curl the ends inwards to give that bouncy, polished finish to the hairstyle. 

Colourful shadow

The blue eyeshadow look has matured and is being sported everywhere from the catwalk to the red carpet.

While the 90s approach focused on baby blue shades and pearlescent finishes, the modern look is far more varied, incorporating all kinds of tones and finishes.

TIP: A fresh and easy-to-recreate version of the trend is to simply apply an eye-popping blue on to the lower waterline.

Resurgence of retro products

It’s not just ’90s trends making a comeback. We’ve also seen a resurgence in products that can boast decades of popularity.

So here’s our guide on standout skincare that has stood the test of time.

  • 7th Century: Jade facial roller

This beauty tool, initially used in ancient Eastern Chinese medicine, has become a beauty staple all over the world. It’s believed the jade stone paired with the rolling mechanism helps ease fluid retention in the face, reducing puffiness and promoting circulation.

This tried and trusted bargain cream has multiple uses, serving as a deep cleanser, make-up remover and moisturiser all in one. Talk about bang for your buck!

Another multi-use product that is great for everything from lip balm to a makeshift under-eye treatment (as reportedly used by the ageless Jennifer Aniston.) Supermodels Karlie Kloss and Tyra Banks are also avid users of the petroleum jelly.

A favourite among celebs such as Meghan Markle, Kate Winslet and Cara Delevingne, this easily absorbed, hydrating formulation leaves a lovely sheen on legs.

Written by Charlotte Brundrett

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