10 Insane ’90s Beauty Trends We’re SO Glad Are Gone – #10 Will Shock You!
Ah, the ’90s. The decade that gave us iconic pop music, Tamagotchis, and questionable beauty trends that we really wish we could forget. Sure, some things like scrunchies and chokers are making a comeback, but are we truly ready for the return of those bold, borderline shocking makeup and beauty choices?
Probably not. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of the most outrageous ’90s beauty trends we’re relieved to leave in the past. From over-plucked eyebrows to aggressively bronzed skin, these looks are best remembered—not repeated.
Let’s dive in and remind ourselves why we’re so thankful these trends have faded into obscurity.
1. Over-Plucked, Pencil-Thin Eyebrows – What Were We Thinking?
Remember the days when thick, bold eyebrows were considered a beauty faux pas? In the ’90s, it was all about having the thinnest, most arched eyebrows possible. Tweezers were our worst enemy and best friend at the same time, as we relentlessly plucked away any semblance of natural brow shape.
Fast forward to today, and it’s all about embracing those big, bold brows. But we’ve all seen the consequences of over-plucking—those who lived through the ’90s know exactly what I’m talking about. Regrowth is a myth when you’ve over-tweezed for years. So here’s a question for you: How many people do you know still trying to grow out their brows from the ’90s? It’s the beauty disaster that keeps on giving.
2. Frosted Eyeshadow – Sparkle or Bust!
What’s that you say? Glittering eyelids that could rival a disco ball? Yes, that’s the ’90s signature frosted eyeshadow look. If your eyelids didn’t look like a glitter factory explosion, were you even alive in the ’90s?
Shimmering baby blue and frosted lavender shades were all the rage. Every pop star and teenage girl coated their lids with these icy, sparkly shadows, hoping to achieve that ethereal look. Spoiler alert: It rarely worked out that way.
Today, makeup is all about balance, subtlety, and a healthy glow. Frosted shadow has been swapped for neutral tones and soft, blended finishes, and our eyelids couldn’t be happier.
3. Dark Lip Liner with Barely-There Lipstick – The Ultimate Lip Fail
Let’s talk about the lip trend that we all tried (and failed) to pull off: the dark lip liner paired with light lipstick.
It wasn’t enough to line your lips; they had to be outlined in a color three shades darker than the lipstick itself. The contrast was as bold as it was unforgiving, leaving us with what can only be described as “floating lips.”
Thankfully, we’ve learned a thing or two about blending since then. These days, soft, seamless lip liner that matches your lipstick is the way to go—no more harsh lines! Can we all just take a collective sigh of relief that this trend is over?
4. The Bronzer Overload – Oompa Loompa, Anyone?
In the ’90s, bronzer wasn’t about achieving a healthy glow; it was about going full-on orange. We all thought looking like we’d spent a month in the Sahara Desert was the goal, but instead, we ended up resembling an Oompa Loompa from Willy Wonka.
Matte, streaky bronzers were the weapon of choice, with no blending in sight. Looking back, it’s hard not to cringe at the overly bronzed faces that dominated the decade. Nowadays, it’s all about that natural, sun-kissed glow, but back then? More bronzer = better. Thank goodness we’ve seen the light—literally.
5. The Lip Gloss Disaster – Sticky Situations
If you weren’t reapplying copious amounts of lip gloss every five minutes, were you even doing the ’90s right? Glossy lips were EVERYTHING back then, but here’s the catch: they came with a side of stickiness.
Hair constantly stuck to your lips, making for some seriously awkward moments. Eating, drinking, and even talking became risky business when you were sporting that high-shine lip gloss.
Sure, glossy lips are still popular today, but the formulas have thankfully improved. We now have hydrating glosses that give us shine without the stickiness—because no one misses trying to peel their hair off their lips every two seconds.
6. Smokey Black Eyes – Edgy or Just Too Much?
Smokey eyes are a timeless classic, but in the ’90s, it was all about going full throttle. Black eyeliner, black eyeshadow, and more black eyeliner—the result was a look that screamed “I just raided my mom’s makeup drawer.”
The smokey eye trend was everywhere, but blending? Who needed blending? The goal was to look as edgy as possible, no matter how raccoon-like the outcome. Today’s smokey eye look is all about sophistication, with soft gradients and subtle blends that keep things chic rather than chaotic.
7. Cut Crease Eyeshadow – Sharp Lines, Harsh Realities
Cut crease eyeshadow was the epitome of dramatic makeup in the ’90s. Sharp, defined lines with contrasting colors made for a look that was bold—but often unflattering.
Sure, we still love a good cut crease today, but it’s softer, more blended, and much less harsh than the ’90s version. Back then, it looked like someone drew a line through your eyelid with a Sharpie. We’ve evolved, and so has the cut crease, thankfully!
8. Ultra-Glossy Hair Gels v– Crunchy Hair, Don’t Care?
Who could forget the rock-hard hair that defined the ’90s? Ultra-glossy hair gels were slathered on to create that perfect sleek look—or so we thought.
Instead of achieving the effortlessly slick styles we saw in magazines, most of us ended up with crunchy, shiny locks that could probably survive a tornado. The worst part? Once the gel dried, there was no going back.
These days, it’s all about healthy, voluminous hair. Slicked-back styles exist, but without the crunch—thank you, modern hair products.
9. Glitter Everything – Hair, Body, Face!
You weren’t ready for a party unless you were covered head-to-toe in glitter. Hair glitter, body glitter, face glitter—nothing was safe. While it seemed like a fun, glamorous idea at the time, we now know the reality: glitter gets everywhere, and it’s nearly impossible to get rid of.
Nowadays, a little shimmer goes a long way, and we’ve learned to use glitter in moderation. But back then? It was more like “the more, the merrier,” and our clothes, homes, and pets probably still have glitter on them from that era.
10. The Vampy Nail Polish – Thanks, Madonna!
Ah yes, the moody, dark nail polish trend inspired by Madonna and Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction. Every ’90s girl had to have a bottle of Chanel’s iconic Rouge Noir—or a knockoff of it.
Deep burgundy nails were the edgy, rebellious choice for the ’90s, but they’ve evolved into something more sophisticated today. The polish is still in style, but we’ve traded in that rebellious attitude for one of elegance and refinement.
Phew, We Made It Through!
The ’90s gave us some unforgettable moments, but thankfully, many of those wild beauty trends have stayed in the past. We’ve learned from our mistakes and moved on to trends that are far more flattering, practical, and—dare we say—modern.
So, if you’re feeling nostalgic for the ’90s, maybe stick to the music and the fashion. Leave the beauty trends in the time capsule where they belong.