Ah the nineties, an era of grit, grunge and Glamazons. The decade is making quite the comeback in the fashion stakes, with belly baring crop tops, platforms and low slung backpacks, it seems only fitting we show the best of 90’s on-screen beauty a little love.

After all, the moodiest of eras did reinvent the burgundy lip- prompting Pinot pouts the world over. It taught us to brush (or not brush) our hair with vigilance and hike up the hemlines, all while rocking a pair of knee-highs like a total Betty. Whether you were totally buggin’ or totally Cher, fresh faced or effortlessly grunge à la Chloe Sevigny; the renaissance of 90’s chic means you get to do it all over again. Here’s how…

1. The Flip

ALICIA SILVERSTONE AS CHER HOROWITZ

Besides having one of the most sophisticated and envied computerized wardrobes to date, Cher Horowitz had a way normal life. While always on the perpetual pursuit of happiness, Cher taught us how to avoid winding up a total Monet. In case you totally paused, Cher hair is making a comeback.

Get the look: For shine, brush hair fifty times a night with a Mason Pearson Hairbrush. To style: simply blow dry, part to the side and flip. And flip again

MASON PEARSON

2. Pixie-Grunge Hair

WINONA RYDER

Before the shoplifting epidsode there was Winona circa ‘Girl Interrupted’, who sported one of the best pixie cuts of the 1990’s. These days, the cut is worn by countless celebs, but it was the raven-haired ingenue who made this short, shabby-chic do’ a salon staple in the 90’s. Her petite features and coal-lined eyes made it all the more adorable.

Get the look: Wash and let hair air dry naturally. Then define pieces with a matte texture paste.

BUMBLE & BUMBLE SUMOTECH

3. Fresh Skin

JENNIFER LOVE-HEWITT

Pre-BB and CC, there were the teen queens who showed the beauty world just how fresh youthful skin can be. Sporting little to no make up at all, a little blemish control (blessed genetics) and a great cleanse – both inside and out really will pay off. Eternal note to self, never fall asleep with a full-face of make up.

Get the look: A drop of rosehip oil under the eyes and on the cheekbones at night ought to do the trick.

TRILOGY ROSEHIP OIL

4. Moody Eyes

NEVE CAMPBELL

The ultimate big screen scream queens showed us just how far a little eyeliner can go. Keeping your base minimal or working with a deep and slightly dangerous lip, a strong eye pencil and lashings of mascara is wildly on trend.

Get the look: Line the eyes with a soft kohl pencil and smudge with your finger. Watch the How-to video.

BOBBI BROWN LONG WEAR EYE PENCIL IN JET

5. Dark Lips and Eyes

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR

Even with the worst of intentions we couldn’t help but love Sarah Michelle Gellar’s endlessly moody palette of the decade. From maroon to chestnut to mahogany, Gellar could work a stain like nobody’s business. We’ve also learnt if executed correctly, dark eyes and lips can happily exist without committing a beauty faux pas.

Get the look: Colour in lips with a deep, inky shade.

NARS VELVET LIP PENCIL IN DAMNED

6. Natural Hair

KERRI RUSSELL

The small screen’s favourite college girl had a love life that could make your head explode and a head of hair that looked as though it already had. ‘Felicity’ had a lioness mane all to herself and like Carrie Bradshaw that followed, she proved naturally wild and beautiful hair doesn’t need to be tampered with. Great curl control shampoos have taken over in recent years with more curly girls sporting it untamed.

Get the look: Look for a curl-cosseting shampoo and conditioner.

AVEDA BE CURLY SHAMPOO

7. Girl gone Grunge

CHLOE SEVIGNY

When the doe-eyed Sevigny starred in ‘Kids’ our jaws dropped. Decades later and Chloe is still pushing boundaries, this time in the fashion stakes. Another pixie perfected, Chloe was many a 90’s girl’s ‘girl-crush’ striking the perfect cord between ‘I’m in love with Kurt Cobain’ and ‘grunge girl next-door.’

Get the look: Skip the eyeshadow and use bronzer to rim your eyes.

STILA SWEET TREATS BRONZING PALETTE

8. Girl next door

REESE WITHERSPOON

Unlike her fellow Cruel Intention’s graduating class, Reese Witherspoon showcased the softer side to the 90’s beauty buzz in the now cult classic. Blushed cheeks, fresh skin and bouncy hair made Reese a household beauty name.

Get the look: Keep that perky do in place with a neat Alice band. Try something with accents to keep it looking modern

MIMCO JAGGER ALICEBAND

Words by Ashley Ropati.

Comment (4)

  1. July 2, 2014
    Emily

    Love Cher hair! Such a Clueless fan! Do you know how you could get that volume into your hair without product build up??

    1. July 2, 2014
      sigourney

      Hi Emily, You need some kind of product to get that kind of volume – I would recommend dry shampoo or powder to give it the grit and guts without the shininess or weight. And a bit of backcombing never hurts either!

  2. November 15, 2016
    Maya

    All of these 90s looks are definitely making a comeback, such a throwback!

  3. November 15, 2016
    Lilah

    I’ve been loving dark lips lately, think it’s becoming even more acceptable for casual daytime wear lately