It’s late, and you’re at a 90s afterparty. The air smells like hairspray and designer perfume. Someone’s laughing near the mirror while still fixing a shoe strap. Some models have already changed clothes, but their faces still look the same. This is where 90s supermodel makeup showed what it was really made for.
90s supermodel makeup usually started with matte skin and brown-lined lips. Eye makeup remained minimal unless the runway called for more. Additionally, this glam makeup held its shape through flash photos and long nights. That’s why the same techniques still show up today. If you want something that wears well without constant checking or fixing, a supermodel-era routine makes that possible.
90s Supermodel Makeup Tutorial: From Base to Brows
The core techniques behind 90s supermodel makeup still apply today. The way each product wears and the placement choices all translate easily into modern routines.
Skin: Matte, Not Flat
You don’t need to cover the full face. Foundation just goes where things feel uneven. Dot on some concealer for dark circles or random redness and blend with your fingers. This approach still lets the skin show through, which is what keeps it from looking fake.
Instead of carving lines, grab a matte bronzer and press it under the cheekbones. No contour stick, no highlighter. Powder only where you tend to crease or sweat. Claudia Schiffer at Chanel in ’95 had skin that looked soft and clean, not set like stone. That kind of finish wasn’t made for flash photos or bright studio lighting but for low light and long nights.
Eyes: Nothing Precise, Everything Blurred
Grab a warm brown or soft taupe and swipe it across your lid. Use your fingers and add a darker tone in the crease, but don’t overdo it. The goal isn’t perfect blending or even eyes. What you’re aiming for is the slightly diffused look models wore after hours backstage at Versace, when the shadow had settled and blurred naturally.
After the shadow settles, move to the lash line. A brown pencil or crayon works better than black here because it blends into the base tones smoothly. Smudge the color directly into the upper lashes using a small brush or your finger. You’ll see this method clearly in Gianni Versace’s Spring ’96 show. The makeup wasn’t rigid. The shadow sat low on the lid and blurred into the skin instead of following a sharp outline.
Lips: The Part That Always Hits
Start with balm and blot it off. If your lips look too flat, try tapping in a bit of berry tint. That sheer layer helps the brown sit more naturally. Then, use a pencil a bit deeper than your natural tone. Line the lips and smudge the edges so nothing looks too clean. Then swipe on a matte brown in the range of cocoa to brick. Blot the lipstick once, add another layer, then press it in with your finger. In 90s lipstick ads, the finish was almost always matte. The colors leaned warm and the look had that worn-in feel right from the start.
Makeup That Still Looks Good in the Back of a Cab
90s supermodel glam makeup isn’t meant to stay untouched. It’s designed to shift a little as you wear it without falling apart. Somehow, the makeup still looks great even when it starts to come undone. So, what are you doing first, the blurred lip or the smudged eye?
FAQs
- What defines 90s supermodel makeup?
Matte skin, brown lips, soft shadows, and makeup that stayed put. - Do I need a full face to pull it off?
No—just skin, lips, and eyes that hold shape and don’t shine. - What lip color works best?
Stick to warm browns, brick, or muted berry—nothing glossy. - Is contour part of the look?
Use bronzer instead of harsh contour. It shapes without streaks. - Can I wear shimmer?
Skip it. 90s glam was all matte, all the way. - How should I do my eyeliner?
Smudge it close to the lash line. No wings, no sharp lines. - What kind of foundation should I use?
Go matte or demi-matte and apply it only where needed. - What’s the best way to do the eyes?
Use brown or taupe shadow and blend it with your finger. - Can I use modern products for this look?
Yes. Just choose formulas that fade well and don’t shift fast. - What makes this look still relevant today?
It wears down beautifully, doesn’t chase trends, and still looks polished.
