The worst 90s beauty trends, revisited

Some things are better left in the past, and beauty is no exception. The 90s gave birth to many questionable trends, most of which we want to stay right where they belong.
In. The. Past.
However, for a (hilarious) trip down memory lane, we’ve rounded up the best of the worst 90s beauty trends. And to make you feel a little better about your past mistakes, we teach you how to update the looks for the present day. You know, in case you’re feeling a little nostalgic.
Trend #1: Baby buns
Photo credit: Frankie Everitt Pintrest
Back when she was the lead singer of No Doubt, Gwen Stefani rocked the baby buns better (or should I say more often?) than anyone else. When it came to the buns, we’re sure the unwritten rule was the more the better. We think they look particularly fetching when teamed with bright blue hair…
Now…
The topknot is no doubt the noughties version of the baby buns. As a chic, easy way to keep your hair off your face, there’s good reason the up do is all the rage.If you don’t already know how to do a topknot, bh’s Astrid teaches you how to achieve the look, in this easy tutorial.
Trend #2: Bright blue eye shadow
Back in the 90s, blue eye shadow was everywhere. More often than not, it was worn as bright as humanly possible, right to the brow bone. And with a statement lip to boot.
Now…
Blue eye make-up is still around but (thankfully!) the beauty Gods have come up with a new way to wear it. Whether it’s a deep blue eye shadow worked into a smoky eye, a slick of liquid liner or a touch of blue mascara, you can wear blue on your eyes and still look good. If you don’t believe us, click through this challenge, where bh’s Carli wears blue eye make-up five different ways, five days in a row.
Trend #3: Butterfly clips
Photo credit: Buzzfeed Pintrest
Unfortunately, butterfly clips were not just worn by young girls, but popular celebrities too. Often worn in a kaleidoscope of different colours on the top of the head, the clips did a good job of keeping hair off the face – but not a very good job of making full-grown women look very mature.
Now…
If you are looking to keep your hair out of your eyes and off your face, skip the butterfly clips, and instead channel Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl with a headband. We recommend the Scunci Cushion Tipped Bubble Finish Headband. The thick, elegant design suits anyone without making them look (or feel) about five-years-old.
Trend #4: Brown lipstick
Brown lipstick was totally on trend back in the day. The earthy hue was generally worn matte, with a bare face and sometimes with a much-darker lip liner. If you were old enough to wear lip colour in the 90s, you’d be lying if you said you hadn’t tried it at least once.
Now…
Ok, I know we said that these were the best of the worst beauty trends, and that we wanted them to stay in the past, but brown lipstick is an exception. In recent times, it has been seen on the likes of Kylie Jenner, Rihanna and Kate Bosworth. If you don’t believe me, check out this article. And, if you’re brave enough to rock it, make like the youngest Kardashian and team it with soft eye shadow and super long lashes. For a look like Kylie’s, use Mac Lipstick in Paramount.
Trend #5: Crimped hair
Remember crimped hair? You know, that hairstyle that made you look like you had just stuck your finger in an electric socket? Tyra Banks is one of the most beautiful, well-known supermodels of our time, and even she can't make crimped hair look chic.
Now…
If you are looking to add some volume and dimension to your hair, opt for tousled, soft curls. The look is less electrocuted, and more Hollywood glam. Take a look at this video to learn how to create loose waves with a little styling spray and a GHD straightener.
Trend #6: Obvious lip liner
Photo credit: Altha Pride Pintrest
Dark brown liner teamed with a nude lip is a trend that we are very glad to see the end of. In fact, we’re scratching our heads as to why it ever gained momentum in the first place. Victoria Beckham, what were you thinking?
Now…
Don’t get me wrong, lip liner was – and still is – a very important product for your beauty kit. But if you’re going to wear it, make sure you choose a liner one shade darker than your natural lip colour, or one shade lighter or darker than your colour of choice. This will make your lips look fuller, and prevent your colour from feathering.
Trend #7: Corn rows
Whether worn loose, or tied back, we’ve seen better hairstyles over the years. Here, Christina Aguilera teams the tight braids with bright blue shadow. A double whammy for the 90s trends we really don’t want to see again.
Now…
A fishtail braid is a much more sophisticated way to keep your keep your hair off your shoulders. If you have no idea how to create the look, check out this video where bh’s Deb creates the perfect fishtail braid using the Scunci Criss Crosser Tool.
Trend #8: Over-plucked eyebrows
Back in the 90s, over-plucked eyebrows could be found on most faces. Drew Barrymore does a good job of showing us how they used to love them: super thin, rounded and drawn-on.
Now…
These days, we’ve gone in the complete opposite direction and favour thick, natural looking brows. Think Cara Delevingne, Lauren Conrad and Demi Lovato. To get the same look as these celebs, keep to your natural shape, only tweeze stray hairs and lightly fill in brows with Benefit Brow Zings. And for a bit of fun, check out these amazing celeb brow transformations. If they can get past over-plucked 90s brows, anyone can!
Did you ever fall victim to any of the above trends? Are there any other 90s beauty trends that we missed?
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...
![]() |
||
Beauty looks to bring back from your teenage years |
Brow products every woman needs |
Beauty products that were big in the 90s |
Make your lips look fuller |
The best make-under we've ever seen |
Everything you need to know about growing out your brows |
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
72 Member Comments
I think I'm guilty of the lip liner thingy but that's about all. I don't think I've ever owned a blue eye shadow but I remember having a purple mascara which I loved.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I do like butterfly clips
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Oh my, how we have changed our looks, or, have we really. I think we have built on the styles and improved the glamour or subtlety of the style. Yes, brown lipstick only suits a very few people, not me though. The corn row is really a nice style for fine hair, my granddaughter has her hair done slightly in this manner for school as she has very fine hair and on her it is very pretty. Crimped hair: arghhh! And I even own a crimper, (insert sad face here). Blue eyeshadow was one of the few choices in colour back in the 60's and with blue eyes this was the go, not now though.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I very much dislike the 'top knot trend, I think it looks silly and not at all elegant.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
These were so funny, especially the butterfly clip photo! Brown lip stick looks terrible on me.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I do like blue eyeshadow but never brown lippie
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Other than the first three, some of these don’t look that bad!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I remember crimping my hair before going out, big mistake
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I used to wear the bright blue eye shadow when I was 18 & I had the butterfly clips when I was in high school, I no longer do my eye shadow like that now let alone have it blue or any light colour's I much prefer the darker shade's. I like the brown lippie on celebrities but wouldn't wear it myself way too dark for me. I love the hair style with the crimped hair by Tyra Banks, I wouldn't mind trying that one day.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
In the 90's my Aunty and her girl friends went and got a professional photos of themselves with big boofy hair, black feather boa's and the deep brown lipstick mentioned above. I used to think it was the most glamorous thing I'd ever seen, until I looked back on the deep brown lippy and thought what a god-awful trend that was with the intense dark lip liner hahahaha!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I still remember crimping my hair!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
The corn rows look so tight like it would hurt
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Omg I agree with the obvoius lip liner thing. When I see someone with that it really annoys me, but i can't tell them them that obliviously (it's akward) unless they are my friends.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Blue eye shadow is sooo 80s!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Very interesting article. Love reading things like these. Beauty heaven has some really great informative articles.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Funny, we loved them at the time lol
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I still like blue eye shadows but a big no no to brown lippies
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
the buns are still worn and can look good if done properly (unlike Gwen with tons of glitter and some weird greasy damaged hair). Top knot rarely looks good on many girls. Some only can wear it well. My egg shaped head looks to ridiculous to pull it off lol
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
brown lippies people still wear. I do not get it, on everyone they look ugly!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yep - the 90s was a bit of a shocker for beauty trends. Over-plucked eyebrows are the worst and sadly that trend extended to the early 2000s when I was a pre-teen/teenager first starting to pluck my brows. They were such beautiful full brows before I succumbed to the pressure of having eyebrows that didn't "stick up" in the inner corners (much like how Cara's do). Kids these days are lucky!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I used to love the butterfly clips haha but the baby buns are in my opinion a bad trend
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
In my opinion baby buns, brown lipstick and butterfly clips have ALWAYS been in style (if you know how to wear them properly, that is).
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Wow gwen stefani looks younger now than she did back in the nineties lol
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I was born in very early 90s, but I grew up in a country where the kids don't wear makeup until they're well in college, so I wasn't aware of any of these trends, haha. Now I don't know whether I should be grateful for that or not, lol.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
baby buns are actually coming back in trend (sort of) because of miley cyrus.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0