Oh Snap! These 90s Wedding Beauty Trends Are Back

We're totally buggin' over these looks.
90s beauty wedding trends
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maddy sims the knot associate editor
by
Maddy Sims
maddy sims the knot associate editor
Maddy Sims
Former Associate Editor
  • Maddy is a Brand and Social Content Manager at Birdy Grey, and was a former associate editor at The Knot.
  • Maddy has written for several different publications, including HUM Nutrition, Insider, Bustle, Real Simple and Apartment Therapy.
  • Maddy has a Bachelor's degree in magazine journalism and a Master's degree in health, science and environmental reporting (both of which are from Northwestern's Medill School of Journa...
Updated Sep 21, 2021
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90s hair and makeup trends are in again—and we're totally buggin'. Think you can't rock your favorite retro looks on your wedding day? As if! We rounded up seven 90s beauty trends that you can actually wear to your nuptials. Pastel blue eyeshadow, for example, will look trendy but still timeless with black winged eyeliner. A pretty silk scrunchy will perfectly complement a boho braided hairstyle, while golden butterfly clips feel both nostalgic and elegant. Scroll through our favorite trends and work with your wedding hair stylist and makeup artist to bring your vision to life. Ready to throw it back? Channel your inner 90s kid at your wedding with these 90s beauty trends that really are all that and a bag of chips.

Brown Lipstick

Good news for the 90s grunge fans: Brown lipstick is back and better than ever. The earthy, neutral tone will add an edgy spin to your wedding day glam without feeling too over-the-top. Get the look by using a brown lip liner first and then going over with an actual lipstick. "Today, there's a huge variety of brown lipsticks, so there's a shade for everyone, which makes it an attractive, neutral choice that's well-suited for any makeup look," says Sandra Sanez, a professional makeup artist and KVD Beauty Global Veritas Artistry Ambassador. "To get the most out of your brown lipstick, make sure to choose a formula that's hydrating and moisturizing."

Shop the Look:

Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in 1995

Mented Semi-Matte Lipsticks in Brown Bare

KVD Epic Kiss Nourishing Vegan Butter Lipstick

Bouncy Blowout

Big, bouncy blowouts are back, baby. "The key to wearing this hairstyle is volume—particular attention must be paid to the areas that frame the face, lots of glamorous curls are needed to give the look a nice bounce," says celebrity hairstylist Nadia Vassell, owner of The Nadia Vassell Salon. Get the supermodel-approved look with the help of a hot brush or blow dry brush: Work the tool through your hair to achieve the iconic volume of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawfdord and Cher from Clueless. Finish the look off with a touch of hairspray for hold and hair oil for shine. "Don't apply too much hair product," Vassel says. "You want the hairstyle to last a day or two, but you also want movement!"

Shop the Look:

GHD Rise Hot Brush

Amika Blow Dryer Brush

Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Voluminzer Hot Air Brush, $60, Ulta.com

Butterfly Clips

90s beauty wedding trends butterfly clips

We know: Butterfly clips on your wedding day? It can be done—thanks to these stunning metallic clips. Pin these throughout your updo, into the back of your half-up hairstyle or on the side of your hair while it's down. Whatever you choose, these pretty clips offer an elegant way to work this beloved trend into your day-of 'do. "Have some fun with them by adding as little or as many as you want," Vassell says. "When taking them out, make sure that you squeeze to open and lift the butterfly clips off the hair."

Shop the Look:

Jennifer Behr Pippa Bobby Pin Set

Scunci Mini Stone Jaw Clip Set

Wild Fable Metal Butterfly Clip Claw Set

Frosty Lips

Nothing screams throwback like a frosted, glossy lip. We love this 90s beauty trend because it's so easy to pull off: Top your lips with a prismatic gloss, and you're done. Not only will it make your lips look lusciously hydrated, the reflective glitter in the gloss will make your pout look plumper too. Having trouble picking a product? Focus on the color. "Choose a shade that has a nice contrast with your skin tone to ensure that the frost doesn't wash you out," Sanez says. "Formula also matters, so look for a frosty gloss that has moisturizing benefits and staying power." These glittery shades below feel old-school without feeling too much like your OG lip smackers.

Shop the Look:

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Fu$$y

Patrick Ta Major Glow Lip Shine in She's Expensive

Tower28 ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss in Magic

Matte Foundation

PSA: 90s-inspired matte foundation is back in style. We love this trend for a wedding because matte foundations are extremely long-wearing. They keep oil, sweat and tears at bay, which means you won't have to worry about your foundation wearing off throughout the day. Our favorite picks (listed below) also have hydrating ingredients (read: no flaking or dry patches) and come in several shades.

Shop the Look:

Uoma Beauty Say What! Foundation

Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Stick Foundation

Pastel Eyeshadow

Who says you have to wear neutral eye colors on your wedding day? Rock pastel eyeshadow to show off your 90s pride. "Pastel eyeshadow is great for someone who wants to achieve a bold look without putting too much pigment on their face," Sanez says. "There's something youthful and joyous about a pop of pastel on the eye." Use the different shades in these palettes to create a pastel purple, blue or pink eye look. Make it feel modern by adding some color beneath your lower lash line. Pro tip: Keep the color from feeling too overpowering with the help of black or brown winged eyeliner and extra mascara.

Shop the Look:

Huda Beauty Mercury Retrograde Eyeshadow Palette

Colourpop In a Trance Shadow Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Norvine Palette Vol. 1

Scrunchies

Calling all Topanga stans. Scrunchies may seem like a casual accessory, but these silk and satin ones are perfect for your wedding day. They aren't the scrunchies from your past: The shiny, luxe fabric feels totally elegant. (Celebs even wear them out to events.) Use them around a low bun, top knot or boho braid as a nod to your favorite decade.

Shop the Look:

Slip Multi Large Scrunchies

Bomba Curls Silky Satin Scrunchies

Kitsch Satin Sleep Pillow Scrunchies

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