90S NUDES ARE BACK! REDISCOVER THE M·A·C TREND THAT OWNED THE DECADE
September 1, 2023 by Cat Quinn
Three things you’d never catch a 90s supermodel without: Walkman headphones, black oval sunglasses and a whittled-down nub of Lip Pencil in Spice. Nude lip shades from M·A·C were so ubiquitous that “people would come into M·A·C asking for Spice without even knowing what Spice was,” says Terry Barber, M·A·C Global Director of Makeup Artistry. “Inspired by the supermodels or the early hip-hop videos, using neutral colours on the face gave you a bit of swagger.”
Now, 90s makeup is inspiring a new generation. We’ve kept the overlined lips and smoky cut creases of the decade - but swapped ultra-matte, carved-out complexions for glowing skin and subtle shaping. You can still find classic M·A·C Lipstick shades, such as Frost Lipstick in Gel,or try newcomers including everyone’s favourite neutral, Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks, It’s M·A·C! The same goes for lids. Rediscover Eye Shadow in Scene or pick up the brand-new Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite. This cool-toned eye shadow palette has the softest, most pigmented powders M·A·C has sold since the 90s. Like those formulas, this trend has true staying power. “It’s timeless and as relevant now as it used to be,” Barber says.
Now, 90s makeup is inspiring a new generation. We’ve kept the overlined lips and smoky cut creases of the decade - but swapped ultra-matte, carved-out complexions for glowing skin and subtle shaping. You can still find classic M·A·C Lipstick shades, such as Frost Lipstick in Gel,or try newcomers including everyone’s favourite neutral, Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks, It’s M·A·C! The same goes for lids. Rediscover Eye Shadow in Scene or pick up the brand-new Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite. This cool-toned eye shadow palette has the softest, most pigmented powders M·A·C has sold since the 90s. Like those formulas, this trend has true staying power. “It’s timeless and as relevant now as it used to be,” Barber says.
Lip Pencil
$25.00
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Frost Lipstick
$17.25
A Lipstick formula with smooth, medium buildable coverage, high pearl and a semi-lustrous finish.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
$27.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
BEST SELLER
The Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite is a must-have item to recreate this 90s-inspired makeup look.
TREND TRY-ON TECHNOLOGY
WATCH THE 90S
NUDES TREND
TUTORIAL
DIRECTLY ON YOU
NUDES TREND
TUTORIAL
DIRECTLY ON YOU
Use our award-winning tool to learn how to
wear the nude lips and lids that owned 90s
with step-by-step instructions — all virtually
demonstrated directly on your face by a real
M·A·C Artist.
wear the nude lips and lids that owned 90s
with step-by-step instructions — all virtually
demonstrated directly on your face by a real
M·A·C Artist.
M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Honeylove is a neutral hue that speaks volumes.
Get the supermodel look with 90s favourites like Lip Pencil in Oak.
HOW TO GET THE TREND
LOOK 1: Take cues from your favourite supermodels with this new neutral take on 90s makeup.
- Prep lids with Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base.
- Sweep shade Satin Taupe from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite onto eyelids using a 252S Large Shader Brush. Then, define creases using shade Swiss Chocolate from the same palette and a 217S Blending Brush.
- Line lash lines and creases with Eye Kohl in Teddy, smudging out using a 219S Pencil Brush.
Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
$22.40
A shadow primer specially formulated to prolong the look of your eye makeup.
252 Synthetic Large Shader Brush
$34.00
A soft but firm, large paddle brush for shading with powder, cream or liquid products.
217 Synthetic Blending Brush
$30.00
A brush for the shading or blending of powdery or creamy products.
- Coat lashes with a generous amount of M·A·CStack Mascara.
- Colour cheeks using Skinfinish Sunstruck Radiant Bronzer in Radiant Light Rosy and a 129S Powder/Blush Brush.
- Line lips using Lip Pencil in Oak, then fill in with M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Honeylove.
M·A·CStack Mascara
$29.00
An endlessly buildable, clump-resistant mascara that stacks on infinite layers of volume and length.
SKINFINISH SUNSTRUCK RADIANT BRONZER
$35.00
A dimensional radiant bronzing powder that adds warmth and glow, available in 5 Artist-crafted, colour-true shades.
129 Synthetic Powder/Blush Brush
$42.00
An all-purpose brush that works to apply and blend any powder, blush or bronzer.
Lip Pencil
$25.00
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
M·A·CXIMAL SILKY MATTE LIPSTICK
$25.00
A silky matte lipstick that delivers 12 hours of full-coverage colour and eight hours of moisture.
Carve out a cut crease using the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite.
Cool-toned nudes lip Lip Pencil in Stone make a subtle statement.
LOOK 2: Help 90s makeup make a comeback by pairing neutral lips with contrasting lip liner.
- Prep lids with Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base.
- Sweep shade Clear History from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite onto lids and brow bones using a 252S Large Shader Brush.
- Define creases using shade Power Mode from the same palette and a 224S Tapered Blending Brush. Drag the same shade along lower lash lines with a 219S Pencil Brush.
- Line lips using Lip Pencil in Stone, then fill in with M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy.
Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
$22.40
A shadow primer specially formulated to prolong the look of your eye makeup.
252 Synthetic Large Shader Brush
$34.00
A soft but firm, large paddle brush for shading with powder, cream or liquid products.
224 Synthetic Tapered Blending Brush
$36.00
A tapered brush that sheerly applies and blends eye shadow and is perfect for contouring the creases.
Lip Pencil
$25.00
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
M·A·CXIMAL SILKY MATTE LIPSTICK
$25.00
A silky matte lipstick that delivers 12 hours of full-coverage colour and eight hours of moisture.
Terry Barber, M·A·C Creative Director of Makeup Artistry, shares his perspective on 90s makeup trends.
