Old-School '90s Makeup Products You Can Still Buy Today For A Dose Of Nostalgia

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Whether boasting the trendiest shades or the latest color-matching technologies, beauty obsessives are forever on the hunt for new makeup products, but it's still sometimes nice to throw it back to the basics. There's a buzz in the air around the '90s makeup trends we're hoping make comebacks, and so why not revisit some of the classic makeup products that were created or popularized in the '90s? And so many of them are still available today.

It's easy to be lured by '90s glam, whether you're all about the turned-up supermodel aesthetic, more into the moody grunge look, or think the minimalist, clean-girl vibe is where it's at. The old-school products ahead can help you nail any '90s-era look. Make room in your makeup bag for a dark and dreamy lipstick from Clinique, a MAC lip pencil that's become a cult classic, and a NARS blush with an aptly cheeky name.

As the wise old adage goes: A strong foundation is essential. Whoever came up with that probably wasn't talking about makeup, but we think it applies. Lovers of '90s makeup might be geeked to get reacquainted with Revlon ColorStay Longwear Makeup. The oil-free liquid foundation has been a drugstore staple for decades and you can still pick it up today. The current formula offers SPF 15, comes in a variety of shades from Ivory to Java, and boasts skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamin E. Revlon first introduced its ColorStay lipsticks in 1991 before expanding to foundations and other products.

The MAC Lip Pencil in Spice was a go-to staple in the '90s, seen on everyday it-girls and the stunning supermodels that dominated the day. Known to be a favorite of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista — and the makeup artists who perfected their faces — the peachy nude lip liner is still available today, alongside more than 30 other shades. It boasts a creamy texture that promises to go on smoothly, whether you want to sharply define your pout or create a head-turning lip combo to rival the supers. 

If you're on the lookout for tips to nail the no-makeup makeup look like a pro, then a natural bronzy glow that makes your skin look kissed by the sun can't be undersold. Enter: the Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder. This French brand's glow-inducing offering dates back to 1984; it went away for a while and relaunched in 2021. "Guerlain pioneered the idea of sun makeup with the invention of its compact bronzing powder, becoming a legendary bronzer," Brigitte Noé, director of research development at LVMH told The Zoe Report. Today, several shades are available from light to deep.

Any makeup lover can attest to it. If you're wondering how to perfect the soft glam look, a volumizing mascara that helps you achieve natural yet plumped, can't-miss lashes is a must-have. The Maybelline Great Lash Mascara has been dubbed "America's favorite." Although it was technically released in the early 1970s, it was an especially popular and affordable option in the '90s, and it remains a drugstore fave today. Get the famous pink and green tube in a range of rich tones from Dark Brown to Blackest Black.

When Molly Ringwald's character pulled off her famous lipstick in the cleavage party trick in "The Breakfast Club," she did it with the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. Created in 1971, it gained popularity through the '80s and '90s, and has continued to be the go-to tube for the understated chic set who want to enhance their natural features. It looks dark and heavily pigmented in the tube, but it's actually more of a translucent gloss that can be layered. And it promises to give the slightest oomph to your lip's natural tone.

To close out the decade in style (and with a side of cheeky innuendo), the now iconic NARS Orgasm Powder Blush was released in 1999. "When you blush, automatically it's a feeling," makeup artist turned brand owner François Nars told Allure in 2019. "So I thought I'd give those names to blushes. Some of them could be more sexual, more naughty." Today, the shimmery peachy-pink blush remains a fun addition to any glamorous makeup look, boasting an upgraded formula that allows for longer wear.