"I try 90s hair and make-up to see which looks are worth reviving (& which to leave in the past!)"
Rachael Martin
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 4 minutes
From Rachel Green hair to JLo-approved blue eyeshadow – I try them all
TikTok should be held accountable. While I can’t deny I’ve been impressed with a make-up hack or two, I’m also very dubious about some of the more questionable beauty trends to have come out of the app. I’m talking about the reignited love for the 90s, brown lip liner and all. But, being the good sport that I am, I decide to see what all the fuss is about and take on the challenge of becoming a 90s dream for a full five days. I consider it a sort of social experiment. Will people think I’m a long lost Spice Girl? There’s every chance. But mainly, how will I feel about reigniting my youth as I approach the big 3-0? Read on, because I try five viral 90s looks, so you don’t have to.
The Rachel
As an actual Rachael, it was a neccesary rite of passage that I would indeed have The Rachel in the 90s. If you’re not familiar (where have you been?), The Rachel was a very specific type of haircut popularised by Jennifer Aniston’s character in Friends. The vibe? A sleek fringe, heavy layers and turned in ends. While this time around I don’t fully commit to the look, I do attempt to style it in a similar way. I begin with Schwarzkopf Keratin Heat Protect Spray, (because frazzled strands aren’t something I want to return to) and straighten my ends inwards using the BaByliss Straight Pro 230 Straightener. I then tuck my fringe behind my ear and secure it with a bobby pin. Then it’s time to put on my best Rachel Green-approved slip dress and head out for a coffee…
The vibe
Listen, I’m sold. Jennifer Aniston remains, to this day, an impossibly chic icon. And her famous hair has remained pretty much the same. So if she says it’s cool, then who am I to argue? As it’s only a matter of time before I’m scouted as the main character in a sitcom, I’m awarding a whopping five out of five for this 90s dream look.
This look is great for…
Everything! Whether heading out for cocktails or to the office, it’s the perfect ‘do.
This look isn't so great for…
Heat damage. There’s a lot of straightening going on, so we recommend always using a hair protection spray before styling.
Brown lip liner
Naomi Campbell was the 90s queen of brown lip liner. And while I’m still coming to terms with the fact that my own supermodel career hasn’t taken off (yet), I give the trend a go – ‘cus who doesn’t love a trier? I begin by using Barry M Lip Scrub Pink Grapefruit, all across my lips to create a smooth base. I then apply NYX Professional Makeup Slide On Lip Liner Pencil in Urban Cafe, around my natural lip line, followed by a slick of the perfectly pink Dior Addict Shine Refillable Lipstick in Tie & Dior.
The vibe
My boyfriend telling me I need to "clean my mouth", confirms what I already know – this isn’t the look I was born to wear. So, for me, this one gets a sad one out of five. From now on, I’m sticking with my usual dusty nude liner and leaving the coffee tones to Naomi and the cool kids of TikTok.
This look is great for…
Those who are confident with a bold make-up look.
This look isn't so great for…
Dry-lipped babes. I speak from experience. Avoid or prep with a lip scrub, followed by a moisturising lip balm.
Skinny brows
After spending the last 10+ years trying to make my over plucked 90s brows look thicker, I’m being told they’re back in fashion. Who knew? But even my fine, sparse brows aren’t fine or sparse enough it would seem. Instead, TikTok is taking inspo from Pamela Anderson in order to achieve the most miniscule, one hair thick brows that you need to squint to see. The first step? Concealer. And lots of it. I apply Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, all across the tops of my brows to hide the hair. I then draw a thin line across my brows using Revolution Precise Brow Pencil.
The vibe
The vibe is that this isn't a vibe. I feel like my super-fine brows are REALLY unflattering, and I garner more than just a few looks when I hop on the Tube to head into the office (yup, I go into the office). For me, this is a look that should remain where it belongs – in the 90s and I’m giving it a one out of five. However, I’m willing to concede that, while this didn’t work for me, that’s not to say it won’t for someone else, particularly if you want to bring the Pammy vibe into this decade.
This look is great for…
Minimal effort. There’s a lot less going on than with my usual brow routine.
This look isn't so great for…
Those with naturally darker eyebrow hair. They’re pretty hard to conceal.
Blue eyeshadow
Everyone from Angelina to JLo rocked a wash of blue eyeshadow during the 90s. Nowadays, I’m more about sheer gold or, if I’m going out for drinks, a flick of brown liner, so it’s safe to say I feel pretty wild reaching for the blue. To get this look, I apply a small amount of Wet n Wild Photo Focus Eyeshadow Primer, followed by a mixture of blue shades from Huda Beauty Color Block Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette Blue & Green. A layer of 17. Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara, and I am suitably dolled up to pop to the shops.
The vibe
You know what? I actually think blue eyeshadow is a pretty cool make-up look. At the till, the cashier compliments me by saying I look “lovely and summery”, which I’ll absolutely take. I think my love for blue lids is probably due to the fact that formulas have come so far since the 90s. Now that there’s such a thing as primer, there was no creasing or caking, which really makes the look feel more wearable and modern. I’m rating the look a well-deserved four out of five.
This look is great for…
Make-up novices. Just a slick (even applied with your fingertip) and you’re good to go.
This look isn't so great for…
Looking sharp and polished. It’s chill and beachy.
Butterfly clips
It was all about butterfly clips in the 90s, and now they’re back and a bigger trend than ever. While Lizzie McGuire and Tyra Banks were IT girls of the butterfly trend then, it’s Megan Thee Stallion and Matilda Djerf championing these fluttery ‘dos now. I keep things simple and pop a few little butterfly clips in twists across my fringe, then spritz with Boots Extra Firm Hold Unperfumed Hairspray, to help minimise frizz. A blast of Lee Stafford Shine Head Spray Shine, adds a touch of gloss.
The vibe
If you think I’m leaving the butterfly clip trend behind ever again, then you’re wrong. This is super sweet and a fun way to add a pop of colour to your hair. Am I too old for it? Definitely. Am I going to stop? Absolutely not. Five out of five.
This look is great for…
Hiding five-day-old hair.
This look isn't so great for…
Looking like an adult. Though opting for some more simple hair clips could be a happy compromise.
The takeaway
My final thoughts? I’m pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had creating these looks. In particular, I’ll be rocking a blue lid, The Rachel and butterfly clips for many, many years to come. Turns out, I may just be a 90s kid through and through…
