With the throwback urge for ’90s nostalgia, the brown ’90s lip is a key feature of makeup trends at the moment. The look is reminiscent of Pamela Anderson, with a heavy liner outline around the lips. Apparently, in the ’90s, there was no time for subtle, nude shades. It was a dark brown liner to make things pop, and baby, that’s back. “We will be continuing with the ’90s lip looks this fall, ” celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney told Byrdie. “Think latte-style lips with brown liner, lipsticks, and glosses.”
The first step to nailing this iconic look is choosing a dark mocha liner. “Choosing a pencil two shades darker and cooler [than the skin] helps create dimension,” make-up artist Ranti Adeyemi told Vogue. “The classic ’90s lip is brown, but in order to accommodate all skin tones, ashy plums and soft grays can also create the same effect.” Overline the lips slightly, giving the cupid’s bow a little bit of extra definition.
Just because the look is luxe doesn’t mean that the price tag has to be outrageous. NYX’s Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil in Coffee is a perfect choice, and it’s under $5. For a higher-end option, Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Foxy Brown gives a decadent, velvet finish and offers the perfect color choice for $25.
