During New York Fashion Week Fall 2015, we noticed that 90s-colored lipstick made an appearance at a handful of shows — and we don’t hate it one bit. Something about a rusty brown-meets-reddish shade is just so cool and adventurous that we’re going to go ahead and embrace this old-but-new look. Besides, 2015’s Pantone Color of the Year happens to be a brown-meets-pink shade, appropriately named Marsala, that is reminiscent of the lipstick shade we wore once upon a time. It must be a sign, right? The best part about a 90s lip is that the color is actually easy to pull off and flatters everyone.
No matter your skin tone, however, the key is to keep skin dewy and fresh to avoid a severe look. Also, it’s OK to pile on a little eyeliner and a few coats of mascara for an edgier take. Regardless, let the lipstick be the focus of your makeup and have fun with it. Check out the options in the slideshow below because it’s time to revive the decade that brought us grunge (and the Backstreet Boys).
90s lipsticks
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Fair Skin Tone
Stick to shades of berry and burgundy that are on the light side and have a pinkish base.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème in Je T'Aime, $30 at Sephora
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Medium Skin Tone
Colors with blue undertones will flatter medium skin tones and brighten up the face, so opt for a rosy shade of brown before experimenting with darker shades.
Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipstick in Pecan, $28 at Sephora
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Olive/Tan Skin Tone
Rich and deep shades of plum and mauve will look best, and for added intensity use a liner under the lipstick.
Tom Ford Lip Color in Bruised Plum, $50 at Nordstrom
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Dark Skin Tone
Go for bold and vampy: Reach for a high pigment dark brown or bordeaux hue.
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Shame, $22 at Urban Decay