We all have beauty regrets from our tween and teen years. It’s kind of a rite of passage to spend a few years wearing horribly unflattering eye makeup and sticky, goopy lip gloss, right? But although we’re thanking the hair and makeup gods that some trends stayed in the 90s (i.e., crimped hair, frosted lipstick, over-plucked eyebrows), we’re actually happy to see a few establishing themselves again in our lives. Trends tend to repeat themselves, and what we saw at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014 was a true testament to that statement. Here are some of our favorite trends from the 90s that we’re happy to start rocking in their more modern forms.
1The trend: Wine-Colored Lips
Where we saw it: Tibi, Rebecca Minkoff, Tadashi Shoji, Zimmermann
Deep berry lips—that made us automatically think back to Gwen Stefani in her early No Doubt days—were everywhere on the runways, hinting that we’ll be seeing less of the bright, neon lip shades this fall and more of those darker, vampy colors. The best part is not only is it a very feminine shade, but it really does look great on every skintone. Wear it heavy or dab it on with your lips to achieve more of a stained look, as if you had just downed a glass (or three?) of Cabernet.
Get the look: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Amore, $22
2The trend: French Manis
Where we saw it: Suno, Tess Giberson, Rebecca Minkoff
Ah, the classic pink base, white tip French manicure. If you grew up in the 90s, there’s a good chance this was your go-to style—maybe fueled by your desire to channel your inner Cher Horowitz. Fortunately, the French manis of today are a little more updated and modern, becoming more of a color-blocked design. We love the dark metallic base with a greyish-white tip used at Tess Giberson. “It gives it a more modern, interesting and more chic look than just a white, white tip,” says lead manicurist Jin Soon, but still a very sophisticated and simple effect.
Get the look: Jin Soon Nail Polish in Kooky White, $20 (available March 2014) and Zoya Nail Polish in Claudine, $9
3The trend: Headscarves
Where we saw it: Honor
The moment we laid eyes on this hairstyle by James Pecis, it instantly jogged our memory of our days sporting paisley headscarves and bandanas. Yes, headscarves have been back before, but there’s something abut this floral scarf paired with knotted braids that reminds us distinctly of the tomboy-yet-girly styles of the decade—which, we’d like to add, the ladies of TLC pretty much embodied.
Get the look: Eugenia Kim Gigi Floral Head Scarf, $145
4The trend: Spring comb
Where we saw it: Helmut Lang
Remember these? Hairstylist Eugene Souleiman used these plastic spring comb headbands to create a graphic edge, pulling the rest of the hair back into a neat ponytail. And honestly, we didn’t even think they still existed until we saw them on the runway.
Get the look: Goody Nylon Flexi Comb Headband, $5
5The trend: Grunge hair
Where we saw it: Vera Wang, Lacoste, Karen Walker
The lived-in hairstyle, which looks like you just spent three hours rocking out at a Metallica or Nirvana concert, is quintessential 90s. And it seems to show up time and time again on the runways today. Something about that purposefully undone, cool yet not over-stylized look is just as alluring today as it was back when it mirrored the unkempt looks of the most popular grunge musicians. Pair it with a flannel, and you’ll be the most 90s (and most comfortable) girl in the room.
Get the look: Bumble and bumble Cityswept Finish, $29
6The trend: Glitter Eye Makeup
Where we saw it: Altuzarra
It’s impossible to talk about the 90s without mentioning glitter. Since dousing yourself in body glitter is hardly acceptable in 2014 (and for this, we are grateful), a light dusting of glitter on your lids, or a super-shimmery shadow is the perfect way to add some glitzy sparkle without looking like you got locked in a craft closet.
Get the look: Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow, $20
7The trend: Thick, Dark Black Eyeliner
Where we saw it: Mara Hoffman, Marc Jacobs
Yet another beauty trend inspired by the music scene of the decade, dark black eyeliner, completely rimming the entire eye, is a look we remember all too well. Recently, we’ve seen full bottom liner disappear to make way for thick, flicked-out cat-eye liner on top. But if you were a fan of the punkier look, now’s your time to rock it proudly.
Get the look: Clinique Quickliner for Eyes in New Black, $16
