Cindy. Naomi. Linda. Kate. The first true supermodels birthed in the 90s were household names. And, in fact, still are! Whatever their ages or the current fashion fads, these historic luminaries of couture runways and Vogue covers will forever remain iconic beauties. Their stratospheric success had as much to do with their unforgettable facial features and fierce personalities as their makeup – a new kind of refined glam pioneered by the makeup artist who was as synonymous with 90s fashion as the models themselves – Kevyn Aucoin.
In the cyclical rhythm of all fashion and beauty trends, we’ve landed back on the color palettes of the 90s. After years of bhaddie excess, disco ball highlights, blush blindness, minimalist no-makeup makeup, K-Beauty influenced strawberry and cold girl looks, the zeitgeist has refreshed our tastes with a new canvas of beauty standards. Ushered in by the 2025 Pantone selection of Mocha Mousse – a warm, creamy, toasted brown, like a cafe au lait, heavy on the coffee – as color the year, the color and texture stories of the moment hone in on the muted tones and elegant contouring that Linda, Naomi, Cindy, and Kate rocked during their Steven Meisel photoshoots.
Drita Paljevic, celebrity makeup artist and creative tour de force who formulated the latest Kevyn Aucoin Beauty launches, including the matte perfection of the Velvet Lip Paint collection, the Sculpt and Define Contour Book Volume IV, and the Face Forward Color Corrector, as well as countless as several modern makeup hacks, breaks down the brand’s latest revival of 90s looks and the newly formulated liners and shadows to achieve them.
Q&A with Drita Paljevic, Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Creative Director
1. What’s the core color story of 90s Supermodel makeup?
The ‘90s Supermodel look is rooted in neutral to warm tones, especially browns, taupes, beiges, and muted roses. It’s not limited to just browns, but also neutralized versions of other shades (like mauvy-pinks or soft plums), so long as it feels neutral and wearable. The effect is polished and sultry, but not overly colorful.
2. How does Pantone’s Mocha Mousse work with this look? Eyes, lips, or both?
Mocha Mousse—a soft, warm, mid-tone brown—is perfect for the ‘90s Supermodel aesthetic. The hue can be layered across lids and lips for a cohesive, monochromatic effect.
For the eyes, use a mocha mousse-toned shadow as a transition, all-over lid color, or base. It gives a soft, sculpted eye look without being too harsh. Then pair it with a darker brown color in the crease for depth. For an all-in-one palette to create this look, I recommend Kevyn Aucoin Beauty’s The Contour Eyeshadow Palette in ‘Light,’ and using Kevyn Aucoin Beauty’s new In Perspective Eyeliner to tightline or smoke out the lashline for a true ‘90s vibe.
For the lips, opt for a deeper liner like Kevyn Aucoin Beauty’s Unforgettable Lip Definer in ‘New Naked’ paired with a soft nude lipstick like the Unforgettable Lipstick in ‘Immaculate’ to give that classic “lined and filled” ‘90s lip look.
3. Which KAB vintage photos best capture the 90s Supermodel look?
Some iconic examples that channel the era include:
-The Cindy Crawford deep-side part with brown smokey eye and matte lips.
–Naomi Campbell in bronze and mocha tones, especially looks that highlight radiant skin with minimal color.
–Linda Evangelista’s sculpted cheekbones with taupe shadow and nude lips.
4. Is brown lip liner the defining element of the 90s Supermodel lip?
Brown lip liner is iconic and a great contour shade, but it’s not the only way to achieve the look. For a modern take on the iconic ’90s Supermodel lip, try a soft ombré technique. Start by contouring and overdrawing the lips with the Unforgettable Lip Definer in ‘New Naked,’ fill in with another, lighter liner like the Unforgettable Lip Definer in ‘Devine,’ then top it off with a creamy top layer. I love using the Unforgettable Lipstick in a lighter shade like ‘Immaculate’.
5. Is contouring heavy in this look or is it more bronzed and subtle?
The ‘90s supermodel contour style is more bronzed and softly sculpted. The goal is to enhance the bone structure, so adding some bronzer along the cheekbones, temples, and jaw, or a hint of taupe or warm contour powder in the hollows for structure, are great ways to achieve this iconic look.
6. Matte vs. shimmer—what finishes define this trend?
This trend is dominated mostly by matte or satin finishes.
For the Eyes: Matte shadows in browns and taupes, sometimes with a satin shimmer on the lid.
For the Lips: Reach for a good liner and a lipstick that has matte or cream finishes (not glossy).
For the Skin: ‘90s supermodel looks have ‘velvety’ skin – not flat, but not dewy.
Some ‘90s looks feature a bit of shimmer in high points – like a subtle sheen on the eyelid or highlighter on cheekbones – but everything is restrained.
7. Is the complexion full-coverage or more natural-looking?
For the complexion, a natural matte finish gives the appearance of flawless-looking skin that is softly powdered and sculpted. Opt for a more full-coverage product that is stronger than a tinted moisturizer, but not cakey, and can be paired with contour to create the radiant, velvety look that highlights the natural bone structure.
8. Is the look more focused on one feature—eyes or lips?
Usually, channeling a ‘90s supermodel look features a balance between the eyes and lips, with a subtle emphasis on the eyes. The iconic ‘90s lips were defined with brown liner, topped with muted tones as a base, and paired with a softly sculpted eye look. The eyes usually featured brown shadows and a very light base, then tightlined, or the liner was slightly smudged, but not with a heavy hand, for a sultry look that drew you straight towards the eyes.
For any makeup look, I always rely on the wide array of expertly-formulated Kevyn Aucoin Beauty complexion products, including primer, foundation, and powder.
