How Authentic are the Trending ’90s Makeup Styles on TikTok?
KUALA LUMPUR: Makeup styles featuring thinly drawn eyebrows and dark lipstick shades like brown and purple were popular in the 1990s, especially among local celebrities such as Ziana Zain and Amy Mastura.
The Resurgence of ’90s Makeup
This look is currently gaining the attention of the younger generation, with social media influencers attempting to "revive" the classic makeup style. Thanks to a challenge that emerged on TikTok recently, users are recreating iconic makeup looks from the year in which they were born. This has sparked discussion among local makeup artists and netizens, who feel the shared ’90s looks fail to accurately represent the era’s authentic style.
The Flaws of Modern ’90s Makeup
Specifically, the recreated looks in most of the videos feature foundations that are too thick, and colors that are too dark or too bright, diminishing the face’s natural beauty.
The Expert’s Take
Veteran makeup artist Zulfazli Suhadi, who has over 40 years of experience in the industry and whose makeup skills were the choice of many veteran artistes, feels many content creators taking up the challenge are using the wrong makeup techniques, which results in one’s natural beauty being overshadowed.
The True Essence of ’90s Makeup
Having worked with renowned names such as Siti Nurhaliza, Erra Fazira and Sofea Jane, Zulfazli feels that authentic ’90s makeup features natural tones, without using excessive shading. "Makeup in the ’90s didn’t use a lot of colors, and the eyeshadow wasn’t too bright. If the eyeshadow is vibrant, the face powder too white, and dark shades are used excessively, then that’s actually ’80s-style makeup," he told Bernama.
Key Features of ’90s Makeup
According to Zulfazli, primary features of the ’90s include thin eyebrows and a simple application of face powder without contouring. "We would mainly use blush for contouring. The makeup shades were also more earth-toned. Red lipstick was common, and color combinations were usually coordinated – if the eyeshadow was purple, the lipstick would also be purple," he said.
A Call to Action
Still, Zulfazli is thrilled to see the style making a comeback, and hopes content creators will do proper research before uploading new videos.
A Different Perspective
TikTok influencer Izziatul Adlina Mohamed Shokri, who is among those who have shared content on ’90s makeup, agreed that the style of that era was simple and not too heavy, enhancing natural beauty without altering one’s original appearance. "As someone from Generation X, I feel offended by the way the younger ones are portraying ’90s makeup. Since when was ’90s makeup that ugly? Have you noticed that Gen X people tend to age well? It’s because they embrace the ‘less is more’ approach," she said in a video posted online.
Conclusion
The ’90s makeup trend on TikTok has sparked debate among makeup artists and netizens, with some feeling that the recreated looks lack authenticity. While the style of that era was indeed characterized by simplicity and natural tones, the modern recreations often feature excessive use of makeup, overshadowing one’s natural beauty. As the trend continues to evolve, it is essential to remember the true essence of ’90s makeup and to approach it with a sense of respect and understanding.
FAQs
- What was the typical makeup style of the 1990s?
- Thinly drawn eyebrows and dark lipstick shades like brown and purple were popular in the 1990s.
- What were the key features of ’90s makeup?
- Thin eyebrows, simple application of face powder without contouring, and natural tones were characteristic of ’90s makeup.
- How does the modern recreation of ’90s makeup differ from the original style?
- The recreated looks often feature excessive use of makeup, overshadowing one’s natural beauty, whereas the original style was characterized by simplicity and natural tones.
- What is the expert’s take on the modern recreation of ’90s makeup?
- Veteran makeup artist Zulfazli Suhadi feels that many content creators are using the wrong makeup techniques, which results in one’s natural beauty being overshadowed.