The clocks are about to go back, shrouding our afternoons in darkness. With it any remnants of summer glow will depart from our skin while events requiring preening approach, and so the time has inevitably come where tweaking make-up is necessary.
The quickest and easiest shift is undeniably that of lipstick, not only because the colour can very quickly change the whole feel of make-up, but also because it instantly taps into trends thereby providing a very quick update.
Right now, the one to wear is, according to TikTok’s 31.5 million posts on the topic, ‘90s brown. I wouldn’t usually pay much attention to what TikTok decides is universally imperative when it comes to make-up, but I think on this occasion it’s worth consideration for several reasons. First, make-up in brown tones during late autumn with all its russet and yellow hues just looks right. Second, and most importantly, brown lipstick suits everyone. Sure, you still have the work of finding a brown that is precisely right for your face – and we’ll come to that shortly – but there is absolutely one that will work for you out there. Third, oddly enough the brown colour does the opposite of draining the skin but rather pulls it all together, creating the harmony that other colours don’t achieve as readily.
My final pro will require a little googling on your part, but if you look up ‘90s icons like Jennifer Aniston, Meg Ryan, Cindy Crawford, Alicia Silverstone, you’ll notice that they each have different style and different kinds of make-up, but the addition of brown lipstick makes them look of the era – and it is an era that is still very much the one to ape beauty-wise right now.
How to choose your brown? Partly, as with all make-up, it’s preference. Beyond that, you want something that matches the intensity of the rest of your make-up, so if you are wearing a really deep smoky eye, for it to look ‘90s, you want your lips to be pretty punchy too (look to Drew Barrymore for inspiration here). A good rule of thumb is always to choose an undertone for lipstick that works with your skin, so if your skin is warm, lean towards terracotta, and if it’s cool, you want more sludgy browns with a hint of grey.
Dior New Rouge Dior Couture Lipstick Velvet in 200
Containing a hint of pink, this is a very good entry level brown in a velvety matte finish that’s universally flattering.
Buy now £39.00, Selfridges
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick in Spice
This perfect ‘90s brown that is moisturising and offers buildable colour is bang on the money probably because it was created by Victoria Beckham, who spent the majority of the decade wearing excellent brown lipstick.
Buy now £37.00, Victoria Beckham Beauty
Laura Mercier Caviar Smoothing Matte Lipstick in Brown Suede
Want something a little deeper, a little cooler? This will be the one for you. Because it’s quite dark and matte and will therefore will really be the centrepiece of your look, remember to pay attention to the edges, either lining them for neatness or blurring for a modern finish.
Buy now £36.00, Boots
Lisa Eldridge Beauty Gloss Embrace in Affair
If going in with a full on lipstick terrifies you, add a nod to the ‘90s with this sheer, hydrating gloss in a warm cocoa colour.
Buy now, Selfridges
Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick in Rum Raisin
This colour was huge in the ‘90s, so if you want a colour that’ll look authentically very of the time, this is the one to go for.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
