1980s: Bold Brows
Ugly Betty gave caterpillar eyebrows a bad rap, but in the 1980s they were actually super cool—and the trend is coming back (see the fall and spring catwalks for evidence). While some opted for full au naturel arches like Brooke Shields' others went the way of Paula Abdul, sporting filled-in brows shades darker than their highlighted manes.
1980s: Big Hair
The bigger, the better! In the 1980s, hairspray was a necessity—especially when crafting high, scrunchi-secured ponytails like the one Madonna wore to the American Music Awards in 1985. A perm and tress-teasing were also must-dos, as Whitney Houston's 1986 va-va-voom style demonstrates.
1980s: Contoured Makeup
Sculpted cheeks paired with expertly shaded eyelids and brow-bones were the norm in the 1980s. And if you were Cher, "working girl" Melanie Griffith, Debbie Harry, or Boy George, you embraced this trend like there was no tomorrow.
1990s: Grungy Bed-Head
Kate Moss' slick, days-old strands from the early-'90s have long been replicated on the runway—most notably at Alexander Wang's fall 2010 show. Bed-head was also a favorite of the grunge scene's first lady, Hole's Courtney Love, who wore her hair bleached, mussed, and matte.
1990s: Boyish Pixie Cut
Besides ushering in the era of waif-like models (see Kate Moss), the `90s also brought a new wave of androgyny. Instead of making a statement with a shoulder-padded `80s power suit, you could chop your locks into a boyish crop. Popularized by Linda Evangelista, Winona Ryder, and Demi Moore, the 'do was a cut above the rest.
1990s: Brown-Based Lipstick
From chocolate-reds like Drew Barrymore's to rosy taupes like Cindy Crawford's, brown lipstick was a '90s mainstay. For an extra-plush pucker, you could outline with a creamy lip liner—a shade darker than your lip color, of course!
1990s: Flatironed Tresses
In the late-'90s flatironed strands were the way to go—and God forbid you tuck them behind your ear. Hair could be pin-straight (Gwyneth Paltrow), flipped out (Sandra Bullock), or curled under (Jennifer Aniston) but if it wasn't hanging flat against the sides of your face, forget it.
1990s: Light-Colored Eye Shadow
To play up your eyes in the latter part of the '90s, you'd naturally reach for a lightly-hued shadow (think baby-blue, soft white, or lavender)—one that was preferably frosted and sparkly. See Britney Spears, Ashley Judd, and Claire Danes for pointers.
2000s: Cornrows
Combine the mainstreaming of hip-hop music with MTV's repetitive broadcasts of cornrow-sporting spring-breakers partying on sandy beaches, and it's no wonder the hair trend caught on. Stars like Jessica Simpson, Beyoncé, and Fergie wearing the plaited style only served to boost its popularity more...
2000s: Asymmetrical Bob
2007 might as well been dubbed the Year of the Bob. After Victoria Beckham debuted the asymmetrical cut everyone—including her then-B.F.F. Katie Holmes and Rihanna (pictured here)—followed suit.
2000s: The Cat-Eye
Credit Dita Von Teese and Amy Winehouse with bringing back the classic cat-eye—which is now more prolific than ever (see Nicole Richie's recent Oscar look, the ladies of Mad Men, this season's runway shows, etc.). To pull off this trend, a slight tick at the outer corners of the eyes is all you need...
2000s: High Bun
Buns are a staple—whether worn messy or sleek, there's nothing more effortlessly chic than a chignon. Traditional placement under the occipital bone or at the nape of the neck is always fair game, but for a trendier twist go for the top of the head like Kate Bosworth, Jessica Alba, and Jennifer Lopez recently did.
2000s: Ombré Hair Color
Now you don't have to worry about your roots showing! The graduated hair-color trend we told you about in June is still in for fall, according to celebrity hair gurus Ashley Javier (clients: Penélope Cruz, Chloë Sevigny, Lauren Bush) and George Papanikolas (Nicole Richie, Jessica Stroup). Whitney Port and Rachel Bilson are both fans of the ombré look.
