Beachy Hair
When Yves Saint Laurent said, "Fashions fade; style is eternal," he might not have been talking about beachy waves, but the sentiment holds. Long, windswept strands, which gained steam in the '90s, are now ubiquitous, from the office to the runway. "Beachy hair should carry over from day to night, so it can't be such a mess that you can't wear it to a cocktail party," says hairstylist Ashley Javier. "Aim for a rougher, edgier version of Veronica Lake curls."
Beachy Hair
To get enviable tousled tresses try Bumble and bumble Surf Spray, the classic go-to for sexy beach waves. Makeup artist Francelle used creamy beige Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Tashkent on lips. For nails, try Essie's bright Knockout Pout.
The Stained Lip
Between the lipstick-crazy '80s and the lip-gloss-loving 2000s, stained lips rocked the '90s as a sheer, pretty complement to the prevailing less-is-more natural look. Today's stains are nondrying and long-lasting, won't transfer to your teeth, and can tint lips from a barely there pink to a vampy deep plum. "You want no shine," says Nars national makeup artist Francelle, who used a matte lipstick on model Hyoni Kang. "Color should look stained into the lip, not applied on top."
The Stained Lip
Clockwise from top: Francelle glossed Hyoni's eyelids with lip balm, but kept lips shine-free with Nars lipstick in Volga. Other top tints: CoverGirl Outlast Stain in Bit of Blossom, Revlon Colorstay Just Bitten Lipstain in Beloved, Benefit Posietint, Stila Lip & Cheek Stain in Pomegranate Crush.
Metallic Makeup
Chromed finishes may have been over the top and hard-edged in the '80s, but the advent of microfine shimmer has made the look softer and more universally flattering. "Metallics work on everyone, regardless of age, eye shape, or color," Francelle says. "It's a hint of life on the lid." To keep the shine modern—not robotic—limit reflective shades to eyes and highlighted cheekbones, as Francelle did on model Chrishell Stubbs. "It should look simple and effortless."
Metallic Makeup
From left: For long-lasting luminosity, layer a cream shadow such as Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in 12 Golden Copper or Maybelline New York creams from the Pedal to the Metal trio under a gilt-y powder such as L'Oréal HIP Duo in Gilded.
Colorful Smoky Eye
The modern iteration of the smoky eye is all about a flash of notice-me color. While smudgy black shadow has long been the never-fail shorthand for sultry, nighttime looks, the development of ultrablendable, vibrant pigments has made it easy to experiment with bright, unexpected hues. "With a jewel-tone eye, makeup is jewelry for the face," says Francelle, who bedazzled model Pamela Bernier's lids with Nars Night Porter and Star Sailor shadows.
Colorful Smoky Eye
From top: Francelle recommends starting with a base of matte black shadow under your chosen green. We love Clé de Peau eye shadow in Emerald, Maybelline New York eye shadow in Ivy Icon, and Shiseido Luminizing Eye Satin Trio in Jungle.
Flatironed Hair
After the big hair that dominated most of the '80s deflated, it was time to go straight. With the introduction of mass-market flatirons, women could achieve sleek strands at home in minutes, and the launch of John Frieda's Frizz-Ease serum in 1992 ensured humidity-defying silkiness and shine. "We knew it would be big when we developed it," Frieda says. "But the response was overwhelming. You'd have thought I'd invented penicillin."
Flatironed Hair
From left: Prone to frizz? Prep damp strands with classic Frizz-Ease before blow-drying. Then "try to glide the iron rather than clamping it; otherwise hair will be too straight," says Javier, who smoothed model Julia Svets' naturally curly hair. "Always finish by adding shine." Try Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shine Spray by Paul Mitchell, 30 years young this year. Keep kinks at bay with a blast of Sebastian Re-Shaper Strong Hold Hairspray, celebrating its 25th anniversary.
