Reviving the Iconic Monochrome Makeup Trend: How to Nail the Modern Look

Trends once popular always find their way back, and monochrome makeup from the 90s is no exception. Today’s beauty enthusiasts draw inspiration from that era, blending timeless styles with modern touches like luminosity, softness, and effortless chic.

If you thought 90s makeup was just a relic from old magazines and teen dramas, think again. This season, monochrome makeup is a top beauty sensation, especially for spring 2025. According to Ipsy, it’s among the hottest trends, making it the perfect time to master the art of wearing it well.

The core idea is simple: eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick all harmonize within the same color family. Back in the 90s, warm browns, brick reds, and terracotta shades ruled, famously worn by icons like Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston daily. Now, nearly three decades later, the look returns refined, with a sophisticated, updated flair.

Take Lily-Rose Depp’s appearance at the "Nosferatu" premiere as a prime example. She showcased a luxurious nude makeup palette in sandy beige tones — subtly smoky eyelids, gentle contouring, a hint of blush, and perfectly matched matte lipstick. The effect was natural yet polished and high-end. Want to replicate this? Here’s how to do it beautifully and with a modern edge.

Skip the Heavy Matte Finish

While mattes dominated the 90s on lips, eyes, and cheeks, today’s trend favors radiant, glowing skin. Opt for creamy and satin textures and add a touch of highlighter on cheekbones and inner eye corners for an illuminated effect.

Experiment with Color Variations

Monochrome doesn’t mean monotonous. Play with subtle shade shifts within the same color palette. For example, in a pink scheme, combine cool-toned pink eyeshadows with berry lip colors and muted blush. For brown hues like Lily-Rose Depp’s, mix caramel eyeshadow, coffee-colored lips, and peachy blush to add depth and complexity.

Shape Your Brows Naturally

Forget the over-plucked or barely-there brows of the 90s. Today, aim for natural yet groomed eyebrows. Use a brow gel and lightly fill in sparse areas for a polished but effortless look.

Embrace Lightness Over Heaviness

Heavy foundations, concealers, and harsh contouring are out. The current focus is on fresh, natural skin. Aim for a barely-there makeup effect, even if you spend 40 minutes perfecting your look.

New to this trend? Start with a nude beige monochrome like Lily-Rose Depp’s. It suits all skin tones if you select your nude shades wisely.

Essentials include creamy caramel or sandy eyeshadow applied across the movable eyelid and softly blended, peachy or beige-pink blush to refresh cheeks, a warm nude or caramel lip color, a soft brown pencil to subtly define the lash line, and volumizing mascara.

How to Choose Your Perfect Monochrome Shade

Struggling to pick your palette? Match it to your skin undertone:

Warm undertones (yellow, golden) — choose peachy, caramel, terracotta shades.

Cool undertones (pink, bluish) — opt for lilac, plum, berry tones.

Neutral undertones — go for versatile beige, pink, and natural nude colors.

For those hesitant to dive into full-face monochrome, start small. Try matching lips and cheeks first before adding eyeshadow. Multi-use cream products like lip and cheek tints or versatile sticks are great for a natural finish and easy blending. Apply blush first, then coordinate lips and eyes for balanced results.

Photo credits: Legion-Media.com, Pinterest

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