What do Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Pamela Anderson have in common? ‘90s Supermodel Lips. And the look is making waves in 2025, and I couldn’t wait to try it out. While I combed through countless photos of ‘90s icons, and a few present celebs (hello, Meg Thee Stallion), I enlisted the help of three professional makeup artists to share tips and tricks to nailing the hottest look of the year.
'90s Supermodel Lips Are Back—Here's How to Copy the Look
The magic of a lip liner
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Published Jun 16, 2025
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Meet the Experts
- Kim Paige is a professional makeup artist and brand ambassador for Black Radiance. She earned her certification at Los Angeles City College and started her career at beauty counters. Her work has been featured on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, commercials and in publications like Harper’s Bazaar and Insider. As the lead makeup artist for Perception Magazine, Kim has also worked with notable clients such as Julissa Bermudez, Iyanna Halley, and J. August Richards.
- Sara Wren is a professional makeup artist and director of artistry at Milk Makeup. She has 19 years of experience in the industry, with eight of those years spent at the brand. She specializes in developing brand campaigns, educating staff and creating social media content. She previously held positions at Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, MAC Cosmetics and Shu Uemura.
- Tisha Thompson is a makeup artist and founder of LYS Beauty with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She was previously a makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics as well as a vice president of marketing for PÜR. She launched LYS Beauty in February 2021 to dispel the myth around selling clean beauty and deep shade ranges around an affordable cost.
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What Are '90s Supermodel Lips?
This signature combo consists of a brown lip liner, nude matte or satin lipstick and a high-shine gloss. When combined with a voluminous blowout, contoured cheeks and a smokey eye, it encompasses the runway glam of the era. “‘90s supermodel lips are a timeless makeup look for a reason. While many people call it the ‘90s supermodel lip,’ you might also hear it referred to as ‘brown-lined lips,’ too. When it’s done with a bit more drama and glam, it’s often known as the ‘Pamela Anderson lip,” says Paige.
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While it was popularized by the iconic supermodels, the look really originated in street style, as well as chola and hip-hop culture. “We are seeing more textures with the Supermodel Lips in 2025. Glosses and long-wear lip liners have amped up this look to give it a more modern feel. In the ‘90s, Black and Latino communities made brown lip liners popular, especially when brands didn’t have the inclusive shades we have today, so sometimes that brown lip liner was an eye pencil instead,” explains Wren.
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Why Is It So Popular Right Now?
I actually predicted its return back in 2024, and I’m ecstatic it continues to be a popular lip combo. There’s no bells and whistles here—only neutral shades and a lip liner that you can rock daily. As Paige shares, “The ‘90s Supermodel Lips are polished and put-together, but still very wearable and modern. Plus, the beauty world has really shifted toward enhancing natural features rather than masking them, and this look nails it. Its ability to give lips a fuller, sculpted look without going overboard with filler or intense overlining makes it the perfect mix of natural and glam.”
It also just works for all skin tones. Since it involves nude products, you’re able to find shades that complement your complexion. “This trend has definitely gotten a modern refresh. With more inclusive shade ranges and formula innovations, people are putting their own spin on it, finding colors that complement their undertone, skin tone, and general makeup look. It’s less of a one size fits all approach and more about customization now with options of peach, nude, and mauve nudes,” shares Thompson.
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And it was all over the 2025 Met Gala, where Zendaya, Rihanna and Regina King all sported a version of this ‘90s trend. “The peachy-toned lipstick paired with a medium-contrast brown liner that is lightly blended to create soft edges makes for a luxurious statement look while maintaining a somewhat natural feel. Zendaya’s take on the lip not only showcases the versatility of the ‘90s supermodel lip but also serves as an excellent example of how different tones of liners and lipsticks complement and better suit various individual complexions, making it an achievable look for anyone with the right shade pairs,” says Paige. Simply put, it’s not going away anytime soon.
How to Wear ‘90s Supermodel Lips
It’s simple: you will need lipstick, lip gloss and lip liner. Once you got those three items, follow the MUA-approved steps below:
1. Prep Your Lips
The experts suggest prepping your lips, starting with some exfoliation to remove any dead skin. Then pop a thin layer of lip balm for smoother, moisturized lips.
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2. Being Lining Your Lips
The experts recommend looking for a lip pencil that’s two shades darker than your skin tone to create dimension. Think: brown, taupe or mauve liners. “Carefully line your lips, slightly over-lining just the Cupid’s bow and the center of your bottom lip to achieve a fuller look,” says Paige. “Try to stay close to your natural lip line on the sides to keep everything looking balanced.” In order to avoid harsh lines, use a brush or your finger to gently blend the liner inward for a softer finish.
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3. Apply a Creamy Matte Lipstick
On the flip side, choose a lipstick that’s similar to your natural lip color like pinks and nudes. Go for a creamy matte or satin lipstick and use the brush again to blend seamlessly with the liner.
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4. Layer On Lip Gloss or Tinted Lip Balm.
Once you applied your lip liner and lipstick, consider adding a dab of lip gloss (or tinted lip balm) to give it extra shine and a juicy pout. It’s entirely up to you, but we recommend a clear or rosy shade to really make everything pop.
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5. Clean Up Any Mistakes.
Paige recommends using a little concealer and a flat brush to sharpen the space and fix any over-lining mistakes. “The goal is contrast without looking too harsh. Remember, you want definition from the liner, but with a soft blend that still feels polished and effortless,” she adds.
Original Photography by Chelsea Candelario
After following the steps above, I can’t wait to make this a staple in my routine. Now, all I need to find is a runway to walk…
