6 Ways to Wear Brown Lipstick in 2021 (and 2 That Date You Immediately)

When you think about the beauty trends that dominated the 90s and early 2000s, right up there with the roll-on body glitter and butterfly clips is brown lipstick. Brick, cinnamon, caramel and mauve: No shade of brown was off limits and no amount of sparkle or shine was considered too much.

Well, the earthy tone has made a major comeback in 2021 thanks to the likes of Gigi Hadid and the many famous faces of TikTok (i.e., the D’Amelio sisters). For those of us who are (ahem) seasoned enough to remember wearing the look, um, 20 years ago and are therefore wary about trying it again, we’ve got some fresh tips for wearing the shade without looking outdated.

As makeup artist Lisa Eldridge taught us: A little bit of lip liner can go a long way to enhance your pout (and even out any lopsided edges). She recommends laying down a base coat of lipstick to get a better idea of the natural shape of your lips before applying a liner in a similar shade using small, feathery circles.

Not to be confused with the frosted metallic looks that dominated the TRL countdown, the shimmer we speak of here is very subtle with ultra-fine flecks that add a touch of warmth to your lips. The end result is a lush, fuller-looking pout.

After more than a year of wearing face masks, many of us have gotten more creative with our eye makeup. And you know what always looks good with statement eyes? A neutral lip, as evidenced by Dixie D’Amelio here.

Time to cue up that Lil Mama anthem. (You know the one.) Lip gloss is back and better than ever. No longer overly scented or a magnet for flyaway hairs, the latest iterations deliver plenty of shine without the mess. Option to add a touch of gloss to your lids for an all-over glow.

Everything about this look screams 90s redux done right. We especially love the way Gigi’s eyeshadow, blush and lipstick all seem to be in the same shade

We love how minimal and fresh Olivia’s makeup looks here. It’s a nice palette cleanser to some of the heavier looks we’ve seen on social media over the last few years and a reminder that the teensiest flick of eyeliner and a swipe of a mauve-toned lipstick can really brighten up your entire face.

A bestselling product a hundred times over, this neutral liner is beloved by makeup artists, celebrities and editors alike for its flattering pink tones and smooth application.

Leave it to Rihanna to bring us a gloss that is, as its name implies, universal for anyone who simply wants to make their lips pop.

It’s the perfect rosy-brown lipstick that feels like butter on your lips.

If you like plenty of pigment and prefer a soft, matte finish, this will become your new favorite lipstick.