Over the past few days, I’ve probably spent more time that I should readily admit deep-diving into Cindy Crawford’s supermodel days, and I need to say this next bit aloud: Her makeup from the ’90s slays my life.
Smoky eye ’til I die, man. Where do I even begin?
One could characterize her makeup from that era as “classic,” but COME ON — Cindy Crawford at the height of her supermodel-ness was freaking iconic!
I loved her makeup back then, and I still love those looks now. I think that says something when… Wait — let me stop and do the math. This was almost 30 years ago! It says something when anything is still relevant after so long, and I’d bet my tubby tabby that those makeup looks will hold up pretty much forever. They’re timeless.
My fave thing for sure are the brows. She’s got full, lush brows that are a may-jah focal point, but they’re still soft, without any sharp edges or hard definition, so while they’re prominent, you’re not sucked into staring solely at those fuzzy little caterpillars.
In many of her makeup looks, she wears some kind of variation on a smoky eye that usually looks matte or semi-matte, and then she either does a nude or a red lip.
Look closely at the nude lip looks… See how there’s usually a darker unblended line at the edge? It’s so very ’90s. I haven’t worn unblended liner like that in ages, but I’ve been mildly curious about trying it again ever since I noticed that the makeup artist who does Kelly Clarkson’s makeup on The Voice does it a lot with Kelly’s nude lip looks.
I’m gonna revisit it again this week…
Oh, and then there’s Cindy’s cheeks! There’s something happening there, for sure, with the contouring and highlighting, but I love that there are no visible stripes of bronzer or over-the-top bling.
I really wonder who did the makeup in these images… I know Kevyn Aucoin worked with her a lot, but I have no idea if he did any of these looks.
Can’t forget to mention the hair. Maybe it’s because I came of age during the prime “hair bear” years, but I love me some big Cindy Crawford hair. My friend Gloria told me the other day that whenever she gets a blowout, she tells the stylist to give her Cindy Crawford ’90s hair, which is genius! Why haven’t I thought of that before? I rarely get a blowout, but if I ever get an opportunity to have someone work their magic on me with a T3 and a round brush, I’m gonna tell them to dial up the volume to the highest of ’90s Cindy Crawford hair heights.
Ideally, when this blowout occurs, I’ll be wearing a Cindy Crawford-style makeup look to go with the big hair, ha ha ha!
What do you think of this look? Does it excite you as much as it does me, or does it bore you to tears?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Cherie says
December 11th, 2018 at 7:24 amI think it still looks modern. These are clean looks that do not look overdone. She was my fave model of the 90’s and her hair! Talk about genetically blessed. I’ve never had that kind of hair my entire life (I’m 41) and I’ve always loved her locks. She doesn’t seem to age and I love to see what she wears now.
Karen says
December 11th, 2018 at 2:04 pmShe was mine, too. Remember when she hosted that fashion show on MTV called House of Style? I would program the VCR to tape it whenever it was on, LOL!
Katie says
December 11th, 2018 at 7:51 amI don’t know for sure, but these definitely look like Kevyn Aucoin looks to me! I love how these are definitely smokey eyes, but they don’t overwhelm her face and aren’t the only thing you look at. Basically, everything is super balanced, between brows, eyes, cheeks, and lips, they’re all interesting yet understated! Super classic.
Karen says
December 11th, 2018 at 2:03 pmRight? I get the same vibe. I know they worked together a lot…
Rachel says
December 11th, 2018 at 10:25 amShe is so pretty and her hair is gorgeous! I am excited for you to post some of her looks that you do on yourself because it will look different with your skin tone and hair, but still beautiful I’m sure!
Karen says
December 11th, 2018 at 2:02 pmEek, me too! I think this will be a great excuse to dig out some old neutral palette faves, like the Viseart matte one, which needs more love.
How’s your week going, Rachel?
Tracy says
December 11th, 2018 at 11:12 amHer looks are timeless for sure, although I’m not too sure about the big hair! I still equate big hair with tackiness, but the make up was and still is on point. I’m not a big fan of the instagram brows today, they look SO unnatural, and the piles of concealer they use to highlight their face, it all ends up being too much in person (but great on Instagram of course).
Karen says
December 11th, 2018 at 2:02 pmYeah that makeup look is amazing in Instagram pics, especially with blown out lighting. In real life it can be a lot of look! I keep wondering when it will go out of style but it feels like it is here to stay… GAH!
Tracy says
December 11th, 2018 at 2:57 pmAnd those women who do it are generally young and have good skin! Girl, why cover it up when it’s the best it will ever look with an inch of makeup?
This is why I love Lisa Eldridge….she’s a working make up artist who does make up that will look good in real life, which means as little as you can get away with!
Savannah says
December 11th, 2018 at 11:40 amOh, Cindy! Yes! I love everything. If I had the skills I’d do my hair and makeup the same way because- gorgeous!! It’s been mentioned above but it sums it up for me; her looks are timeless, clean and balanced. That’s why it still works! I love how you see Cindy… Not piles of makeup.
Karen says
December 11th, 2018 at 2:00 pmTotally! I love it when makeup makes a statement but it doesn’t take over.
kellly says
December 11th, 2018 at 11:47 amI was living in Texas then during her heyday and let me tell you, big hair? Bring it! Well done makeup? Always. Honey, we didn’t even leave the house to put out the trash without makeup on! And yeah, back then even full makeup didn’t have that mask-y look. Maybe it’s how products have changed and what people prefer now, I don’t know. Or maybe it’s the lighting since she’s modeling professionally and not DIY Instagramming, I don’t know.
Karen says
December 11th, 2018 at 1:59 pmI freaking LOVE that. I’ve never been to Texas but I have a feeling I’d fit right in, ha ha!
Lily says
December 11th, 2018 at 12:58 pmYes! The bigger the hair, the closer to God. LOL
Karen says
December 11th, 2018 at 1:56 pmThat was my motto back in the day and still is, ha ha ha!
kellly says
December 11th, 2018 at 2:11 pmLily, totally true! You must have lived there, too! 😀
Michele DiCola says
December 11th, 2018 at 1:01 pmI think she looks fabulous . And she has a model daughter who looks just like her !
My daughter in law met her and took a picture w her . I thought my DIL was the tallest person in the world until she posed ext to Cindy .
Love her hair and makeup!
Love her smoky eye .
Karen says
December 11th, 2018 at 1:55 pmYes, her daughter is Kaia Gerber, and she’s a spitting image of her mom.
Diana says
December 11th, 2018 at 4:33 pmMy favorite 90s supermodel, so naturally beautiful! I love the balance – everything is blended beautifully and her whole face is the focus – not just I need that eyeliner! I need that lip gloss etc no I need to look like Cindy lol Today i was wearing pillow talk lipliner and it migrated to the edges so i brought back the 90’s lip look!
Chelsea says
December 11th, 2018 at 4:59 pmIt’s such a classic look to me. I loooovw the big hair but my hair does not do that.
Karen says
December 12th, 2018 at 11:59 amYour hair might do it with lots of teasing and hairspray! That’s how everyone made it through the ’80s, ha ha ha!
Alli says
December 11th, 2018 at 5:09 pmHaha complete Texas hair! Karen you should come to Texas for sure:) I will find you a place to get Sky high blow out hair. I love the makeup! I agree Cindy is just a timeless beauty, but her makeup stands out enough that we can see she has on makeup. I wonder how in none of these pictures her makeup looks flat. It’s all truly matte, but I feel an all matte makeup look of today ends up looking cakey and flat.
Karen says
December 12th, 2018 at 11:58 amHi Alli,
I have family there and will end up visiting them eventually! I’ve always wanted to go to Austin, because I hear the music and food scene is awesome. And I’m sure the hair is big too, ha ha ha!
breyerchic04 says
December 11th, 2018 at 7:18 pmI am TOTALLY ready for the defined lip liner look. I didn’t start wearing makeup until right after that faded away and everyone wore juicy tubes all the time. Which are great, but ohh that liner!
Karen says
December 12th, 2018 at 11:55 amYES! I’m here for it too!
Linda Libra Loca says
December 12th, 2018 at 6:41 amTo this day the makeup (and hair) that I dream of!
Linda Libra Loca recently posted … Winter skincare tips – How to get glowing skin in winter
Karen says
December 12th, 2018 at 11:53 amYES!!!
Rachel Runyan says
December 12th, 2018 at 4:37 pmCindy was the best! Makeup, hair, everything. I think her style totally works now.
Rachel Runyan recently posted … Fourteen Hair and Head Accessories to Top Off Your Dark Ensembles
Kecia says
December 14th, 2018 at 5:11 pmCindy was & still is EVERYTHING! Do you watch Lip Sync Battle? She made a guest appearance when Zachary Quinto recreated George Michael’s “Freedom ’90” & O-M-GEE!!! She looked FABULOUS!
Her makeup looks are timeless & elegant, though the second photo in the red blazer is giving me Julia Roberts “Pretty Woman” vibes. ❤❤❤
Erica says
March 16th, 2019 at 8:35 amDefinitely signature makeup from the legendary Kevin Aucoin! Cindy and later Kate Moss were my everything growing up in the 90s. I bought A LOT of Revlon thanks to Cindy lol. Agree she is an icon and her whole aesthetic works today. Cindy forever❤