Fashion is a wheel, and right now, it has spun all the way back to the decade of the 90’s where grunge, slip dresses, supermodels, and the show, Friends, were all the rage. Welcome to my newest series, Try It or Skip It, the series where we take today’s hottest beauty trends and decide if they CURRENTLY belong in our makeup bags over 50!
Today, we are putting 90’s brown lips to the test.
Y’all already know I dig playing around with makeup trends like burgundy beauty, olive green eyes, and the latest bombshell beauty looks of Victoria’s Secret! And bringing this one back into my makeup routine, has certainly been a pleasant surprise!
If you remember the brown lips craze from the first time around, you probably picture stars like Cindy Crawford, Halle Berry, and all the ladies of the hit show, Friends, rocking it. From matte, to satin, and even frosted chocolate tones – any shade and finish of brown was an option!
Here’s a bit of history on the explosion of brown lips in the 90’s. Frustrated by the bright neon and frosted corals of the 1980s that she felt looked too artificial, up-and-coming makeup artist Bobbi Brown set out to create wearable, natural-looking shades. In 1991, she filled a massive gap in the market by launching 10 brown-based lipsticks—headlined by her very first creation, simply named “Brown”—to mimic the natural tone of women’s lips.
Debuting at Bergdorf Goodman with zero paid advertising and just 100 units in stock, her line sold out completely on its very first day, proving the immediate, widespread demand for a neutral aesthetic. Today, Bobbi Brown’s luxe hydrating lipsticks ($45) remain bestsellers at top department stores worldwide.
I’ll be honest — for years, I’ve shied away from true brown lip color because I felt it was too dull for my face. But I’m always willing to give a trend another try.
Brown lips feel very seasonal, so now is the perfect time to revisit this look — or try it for the first time.
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The Secret for Women Over 50: Texture + Undertones
Skip the super-flat mattes
Choose creamy satin finishes, hydrating lip oils, or velvety-soft mattes that keep lips looking plump.
Find your undertone
- Cool-toned: taupe, chocolate-mauve
- Warm-toned: terracotta, caramel brown
- Neutral: try everything until one clicks (I’m neutral!)
Soften the edges
Blend your liner into the lipstick for a seamless finish — skip the harsh 90s contrast.
Prep those lips
Dry lips + brown lipstick = no thank you.
I use the Mario Badescu Lip mask in “acai + vanilla” ($14) on myself and all clients before any lip color.
The Brown Shades I’m Sharing Today
I listed these from sheerest to boldest. No lip liner — I wanted you to see the true shade.
NYX Butter Gloss in “Brownie Drip” ($6) – Sheer brown gloss with red undertones. Affordable and beautiful. “Praline” is another great nude-brown.
Clarins Hydrating Water Lip Stain in “Mocha” ($21) – Warm brown matte stain. Natural, sheer, layerable.
Anastasia Beverly Hills “Mauve Cloud” lipstick ($26) – Featherweight matte with cool taupe-brown undertones. Soft, non-drying, and great for cooler complexions.
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Fenty Beauty “Sp’Ice Cold” Gloss Bomb Stix ($27) – Pinky-brown glossy lipstick with shimmer. More opaque than gloss, but shiny and hydrating. I shared previously in this post 5 Quick Step Makeup Routine.
Anastasia Beverly Hills “Brownie” Lip Velvet ($28) – Deep malt brown. Dramatic but beautiful when blended with a lip brush. You can check out my before and after of this shade come to life over on my Instagram page.
How to Keep Brown Lips Modern Over 50
Brown lipstick can wash you out if you aren’t careful — so adjust the rest of your makeup.
To keep the look modern and sophisticated, your overall makeup strategy might need to change. Brown lipstick can easily wash you out if you aren’t careful.
A classic denim jacket (but with a puffed sleeve for flair) always works with ANY makeup trend!! Try the likes of this ¾ sleeved Revolve one or this Avara puff sleeved jacket that comes in 4 other denim shades.
Add warmth back to the cheeks
Use peach or terracotta blush. My go-to: Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic, “Pillow Talk” ($43), with a hint of luminosity to it.
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Keep the eyes soft and bright
Champagne or bronze shimmer on the lids + lots of mascara. Colored liner like Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal eyeliners ($35) would complement nicely.
Frequently Asked Questions About 90s Brown Lipstick
Is brown lipstick back in style?
Absolutely — but today’s versions are more versatile, from sheer mocha to rich chocolate.
How do you choose the right shade?
Match your undertone: warm = caramel/terracotta, cool = taupe/mauve-brown.
How can women over 50 wear brown lipstick without looking older?
Choose hydrating formulas, prep lips well, add blush, and keep eyes bright.
Try It or Skip It
Now it’s your turn — are we embracing our inner 90s supermodel, or skipping this one?
TRY IT or SKIP IT? Tell me in the comments!
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