The allure of ’90s beauty continues its powerful resurgence, with online searches for “nude glam” and “supermodel lips” seeing a significant uptick in recent years. This demonstrates a deep-seated appreciation for the era’s sophisticated yet seemingly effortless aesthetic. In the video above, actress Alexa Demie, renowned for her iconic looks as Maddy Perez in *Euphoria*, graciously shares her personal take on achieving this timeless ’90s nude glam. Her tutorial offers not just a step-by-step guide but also a fascinating glimpse into the influences that shaped her signature style.
For Demie, the foundation of any stunning makeup look is meticulously prepared skin. It is acknowledged that this crucial first step is often overlooked, yet its importance cannot be overstated. A clean canvas is invariably prioritized, whether achieved through a thorough cleanse or the swift action of a facial wipe, ensuring all excess oil and impurities are removed.
The Essential Skincare Foundation for ’90s Nude Glam
After cleansing, a hydrating mist is typically applied. Alexa expresses her profound obsession with Eminence products, valuing their organic composition derived from vegetables, flowers, and other botanicals. This natural approach to skincare is thought to provide a refreshing base, preparing the skin for subsequent layers of product.
A serum is then incorporated into the routine, applied gently before primer. The emphasis on skincare is deeply rooted in Demie’s upbringing; her mother, a makeup artist, consistently stressed the importance of washing one’s face nightly. This advice was passed down through generations, with her great-grandmother introducing creams and serums at an early age, establishing a lifelong dedication to skin health.
Following the serum, a primer is carefully smoothed over the skin. This step is designed to create a flawless canvas, ensuring makeup longevity and an even application. Imagine if this crucial preparatory work were skipped; the subsequent makeup might not adhere as smoothly or last as long.
Flawless Complexion: Foundation and Concealer Techniques
When it comes to foundation, a fluffy brush is preferred over a sponge. This choice is made to work the product into the skin seamlessly, achieving coverage that is not overly heavy. The product is also brought down onto the neck, preventing any noticeable lines between the face and body.
Concealer application is a strategic process, brought up and around the eye to create a uniform base for eyeshadow. It is also applied around the nose, addressing any redness or uneven tone. This method helps to brighten the under-eye area and correct imperfections, contributing to a polished finish.
A significant tip shared is the practice of “baking” under the eyes with setting powder. This technique, performed while eyeshadow is applied, helps to brighten hollow eyes and easily catch any eyeshadow fallout. Though it might appear dramatic initially, this method is highly effective for a luminous, long-lasting under-eye look.
Mastering the Signature Alexa Demie Eyeliner Wing
The eyeliner wing is a definitive element of Alexa Demie’s aesthetic, a signature she has cultivated since middle school. Her technique involves starting at the outer corner of the eye, creating a sharply pointed line that follows the natural curve. A Q-tip is then utilized to refine the line, achieving a fierce, almost “jaguar” like appearance.
The inner corners of the eyes are also brought in with eyeliner, contributing to this intense and striking look. This precise application ensures the eyes are framed powerfully, creating an unmistakable impact. It is a technique that requires practice but yields truly dramatic results.
Embracing ’90s Eye Makeup: Nudes, Creases, and Shimmer
For eyeshadow, a creamy nude shade is typically tapped onto the lid as a base. This provides a subtle yet effective canvas for further layering. A slightly darker color is then worked into the crease with a different brush, building depth and definition.
While ’90s makeup is often associated with matte finishes, a touch of glittery eyeshadow is sometimes incorporated over the base shades. This modern twist, featuring brown and gold tones, adds dimension and a contemporary sparkle to the classic nude look. The blending process is emphasized at every stage, a lesson learned from her mother’s consistent advice to avoid harsh lines.
A highlight is gently placed under the brow bone, enhancing the arch and opening up the eye area. This small detail can significantly elevate the overall eye makeup, adding a touch of luminosity and polish. The meticulous layering of shades and textures is key to achieving a nuanced look.
The Art of Contouring, Blush, and Bronzer
Blush, once disliked due to her mother’s enthusiastic application, is now embraced by Demie. It is applied while smiling, sweeping it up towards the hairline, adding a healthy flush to the cheeks. This placement helps to lift and sculpt the face subtly.
A contour palette is then employed, with product brought up into the cheekbones to define the facial structure. This step is followed by a light dusting of bronzer, which adds warmth to the complexion. The combination of contour and bronzer creates depth and a sun-kissed glow, enhancing natural bone structure.
A touch of highlighter is applied, often blending two shades for a customized glow. This illuminates the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, giving a radiant finish. It is a subtle yet impactful step, ensuring the skin appears luminous.
The Iconic ’90s Nude Lip: Liner, Lipstick, and Gloss
Lipliner is an absolute non-negotiable step for Alexa Demie, a practice she never skips. Sometimes, even multiple lipliners are layered to achieve the perfect depth and shade. This technique ensures precise definition and a lasting base for lipstick.
The meticulousness of lip layering is illustrated by an anecdote about Marilyn Monroe’s makeup artist, who reportedly layered up to seven different red shades on her lips. This historical insight underscores the impact of building dimension with multiple products. Demie recounts that the *Euphoria* pilot was the only episode where her lips were not lined, a detail that still “kills” her.
Following the lipliner, a light nude lipstick is applied, creating the classic ’90s base. This is then topped with a brown gloss, and sometimes another layer of Dior Lip Maximizer is added to the center of the lips for extra fullness and shine. This multi-layered approach to the ’90s nude glam lip is deeply inspired by her mother’s perfected ’90s looks and the supermodels of the era.
Final Touches: Brows, Lashes, and Setting
While brow filling is not a personal practice, brow gel is an indispensable item for Alexa Demie. Brows are brushed up and out, creating a naturally defined and lifted look. This simple step helps to frame the face and complete the eye makeup.
Despite having eyelash extensions, mascara is always applied. This “addiction” to mascara, often accompanied by fanning the lashes, ensures maximum volume and length. It is a personal preference that adds an extra touch of drama to her eye look.
To finalize the look, the same hydrating mist used at the beginning is lightly sprayed over the entire face. This step helps to set the makeup, allowing all the products to meld seamlessly into the skin, ensuring a fresh and dewy finish. The captivating ’90s nude glam is then complete, ready to be admired.
Unveiling More ’90s Glam: Your Burning Beauty Questions
What is ’90s nude glam’ in makeup?
’90s nude glam’ is a popular beauty trend that focuses on a sophisticated yet effortless aesthetic, featuring a flawless complexion, nude lip tones, and defined eyes. It’s inspired by the supermodels and beauty trends of the 1990s.
Why is skincare important before applying makeup?
Meticulously prepared skin is crucial because it creates a clean and hydrated canvas. This allows makeup to apply smoothly, adhere better, and ensures it lasts longer throughout the day.
What is a key step for Alexa Demie’s signature winged eyeliner?
Her technique involves starting at the outer corner of the eye to create a sharply pointed line. She then refines this line with a Q-tip to achieve a fierce and defined ‘jaguar-like’ appearance.
How is the iconic ’90s nude lip created?
The ’90s nude lip involves a non-negotiable lipliner, often layered for depth, followed by a light nude lipstick. It’s then typically topped with a brown gloss for extra fullness and shine.
