Makeup and hair products in the 1990s had a range of styles and trends, from natural and grunge looks to brighter and more glittery styles as the decade progressed. Here are some details about 1990s makeup and hair products:
Makeup
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Eyes and Lips: Whether going for a natural barely-there look or a bolder grunge style, eyes and lips were the focus of most 1990s makeup. Eyeshadow and eyeliner were popular, with color palettes ranging from burgundies and browns to pastel blue shadow paired with frosted lips. Burgundy or brick-brown lipstick was also a trend, with bright red being a staple for bolder looks and matte nude for more natural looks. Heavy lip liner, sometimes in a darker or contrasting tone, was also popular. Lip colors started out matte then gave way to glossy frosted lips later in the decade.
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Foundation and Blush: Natural foundation was key to many ‘90s styles to allow the eyes and lips to pop. Matte foundation was the standard base for most looks, with a generous amount of translucent powder to really nail down the matte finish. Blush was not the focus of most styles and tended to be more of a light dusting in pink or warm tones on the apple of the cheek.
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Body Glitter: Body glitter was also popular, especially among teens and young adults.
Hair Products
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Diffusion into Keratin: Hair cosmetics are products used to improve the appearance and health of hair. They can be divided into two categories: those that diffuse into the hair fiber and those that remain on the surface of the hair. Products that diffuse into the hair fiber include hair dyes, permanent waves, and hair straighteners. These products can cause damage to the hair if not used properly.
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Hair Care Products for Black Women: In the early 20th century, Madam C.J. Walker developed a line of hair care products for Black women. Many important pieces of legislation and regulation regarding cosmetic products were also established in the first half of the 20th century, such as the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which set up new protections for consumers against unlawful or harmful cosmetics, allowing the government to enforce law to prevent harmful materials to be used in cosmetic products.
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Natural Ingredients: The use of natural ingredients in cosmetics dates back to ancient times. The Egyptians used various organic and mineral materials to create makeup as far back as 4000 BCE. Henna was used to color hair and fingernails. In the 1960s and 1970s, committees and programs were created that reinforced the industry’s commitment to consumer safety. The International Cosmetic Ingredient Nomenclature Committee agreed that uniform names should be used for cosmetic ingredients industry-wide. In 1976, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel was formed to review data on the safety of ingredients used in cosmetic production.
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Chemicals in Cosmetics: Some cosmetic products contain chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, or other developmental or reproductive harm. Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury) are among the hazardous ingredients that have been reported in cosmetics products. Not all companies are complying with reporting requirements, and the extent of noncompliance is difficult to assess.
In summary, 1990s makeup and hair products had a range of styles and tr...
