3 min read
While many beauty trends sit perfectly within a specific decade (big ’90s blowouts and frosty ’00s eye shadow), there are few that truly transcend the borders of their time. The exception to that rule is shimmer lipstick. You know, the kind that still earns a ’90s Pamela Anderson prime real estate on our mood boards even now.
Frosty lipsticks lend instant nostalgia to any look, which should come as no surprise given that the finish reigned supreme between the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, what makes this foiled effect even more alluring is the way it simultaneously speaks to beauty’s futuristic edge. There’s something undeniably editorial about a metallic frost: the unnaturally reflective shimmer, the icy undertone, the subtle sparkle. Everything about a frosty lip calls out to maximalists and fans of otherworldly, intergalactic beauty—yet, it remains one of the most enduring and iconic products of all time…and, according to TikTok, it’s about to be bigger than ever. Cue the “pearl lips” trend.
“We’re seeing a major revival in all things nostalgic and familiar, increasingly more customers are pulling from references from the early 2000s when shopping for makeup,” says M.A.C pro artist, Louise Ridsdale. “I can see this subtler version of a metallic lip as a gateway into bigger bolder beauty trends in the future.”
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What Is the “Pearl Lips” Makeup Trend?
“Pearl lips” welcome all the best parts of the vintage, frosty lipstick trend, reinterpreted through a modern lens. Think subtle, reflective glitters and metallic finishes—this time in pale, champagne-toned nudes and milky pastel pinks that nod to decades past with subtlety and sophistication. This is the furthest thing from your grandma’s flamingo-pink lipstick; it’s pure Pamela Anderson ’90s it-girl appeal. A far cry from the clean girl aesthetic without veering into grungy 2016 makeup territory. Fun, but classic.
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Tyra Banks
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Kate Moss
By nature, the “pearl lips” trend requires a more gilded, fizzy champagne tone to maintain that contemporary nude edge. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t adapt your color choice to suit your skin tone and undertone. A peachier frost will add subtle warmth to the look and prevent your lips from appearing lacklustre (see Tyra Banks’ look above), while a snowy, cool-toned pink can help you channel that pastel 2000s pop star energy or give you a luminous alternative to muted concealer lips. Lip liners also play a vital role in creating a modern, sculpted pout, so choose your shades wisely. Greys and smoky beiges are perfect for a striking supermodel look, while a nude of similar depth will shape the lip without drawing attention away from its shine.
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How to Recreate the “Pearl Lips” Trend
“For a slightly more subtle nod to the trend, pair Angel Frost lipstick with plenty of Dreamy Lipglass,” says Ridsdale. “The lipstick gives you that cool pink with a delicate frost while the lipglass adds a pouty glaze to the lip.”
When it comes to the rest of your makeup, try not to overthink or overdo it. If a skinny brow and sooty eye shadow have always been your signature, commit to the decade’s aesthetic in full. On the other hand, if you simply want to add some dazzle to your everyday beauty routine, just keep your base and eyes pared-back and let your subtle metallic lip do all the talking.
The Best Frosted Lipsticks to Achieve Pearl Lips
MAC Cosmetics Frost Lipstick in Angel
Isamaya Lips Metal- Sheer Metallic Balm in Shaded Rose
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick Iced Rose
