The Best Beauty Moments From The Supermodels Of The '90s

The '90s were a defining decade for the fashion world. The era, remembered as the "Golden Age," was characterized by magazine covers and the dawn of the Internet. With the rise of technology, supermodels evolved into global celebrities. Despite being viewed as walking mannequins for years prior, the world started to take notice of their personal lives, too. It was a contrasting time for the design industry, as fashionistas embraced both maximalist and minimalist wardrobes. With that, an array of trends started to crop up and supermodels were having iconic beauty moments on and off the runway.

Some of the most-watched supermodels of the era include Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tyra Banks, Nadja Auermann, and Christy Turlington. However, in the mid-90s, a younger selection of faces arrived on the scene. Kate Moss was among the younger models who introduced a new aesthetic to the runway: fragility. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld described the new generation as childlike. "They are very young, very much like children—what's referred to like an elf. There is a kind of vulnerability about them. They need protection," he told Vogue in a 1996 interview (via Vogue).

While the newer models were often styled with a "less is more" approach, with too many aesthetics to choose from, there was barely a chance for them to find their niche. From pixie cuts and heavy fringes to thick eyebrows and no makeup at all, the supermodels contrasting looks made for some defining beauty moments.

One of the biggest beauty moments of the '90s was when Naomi Campbell walked for Vivienne Westwood in 1993.  Though she made headlines for tripping and falling at the event, the unintended slip only drew attention to her look. She had walked the runway wearing little-to-no makeup, except vibrant red lipstick – a major '90s trend. Her look was topped with a trendy pair of purple snakeskin platform heels.

Linda Evangelista took a stunning leap from long to short hair in 1988. The supermodel caused quite the stir when she agreed to cut off her long blond locks for a brunette pixie cut instead, as seen at the Jean Paul Gaultier show from that year. Not only did she maintain the iconic short look for quite some time, but she even dyed her hair berry red in the early-'90s. Stylists credited Evangelista's pixie cut for creating an androgynous approach toward fashion and the haircut has long been considered revolutionary in the modeling world. Her ever-changing hair color garnered attention and it wasn't long before she became known as the "chameleon."

In the mid-'90s, a new selection of younger models emerged in the industry who were hailed for wearing subtle eyeshadow and heavily contouring their cheekbones, as seen in this snapshot of Kate Moss from the 1995 Prada runway. Though she occasionally dared to wear no makeup on the runway, and looked good doing it, this subtle look became her signature. Decades later, sculpted cheekbones are still arguably considered one of the '90s beauty trends that will never go out of style.

Another major beauty moment from the '90s was when German supermodel Nadja Auermann won a spot in the "Guinness World Records" book as the model with the longest legs in the world. Her trademark garnered the attention of design giants, including Karl Lagerfeld, and she quickly became one of the highest-paid models in the industry. At 1.14 meters long, her legs earned her an estimated $2.5 million per year. At the 1994 Met Gala, Auermann showed off her famous pins in a lavender slip dress. The long gown featured a huge slit that rose to the top of her thigh.

Not only did Tyra Banks break barriers in the supermodel industry as one of the first Black women to achieve such fame, but she also made waves when she walked the runway for Fendi with a blond fringe in 1992. Banks' fringe represented the '90s obsession with bold fashion. Despite wearing a wig, unlike the wispy styles donned by some of Hollywood's most famous faces at the time, her bangs were blunt and heavy, as seen again at the 1993 Soul Train Awards. Birkin bangs were made popular by British actor Jane Birkin in the 1960s, but the hairstyle has made its way back a few times since then.

As seen on Tyra Banks at the 1997 Grammy Awards, frosted makeup looks dominated the '90s beauty scene — particularly for supermodels. Banks accentuated her bright undereyes at the event by adding a contrasting black eyeliner to her waterline. The shimmering technique was used to add depth and dimension to makeup styles. While the frosted makeup trend often consisted of applying light shades of blue or silver eyeshadow liberally across the eyelids, some models even took the technique to their lips. The icy look remained a trend in the early 2000s and has seen a resurgence in recent years.

Beauty spots also had their moment in the '90s, thanks to supermodel Cindy Crawford. After Marilyn Monroe popularized beauty marks in the 1950s, Crawford reignited the trend by refusing to cover her own. The supermodel was once insecure about her mole that rests above the corner of her mouth, and even wished to have it removed. Little did she know, her beauty mark would ultimately propel her into becoming one of the most famous supermodels in the world. Throughout her modeling career, Crawford symbolized Old Hollywood glamour and was commemorated for what has since been dubbed her "million-dollar mole."

In the '90s, while thinner eyebrows defined most makeup looks, notable supermodel Christy Turlington embraced the bigger brow trends and looked chic doing it. In an interview with InStyle, the supermodel said that her favorite beauty trend was a thick eyebrow. "I don't know if you can say this is strictly '90s, but I do love a good eyebrow. A good, strong eyebrow," Turlington said. Refusing to over-pluck her brows, Turlington's naturally fuller arches, as seen in the Valentino 1991 Couture show, turned them into a standout beauty statement of the era, proving strong brows could be just as glamorous as the decade's ultra-thin trend.