90s makeup icon tut: penelope cruz

I've always been captivated by the effortless glamour of 90s supermodels and actresses, and Penelope Cruz's look from that era is simply iconic. That sultry gaze, perfectly defined lips, and a flawless yet natural base—it's a makeup aesthetic that truly stands the test of time. I recently decided to try my hand at a Penelope Cruz 90s makeup tutorial, focusing on that signature smokey eye, and I'm so excited to share my tips and tricks with you! First things first, achieving that authentic 90s vibe means starting with a fresh, somewhat natural base. Unlike today's heavily contoured looks, the 90s favored a more unified skin tone. I began with a light-to-medium coverage foundation, like Clinique Even Better, to even out my complexion without masking my natural skin. For any areas that needed a little extra brightening, I dabbed on a touch of YSL Beauty Touche Éclat. Blush was kept minimal and strategically placed; I used a cream blush in a subtle, rosy nude shade, like Merit Flush Balm in Post Modern, applied just on the apples of my cheeks for a healthy flush rather than a dramatic sculpt. Finally, a light dusting of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Powder helped set everything without looking cakey. Now, for the star of the show: the Penelope Cruz 90s smokey eye. This isn't your super dark, intense smokey eye; it's more about a sultry, elongated shape with diffused edges. I picked up my Clio Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette in Mute Library, as it has the perfect range of earthy browns and muted grays. I started by applying a medium brown shade all over my lid, blending it softly into the crease to create depth. Next, a deeper, almost charcoal gray was packed onto the outer corner and along the lash line, then blended upwards and outwards to create that classic winged-out smokey effect. The key here is blending, blending, blending! I kept a clean, fluffy brush handy to soften any harsh lines. For definition, a black eyeliner, like Wonderskin Eyeliner, was applied tightly along the upper lash line, with a slight smudge on the lower lash line to tie the look together. A few coats of a volumizing mascara, such as Kevyn Aucoin, completed the eyes, giving them that wide, alluring look. No 90s makeup tut would be complete without the lips! Penelope Cruz often sported a beautifully defined lip, usually in a deeper nude or plum tone. I started by lining my lips with a Romand Matte Lip Liner in Plum Burgundy. The trick is to slightly overline the Cupid's bow and the center of the bottom lip for a fuller appearance, then blend the liner inwards. For the lipstick, I reached for a Clinique Chubby Stick in Fuller Fig, which is a gorgeous brownish-rose shade that perfectly complements the smokey eye without competing with it. The combination gives a soft, yet polished look that screams 90s chic. Finally, for the brows, the 90s were all about natural, groomed arches. I simply brushed mine up with NYX Brow Glue to keep them in place, filling in any sparse areas with a brow pencil that matched my natural hair color. The goal wasn't to create sharp, dramatic brows, but to enhance what I already had. This whole makeup tutorial really brought me back to that era of confidence and understated glamour. It's an accessible look that still feels incredibly chic today, and I really enjoyed recreating it! I hope you're inspired to try out this iconic Penelope Cruz 90s makeup yourself.