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Launching today, right as the '90s aesthetic makes a major comeback, MAC Cosmetics’ newest limited-edition line has been in development for years. Thanks to persistent requests from devoted fans, the R&B legend Aaliyah is now celebrated with a 12-piece assortment of lipsticks, eyeshadows, and glosses drawn from her personal makeup kit.
This collection perfectly captures the iconic look of the '90s star (featuring the signature satin nude lip from the “Try Again” music video) while also envisioning how her beauty style might have progressed in 2018. The modern set defies eras and fads, winning over both longtime admirers and newcomers with Aaliyah’s classic, subtle elegance. Her lasting impact is what cements her as a true icon.
To mark the release, we’re sharing step-by-step guides for two of our favorite Aaliyah-inspired looks to help you channel her “tomboy ingenue” vibe. For best results, listen to this '90s powerhouse while you apply.
A GAZE WORTHY OF "ONE IN A MILLION"
- Begin by creating strong brows: apply Fluidline brow gel using a 266S small angled brush. Then, open the Age Ain’t Nothing Eyeshadow Times Nine palette and use Lovesmoke (top row, far left) on the brow bone to add highlight.
- For the eyes, start with Prep + Prime eye base. Next, blend two matte shades from the palette—Princess of Soul (middle row, far right) and Dance in the Dark (bottom row, far right)—and sweep them gently across the lid. In the crease, apply the satin hue That Somebody (center) for a soft golden shimmer.
- Aaliyah’s smoky, lined eyes were essential to her signature style, perfectly showcased in her “One in a Million” video. Take Dance in the Dark on a 239S eye shader brush and trace along the upper and lower lash lines. Using shadow to line the eyes creates the diffused, slightly smudged effect the singer was known for.
- Complete the eyes with In Extreme Dimension mascara.
- For lips, start with Prep + Prime color-free base. Then, use the Fresh Clay lip pencil to outline the lips with a heavy hand for that full '90s look. Apply a bit of Try Again lipstick to the center of the lips and blot to spread the color. Finish the pout with a swipe of Brooklyn Born lipglass.
- To contour, dust Baby Girl bronzing powder along the cheekbones, temples, and sides of the nose using an angled 168S contour brush.
LIPS FOR "MORE THAN A WOMAN"
- Skip contouring; instead, lightly dust Baby Girl bronzing powder across the high points of the face to achieve an overall glow. (The 140S fan brush works perfectly for this.)
- Again, apply eye base to the lids, then brush on a mix of That Somebody and Dance in the Dark eyeshadows. Use a 224S tapered blending brush with the soft-brown shade Princess of Soul in the crease to further define the eyes.
- To line the eyes, use Blacktrack Fluidline with a 210 precise eyeliner brush on both the upper and lower waterlines. The key is to stay very close to the waterlines to create the illusion of fuller lashes rather than a bold liner. Finally, apply Bold & Bad mascara to complete this neutral smoky eye.
- For brows, use the brow sculpt to achieve soft yet defined arches. Again, apply Lovesmoke to the brow bone for extra highlight.
- For the bold lip, start with primer, then fill in the lips using Nevermore and Follow Your Heart lip pencils. The pure black and bluish-red liners combine to create a deep warm brick color. Top that with More Than a Woman lipstick to intensify the red. For “If Your Girl Only Knew” vibes, finish the lips with lipglass in At Your Best You Are. The final result is Aaliyah’s signature brown-berry pout.
Aaliyah by MAC
