Honoring the Timeless Charm of Clueless Three Decades On

      When Clueless debuted in theaters in 1995, I was a teenage girl with a Caboodle full of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers and dreams of owning my very own Contempo Casuals credit card. I believed I was captivated by Mona May’s costume design, but I was equally taken with the makeup and hair—the beauty styles were just as memorable as the fashion. Cher (Alicia Silverstone) sported a glossy, envy-inducing blowout, while Tai’s (Brittany Murphy) grunge-to-glam makeover resonated with me. I’m also convinced that Dionne’s (Stacey Dash) signature red lips imprinted on my subconscious, making red my go-to color, and let's not forget Amber's (Elisa Donovan) love for diverse hairstyles. She’s an underrated beauty icon! As Clueless celebrates its 30th anniversary, there are many ways to commemorate this cherished film. You could stay at the new “Clueless Suite” at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills (which includes a $100 Bloomingdale’s gift card, a makeup consultation with Dior Beauty, and a custom facial at Joanna Czech Studio) or shop May’s curated collection at The RealReal. Alternatively, you can join me in revisiting the beauty and creativity behind the film that still inspires makeover montages today. Continue reading to discover the makeup and hair products used on our favorite Beverly Hills teen beauty icons, directly from the film's makeup artists and hairstylist.

      How Clueless Perfected '90s Beauty One MAC Pencil at a Time

      While the fashion world has extensively chronicled Cher’s plaid outfits and Dionne’s unique hats, the makeup in Clueless remains an underrated highlight. Who wouldn’t want Cher’s soft, radiant skin? “Her makeup was meant to be clean and pretty,” reveals Alan Friedman, the film's makeup supervisor, to Who What Wear. “Since there were only a couple of moments where the makeup needed to convey something specific, like when she was going to a party or on a date, I kept her makeup simple and consistent, allowing the hairstylists and wardrobe to shine.” Indeed, Cher’s makeup focused on minimal glamour. It centered around “brows, grooming, concealer, and mascara, achieving that good skin look,” adds Geri Oppenheim, assistant makeup artist. When it comes to products, one thing is clear: The girls at Bronson Alcott High School had a strong affinity for MAC. Friedman used MAC Malt lipstick and Raizin lip liner in some of Cher’s scenes. However, you won’t be able to replicate the exact look, as they have long been discontinued.

      Oppenheim confirmed my long-held suspicion about the use of MAC Spice lip liner in the film on both Cher and Tai! “For Brittany, I sometimes filled her entire mouth with Spice and then applied Chapstick on top,” she says. “I still do it today for a natural look with a bit of moisture.” It’s that iconic '90s combo—Spice and shine. Fortunately, MAC released Cool Spice, which closely resembles the original cool-toned Spice liner. Oppenheim also shared that Murphy completely removed all her makeup during lunch on her first day because she didn’t realize she wasn’t supposed to. “I was like, what happened?” she chuckles.

      For Dionne’s signature red lip, Oppenheim recalls using MAC Chili. “That was really popular in the '90s,” she reflects. She also remembers Dash being initially hesitant about the makeup, but Oppenheim, who had experience working on several Black sitcoms, including The Parkers and Moesha, as well as the Tina Turner biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It, came prepared. “I used a lot of Iman’s makeup on Stacey... She was thrilled when I brought it out. I also used Naomi Sims,” she states. Before Fenty, these brands were crucial during a time when many makeup lines didn’t cater to deeper skin tones.

      While the trendiest MAC lip colors of the era made it into the film, Friedman wasn't trying to chase trends. He focused on creating timeless makeup. Years later, he realized the film had become a beauty touchstone while running a destination wedding makeup business. “In far too many instances, the night before I was set to prep the bride and her wedding party, everyone had watched their cherished DVD of Clueless! It became a rite of passage, I suppose,” he shares.

      How the Hair in Clueless Became a '90s Beauty Blueprint

      It’s no exaggeration to say that Cher’s hair is among the most recognizable blowouts in film history. It was sleek and soft, exuding that effortlessly tossed look characteristic of the pre-flat iron '90s era. “I envisioned Alicia’s hair to resemble spun gold,” explains Nina Paskowitz, the head of the hair department. As “Miss Natural Nina,” she