The CBK Routine: 9 Products to Master 90s Minimalist Beauty Today
If the past week has found you back in 1990s Manhattan, you’re in good company. Love Story, Hulu’s latest series from Ryan Murphy, has quietly reawakened an obsession that never quite faded: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
Not simply the woman, nor even the marriage, but the aesthetic; that studied restraint which felt so effortless it bordered on aloof.
What makes Carolyn enduring is that she never appeared to be trying. The slip dresses, the camel coats, the dark sunglasses. Her beauty followed the same principle. Skin kept clean and matte, with hair pulled back sleekly.
So this week at The Beauty Ed®, we’re looking at products that capture that same composure now. A clean, chic beauty guide that feels entirely in step with the moment, and, simultaneously, timeless.
♡ Gia's Pick: What Powder Did Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Use?
There has been renewed interest in the contents of her makeup bag, and yes, one product in particular remains the stuff of legend: MAC Studio Fix Powder, which Carolyn reportedly carried with her and pressed on before stepping out. (which friend Carole Radziwill later confirmed in her memoir, “What Remains”, that Bessette‑Kennedy had used that product religiously as part of her makeup routine).
Studio Fix remains one of the most versatile products in my own routine. It’s a two-in-one pressed powder and foundation that perfects without masking; ideal for touch-ups, events, long days, and evenings that blur into dinner. My MAC makeup artist mother swears by it for brides precisely because it photographs beautifully and reins in shine without flattening the skin.
The new reformulation only strengthens its place: now talc-free, with extended 24-hour oil control (the previous formula offered 12). If the Carolyn aesthetic is about looking composed, this is the powder that delivers it!
The Return of The Tortoise Headband
Carolyn’s chicness has always resided in the details; the headband is a particular favourite. Worn with a sleek ponytail or worn with natural, air-dried hair, it frames the face beautifully.
I have an entire drawer devoted to them. On rushed mornings or questionable hair days, a headband restores order in seconds!
With the recent resurgence of interest in Carolyn’s wardrobe, her preferred headband brand has come to light: Charles J. Wahba. The New York-based label produces its accessories in France, offering them in a wide plethora of shades, from understated neutrals to richer, more decisive hues.
Next stop: New York!
Insider Tip: For those who do not live in NYC, Etsy offers a great alternative. Independent makers across Europe produce beautifully crafted pieces that feel far more personal than their high-street counterparts; understated, timeless, and entirely in keeping with that clean, composed Carolyn finish.
My pick🌟: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1817275061/leopard-acetate-adjustable-headbandwide
♡ Hayley’s Picks: How To Master 90s Minimalist Makeup
As most of us fashion and beauty girlies, I’ve officially fallen down the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy rabbit hole. There’s something about that subtle, understated chic that only the most iconic women seem to posses, especially the ones who carved out their own identity, rather than simply existing as a trophy wife to the elite.
When I think of this aesthetic, I picture Cindy Crawford in her iconic Pepsi ad, effortlessly wearing the perfect white tank and cutoffs. I think of Princess Diana in bike shorts and an oversized crewneck. And, of course, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy herself, the embodiment of Cape Cod-meets-NYC minimalism.
A couple of staples in my beauty wardrobe feel undeniably and iconicly classic CBK-approved:
YSL Touche Éclat
The ultimate one-click brightener. The texture is dreamy and instantly lifts the complexion. While many use it only under the eyes, I love applying it around my frown lines, upper lip, and the creases around my nose in place of foundation. It glides on effortlessly, and I blend it with my ring finger for a dewy, subtly lifted look in seconds.
CHANEL Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue
CBK always wore a lip that completed the look without overpowering it, understated yet intentional. For me, that’s this dual-ended Chanel lippie. The pigmented side dries down to a comfortable, velvety matte finish, and the gloss on the other end adds the perfect touch of shine. Pro tip: try shade 112 Chic Rosewood for that effortlessly polished finish.
♡ Paloma’s Picks: The CBK Signature Scent & Lip Stain
Carolyn and JFK Jr are the epitome of NYC 90s chic, and while they passed before I was born, I’ve been pretty fascinated with them since I watched this documentary about their wedding a few years ago. I think part of the allure is their air of effortlessness and ease, while still looking fabulous. If you are looking to incorporate some CBK-inspired beauty products into your routine, look no further!
What Lipstick Did Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Wear?
One of the most popular 90s lip shades was the Bobbi Brown Ruby Stain, apparently a favourite of Bessette’s. They have since reformulated the product, but the shades are still the same, and the modern-day equivalent is their Crushed Lip Colour. I bought the Ruby shade a while ago and still love it - for a total CBK look, you really don’t need much other makeup than clean skin and a strong lip!
The Scent: Dedcool perfume, Xtra Milk
Carolyn famously loved Abdul Kareem’s Egyptian Musk Oil for her perfume, which is tricky to get your hands on today (though I’m told in my Instagram comments that local vendors sell it on the streets of NYC!) It’s described as “the white t-shirt of fragrances”, clean and fresh, yet still warm and familiar, which immediately made me think of one of my favourite perfumes at the moment, Dedcool Xtra Milk. I did some digging and found that they actually share a lot of the same notes; Egyptian Musk has amber, musk and patchouli, while Xtra Milk has bergamot, musk and amber.
♡ Donna’s Picks: Editorial Hair Must-Haves
Watching Love Story felt very nostalgic. I am 10 years younger than Carolyn yet her early career in fashion felt very reminiscent to mine. The glamorous fashion parties, the early Kate Moss era…looking back, the likes of Carolyn and Kate even made cigarette smoking look cool…
I forgot how understated beauty was back then. Chic, long, strong-parting hair that flowed into a slightly unkempt texture. A backlash to the early 90s full on boiffant supermodel styles.
Makeup was polished yet undone at the same time. It was the era of the lip versus the eye. Never both at the same time. If you dialed up the colour on your lip - your eyes remained bare - a look that I still adore to this day. There is nothing more chic than a bold lip and bare eyelashes.
To pull off a look like Carolyn’s, just like Hayley, YSL Touche Eclat was and still is my go-to for keeping eyes bright and natural looking. For lips, it is said that one of Carolyn’s go-tos was Face Stockholm Cranberry Veil Lipstick.
For hair, it’s all about the mousse or dry shampoo to add a bit of volume and hairspray to add texture. Ellnett was and still is the must-have hairspray for all decades hair - it’s the only one you can properly brush out. And Batiste Dry Shampoo can’t be beat for mopping up grease and giving hair that lived in look.
Which of these CBK staples will you be reaching for?
Have a great week!