Before we met her as the ambitious Elle Woods from Legally Blonde in 2001, Reese Witherspoon was climbing the ranks of Hollywood—and looking fabulous while doing it. Few icons encapsulate the laissez-faire mood of ’90s beauty quite like the Cruel Intentions star. When working the red carpet, Witherspoon knew to let her silky blonde tresses do the talking—adding just a subtle touch of glamour with rich, rusty-toned lipstick, defined pencil-thin eyebrows, and lashings of mascara.
When it comes to her current beauty rules, the actress and producer has stayed true to her roots. “I’ve been thinking a lot about clean beauty,” she told luxury retailer Space NK. Before she heads off to work, Witherspoon always takes a moment of mindfulness by hydrating with a cup of tea. Then, it’s all about the skin prep, which includes applying the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer with a small brush to work the product in. On the makeup front, she still leans minimal, opting for creamy complexion sticks, sheer blushes, and Clinique’s legendary Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.
As she celebrates her 50th birthday today, Vogue looks back on Reese Witherspoon’s best beauty looks from the ’90s.
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1993
Photo: Getty Images
A luminous base, ghost lashes, and cherry red lipstick in Los Angeles.
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Backbeat premiere in Hollywood.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:485,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c24/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076425.jpg”},{“height”:971,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c24/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076425.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:971,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c24/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076425.jpg”},{“height”:1941,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c24/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076425.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1553,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c24/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076425.jpg”},{“height”:3106,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c24/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076425.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1941,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c24/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076425.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1941,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c24/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076425.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1994
Photo: Getty Images
Tousled tresses and a trendy brown lip at the Backbeat premiere in Hollywood.
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Waterworld premiere in Hollywood.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:483,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c25/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076107.jpg”},{“height”:967,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c25/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076107.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:967,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c25/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076107.jpg”},{“height”:1934,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c25/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076107.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1547,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c25/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076107.jpg”},{“height”:3094,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c25/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076107.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1934,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c25/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076107.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1934,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c25/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2214076107.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1995
Photo: Getty Images
Sleek, shoulder-length strands, scraped backwards with a cool pair of shades at the Waterworld premiere in Hollywood.
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Romeo and Juliet premiere.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:463,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c26/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-77076829.jpg”},{“height”:925,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c26/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-77076829.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:925,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c26/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-77076829.jpg”},{“height”:1851,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c26/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076829.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1480,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c26/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-77076829.jpg”},{“height”:2961,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c26/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-77076829.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1851,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c26/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076829.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1851,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c26/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076829.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1996
Photo: Getty Images
A simple matte base and glossy bob with bumped ends at the Romeo and Juliet premiere.
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Two Days in the Valley Hollywood premiere.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:475,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c27/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-77076752.jpg”},{“height”:950,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c27/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-77076752.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:950,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c27/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-77076752.jpg”},{“height”:1901,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c27/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076752.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1521,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c27/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-77076752.jpg”},{“height”:3042,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c27/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-77076752.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1901,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c27/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076752.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1901,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c27/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076752.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1996
Photo: Getty Images
Deep red lipstick to match her chic leather jacket at the Two Days in the Valley Hollywood premiere.
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The Frighteners world premiere in California.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:532,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c28/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-85660017.jpg”},{“height”:1064,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c28/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-85660017.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:1064,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c28/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-85660017.jpg”},{“height”:2129,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c28/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-85660017.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1703,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c28/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-85660017.jpg”},{“height”:3406,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c28/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-85660017.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:2129,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c28/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-85660017.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:2129,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c28/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-85660017.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1996
Photo: Getty Images
Side bangs tucked behind the ears at The Frighteners world premiere in California.
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Nowhere in West Hollywood.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:461,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c29/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-79800940.jpg”},{“height”:922,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c29/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-79800940.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:922,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c29/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-79800940.jpg”},{“height”:1844,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c29/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-79800940.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1476,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c29/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-79800940.jpg”},{“height”:2951,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c29/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-79800940.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1844,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c29/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-79800940.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1844,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c29/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-79800940.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1997
Photo: Getty Images
Twirly space buns at the premiere of Nowhere in West Hollywood.
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The House of Yes Hollywood premiere.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:435,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2a/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-156196021.jpg”},{“height”:870,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2a/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-156196021.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:870,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2a/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-156196021.jpg”},{“height”:1739,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2a/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-156196021.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1391,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2a/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-156196021.jpg”},{“height”:2783,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2a/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-156196021.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1739,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2a/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-156196021.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1739,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2a/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-156196021.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1997
Photo: Getty Images
A Rachel Green-inflected bob, plum red lip, and neutral base at The House of Yes Hollywood premiere.
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Can’t Hardly Wait premiere in Los Angeles.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:461,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2b/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-77076394.jpg”},{“height”:923,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2b/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-77076394.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:923,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2b/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-77076394.jpg”},{“height”:1846,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076394.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1477,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2b/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-77076394.jpg”},{“height”:2954,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2b/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-77076394.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1846,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076394.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1846,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-77076394.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1998
Photo: Getty Images
An elegant bun and coral red lip for the Can’t Hardly Wait premiere in Los Angeles.
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54 premiere in Hollywood.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:472,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2c/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-83077667.jpg”},{“height”:945,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2c/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-83077667.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:945,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2c/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-83077667.jpg”},{“height”:1890,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2c/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-83077667.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1512,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2c/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-83077667.jpg”},{“height”:3024,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2c/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-83077667.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1890,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2c/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-83077667.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1890,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2c/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-83077667.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1998
Photo: Getty Images
Icy blue eyeshadow at the 54 premiere in Hollywood.
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Cruel Intentions premiere in Westwood, California.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:488,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2d/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-851924.jpg”},{“height”:975,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2d/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-851924.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:975,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2d/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-851924.jpg”},{“height”:1951,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2d/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-851924.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1561,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2d/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-851924.jpg”},{“height”:3121,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2d/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-851924.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1951,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2d/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-851924.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1951,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69c004e2a0fcb0c622056c2d/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-851924.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
1999
Photo: Getty Images
Pinned-back waves and a sheer wash of blush at the Cruel Intentions premiere in Westwood, California.
