Cher Horowitz Vs. Angela Chase: Who's Your Back-to-School Beauty Guru?

Calin Van Paris
Updated

When it comes to back-to-school beauty, the ’90s have returned in full force. But if you’re having trouble figuring out which muse of the decade should best inform your look this fall, may we suggest asking yourself the following: Are you a Cher or are you an Angela? Era icons both, Clueless’s adorably hapless Cher Horowitz and My So-Called Life’s sensitive emo-heroine Angela Chase embraced wholly individual life philosophies—not to mention, above-the-neck looks.

If sunny, California girl optimism best defines your preppy, polished tastes, an aspirational blowout is the first step to achieving Cher’s brand of flawless glamour—perfectly suited to matchmaking and off-the-cuff debates: The right smoothing cream ensures hair that stays flyaway-free and groomed for a smooth fabric headband. A touch of metallic eyeshadow and a layer of sheer rosy lipstick guarantee that girlish sensibilities garner the attention they deserve—whether in the cafeteria, the quad, or the office.

Angela’s pared-down dreamer, on the other hand, was ideal for locker-leaning and late-night phone calls. If thoughtful brooding—not bubbly conversation—is more your style, start the season with the kind of Koolaid dye job that quite literally changed Angela Chase’s life. Staring down a quiet bad boy is best done through a kohl-lined gaze, while impeccable skin will lend eyeballing an air of cultivated innocence. In the true spirit of the era, lips should be coated in Clinique’s Black Honey lipstick. Just the sort of understated cult-favorite color Angela would love—awkwardly, of course.

In lieu of a beauty-centric syllabus, here’s everything to get the look.

Cher Horowitz vs. Angela Chase: Who’s Your Back-to-School Spirit Animal?

<h1 class="title">Cher Horowitz in <em>Clueless</em></h1><cite class="credit">Everett Collection</cite>

Cher Horowitz in Clueless

Everett Collection
IGK Car Service Blowout Balm, $29 Buy it now
IGK Car Service Blowout Balm, $29
Buy it now
Photo: Courtesy of IGK
Dior Dior Lacquer Stick in Bubble, $35 Buy it now
L. Erickson Italian Bandeau in White, $16 Buy it now
L. Erickson Italian Bandeau in White, $16
Buy it now
Photo: Courtesy of L. Erickson
Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi Effet Quadra Eyeshadow in Tissé Cambon, $61 Buy it now
<h1 class="title">Angela Davis in <em>My So-Called Life</em></h1><cite class="credit">Everett Collection</cite>

Angela Davis in My So-Called Life

Everett Collection
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $19 Buy it now
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $19
Buy it now
Photo: Courtesy of Clinique
Manic Panic Semi Permanent Hair Color Cream in Wildfire, $8 Buy it now
Manic Panic Semi Permanent Hair Color Cream in Wildfire, $8
Buy it now
Photo: Courtesy of Manic Panic
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Powder, $37 Buy it now
Stellar Hyper Eyeliner Retractable Pencil in Medea, $21 Buy it now

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