The minimalist reign of the '90s fashion era was characterised by streamlined silhouettes and refined simplicity. The nude lip became synonymous with this decade and even transcended into the 2000s, influencing not just fashion but also beauty trends. Arab 'it' girls and celebrities, including Riham Abdelghafour, Heifa Wehbe, Menna Shalaby, Youssra, Fifi Abdou, and others, championed the sheer lip look, solidifying its place in fashion history.

The nude lip exemplified the irresistible allure of less-is-more, offering effortless and understated elegance that encapsulated the innate glamour and refined grace of the era. These Arab starlets became the epitome of this aesthetic. Today, the nude lip remains a timeless essential, serving as a hallmark of that stripped-down moment in style. Its elegant minimalism continues to enchant and inspire, reminding us of the beauty found in simplicity, liberated from excess.

Up for a trip down memory lane? Here’s a look at some of the times celebrities dazzled in shades of nude.

Assala & Sherine Abdelwahab

Syrian singer Assala and Egyptian songstress Sherine Abdelwahab delivered an emotional performance at the Casino du Liban in Jounieh, Lebanon in 2007 - their nude lips expressing the raw feeling of their melody through sheer simplicity and natural elegance.

Latifa

Tunisian pop singer Latifa dazzles at the 2004 World Music Awards in Las Vegas, her nude lips catching the lights as camera shutters click, capturing her smile.

Heifa Wehbe

Lebanese pop star Haifa Wehbi strikes a sultry pose, finger to her nude lip, as she presents her new jewellery line in Beirut in 2005, exuding the minimal elegance and timeless allure of the era through her effortless sense of style.

Razan Maghrabi

Lebanese television presenter Razan Moghrabi - representing Middle East Broadcasting Corporation's move to Dubai in 2002 - serves in Y2K nude pink lipstick.

Yousra El-Lozy

Egyptian actress Yousra El-Lozy at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival with a nude pink lip and an understated black top.

Hanan Mutawaa, Riham Abdel Ghafour, Menna Shalaby and Nirmine Al-Fiqqi

Egyptian actresses Hanan Mutawaa, Riham Abdel Ghafour, Menna Shalabi and Nirmine Al-Fiqqi share a joyful embrace at an event organised by Egyptian businessman and film producer Kamel Abu Ali to celebrate the start of filming ‘Khiyana Shariya’ and ‘Ahzan Maryam’, their nude lips smiling along with their eyes in a moment of delight and friendship captured on camera.

Ghada Adel, Menna Shalaby and Riham Abdel Ghafour

Egyptian actresses Ghada Adel, Menna Shalaby and Riham Abdel Ghafour flash cheerful smiles at the premiere of Shalabi's film ‘Indian Movie’ in 2003 - their nude lips accentuating their joy and sense of glamour on the red carpet.

Najlaa Fathi and Mirvat Amin

Egyptian actresses Najlaa Fathi and Mirvat Amin are caught unawares in a candid moment at the opening ceremony of the Cairo International Film Festival circa 2000.

Youssra

Egyptian actress Youssra stuns at the closing ceremony of the Cairo Film Festival ‘00, her cascading curls pulled up in a tousled updo and sheer navy lace gown accentuating her natural beauty.

Laila Eloui

Egyptian actress Laila Eloui stunned in an off-shoulder glittering champagne gown at a dinner during the 2000 Cairo Film Festival, dedicated to late Egyptian cinema icon Souad Hosni.

Mervat Amin & Riham Abdel Ghafour

Egyptian film star Mervat Amin shares an affectionate embrace with rising actress Riham Abdel Ghafour, flashing warm smiles for the camera before the opening ceremony of the Alexandria International Film Festival.

Fifi Abdou & Lucy

Egyptian actress and dancer Fifi Abdou and fellow dancer Lucy flash smiles for photographers at the 2010 Cairo Film Festival - their nude lips accentuating their radiant joy and sense of glamour.