Pamela Anderson made a striking appearance in Milan in a flowing metallic gold gown, a look that quickly drew contrasting reactions online.

Anderson’s approach to beauty has shifted considerably since the bold makeup and glitter of her ’90s era. After embracing makeup-free appearances in recent years, she has continued to experiment with how she presents herself.

Anderson’s ’90s Style Came With Makeup, Glitter, and a Sense of Fun
Anderson’s ’90s style continues to attract attention decades later, but she remembers that period as less calculated than it might appear in hindsight.

Speaking with Elle in 2023, Anderson described her aesthetic at the time as “wild and uninhibited.” For her, having fun was central to the way she approached the look.

I don’t know if it was a defense mechanism or what,” she said. “I just thought, ‘I’m going to have fun.'”

Her makeup sometimes carried over from one day to the next. Anderson recalled leaving on traces of the previous day’s makeup, while glitter could remain for even longer.

That sparkle occasionally followed her to her children’s school. While volunteering there, Anderson said she would sometimes catch her reflection and notice glitter still covering her face.

She could laugh about the contrast. “Which doesn’t make you a bad mom, just because you’re covered in glitter,” Anderson said. Decades later, Anderson briefly revisited that era for a 2024 Smashbox campaign.

The collaboration gave her an opportunity she said had not been available to her in the ’90s. Anderson told Harper’s Bazaar (HB) that the beauty industry had not been looking at her for campaigns like Smashbox’s at the time.

“But now, since the ’90s are popular, I’m just going to take that,” she said. “I’m just going to be happy about it.”

Pamela Anderson holds one of the heart-shaped makeup kits from her “Pamela” cosmetics line at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on June 12, 1999. The cruelty-free products were unveiled at an event where Anderson autographed kits to be sold in support of PETA. | Source: Getty Images
Pamela Anderson holds one of the heart-shaped makeup kits from her “Pamela” cosmetics line at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on June 12, 1999. The cruelty-free products were unveiled at an event where Anderson autographed kits to be sold in support of PETA. | Source: Getty Images