The 1990s were a glorious mashup of questionable fashion, over-the-top trends, and cultural quirks that defined a generation. For teen girls growing up during the era of Tamagotchis and boy bands, these obsessions felt like the height of cool. Fast forward a few decades, and it’s hard not to look back with a mix of nostalgia and mild embarrassment. Many of these fads haven’t aged particularly well, and some seem downright confusing by today’s standards. From glitter overload to bizarre beauty rituals, here are 10 things ’90s teen girls were obsessed with that now make little to no sense.
1. Frosted Everything from Lip Gloss to Tips
In the ’90s, being “frosted” wasn’t about cupcakes—it was a beauty mission. From pale lavender lip gloss to icy blue eyeshadow and frosted tips on hair, teen girls were obsessed with shimmer and sheen. Drugstore makeup aisles were loaded with metallic finishes, and magazines like Seventeen promoted the look as chic and modern. But looking back, the overuse of silvery hues created a cold, washed-out appearance that didn’t flatter many skin tones. Today’s more natural and warm-toned palettes make us wonder why we ever thought looking like an icicle was the ultimate beauty goal.
2. Collecting Beanie Babies Like They Were Investments
If you didn’t have a shelf full of Ty Beanie Babies, were you even a ’90s kid? These stuffed animals were treated less like toys and more like fine art. Teen girls proudly displayed them with plastic tag protectors and memorized their names and birthdays as if they were part of an exclusive club. Some believed they’d be worth a fortune one day, prompting intense collecting and trading. Fast-forward to now, and most Beanie Babies are worth far less than expected. The craze faded, leaving behind boxes of plush toys and a few humorous memories.
3. Writing in Gel Pens and Scented Markers
There was something deeply satisfying about scribbling notes in sparkly gel pens or rainbow-scented markers. For teen girls in the ’90s, standard blue ink was boring—why not write your homework in neon green or bubblegum pink that smelled like watermelon? Entire pencil cases were dedicated to these novelty pens, and swapping colors with friends during class was a daily ritual. Although fun at the time, they often smudged horribly and were barely legible on paper. Today’s sleek digital note-taking apps make the obsession with scented stationery seem hilariously impractical in hindsight.
4. Making Mix CDs for Every Possible Mood
Before Spotify playlists or shared Apple Music libraries, mix CDs were the ultimate way to express your emotions. Teen girls spent hours crafting the perfect tracklist for every mood—heartbreak, crushes, summer vibes, or just riding the bus. Burned CDs were decorated with glitter markers and often gifted like emotional time capsules. While it was a creative outlet and a genuine way to connect, it seems funny now to think about how time-consuming it was to burn 12 tracks and pray the disc didn’t get scratched. Streaming has made sharing music easier, but less personal.
5. Idolizing Boy Bands to an Extreme Degree
The level of devotion to boy bands like *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees was intense. Teen girls plastered their walls with posters, memorized every lyric, and had heated debates over who was the cutest. Fan fiction, fan clubs, and late-night talk show appearances drove the obsession into daily life. While some musical admiration makes sense, the borderline hysteria over coordinated dance routines and frosted haircuts is hard to justify today. With so many musical options now and less monoculture, the idea of a single boy band ruling your emotional world feels strangely distant.
6. Wearing Impossibly Clunky Platform Sneakers
Thanks in part to the Spice Girls, chunky platform sneakers were a must-have. Even if they were wildly impractical and made you trip on sidewalks, these shoes were fashion gold. Teen girls paired them with babydoll dresses, flared jeans, and butterfly clips, creating a look that screamed ’90s cool. Today’s footwear favors comfort, arch support, and functionality, so the obsession with teetering on foam blocks seems a little ridiculous. Still, they had a moment—and for a while, the higher the platform, the closer to pop stardom you felt.
7. Spending Hours on Mall Glamour Shots
No mall trip was complete without a visit to the glamour shot studio. Teen girls posed in boas, cowboy hats, and satin gloves under soft lighting with wind machines blowing their hair. The final photos often looked hilariously over-posed, yet they were treated like precious keepsakes. These sessions were a rite of passage, capturing a fantasy version of yourself that felt grown-up and glamorous. Today, filtered selfies serve a similar function, but there’s something uniquely cringeworthy and charming about paying to look like a country-pop star in a faux fur stole.
8. Obsessing Over Phone Cord Accessories
Landline phones weren’t just for talking—they were a fashion statement. Teen girls decorated their phones with glittery cord covers, dangling charms, and sometimes even stickers. Having a see-through plastic phone that lit up when it rang was the dream. Long, curly cords were stretched across bedrooms during hours-long chats about crushes and homework. While mobile phones dominate now, it’s funny to recall how much effort went into personalizing a device that never left the house. The obsession with phone cords seems especially silly in an era of wireless everything.
9. Doing the Most with Temporary Tattoos
Temporary tattoos were another trend that made total sense then but feels odd now. Whether they came from vending machines or magazines, teen girls loved applying metallic butterflies or cartoon hearts to their wrists and ankles. Often paired with chokers and glittery body gel, these tattoos were considered peak style for a Friday night sleepover or school dance. While harmless fun, it’s wild to remember how serious we were about getting them “just right.” Today, the novelty has shifted to nail art and hair color, but those tattoos definitely had their 15 minutes of fame.
10. Treating Lisa Frank Notebooks Like Sacred Treasures
No school supply was more coveted than a Lisa Frank notebook. Covered in psychedelic rainbows, dolphins, and unicorns, these vibrant designs were the definition of over-the-top. Teen girls guarded them closely, only writing in them with their finest gel pens and carefully doodling in the margins. The colors were borderline blinding and the themes bizarrely whimsical, but somehow it worked. Looking back, the sheer intensity of the aesthetic feels like visual overload. Still, owning Lisa Frank stationery was a form of self-expression and social currency that many girls took surprisingly seriously.
