A Bombshell Has Entered: Inside Kayda’s ‘90s “Love Island USA” Makeup

Start With a Soft-Matte Base

Every beat begins with the base, and Kayda’s look starts with a distinct matte finish, complementing the sleek, sexy structure of the look. First, you’ll want to blur your skin with a matte finish primer, (we’ve rounded up our favorites here!) We recommend the BELLÁPIERRE COSMETICS HD Soothing Primer for a long-lasting and smooth finish both on and off camera. Next, we’d go in with a matte or blurring foundation to even out your skin and leave you kiss-proof all day long. One of our personal favorites is BENEFIT COSMETICS The POREfessional Smoothing & Blurring Foundation, which delivers weightless coverage to help you achieve Kayda’s camera-ready base layer without any heavy feel. 

Bronzer Is the Real Main Character

Next, you’ll want to grab your concealer of choice, and apply a light layer under your eyes and to the high points of your face. The point is to lift your features without any obvious highlighter. The Soft Matte Complete Concealer by NARS COSMETICS is known for soft-focus blurring and creaseless abilities that will enhance your villa-ready look. 

But what’s the secret ingredient to Kayda’s beat? That would be bronzer. Check out our piece on bronzer for a full breakdown on finding the right one for you, application tips, and more. As for Kayda, she applies a generous amount, particularly along her hairline, below her cheekbones, and under her jawline for an instant snatch. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Powder Bronzer will deliver that ultimate sun-kissed look that will leave everyone thinking you just got back from Fiji! 

The Soft Frosted Eye Trick

The ’90s gave us cool-toned eyeshadow; 2026 gave us frosted makeup. Kayda has been sporting a minimal but striking eye look, blended along the eye’s natural upward angle to mirror the contours of her face. We love a light periwinkle, soft white, or nude to illuminate the lids. After a touch of eyeshadow to brighten the eyes, Kayda lines her eyes with a classic ’90s waterlined look, sometimes adding a small wing to accentuate the natural lift of her eyes and thin, sculpted brows. Seeing as she uses both brown and black liner to match her fits, we love the BISHA Essential Eye Designer Duo Set liners in shades Downtown Black and Uptown Brown. The contrast between the light shadow and the pop of darker eyeliner will have you ready to scream “I’ve got a text!” at any moment.

Keep Blush Soft and Subtle

Since Kayda’s bronzer is the main attraction, not much blush is needed for this look to pop. The ’90s was all about a minimalistic take on blush, giving the cheeks a soft flush that feels effortlessly authentic. In episode 30, we watched our respectful king Bryce apply Kayda’s makeup for a challenge. He blends just a touch of blush right above her bronzer, giving her cheeks a rounded pink effect that doesn’t detract from the rest of the look. It’s up to you the extent to which you wish to blush it up, because if you’re anything like us, watching “Love Island” will always have you blushing!

The Signature '90s Nude Lip

Thank you to Angelina Jolie, Pamela Anderson, Halle Berry, and other ’90s icons who kept it classy, both on and off the red carpet. From Pamela’s bronzed complexion and dramatic black eyeliner, to Halle’s minimalistic but luminous blush and nude lip combo, we love to see these aesthetics making a comeback into mainstream media. We won’t leave you hanging when it comes to the ultimate ‘90s combo, and Kayda crafts her own signature lip ready for any conversation, whether it’s Soul Ties or poolside. First, she goes in with a darker lip liner, overlining the lips and accentuating her Cupid’s bow. Then, rather than applying lipstick that matches the shade of her liner, she goes in with a nude a few shades lighter than her natural lips. The tonal contrast between the overlined areas and the center of your lips will prop up your pout perfectly. We’ve been loving the KIMCHI CHIC BEAUTY Your Unicorn Mouth Lip Liner in Root Beer and Curry Up, as a base, and THE BEAUTY BYBEL Matte Velvet Lipstick in True Nude to top it off. Your lips will feel hydrated, luscious, and secured for those long convos in the villa. Thanks to our girl Kayda, you can feel like America’s favorite bombshell too!