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The early 2000s were a time when pop culture was undoubtedly thriving. And given the Y2K fashion resurgence, it was only a matter of time before the trend hit the beauty world. From thin eyebrows to blue eyeshadow and glossy lips, Y2K makeup looks are everywhere lately. Celebrity makeup artist Dahlia Warner credits the resurgence to sentimental feelings among millenials, saying, “Elder Millennials are having a moment with nostalgia. It’s comforting and fun to reminisce and reimagine these playful looks.” Alex Byrne, another celebrity makeup artist, frames it as a reaction to more recent trends. “We’re a generation out from Y2K (nearly 25 years), so it’s the right time to bubble to the surface nostalgically. We are also coming out of years of heavy contouring and matte finishes, so people crave more playful use of color, shimmer, and shine as a fresh alternative.”
Thoughts of over-plucked eyebrows or harshly lined lips may stir up some hesitation among those who were of age in the early 2000s, but rest assured there are ways to translate these time-honored trends for the modern era. Ahead, celebrity makeup artists break down what makes Y2K trends so memorable and wearable to this day. Spoiler alert, it’s time to dust off that frosted eyeshadow palette.
Meet the expert
- Alex Byrne is a celebrity makeup artist and men’s groomer with notable clients such as Natasha Lyonne, Matt Long, Diane Lane, and Kristin Chenoweth. Dahlia Warner is a celebrity makeup artist who works both in Los Angeles and New York City.
Frosted Eyes
Katy Perry shows us that frosted eyeshadow is certainly back with a vengeance and not dated. Byrne notes that frosted shadow is the way to pay homage to Y2K makeup, "For eyes, try glitter, shimmery or frosted wash of color in a cool tone like silver, pink or icy blue." With a generous amount of silver shadow and a frosted finish applied to her lids, she's proving this Y2K makeup trend to be red carpet-worthy, and for a good reason.
Glossy, Glazed Lips
Pack on the lip gloss if emulating Y2K makeup is what you're after, Sabrina Carpenter shows us that glossy lips don't have to be sheer, they can be worn with the boldest of lipstick hues for a shiny, patent-leather pout.
Colorful Eyeshadow Accents
Bring your eyeshadow look to life by using colorful, bold hues like this metallic purple on stunning Lupita N'yongo. Y2K makeup has always been about incorporating color and texture into shadow looks, so the purple shadow detail on the inner corners of the eyes is perfection.
Metallic Smoke
This metallic, smoky shadow look on Hailey Bieber combines the playfulness and depth that represent Y2K beauty trends well. The best part? There are no rules, As Warner says, "Anyone can wear anything. That's the beauty of all this. That said, discovering your own color story and what features to focus on is good to keep in mind when playing with Y2K trends."
Candy Pink Lips
Baby and candy pink hues certainly made their rounds at the height of Y2K, seen on pop sensations like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. The color is a sweet alternative to a bold lip and can be worn day or night, we love the tone and shape of Megan Fox's lips—pink is always a great idea.
Light Eyes and Dark Lips
From thin eyebrows to baby blue shadow and darker stained lips, Julia Fox never disappoints when it comes to her beauty looks, and this one is right up our alley to reignite our flame for Y2K beauty.
Highlight It All
Jennifer Lopez is no stranger to the camera, and we see that front and center it's highlight and shimmer that shines the most, nodding as to why Y2K makeup trends are having a moment.
Deep, Dark Lips
Dark-lined lips are so Y2K, and it's exciting to see this particular trend resurface if you're anything like us and love a good lipliner moment. Byrne explains how to re-create this look, "For lips, any clear or slightly shimmery gloss is essential. Layer over a brown or dark berry liner, or apply at the center of your lips over a lighter lipstick to balance the slightly over-drawn darker liner."
Intense, Kohl Liner
Emphasize your eyes with an intense, khol liner drawn out in a subtle wing shape, the fun part about this is if the liner smudges ever so slightly, it's right in line with the Y2K liner trends that are so simple to recreate, as seen here on Alix Earle. Get an eyeliner with a good color payoff and line the top and bottom lashline, extending it outward to draw your wing.
All About The Bronze
Nude and bronze tones started to have a moment in Y2K for those who didn't feel aligned with the more playful makeup looks; Zendaya shows how incorporating glowing, bronzed skin can be just as Y2K as frosted eyeshadow. A fan of this trend, Byrne recommends bronzer, "For skin, the more bronze, the better! It’s less for contour and more for a sun-kissed glow on cheeks, temples, and jawline. For a modern version, place a matte bronze across your face where the sun falls onto your skin, including the bridge of your nose."
Smudgy Liner
The more smudged out your eyeliner, the more you come off as a total Y2K beauty guru; Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen's signature makeup look would so be trending back in Y2K! Paired with contoured cheeks and nude lips, the trend is made fresh and modern to fit the timeline of current beauty trends we are loving, today.
Grunge Smoky Eyes
The grunge era was still alive and well in the early 2000s, Dove Cameron's smoky eye look is stunning here, and we admittedly feel the grungier, the better. Creating these shadow looks takes the pressure off getting them perfect, because the more lived-in they look, the more impressive they are.
Dreamy Y2K Colors
When asked if anyone can wear Y2K makeup trends, Byrne says, "Even though they are experimental and frequently sport frost and glitter, you don’t have to wear the whole look. Just incorporate playful elements and experiment with the Y2K aesthetic." Tyra Banks frosted eyeshadow look has us yearning for the early days of Y2K.
Eyes That Sparkle
Jodi Turner-Smith's contrasting eyeshadow look with both bronze and emerald green shadows, along with glossy lips show that the more creative you get with makeup, the more Y2K it will feel. The swipe of emerald green shadow under the bottom lash line truly brings this look to life, and the glossy lip is perfect for balancing out a dressier looking eye.
Iridescent Beauty
Let your Y2K out to play by wearing iridescent shadows on the lids, like this look on Paloma Elsesser. Used as an accent to highlight the cupid's bow, this ethereal makeup look transports us right back to Y2K, and we're not mad about it.