7 Y2K Beauty Trends That Are Making A Major Comeback

Like many things in life, makeup trends tend to be cyclical. We fall head over heels for a particular makeup style, love it for a few years, are totally over it for a decade or two and then fall in love with it all over again. Think about contouring 一 it was arguably the biggest makeup trend five years ago and today, many people are forgoing it all together or opting for a more modern iteration of the trend. If you keep your finger on the pulse of current beauty trends, perhaps you’ve noticed some major beauty trends from the early 2000s making a comeback. Ahead, we’re sharing seven of our our favorite Y2K beauty trends that are totally cool again 一 and worth another try. 

1. Frosty Eyeshadow And Lip Gloss

When looking back at 2000s red carpet makeup looks, it’s hard not to notice the amount of frost 一 or pale shimmer 一 gracing the faces of starlets. From icy white eyeshadow to baby pink frosty lips, the more shimmer the better at the time. If you want to get in on the trend with a 2022 spin, opt for a shimmery eyeshadow like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in Always Pearly Pink paired with a subtly frosted lip gloss like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Infallible Pro Gloss Plump in Lucid Glow. 

2. Blue Eyeshadow 

Blue used to be a go-to eyeshadow shade, and it was often sported in combination with the aforementioned trend. Frosty blue eyeshadow, namely, made quite the statement, while neutral eyeshadow looks took over in popularity during the early 2000s, blue is slowly making its way back. For a bold blue eyeshadow look, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in Midnight Blue. 

3. Visible Lip Liner 

A trend that originated as a popular makeup technique worn by supermodels and pop stars in the ‘90s, visible lip liner carried over and maintained popularity during the Y2K era. Often done with a black or brown lip liner like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner in More Chocolate, the lips were lined with a deep shade that was then feathered out into a subtle ombré look. And it simply wouldn’t be a 2000s makeup look if a layer of ultra-shiny lip gloss wasn’t applied on top.   

4. Smudgy Black Eyeliner 

The 2000s boasted some of the best punk artists that had a major influence on beauty trends 一 perhaps most famously via their love for grungy black eyeliner. While the black eyeliner was often smudged around the entire perimeter of the eyes, there was certainly the occasional bottom eyeliner only look. If you want to try out a modern take on the trend, let mastering the reverse cat eye be your next makeup mission. 

5. French Tips 

6. Baby Braids

Two decades ago, baby braids (like face-framing tendrils) were an ultra-popular hairstyle in the 2000s. Contrary to microbraids and cornrows, baby braids are not done on the entire head, rather they’re just in the front sections of the hair or scattered throughout. They provided texture and a piecey effect, and when combined with crimped strands, it was a surefire way to make a statement. Today, we’re seeing tons of street style photos of celebrities rocking face-framing baby braids 一 and we’re here for it. Give it a go by simply braiding small sections at the front of your hair and letting the braids hang. 

7. Two-Tone Hair 

In keeping with popular Y2K hairstyles, we’d be remiss not to mention the two-tone hair trend. It was commonly worn with the top section of hair in a bleach blonde hue, while the bottom section was dark brown or even black. If the 2000s version of the trend has too much contrast for you, try its modern sister trend 一 the money piece which can be created with more subtle hues. 

Next: 6 ‘90s-Inspired Makeup Trends To Try Right Now

Written by: Alyssa Kaplan, Photo Credit: IG/@kilennyk