These Are the Y2K Beauty Trends Taking Over Our Social Media Feeds

All good trends deserve a second life, so of course, it was only a matter of time before Y2K beauty made a comeback. Think: glitter, butterflies, lots and lots of gloss — yes, the 2000s were a wild time. Whether you were in your makeup prime or just a tot when these styles hit the scene, we’re sharing nine nostalgic beauty trends from the ever-so-popular era, below.

What Is Y2K Beauty?

Before we break down the trends, it’s important to understand the early aughts version of these trends versus how they translate today. The 2000s were limited in the beauty department, quite literally. Long-lasting formulas and clean (or even remotely clean) ingredients were not a thing so one might say the current Y2K beauty looks we see blowing up our social media feeds are in a whole new class, and dare we say even better than before? 

You may or not remember, but back then the impending millennium sparked pandemonium about the future specifically as it related to potential computer errors once the clock struck midnight. This infatuation with tech and sci-fi snuck into our makeup routines, as well as colorful and sparkly elements that invoked cheer as we accepted our “fate” of impending doom (or so we thought). If this sounds all too familiar, it’s because it is. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a resurgence of these trends — except bigger, brighter, and glossier than before because of, hello, makeup innovation.

Popular ‘00s Makeup Trends That Are Making a Comeback

Glitter Eyeshadow

Washes of glitter took over in a multitude of colorful eyelids everywhere, and the same trends are resurfacing. Today’s formulas address fallout concerns so your glitter stays put. Case in point: Valentino Beauty Dreamdust Glitter Eyeshadows, a creamy, multi-reflective glitter eyeshadow that delivers maximum dazzle with zero fallout.

All-Over Bronzer

When it came to bronzer, the motto was the more the better. Today there’s a range of products and brands dedicated to self-tanners specially formulated to give you a healthy glow, and *not* give you an unnatural orange hue. Our favorite formula is the L'Oreal Paris Self-Tanning Facial Water Mist because it’s infused with vitamin E for moisturization, plus it's free of dyes, silicones, mineral oil and parabens.

Ombre Lips

There’s a reason why beauty brands are popping up with lip liner collections. Two-tone lips are hotter than ever and the more contrast between your liner shade and lipstick color, the better. 

High-Shine Lip Gloss

If the ombre lips aren’t your speed, try a high-shine lip gloss. Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes single-handedly invented the trend. The biggest rule to remember? Spare no gloss.