Y2k Glam Is Back – & We’re So Here For It

If you aren’t familiar with Y2K beauty, you may be living under a rock. It’s a nostalgic trend that features glossy, shimmery and a bold coloured makeup aesthetic, created using experimental and playful looks.

We saw a surge of Y2K beauty in, you guessed it, the early 2000s, heavily influenced by pop culture and a more is more approach to shimmer and shine.

Moving away from the muted and matte tones of the 1990s, beauty thankfully became brighter and glossier.

 

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Frosted eyeshadow and lips were the main event, completely covering the eye from lash line to brow bone with icy white, silver and bright pastel colours. The eyeshadow was bold and brilliant; makeup became creative and playful.

Y2K lips were iconic, with high-shine glosses that looked sticky and wet, often in clear and pink shades, with some people even using eyeshadow on their lips to add extra shine.

Juicy Tubes and Lip Smackers were all the rage, with dark brown liner and pink lipstick taking the main stage. The Y2k beauty lip combos were to die for.

 

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We must give the icons of the 2000s a mention when we talk about Y2K beauty, from Paris Hilton to Christina Aquilera, and of course Britney Spears – after all she popularised glittery lids, crimped hair and baby-blue eyeshadow.

So why now after 20 years is this beauty trend coming back out to play?

The revival of Y2K beauty has largely been driven through social media, as the attempt to bring nostalgia back into makeup was hugely popular during lockdown.

 

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We especially have to give thanks to the Swedish singer Zara Larsson, who has majorly shifted the clean girl aesthetic to pop star glam.

Her makeup looks primarily crafted by her makeup artist Sophia Sinot have brought colour and bright eyeshadow looks back, and her Midnight Sun tour has gone viral all across social media due to her her outfits, her singing and of course her makeup.

@sophiasinot & i just posted the closeup glam pic on my ig 😍 @Zara Larsson #zaralarsson #sophiasinot #midnightsuntour #zaralarssonmakeup #charlotte ♬ original sound – divaswithtaste

If you are looking to hop on this trend coming up to summer, we have a list of great products to check out to achieve the ultimate Y2K look.

NYX Makeup Slim Lip Pencil

The best way to achieve nostalgic the Y2K lip combo is to have a good lip liner that stands out with its dark colours. This lip liner in shade ‘Espresso’ is an affordable option to add to your routine – other colour options are also available.

KIKO Milano 3D Hydra Lip Gloss

Of course, a good lip liner needs to be paired with a good gloss. The sparkly glosses from KIKO are a great example of the wet and sticky look. With pink and clear glittery shades to choose from, you’re bound to find the perfect match.

The 3D Hydra Lip gloss in shade ’05 Pearly Pink’ is a great Y2K shade. On KIKO’s website you can also try on all the different shades to find your correct gloss.

Milk Makeup Jelly Shimmer Stick

It wouldn’t be Y2K beauty without some glitter and Milk have some great products with some shine. The Jelly Shimmer Stick comes in bright bold purples and silvers to add to your eyes or face or as a lip topper.

Lancome Juicy Tubes Hydrating Lip Gloss

You’ve probably seen this product make its comeback – and rightfully so. These glosses were everything in the 2000s, available in a huge variety of shades. These glosses span three distinct finishes: Sparkle (glitter), Creamy (milky/solid) and Jelly (sheer/translucent).

MAC Frost Lipstick

Another lip combo that was strong during the 2000s was a frosted lip. MAC Cosmetics have delivered with over 10 shades to achieve this look. There are pinks, browns and nudes with an ultra shimmer finish.

Kulfi Zari Eyeshadow

The eyes were the main event in the 2000s, they gave a pop and illumination to the face. The main look was frosty and bright colours, specifically metallic, frosty blue.

Kulfi Zari have a range of bright shimmer and metallic finish eyeshadows, which are highly pigmented. The eyeshadow is also infused with aloe vera which provides hydration for the eyelids.

Dior Beauty Liquid Eyeliners

Used by the Y2K queen herself, Zara Larsson uses these liners to create her iconic sharp and colourful lines. Her go to shade is ‘Satin Pink’ for a bright pink effect. These eyeliners are waterproof and defined, making application easier.