Y2K Makeup Trends Making a Comeback

Y2K Makeup Trends Making a Comeback

From glossy lips to icy lids and face gems, Y2K makeup is officially having a moment again. What started as a pop culture aesthetic in the early 2000s is now a major beauty trend, reimagined with updated formulas and a fresh, more inclusive energy.

Whether you’re channeling your inner pop icon or just craving a bit of early 2000s nostalgia, this is your guide to building the ultimate Y2K-inspired makeup look using your favorite Revlon products.

What is Y2K Makeup? 

Y2K beauty was playful, experimental, and all about expression. Frosted or shimmer shadows, high-gloss lips, thin brows, and smudged eyeliner weren’t just trends, they were statements.

Now, the look is back with a twist: it's easier to wear, more versatile, and rooted in choice rather than rules. Revlon’s makeup icons and modern formulas make it easier than ever to bring that energy into your current routine.

Icy Blue Eyeshadow Is Back and Cooler Than Ever

Forget subtle, 2000s-era icy blue eyeshadow was unapologetically bold, ethereal, and everywhere. From red carpets to music video close-ups, cool-toned shimmer ruled the decade, adding a surreal, metallic pop to every look.

Use This: 

ColorStay Day to Night™ Eyeshadow Quad in Moonlit is your backstage pass to recreate the vibe. With longwearing powder shadows in pale silver-blue and deeper slate hues, this quad brings a dreamy dimension to the lid without the fallout.

The formula is crease-resistant and blendable, so you can dial the intensity up or down depending on your mood. 

Application Tip: 

Tap the icy blue shade onto the center of your lid for a pop of shimmer, then blend the deeper tones into your crease to add soft, Y2K-inspired drama, no glitter fallout, just a smooth, frosted finish.

Glossy Lips That Reflect Everything

High-shine lips were a Y2K must and they’re just as iconic now. Gloss not only adds dimension but brings back that lived-in, playful energy the early 2000s were known for.

Use This:

Super Lustrous™ Glimmer Gloss#color_pink-prisma

Super Lustrous™ The Gloss in Crystal Clear, Rose Quartz, or Pink Obsessed
This glassy formula gives lips a juicy, reflective finish without feeling sticky.

Pro Tip:
Start with ColorStay™ Lip Liner in a nude tone to define your lip shape, then layer gloss for a 3D effect.

Want even more shine? Tap a bit of gloss onto the center of your lid or cheekbone for a high-shine highlight moment.

Blush That Brings the Heat

Soft pink or coral blush high on the cheekbones was a Y2K signature. It created that healthy, just-had-a-laugh glow. Now, we wear it unapologetically, layered and radiant.

Use This:

Revlon Illuminance™ Gel Blush
A hydrating formula that blends easily and layers beautifully for that sun-kissed, almost-too-much-but-just-right flush.

Application Tip:
Dab with your fingers or a dense brush, starting at the apples of your cheeks. For more impact, add a bit to the bridge of the nose.

Skin That Looks Real (Not Poreless)

Back in the day, heavy coverage was a thing, but today’s Y2K glow is all about healthy, radiant skin with dimension. Think light-reflecting, breathable coverage that feels like your skin, only brighter.

Use This:

Revlon Illuminance™ Skin-Caring Foundation
Infused with skincare ingredients, this foundation gives buildable coverage with a fresh, radiant finish.

Pair it with the Revlon Illuminance™ Serum + Moisturizer for added hydration and glow.

How to Get the Iconic Y2K Thin Brows (Without Overplucking)

Channeling the pencil-thin brows of the early 2000s? You don’t need to commit to overplucking to get the look. With the right tools, you can shape, trim, and define your brows just enough to tap into the trend, without losing control over your natural shape.

Revlon’s collection of brow grooming tools makes it easy to experiment:

  • Slant-tip tweezers help define your arch with precision, allowing you to clean up stray hairs without overdoing it.

  • Micro brow scissors give you control to subtly trim, especially if you're aiming for a sleeker shape.

  • Brow razors are a pain-free option for soft shaping or refining your tail ends for that ultra-thin throwback feel.

These tools are designed for versatility whether you’re going full Y2K or just nodding to the trend in a way that feels modern.

Explore the full Revlon Eyebrow Shapers & Groomers collection to shape your look your way.

No Y2K look is complete without playful details. Add face gems to the corners of your eyes or just below the brow bone for an extra pop. Looking to go full Y2K? Finish your look with a baby pink manicure and a claw clip.

The Y2K Vibe, Reimagined

Y2K makeup was never about rules. It was about attitude, fun, and making space to play. Revlon celebrates the same things: expression, freedom, and bold individuality. Whether you go full shimmer or just add a glossy lip, make the look your own.