8 Iconic 2000s Makeup Ideas You Can Easily Recreate in 2026

Call it a clapback to the “clean girl” era, but whimsical, maximalist Y2K beauty is so back. From Ashley Olsen’s soft-grunge eyes to Halle Berry’s iconic pixie to the great concealer-lip renaissance of 2025 (all hail MAC!), early-2000s looks have clearly returned to the spotlight, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. “It was such a confident, expressive time in beauty. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about mood,” celebrity makeup artist Kelly Zhang tells me about the resurgence. “Glossy lips, icy eyes, body glow… everything was meant to catch the light and feel a little playful.” It also perfectly captures the retro-futuristic theme we’re seeing right now in beauty; think swoon-worthy, ethereal looks (an icy lid, a shimmery lip) paired with cyber-punk elements (read: chrome—and lots of it).

That said, there’s a razor-thin line between channeling your inner Y2K icon and just looking, well, dated. “The key is restraint. One bold element at a time. That’s what makes it feel modern and wearable, not costume,” Zhang adds. Below, discover eight looks to choose from, inspired by only the best 2000s legends, along with expert tips on chic, 2026 upgrades.

Thin, Graphic Brows

It’s official: Pencil-thin brows are making their triumphant return. Think of the Y2K arches sported by Pamela Anderson, Kate Moss, and Devon Aoki pictured above. At that time, “Brows were thin, deliberately shaped, and graphic—very much a design choice of the era,” notes Zhang.

Note, that doesn’t mean you must succumb to the over-plucking craze of the early aughts. Put down the tweezers! Just keep the face-framers you already have as polished and clean as you can, says Zhang. To create the illusion of a slimmer brow, she recommends softening the lower edge with neat, visible hair strokes, as opposed to amping up their fluffiness. Or you could eschew the detailed pencil entirely. “The brows don’t necessarily have to be skinny, but don’t fill them in,” adds NYC-based makeup artist Lila Childs (who has her fair share of Y2K makeup tutorials on TikTok!). “Just a clear brow gel will do.”

Precision Brow Pencil

Kelly Zhang Makeup

Precision Brow Pencil

KS&CO, Clear Strong-hold Brow Gel

KS&CO

Clear Strong-hold Brow Gel

Satin Skin

Photo of Jessica Alba in the early 2000s

(Image credit: Getty Images; Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage)

“For skin, aim for soft matte,” shares Zhang. “Even, natural, not overly glowy.” Skin back then looked hydrated, but not dewy in the way we crave “glass skin” today. Childs agrees: “Keep the skin minimal and at a satin finish, (we don’t want to be super dewy). It’s more accurate of the time!” she adds. Still, the goal is soft satin, not full-on matte, so use a setting powder only where you accrue the most oil. You still want to maintain a fresh, even look.

Phyto-Teint Poudre Libre - 2 Translucent

Sisley Paris

Phyto-Teint Poudre Libre

Future Skin Oil-Free Foundation

Chantecaille

Future Skin Oil-Free Foundation

Spider Lashes

Photo of Rihanna in 2007

(Image credit: Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)

Early-2000s mascara could go one of two ways: barely-there or gloriously spidery. I’d say today’s trends are leaning towards the latter! To achieve the bold, separated look, Zhang recommends applying generous coats of mascara—and don’t be afraid to let them clump a little. “Defined, spiky lashes are part of the look. Don’t try to make them perfect,” she notes.

That said, you’ll want to make those clumps look somewhat intentional; think clean spikes rather than messy globs. This is also perhaps not the time and place for bold blush or a statement lip. “When lashes are the focus, I keep the rest of the face very clean so it doesn’t feel overwhelming,” Zhang adds.