Y2K Makeup: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
How to get the frosted Y2K look: icy shimmer eyes, thin brows and super-glossy lips. Then see the early-2000s look on your own face.
Y2K makeup is the frosty, shiny, futuristic look of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Think icy blue eyeshadow, body shimmer, skinny brows and lots of lip gloss, the look of pop stars and teen magazines at the turn of the millennium. It has come roaring back on TikTok.
It is fun, shiny and only takes five steps. Here is how to do Y2K makeup step by step, and you can preview the whole look on your own face before you start.
What you'll need
No specific brands needed. Any version of each works.
1. Prep fresh, slightly shimmery skin
Y2K skin looked fresh and a little shimmery rather than heavy or flat, so use a light foundation or skin tint that lets your real skin show through. If your base is matte, mix in a drop of liquid illuminator so the whole face has a soft, glassy sheen from the start.
Keep coverage light and focus on evening out your tone instead of hiding everything, since the early-2000s look was more about glow than perfection. This dewy, slightly shimmery finish sets the stage for all the frost and shine you are about to add on top.
Tip: Concentrate any extra shimmer on the high points of your face, your cheekbones, nose, and brow bones, so the glow looks intentional rather than like overall greasiness.
2. Pat on frosted, icy eyeshadow
The Y2K eye is all about frost, so pick a cool, icy shade like frosted silver, pale blue, or lilac and pat it across your whole lid with your fingertip for the most reflective, metallic finish. Using your finger instead of a brush presses the shimmer flat against the skin so it really gleams.
Add an extra dab of the lightest, frostiest shade to your inner corners and just under the center of your lower lash line to catch the light and open the eye. Keep everything cool-toned and shiny rather than warm or matte, because that icy, futuristic frost is the whole point of the look.
Tip: A dampened brush or fingertip makes frosted and glittery shadows far more intense and stops the shimmer from scattering all over your cheeks.
3. Keep the brows thin and arched
Brows in the Y2K era were thin with a high, rounded arch, so aim for a slim and slightly surprised shape. Brush them up, then use concealer along the edges to fake a thinner line and to lift the arch a little higher than your natural one, no plucking required.
Fill any gaps lightly so the brow still looks neat and intentional rather than sparse, keeping the tail short and fine. A tidy, thin, high-arched brow is one of the quickest ways to place the whole look at the turn of the millennium.
Tip: Nudge the arch to its highest point directly above the outer edge of your iris. That is what gives the wide-eyed, glossy Y2K expression.
4. Add a cool shimmer highlight
Now amp up the shine with a shimmery highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones, your brow bones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid's bow. A cool, frosty, almost pearly highlight suits Y2K far better than a warm golden one, so lean icy to match the eyeshadow.
Sweep it on generously, since this era was never subtle about shine, and tap a little onto the inner corners of your eyes as well. All this frost on the high points is what pulls the glossy, futuristic look together and makes the skin look lit up.
Tip: A liquid or cream highlighter over your dewy base gives a wetter, more Y2K glow than a powder, which can look dry and dusty by comparison.
5. Finish with super-glossy lips
Finish with a thick, high-shine lip gloss in clear or baby pink, which is the crowning detail of any Y2K look. If you want a little more color, line and fill your lips with a soft pink first, then layer the gloss on top so it still reads shiny rather than matte.
Apply the gloss generously and concentrate a little extra in the center for that plump, wet-looking finish, because with Y2K the glossier the better. Do not worry about it being too shiny, since a full, glassy pout is exactly the effect you are going for.
Tip: A dot of clear gloss over any lip color instantly updates it to Y2K, but keep a mirror handy, because this much shine needs reapplying often.
See the look on your own face
Upload a selfie and preview this look on yourself with AI before you recreate it.
Drag to see the full makeover
Frequently asked questions
What is Y2K makeup?+
Y2K makeup is the frosty, shiny look of the late 1990s and early 2000s: icy silver, blue or lilac frosted eyeshadow, thin arched brows, shimmery highlight, body glitter and super-glossy lips. It has a futuristic, pop-star feel.
How is Y2K makeup different from 2000s makeup?+
Y2K leans frosty and icy, with silver and blue shimmer, glitter and high-shine gloss. The broader mid-2000s look is warmer and more bronzed, with tanned skin, thin brows, soft brown eyes and nude gloss. Y2K is cool and shiny; 2000s is warm and sun-kissed.
What eyeshadow is used for a Y2K look?+
Frosted, metallic and cool-toned shades: icy silver, pale blue, lilac and white shimmer, patted across the lid for maximum shine. Add extra shimmer in the inner corners.
How can I try the Y2K look on my own face?+
Tap any try this look on your face button on this page to upload a selfie and preview the full Y2K look on yourself before you recreate it.
