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It’s easy to understand Y2K’s dominance over our makeup palettes: the revolving carousel of trends means what is old will always be new again. However, we’re particularly gravitating towards the early aughts because of the nostalgia baked within this era. All the makeup staples that you grew up with, have now been reinvented again—the frosted lids have become elevated shimmer, the bubblegum lip glosses have taken on a glazed look and the chunky glitter has been rebirthed as pearlescent shimmers.
However, if you’re looking to give a modern spin to this makeup trend in 2026, it helps to use it as inspiration rather than emulating the exact looks you grew up wearing and watching. To help you make this throwback trend feel fresh again, we turned to makeup maestro Namrata Soni for answers. Here’s what we learnt.
The viral blush that lives up to the hype. It delivers that fresh, post-run flush with a smooth, cooling texture that melts into skin. The finish? Natural, dewy, and just glossy enough to catch the light without looking shiny.
If you want that natural winter flush, this is it. The Love Cake shade melts into your skin for a soft, healthy glow that looks like it’s coming from within. It’s lightweight, blendable and gives just the right amount of colour. A few dabs on the cheeks and you’re good to go.
There’s no way we could wrap up this list without spotlighting our very own first-ever makeup launch: the Tira Peptint. But this lip tint goes well beyond colour. Infused with collagen-boosting peptides and four nourishing oils and butters, it leaves your lips hydrated, plump and repaired with every swipe. The shade range? A total win. Nine flattering shades, each designed to match every mood. And because we love a little extra moment, every shade comes with its own charm—cute and very Tira-coded. It’s the back-pocket essential you’ll want on you at all times. Wear it solo for a soft, juicy tint or layer it over your favourite lipstick for added shine and cushion.
After seeing Y2K everywhere over the last few years, are we over this trend for 2026? “The core Y2K spirit hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s still playful, shiny and unapologetically fun,” Soni tells us. But what will be changing next year is how we approach this trend. “Instead of heavy frosted formulations and chunky shimmers, we’re seeing sheer, light-reflecting textures that give the same vibe but feel far more refined. The 2026 version is less costume, more elevated nostalgia,” she affirms.
What also separates the 2026 edition of Y2K makeup from the original era is the textural balance that we’re now seeking. If you’re rocking a frosted eyeshadow, the rest of your face will need to be doused with a creamy or satin finish, rather than all-over shimmer. Your choice of formulas will also set your looks apart from the original Y2K era. Instead of full frost, you’ll be opting for pearlescent shimmer. The sticky lip glosses of fore will be swapped for hydrating formulas that leave your lips looking glazed à la Hailey Bieber.
Adding dimension is another way to give this throwback trend a contemporary upgrade. “Y2K was often flat, one colour, one texture, whereas 2026 makeup favours contrast. A bit of matte bronzer, a soft diffused liner or a neutral crease shade helps ground all the sparkle,” Soni recommends.
You can expect the pastel metallic eyeshadow, baby doll blushes and glossy lips to hang around for a bit longer. But if you’re bringing these Y2K staples with you into 2026, the celebrity makeup artist wants you to focus on one or two elements instead of wearing everything together. “Pair frosted eyeshadow with clean skin and soft brows. Or one can do a sheer, high-shine gloss on the lips with neutral eyes and subtle blush. Editing is what keeps the look chic instead of throwback,” she advises.
Your must-haves for 2026 will include gel-to-powder metallic shadows as they can create an icy sheen without creasing. Vinyl glosses with lip-conditioning ingredients have also earned Soni’s vote of approval for adding shine without being sticky. For the doll-like flush, light-reflective liquid blushes will be your truest ally. Finally, you’ll want to round out your collection with hybrid highlighters with micro-pearls—all of the shimmer but without the glitter chunks that were everywhere in the early 2000s. “These modern textures make everything smoother, more flattering and far more durable,” she adds.
Icy blues, frosted pastels and platinum shimmers were all the rage in the 2000s, but these shades may not work for all skin tones. Those with a deeper or warmer skin tone may find that certain colours look ashy under the lights. While makeup in the 2000s leaned towards cooler tones, Soni believes that there are ways to bring this aesthetic to life for all skin tones.
Start by opting for warm metallics: think rose gold, copper frost or bronze with a peach tone. The pale baby pinks can be swapped for warmer hues, such as caramel or berry. Look to golden or peach highlighters for a more flattering finish than silver frost. For the throwback pastel looks, she recommends applying a neutral base first to make the colours appear more vibrant on deeper skin. “The key is keeping the shine, but adjusting undertones for harmony,” she says.
If you’re wondering why your Y2K looks appear harsh and dated rather than a respectful homage to the era, Soni believes that your choice of texture needs to be questioned. Too many frosted textures at once can turn your face into a Christmas tree rather than giving you the luminous glow you were hoping for. After choosing one focal point, she recommends focusing sufficiently on prepping your skin—glossy and metallic finishes do not take kindly to dry, dehydrated skin. You’ll also want to ensure that you’re adjusting cooler tones for your skin’s warmth and depth. Lastly, she wants you to steer clear of overly tweezed brows. “Keep them soft and lifted, not skinny and over-arched,” Soni says.
1. Start with a sheer base that makes your skin look natural and fresh. Think skin tints and BB creams instead of foundations.
2. Opt for a soft frosted wash on the lids. Instead of the icy silvers of fore, you’ll want to befriend champagne-inspired hues and rose golds.
3. Skip the dramatic eyeliner in favour of a brown tightline, amplified with oodles of mascara. For the natural lift, curl your lashes.
4. Douse your cheeks with a creamy or liquid blush for a subtle hint of glow. For some extra shine, you can always layer the highlighter under your blush.
5. Finally, add a touch of shine-enhancing gloss on your pout but remember to opt for hydrating formulas.
1. Create the perfect base with a satiny foundation and diffused concealer that blends seamlessly into your skin.
2. To create a multi-dimensional metallic eye, start by applying a frosted shade on the lid, followed by a deeper metallic in the outer corner and rounded off with a crystal or shimmer liner.
3. Glue some false lashes into place for the spiky 2000s effect.
4. Sculpt your face with matte bronzer blended thoroughly and top it off with a glossy highlighter.
5. Finish your look with vinyl gloss or a high-shine ombré lip; and you’ll be ready to own the night.
After seeing Y2K everywhere over the last few years, are we over this trend for 2026? “The core Y2K spirit hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s still playful, shiny and unapologetically fun,” Soni tells us. But what will be changing next year is how we approach this trend. “Instead of heavy frosted formulations and chunky shimmers, we’re seeing sheer, light-reflecting textures that give the same vibe but feel far more refined. The 2026 version is less costume, more elevated nostalgia,” she affirms.
What also separates the 2026 edition of Y2K makeup from the original era is the textural balance that we’re now seeking. If you’re rocking a frosted eyeshadow, the rest of your face will need to be doused with a creamy or satin finish, rather than all-over shimmer. Your choice of formulas will also set your looks apart from the original Y2K era. Instead of full frost, you’ll be opting for pearlescent shimmer. The sticky lip glosses of fore will be swapped for hydrating formulas that leave your lips looking glazed à la Hailey Bieber.
Adding dimension is another way to give this throwback trend a contemporary upgrade. “Y2K was often flat, one colour, one texture, whereas 2026 makeup favours contrast. A bit of matte bronzer, a soft diffused liner or a neutral crease shade helps ground all the sparkle,” Soni recommends.
You can expect the pastel metallic eyeshadow, baby doll blushes and glossy lips to hang around for a bit longer. But if you’re bringing these Y2K staples with you into 2026, the celebrity makeup artist wants you to focus on one or two elements instead of wearing everything together. “Pair frosted eyeshadow with clean skin and soft brows. Or one can do a sheer, high-shine gloss on the lips with neutral eyes and subtle blush. Editing is what keeps the look chic instead of throwback,” she advises.
Your must-haves for 2026 will include gel-to-powder metallic shadows as they can create an icy sheen without creasing. Vinyl glosses with lip-conditioning ingredients have also earned Soni’s vote of approval for adding shine without being sticky. For the doll-like flush, light-reflective liquid blushes will be your truest ally. Finally, you’ll want to round out your collection with hybrid highlighters with micro-pearls—all of the shimmer but without the glitter chunks that were everywhere in the early 2000s. “These modern textures make everything smoother, more flattering and far more durable,” she adds.
Icy blues, frosted pastels and platinum shimmers were all the rage in the 2000s, but these shades may not work for all skin tones. Those with a deeper or warmer skin tone may find that certain colours look ashy under the lights. While makeup in the 2000s leaned towards cooler tones, Soni believes that there are ways to bring this aesthetic to life for all skin tones.
Start by opting for warm metallics: think rose gold, copper frost or bronze with a peach tone. The pale baby pinks can be swapped for warmer hues, such as caramel or berry. Look to golden or peach highlighters for a more flattering finish than silver frost. For the throwback pastel looks, she recommends applying a neutral base first to make the colours appear more vibrant on deeper skin. “The key is keeping the shine, but adjusting undertones for harmony,” she says.
If you’re wondering why your Y2K looks appear harsh and dated rather than a respectful homage to the era, Soni believes that your choice of texture needs to be questioned. Too many frosted textures at once can turn your face into a Christmas tree rather than giving you the luminous glow you were hoping for. After choosing one focal point, she recommends focusing sufficiently on prepping your skin—glossy and metallic finishes do not take kindly to dry, dehydrated skin. You’ll also want to ensure that you’re adjusting cooler tones for your skin’s warmth and depth. Lastly, she wants you to steer clear of overly tweezed brows. “Keep them soft and lifted, not skinny and over-arched,” Soni says.
1. Start with a sheer base that makes your skin look natural and fresh. Think skin tints and BB creams instead of foundations.
2. Opt for a soft frosted wash on the lids. Instead of the icy silvers of fore, you’ll want to befriend champagne-inspired hues and rose golds.
3. Skip the dramatic eyeliner in favour of a brown tightline, amplified with oodles of mascara. For the natural lift, curl your lashes.
4. Douse your cheeks with a creamy or liquid blush for a subtle hint of glow. For some extra shine, you can always layer the highlighter under your blush.
5. Finally, add a touch of shine-enhancing gloss on your pout but remember to opt for hydrating formulas.
1. Create the perfect base with a satiny foundation and diffused concealer that blends seamlessly into your skin.
2. To create a multi-dimensional metallic eye, start by applying a frosted shade on the lid, followed by a deeper metallic in the outer corner and rounded off with a crystal or shimmer liner.
3. Glue some false lashes into place for the spiky 2000s effect.
4. Sculpt your face with matte bronzer blended thoroughly and top it off with a glossy highlighter.
5. Finish your look with vinyl gloss or a high-shine ombré lip; and you’ll be ready to own the night.
After seeing Y2K everywhere over the last few years, are we over this trend for 2026? “The core Y2K spirit hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s still playful, shiny and unapologetically fun,” Soni tells us. But what will be changing next year is how we approach this trend. “Instead of heavy frosted formulations and chunky shimmers, we’re seeing sheer, light-reflecting textures that give the same vibe but feel far more refined. The 2026 version is less costume, more elevated nostalgia,” she affirms.
What also separates the 2026 edition of Y2K makeup from the original era is the textural balance that we’re now seeking. If you’re rocking a frosted eyeshadow, the rest of your face will need to be doused with a creamy or satin finish, rather than all-over shimmer. Your choice of formulas will also set your looks apart from the original Y2K era. Instead of full frost, you’ll be opting for pearlescent shimmer. The sticky lip glosses of fore will be swapped for hydrating formulas that leave your lips looking glazed à la Hailey Bieber.
Adding dimension is another way to give this throwback trend a contemporary upgrade. “Y2K was often flat, one colour, one texture, whereas 2026 makeup favours contrast. A bit of matte bronzer, a soft diffused liner or a neutral crease shade helps ground all the sparkle,” Soni recommends.
You can expect the pastel metallic eyeshadow, baby doll blushes and glossy lips to hang around for a bit longer. But if you’re bringing these Y2K staples with you into 2026, the celebrity makeup artist wants you to focus on one or two elements instead of wearing everything together. “Pair frosted eyeshadow with clean skin and soft brows. Or one can do a sheer, high-shine gloss on the lips with neutral eyes and subtle blush. Editing is what keeps the look chic instead of throwback,” she advises.
Your must-haves for 2026 will include gel-to-powder metallic shadows as they can create an icy sheen without creasing. Vinyl glosses with lip-conditioning ingredients have also earned Soni’s vote of approval for adding shine without being sticky. For the doll-like flush, light-reflective liquid blushes will be your truest ally. Finally, you’ll want to round out your collection with hybrid highlighters with micro-pearls—all of the shimmer but without the glitter chunks that were everywhere in the early 2000s. “These modern textures make everything smoother, more flattering and far more durable,” she adds.
Icy blues, frosted pastels and platinum shimmers were all the rage in the 2000s, but these shades may not work for all skin tones. Those with a deeper or warmer skin tone may find that certain colours look ashy under the lights. While makeup in the 2000s leaned towards cooler tones, Soni believes that there are ways to bring this aesthetic to life for all skin tones.
Start by opting for warm metallics: think rose gold, copper frost or bronze with a peach tone. The pale baby pinks can be swapped for warmer hues, such as caramel or berry. Look to golden or peach highlighters for a more flattering finish than silver frost. For the throwback pastel looks, she recommends applying a neutral base first to make the colours appear more vibrant on deeper skin. “The key is keeping the shine, but adjusting undertones for harmony,” she says.
If you’re wondering why your Y2K looks appear harsh and dated rather than a respectful homage to the era, Soni believes that your choice of texture needs to be questioned. Too many frosted textures at once can turn your face into a Christmas tree rather than giving you the luminous glow you were hoping for. After choosing one focal point, she recommends focusing sufficiently on prepping your skin—glossy and metallic finishes do not take kindly to dry, dehydrated skin. You’ll also want to ensure that you’re adjusting cooler tones for your skin’s warmth and depth. Lastly, she wants you to steer clear of overly tweezed brows. “Keep them soft and lifted, not skinny and over-arched,” Soni says.
1. Start with a sheer base that makes your skin look natural and fresh. Think skin tints and BB creams instead of foundations.
2. Opt for a soft frosted wash on the lids. Instead of the icy silvers of fore, you’ll want to befriend champagne-inspired hues and rose golds.
3. Skip the dramatic eyeliner in favour of a brown tightline, amplified with oodles of mascara. For the natural lift, curl your lashes.
4. Douse your cheeks with a creamy or liquid blush for a subtle hint of glow. For some extra shine, you can always layer the highlighter under your blush.
5. Finally, add a touch of shine-enhancing gloss on your pout but remember to opt for hydrating formulas.
1. Create the perfect base with a satiny foundation and diffused concealer that blends seamlessly into your skin.
2. To create a multi-dimensional metallic eye, start by applying a frosted shade on the lid, followed by a deeper metallic in the outer corner and rounded off with a crystal or shimmer liner.
3. Glue some false lashes into place for the spiky 2000s effect.
4. Sculpt your face with matte bronzer blended thoroughly and top it off with a glossy highlighter.
5. Finish your look with vinyl gloss or a high-shine ombré lip; and you’ll be ready to own the night.
