It’s official: We’ve finally begun saying our goodbyes to the ultra-clean, airbrushed makeup looks of the past couple of years and returned to our much more colorful and playful roots of grunge, boho, and futurism (all of which thrived throughout the 2000s). Frosted makeup, in particular, has been gaining traction on TikTok amongst Gen Z with celebrities like Zara Larsson to Rhea Raj and the members of Katseye hopping onto the trend with a flair for the dramatic and all things colorful. As a 20-something who was lucky enough to have experienced Y2K beauty trends like this one from the eyes of a child, I’m more than excited to revisit it in my adult years.
Below, I’m exploring the roots of frosted makeup with the guidance of a makeup artist who has created countless looks that tapped into the trend. Keep reading for intel on where this trend came from, the tips and tricks on how to create it, the best products for the job.
Why are frosted makeup looks on the rise?
According to celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno, the seemingly sudden interest in frosted makeup looks are reflective of the beauty trend cycles and a reaction to the minimal clean beauty trends that dominated the beauty market and social media platforms over the past few years. “People want something more playful, and frosted textures capture this mood very well,” Briceno begins. “They reflect light, photograph beautifully, and don’t require complicated techniques.”
While the trend draws from Y2K influences, he explains that today’s take on the frosted makeup is, “more refined and offers a more inclusive understanding of skin tones.” He also highlights the fact that the younger generation of consumers didn’t experience the era the first time around, allowing the frosted colors and textures to feel new again (which he describes as especially appealing in today’s visual culture).
How can I create a modern take on frosted makeup?
Wondering what the best way to create a frosted makeup look is? Briceno likes to build his around balance. He begins with skin that looks fresh and breathable, so the frosted effect, “feels more intention and modern, rather than dates.” To create memorable, icy eye looks, Briceno likes to press sheer metallic and pearlescent shadows into the center of the lid or inner corner to create the icy, Y2K effect without overwhelming the eye. “The shade choice matters—cool taupe, rose gold, soft bronze, and iridescent lavender tend to work across many skin tones because they have depth,” he says.
For the lips, Briceno recommends using a sheer frosted glass layered over a neutral lip color for a modern appearance, rather than the more opaque, pastel frosts that were so popular throughout the 2000s. “For highlighter, keep the placement refined [on] high points of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and maybe the brow bone,” adds Briceno. He shares that the finished frosted makeup look should be luminous instead of glittery.
What’s the best way to tap into Y2K makeup inspiration?
Now that you know how to create the frosted makeup looks that have been embraced by the fashion crowd, Briceno advises thinking of Y2K references as inspiration and not a strict recreation. The goal? A modern reinterpretation using intentional, recognizable details. “The original era often stacked multiple frosted elements at full intensity: icy eyes, metallic lips, and heavy shimmer all at once,” he continues. “In today’s modern version, I usually choose one frosted element as the focus.” For example, if the eyes are icy and reflective, he prefers to keep the lips soft and glossy. Alternately, if the lips are frosted, he simplifies the eyes.
Briceno also encourages paying attention the the texture of your chosen products, since frost works best when the skin underneath is prepped so that it’s smooth and hydrated to receive makeup. “Proper skin prep and thin layers of makeup make reflective finishes look intentional rather than powdery,” he says. Additionally, pressing shimmering onto the lid with a fingertip or a dense brush leaves the finished, frosted makeup refined.
Shop This Year’s Frosted Makeup Essentials
MAC Cosmetics
Dazzleshadow Extreme Eyeshadow in Incinerated
This long-wearing eye shadow by MAC Cosmetics is designed to deliver a wet-like metallic appearance with an lightweight texture that glides onto the skin. Its unique formula is enhanced with light-catching pearlescent pigments. “These shadows have a very refined, reflective texture that gives them an icy, Y2K sparkle without looking chunky or glittery. They catch light beautifully and can be applied sheer or built up for more impact,” says Briceno.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Glidr Shadow Stick in Star
Available in 25 metallic, shimmer, and matte finish, this eye shadow by Anastasia Beverly Hills delivers bold color can be used to define and sculpt eyes. It’s long-wearing formula offers 12 hours of water-resistant, smudge-proof and non-flaking wear with high-impact pigments. I’m already planning on wearing this to every concert I have on the schedule for this year.
Urban Decay
24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Solstice
This Urban Decay favorite is a must-have for creating Y2K-inspired, frosted makeup looks. It offers maximum sparkle with buildable intensity and a long-lasting wet-finish look that can be applied with a finger or brush. “[It] works well for frosted eyes because it creates that sparkling, icy dimension while staying lightweight on the lid,” shares Briceno.
L’Oréal Paris
Colour Riche Original Satin Lipstick in Ballerina Shoes
TikTok introduced me to L’Oréal’s collection of frosted lipsticks, and I couldn’t be more obsessed with the shimmering effect they deliver. While I don’t believe this specific viral shade complements by deep skin tone, I love how it looks on others. Its luxurious, creamy formula stands out to me as well since it features ingredients like vitamin E and argan oil to support skin health.
Mineral Fusion
Hydro-Shine Lip Gloss in Santorini
Briceno’s go-to lipgloss by Mineral Fusion brings the shine and shimmer using a nourishing, nonsticky formula infused with nourishing vitamin E to help lock in moisture. “A gloss like this works perfectly for a modern frosted lip because the shimmer is suspended in a translucent base,” says Briceno. “It gives that reflective Y2K shine while still allowing the natural lip color to show through.”
Eadem
Le Chuochou Lip Softening Balm in Château Rose
Eadem’s viral Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm is a three-in-one treatment that gently exfoliates lips while offering the moisture of an intense lip balm and leaving lips with with a gorgeous gloss. Now available in eight versatile shades (including Château Rose, a pearlescent pink), its hibiscus enzymes soften lip lines and buff away dryness, while lactic acid boost collagen and pyrvic acid brightens.
Make Up For Ever
Artist Color Pencil in Wherever Walnut
According to Briceno, using a neutral lip pencil like, Make Up For Ever’s Artist Pencil in Wherever Walnut, under a frosted gloss can help anchor a Y2K-inspired frosted makeup look. “It gives the lips shape and prevents the frost from looking flat or overly pale,” says Briceno. This best-selling lip liner shapes and enhances lips with a creamy, soft-matte texture that feels weightless on the lips and blends like a dream without feathering.
Iconic London
Prep Set Glow
This best-selling shimmer spray preps, sets, and illuminates your makeup while refreshing the skin for a radiant finish. Its 100% vegan formula uses cucumber and chamomile for shine, while a mixture of green tea, vitamin E, and antioxidants condition the complexion. It also has a splash of caffeine to help combat dark circles and leave the skin revitalized.
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder in Unbothered
Briceno recommends using this tinted, light-reflecting balm-to-powder product for an ethereal base. “[Danessa Myrick’s] formulas create a very dimensional glow that reads luminous instead of metallic. They’re excellent for achieving that frosted highlight effect that still looks editorial and skin-like,” Briceno says. It lowlights the eyes, lips, and cheeks while creating a soft focus effect using hyaluronic acid, and vegan squalane to smooth the skin, and crushed pearl pigments for brightness.
Hourglass
Unreal Liquid Highlighter in Evoke
Hourglass’ new liquid highlighter uses a serum-like, weightless texture to hydrate, lift, and firm the skin while providing all-day glow. Its feather-light formula is infused with the brand’s skin-living Unreal Lifting Complex to support skin barrier health, as well as upcycled white lupin seed extract and hyaluronic acid to firm and hydrate overtime.
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