Our favourite Y2K beauty trends may have evolved, but they’re still as glamorous
Pinterest (Original Creator Unknown); @chinasa_anukam via Instagram; and @ashh.ok via Instagram
Image credit: Eucharia Anunobi via Pinterest (original creator unknown). Please, if this is your work, contact for proper credits.
Lip combos, rosy cheeks, curly braids, and pencil-thin brows trends shook the 00s… and they are not done yet
The Nollywood it girls of the late 1990s and early 2000s set the Y2K beauty trends with eccentric choices from makeup, to hair and clothes. Their classic beauty standards are leading a new trend wave in the 2020s.
Image credit: Chinasa Anukam and Tems via [@chinasa_anukam] Instagram
A lot of trailblazers like Ashley Okoli, Tems, Chinasa Anukam, Falana, Lady Donli, Ayra Starr and Fave have adopted the classic Y2K mini-skirts, thin brows, lip combos and bold blush as a major part of their signature brand. Like these women, some present beauty trends I adore evolved from the 1990s and early 2000s.
The legendary chocolate lip combo had humble beginnings
Image credit: Igbo Spice via [@igbospice] InstagramA beauty trend I am obsessed with: lip combos remain a constant in our daily makeup routine. Though presently trendy, chocolate lip combos weren’t always the moment. Theirhumble beginnings can be traced back to Black and Latino communities. Lip liners for dark skin tones weren’t readily available, so women from these communities used dark eyebrow pencils that matched their skin tone for their lips.
Image credit: Missy Elliott via [@missydismeanoreliott] Instagram
The trend eventually made its way to global stages, with celebrities such as Missy Elliott and Lil’ Kim popularising the look. Before we could smack our lips, the Nolly babes jumped on it.
This chocolate lip combo has evolved from small communities to red carpets and fashion shows. With just lip pencils, nude lipsticks, and gloss, women can achieve a more ombre look.
Rosy cheeks for the hot babes
Image credit: Ashley Okoli via [@ashh.ok] Instagram
The recent minimalist makeup trends of the 2020s had no business in the loud, bold maximalist trends of the early 2000s. The babes were confident — with their love for bright colours. So, the rosy cheeks were a staple.
The beautiful rosy cheeks trend has found its way into the present minimalist and maximalist makeup trends. Blush went from being replaced with bronzers and highlights in the 2010s back to being the icing on the cake. Makeup artists now experiment with blush, brushing it on the cheeks, nose bridges and even eyelids for fierce editorial looks.
The blush shades range from deep red to light pink, giving us vast options. This Y2K beauty trends has also evolved to cater for soft-glow minimalist makeup looks and bold maximalist looks.
Curly blonde braids made a comeback
Image credits: SGaWD via [@sgawd01] Instagram
The popular gold, blonde braids with curls did not start on TikTok — we have our Y2K baddies to thank for giving us more braid options. From feather braids to telephone wire and pick-and-drop braids — they completely transformed the hair game.
The curly braids made a major comeback with French and Bohemian curls. In the Y2K era, synthetic Kanekalon and X-pression extensions dominated the market because they were mostly straight, had to be manipulated to form curls; Stylists mostly achieved these curls by dipping extensions in hot water and tonging, so the curls achieved were not as prominent and long-lasting.
Image credit: Curly blonde braids via Pinterest (original creator unknown). Please if this is your work, contact for proper credits.
But now, we have long-lasting curls thanks to human hair and deep wave extensions. So, stylists spend less time trying to achieve prominent curls. We also now experiment with more colours and even braiding techniques like knotless braids.
Arched Pencil-thin brows scream confidence
Image credit: Ashley Okoli via [@ashh.ok] InstagramImage credit: Eucharia Anunobi via Pinterest (original creator unknown). Please if this is your work, contact us for proper credit.
We can’t talk about Y2K beauty trends without paying homage to the queen of pencil-thin brows — Eucharia Anunobi. My favourite thing about these pencil-thin brows is the sultry arch.
Women in that era were mathematical geniuses — channelling geometric expertise to create these winged, straight, curvy, and edgy brows.
Unlike the other Y2K beauty trends, pencil-thin arched brows haven’t evolved much. To achieve this look, simply imitate early 2000s techniques: shave your brows and draw a perfect arch with an eye pencil. Celebrities such as Ashley Okoli and Igbo Spice are audacious enough to embody this trend, just like in the early 2000s.
Image credits: Elsa Majimbo via [@elsaangel19] XIf shaving your brows is too much for you, the pencil-thin brows look can be elevated in other ways. Try using concealers on your brows, before drawing the arched brows with an eye pencil. You can also bleach your brows for a more enhanced touch.
A lot of beauty trends may be fleeting, but the truly iconic ones continue to evolve. Lip combos, Rosy cheeks, curly braids and pencil-thin brows have shifted with the beauty trends of each era. But they remain as influential, captivating and stunning as they were decades ago. They are a constant proof that authentic style is indeed timeless.
Ebunoluwa is passionate about uniquely telling African fashion stories and leveraging timeless trends. She blends editorial experience with digital marketing expertise to creatively shape narratives. With experience in marketing, community building and PR, she amplifies the authenticity and impact of African fashion and beauty.
