2000s Makeup Trends That Were Actually Trashy

2000s Makeup Trends That Were Actually Trashy

The early 2000s were a wild time for fashion and beauty. From low-rise jeans to butterfly clips, the trends were as bold as they were questionable. And when it comes to makeup, the 2000s brought a whole new level of "more is more." While some trends have aged gracefully, others are best left in the past. Let's take a deep dive into some of the 2000s makeup trends that were, well, trashy.

The Rise of the "Hot Topic" Aesthetic

The 2000s saw the rise of alternative fashion and heavy makeup trends, influenced by the likes of Avril Lavigne and the emo culture. While some of these trends were iconic, others were more questionable. The "Hot Topic" aesthetic, characterized by black eyeliner, dramatic eyeshadow, and dark lipstick, was a prime example. While there's nothing wrong with bold makeup, the overuse of black eyeliner, often applied in thick, messy lines, resulted in a " raccoon eye" look that was less edgy and more like a Halloween costume gone wrong.

The Glitter Overload

Glitter was a key player in 2000s makeup, and not just a sprinkle here and there. The trend was to cover your face with a generous layer of glitter, from shimmering eyeshadow to glittery lip gloss. Although glitter can add a touch of fun and sparkle, the excessive use of it often resulted in a tacky and overly-done look. Who wants to look like a disco ball?

Glitter Bomb: The Evolution of Glitter in Makeup

Early 2000s: Glitter was everywhere - face, lips, eyelids, even hair. The more glitter, the better.
Mid 2000s: Glitter started to lose its dominance but still held a strong presence in shimmery eyeshadows and lip glosses.
Late 2000s: Glitter became more subtle, often seen in micro-glitter accents on the eyelids and lips.

The Bronzer Overdose

Bronzer was a must-have in the 2000s, but the trend was to go overboard. Women would use bronzer not just to contour, but to basically paint their entire face with it. This gave a very fake and orangey look, particularly when paired with the heavy foundation and concealer trends of the time.

The "Orange is the New Black" Trend

The Problem: The bronzer overload often resulted in a harsh, unnatural-looking tan.
The Solution: Contouring with a matte bronzer and blending it seamlessly with the foundation is a much more natural and flattering approach.

Lip-Liner Overload

Lip liner was another key player in the 2000s makeup scene. The trend was to apply lip liner in a dark shade, often a few shades darker than the lipstick, and then to trace the lips with a sharp, defined line. This created a harsh, unnatural look that made the lips appear smaller and less defined.

Lip Liner Evolution: From Harsh to Soft

Early 2000s: The focus was on creating a harsh line with lip liner, often overdrawing the lips.
Mid 2000s: The trend started to shift towards more natural lip lines.
Late 2000s: Lip liner started to be used more subtly to define the natural lip shape and to prevent bleeding.

The Blue Eyeshadow Trend

The 2000s saw a surge in the popularity of blue eyeshadow. From vibrant electric blue to softer sky blues, the trend was to wear it all over the eyelid. While blue eyeshadow can be a flattering color for many eye colors, the application in the 2000s was often too heavy and lacked proper blending, resulting in a harsh and outdated look.

Blue Eyeshadow: From Awkward to Chic

Early 2000s: Heavy, unblended, and often applied over the entire lid with minimal blending.
Modern Approach: The focus is now on soft, blended blues, with lighter shades used on the brow bone and deeper shades on the crease.

The "Spongebob" Eyebrow Trend

Remember those thin, almost non-existent eyebrows that were popular in the early 2000s? Inspired by celebrities like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, women were plucking their eyebrows into thin, arched lines, leaving them barely noticeable. While some people can pull off this look, for most, this trend ended up making the face look unbalanced and unnatural.

The Evolution of the Eyebrow:

Early 2000s: The thinner, the better. Over-plucking was the norm.
Late 2000s: A shift towards fuller, more natural eyebrows began.
Modern Era: Strong, defined brows are an essential part of any makeup look.

The "Too Much" Foundation Trend

In the 2000s, the foundation trend was all about coverage. Women were using heavy foundation to mask imperfections and create a flawless, matte finish. While this trend was popular, the use of thick foundation, often in shades too light for the skin tone, resulted in a caked-on, unnatural appearance.

Foundation Evolution: From Cakey to Natural

Early 2000s: Thick, heavy foundation, often one or two shades lighter than the skin tone.
Modern Approach: Lightweight, buildable, and skin-like foundations that enhance the skin's natural tone.

The "Over-The-Top" Blush Trend

Blush was a key element of the 2000s makeup look. The trend was to go for a bold, dramatic flush of color, often applied high on the cheekbones. This created an unnatural and almost clown-like appearance.

Blush Evolution: From Harsh to Soft

Early 2000s: Overly-bright and heavily applied on the cheekbones.
Modern Approach: Soft, blended blush, often applied to the apples of the cheeks for a natural, healthy flush.

FAQs about 2000s Makeup Trends

Q: Why were 2000s makeup trends so popular?

A: The trends reflected the times, influenced by pop culture, celebrity trends, and the desire for bold and dramatic looks.

Q: Are any 2000s makeup trends making a comeback?

A: Some 2000s makeup trends are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, but with modern twists. For example, glitter is back but it's being used in a more subtle and sophisticated way.

Q: What are some of the worst 2000s makeup trends?

A: The "Spongebob" eyebrow trend, the "orange is the new black" bronzer trend, and the lip-liner overload are some of the most questionable 2000s makeup trends.

Conclusion

The 2000s were a wild ride for makeup trends, and while some trends have aged gracefully, others have left a lasting impression, but not in the way we intended. The over-application of makeup, the unnatural looks, and the excessive use of glitter and bronzer are all trends that are best left in the past.

Key Takeaways:

2000s makeup trends were characterized by bold and dramatic looks, with a focus on "more is more."
Trends like glitter overload, bronzer overdose, and lip-liner overload have aged poorly.
Modern makeup trends are more focused on natural beauty and enhancing the skin's natural features.

Call-to-Action:

Ready to ditch the trashy trends and embrace a more natural look? Check out our article on Modern Makeup Trends.