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The most nostalgic Y2K beauty buys and where you can still get them
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In 2026, the beauty industry is inundated with thousands upon thousands of products – from must-have lengthening mascaras and glass skin face masks to K-Beauty buys and filter-perfect concealers.
The list goes on.
With the 2016 throwback trend taking social media by storm, we thought we’d follow suit and throw it back to when beauty was simpler: in the Y2K era.
This is back when products like Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse Foundation were everywhere (and was even applied to lips), Lip Smackers were the collectables everyone was after from Claire’s Accessories, and everyone smelt of CK One or DKNY Be Delicious.
So, why not relive the glory days of the beauty world and shop some of the most nostalgic Y2K beauty products below?
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Best Y2K beauty picks
L’Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray
L’Oréal Elnett is the hairspray that defined polished Y2K hair, boasting a strong hold without the dreaded crunch. Loved by hairstylists and beauty editors alike, it kept blowouts sleek, fringes perfectly in place and up-dos immovable all night.
The fine mist and brush-out formula made it feel grown-up and glamorous, earning it a permanent spot backstage at fashion shows and in bathroom cabinets everywhere. And who could forget that unforgettable smell?
Benefit Hoola bronzer
One of, if not the most recognisable bronzer of the era was none other than Benefit’s Hoola.
Launching in 2001, it quickly flew off the shelves as the product that would transform your visage from pale to sun-kissed in seconds. If you owned Hoola, you used it – generously.
Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette
Back when smokey eyes became a big thing, with the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton sporting the look, the darker and more dramatic the eye look, the better.
The palette that would help achieve this would be Urban Decay’s OG Naked eyeshadow palette. Packed with a variety of natural nudes and soft shimmers, it was everyone’s go-to.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation
A true cult classic, MAC Studio Fix Fluid was the foundation of THE 2000s and early 2010s.
Known for its full coverage and matte finish, it helped create that flawless, camera-ready complexion seen on celebs like Kim Kardashian. With a then-impressive shade range, it became a makeup-counter staple and the foundation many people used for their first.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade
We all remember when heavily filled-in brows were a thing, right? Well, this was the product to help you achieve that look and say goodbye to skinny brows.
When it launched, it single-handedly defined the heavily filled-in, sharp-edged brow trend of the early 2010s. Waterproof, ultra-pigmented and long-lasting, it was a favourite of makeup artists and YouTubers alike.
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Blackest Black
When most of us think of an iconic mascara, our minds instantly take us to the Maybelline Great Lash, always remembering that pink and green tube sticking out of our mum’s and nan’s makeup bags.
Despite being around since the 1970’s, this was the trusty product everyone owned to give them that natural, lash-defining finish.
Charlie Red Body Spray
No, Charlie wasn’t that annoying boy that broke your heart; it was the body spray everyone had in the school PE bags, filling changing rooms and classrooms with the iconic scent.
Sweet, bold and unmistakably ’90s-meets-Y2K, it became one of the most recognisable fragrances of the era, the scent equivalent of lip gloss and butterfly clips. If you grew up then, this smell is pure time travel.
Lancôme Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss
No product screams Y2K quite like Juicy Tubes. Ultra-glossy, slightly sticky and impossibly shiny, they were the lip product of the early 2000s.
Loved by celebrities, pop stars and beauty editors, they came in sheer, frosted and glittery shades that made lips look instantly plump. Owning one felt luxurious, and pulling it out of your bag was a status move.
St Moriz Professional Medium Tanning Mousse
Fake tan was non-negotiable in the 2000’s, especially when the likes of TOWIE took over UK television.
St.Moriz quickly became a favourite for many as it delivered that bronzy glow at a bargain price. It was great for night outs, special occasions and summer glows, and now it’s still so many people’s go-to.
Britney Spears Fantasy Eau de Parfum Spray
The singer’s Fantasy fragrance wasn’t just a perfume; it was a pop culture moment.
Launched in 2005, the sugary sweet blend of kiwi, white chocolate and musk perfectly captured peak Britney-era energy. The pink bottle alone became iconic and would be found on everyone’s vanity. For many, it’s the ultimate nostalgia fragrance.
The Body Shop Shea Body Butter
The Body Shop itself is a brand that is steeped in pure nostalgia, and before ‘self-care’ was a buzzword, there was the high street hero.
The Shea version of their body butter was and still is a rich, comforting formula that aims to replenish dry skin. Thick, nourishing and instantly recognisable by scent, it was a staple in bathrooms throughout the 2000s.
Eylure False Lashes – Volume No. 112
Flash lashes became a requirement in the late 2000’s, and Eylure was the brand that everyone went to to get them. Volume No. 112 delivered full, fluttery lashes that added instant drama, perfect for nights out, parties and early Instagram selfies.
Affordable and easy to apply, they helped normalise strip lashes as an everyday glam essential, cementing Eylure’s cult status.
Honestly? Take us back.
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