This story was originally published on September 21, 2016.
Smackers' Flip Gloss might be long gone and Victoria's Secret Halo perfume discontinued, but the 2000s are making a comeback nevertheless — and in a major way. Nude, glossy lips are trending, glitter is taking over the runways, and everyone is still really concerned with their brows.
But that doesn't mean we're going right back to our middle-school days. Sparkle isn't about frosting our lids and lips; grooming our brows doesn't mean tweezing them into oblivion. Our favorite beauty looks from that time have been reborn with a modern twist. Ahead, we revisit some of the most iconic beauty looks of the early 2000s (hello, crimped hair and chunky highlights) and show you updated versions from recent red carpets. Were eyelash-skimming bangs and handkerchief headbands your jam back in the day? Then you'll definitely love these looks.
Colored Hair, Then
Back in 2001, long, thin streaks of color — in shades drastically different from your natural color — were all the rage. The perfect example? Shakira at the 2001 Emmys.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Colored Hair, Now
Celebs are still rocking colored hair, and the biggest trend lately involves cascading strands of pastel hues. Britney's mermaid hair at the Teen Choice Awards had us contemplating a major hair change.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Bandanas, Then
Any teen could simply grab a scarf and a few bobby pins to re-create Brenda Song's cute look from 2004.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Bandanas, Now
The sweet accessory is slightly more badass now — for a modern Rosie-the-Riveter look. We also spotted it at Lela Rose's spring 2017 show.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Blue Eyeshadow, Then
It's safe to say that the biggest trend of the 2000s was color — and lots of it. Bright pink blush, purple lips, blue eyeshadow — Nelly Furtado played with all of it at once.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Blue Eyeshadow, Now
As shown on Emily Ratajkowski at the 2016 Emmys, the use of a bold color is usually restricted to one feature only. And it's strikingly gorgeous.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Bangs, Then
Jessica Alba's piece-y, eyelash-skimming bangs gave her an effortless look, but we can only imagine how annoying the upkeep was.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Bangs, Now
They're thick, cropped above the brow, and often faux — since celebs love switching up their hair for every red carpet appearance.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Frost, Then
If the word "frost" doesn't make you think of the Kate Hudson-classic How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, then it should at least bring to mind the glittery lids and glossy lips of the early 2000s. Case in point: J.Lo's mint-green shadow and baby-pink lips at the 2003 Oscars.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Frost, Now
Think metallic and chrome, like Kristen Stewart's cool, silver look at the 2016 Met Gala.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Gloss, Then
Mariah Carey has always been queen of gloss. She paired the lush look with rosy cheeks and a demure smoky eye 16 years ago.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Gloss, Now
Lip gloss today doesn't look wet or sticky, it just adds a subtle sheen.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Highlights, Then
We will never forget the chunky highlights that all of our friends, and Kelly Clarkson, got in 2002.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Highlights, Now
Nicki Minaj's Met Ball highlights in 2016 create a striking contrast and give her a cool, futuristic look.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Lined Lips, Then
Celebrities used to fake fuller lips by lining their lips with a contrasting color — very Roy Lichtenstein.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Lined Lips, Now
Now, however, we just overdraw our lips with a lip liner in the same shade as our matte lipstick.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Monochrome Makeup, Then
Matching your eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick, like Christina Milian did back in 2004, was the best way for those of us on a limited budget to make the most of our makeup.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Monochrome Makeup, Now
As Shay Mitchell showed us at the Teen Choice Awards, it's more about keeping the shades in the same family — and putting the eyes in the spotlight.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Smoky Eyes & Bold Lips, Then
The Destiny's Child ladies slayed in cat-eyes and copper lips.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Smoky Eyes & Bold Lips, Now
Viola Davis's metallic, smoky eye and fuchsia lip show that the old rule about picking just one feature to highlight can be totally disregarded.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Stick-Straight Hair, Then
Avril Lavigne's long strands were the epitome of cool, inspiring teen girls everywhere to fry their hair with their flat irons.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Stick Straight Hair, Now
Now, super-straight hair tends to come paired with a blunt cut, sans layers, for a sleek, weighted look.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Tans, Then
No celeb look was complete without a fake-bake tan — that was way too dark. (And can we just take a moment to celebrate the death of tanning beds?)
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Tans, Now
Subtle spray tans give stars a glow all-year-round.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Updos, Then
An updo was not complete without some face-framing tendrils.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Updos, Now
In 2016, however, it's all about slicked-back and sleek, like Constance Wu's high ponytail at the 2016 Emmy's.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Crimped Hair, Then
The hair crimper was our best friend in the 2000s — and Christina Aguilera owned the look with dramatic layers.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.
Crimped Hair, Now
Anna Kendrick's throwback is a bit more subdued. Crimp small sections then pull them back with an elastic for a twist on your basic ponytail.
Photo: John Salangsang/REX/Shutterstock.
Berets, Then
Paris Hilton's bedazzled beret was the epitome of It-girl status in the 2000s.
Photo: Alan Davidson/Silverhub/REX/Shutterstock.
Berets, Now
In bright red and matching her lips and shoulder strap, the beret looks badass.
Photo: MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock.
Top Knots, Then
Way back when, the perfect top knot was big, braided, and pulled slicked back with gel, for the ultimate princess look.
Photo: PETER BROOKER/REX/Shutterstock.
Top Knots, Now
But now? They're meant to be just-so-slightly undone, making you look glamorous even if you're running late.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock.
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