My FYP is Looking Particularly Frosty: The 10 Essential Makeup Items Dominating 2026

      It's official: We're finally saying farewell to the ultra-clean, airbrushed makeup styles that have dominated the past few years and are returning to our more vibrant and playful beginnings of grunge, boho, and futurism, trends that flourished in the 2000s. Frosted makeup, in particular, has been gaining popularity on TikTok among Gen Z, with celebrities like Zara Larsson, Rhea Raj, and the members of Katseye embracing the trend with a flair for the dramatic and colorful. As someone in my twenties who had the fortune of experiencing Y2K beauty trends as a child, I'm thrilled to revisit them in adulthood. Below, I'm delving into the origins of frosted makeup with insights from a makeup artist who has created numerous looks that embrace the trend. Continue reading for information on the trend’s background, tips and tricks for achieving it, and the best products to use.

      Why is frosted makeup making a comeback? According to celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno, the apparent resurgence of frosted makeup looks reflects the cyclical nature of beauty trends and serves as a response to the minimal clean beauty trends that have dominated recent years. "People are seeking something more playful, and frosted textures capture that mood effectively," explains Briceno. "They reflect light, photograph beautifully, and don’t necessitate complicated techniques." While the trend is inspired by Y2K, he notes that the contemporary version of frosted makeup is "more refined and offers a broader understanding of various skin tones." He also points out that younger consumers did not experience this era initially, allowing frosted colors and textures to feel fresh again—especially appealing in today’s visual culture.

      How can I achieve a modern frosted makeup look? If you’re curious about the best way to create a frosted makeup appearance, Briceno suggests focusing on balance. He starts with fresh-looking, breathable skin so that the frosted effect feels modern and intentional, rather than dated. For striking icy eye looks, he prefers to press sheer metallic and pearlescent shadows into the center of the lid or inner corner to achieve the icy, Y2K vibe without overwhelming the eye. "Color choice is important—cool taupe, rose gold, soft bronze, and iridescent lavender work well for many skin tones due to their depth," he says. For the lips, Briceno advises using a sheer frosted gloss layered over a neutral lip color for a contemporary look, as opposed to the more opaque, pastel frosts that were popular in the 2000s. "For highlighter, place it delicately on the high points of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and perhaps the brow bone," Briceno adds. He emphasizes that the completed frosted makeup should appear luminous rather than glittery.

      How can I draw inspiration from Y2K makeup? With the knowledge of how to create the frosted makeup looks favored by the fashion scene, Briceno suggests viewing Y2K references as inspiration rather than strict replicas. The aim is to develop a modern interpretation with intentional, recognizable elements. "In the original era, multiple frosted elements were often used at full intensity: icy eyes, metallic lips, and heavy shimmer together," he explains. "In today’s modern iteration, I typically choose one frosted element to highlight." If the eyes are icy and reflective, for instance, he prefers to keep the lips soft and glossy; conversely, if the lips are frosted, he simplifies the eye makeup. Briceno also stresses the importance of product texture, noting that frost looks best when the skin underneath is prepped to be smooth and hydrated. "Proper skin preparation and thin layers of makeup allow reflective finishes to appear intentional rather than powdery," he explains. Additionally, applying shimmer to the lid with a fingertip or a dense brush results in a more refined frosted look.

      Shop This Year’s Frosted Makeup Essentials

      MAC Cosmetics Dazzleshadow Extreme Eyeshadow in Incinerated

      This long-lasting eyeshadow from MAC Cosmetics is designed to create a wet-like metallic finish with a lightweight texture that glides on seamlessly. Its unique formula contains light-catching pearlescent pigments. "These shadows have a very refined, reflective texture that delivers an icy, Y2K sparkle without appearing chunky or glittery. They catch light beautifully and can be applied sheer or built up for more intensity," notes Briceno.

      Anastasia Beverly Hills Glidr Shadow Stick in Star

      Available in 25 finishes—metallic, shimmer, and matte—this eyeshadow by Anastasia Beverly Hills provides bold color for defining and sculpting the eyes. Its long-wear formula offers 12 hours of water-resistant, smudge-proof, and non-flaking performance with high-impact pigments. I’m already planning to wear this to every concert scheduled for this year.

      Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Solstice