Beauty

10 Times Celebrities Channeled 2000s Beauty At The Emmy Awards

Pastel blue eyeshadow and glossy lips, right this way.

by Rachel Lapidos
10 times celebrities channeled 2000s makeup trends on the Emmys red carpet.
Getty Images/Dan MacMedan / Contributor

The Emmys red carpet is back come Sunday, Sept. 19, so after a digital version of the awards ceremony last year, viewers get to finally gush over the fashion and beauty looks celebrities wear for the event. There have been plenty of standouts in the glam category over the years, but perhaps the most fun to revisit are the 2000s makeup moments that made an appearance at the Emmys.

As seems to be the case with so many trends, the early aughts have been recirculating among celebrities, runways, and social media. It’s easy to see why: Y2K-era makeup is fun and youthful. Glossy lips, frosted eyeshadows, dramatic blush, and bold eyeliner looks reigned supreme — and, if you remember rocking them over a decade ago, it’s time to get reacquainted.

Over the past 10 years, A-listers have referenced numerous 2000s makeup styles at the Emmys. From Zendaya’s red hair and lip gloss pairing in 2019 to Rachel Brosnahan’s pastel blue eyeshadow that same year, Bustle’s taking a look back at the best Y2K beauty looks from Emmys past. Keep reading for some makeup inspo as you wait until the 2021 Emmys bring a fresh set of glam to feast your eyes on.

1Sarah Hyland’s Shimmery Eyeshadow

Sarah Hyland wore very early 2000s-style shimmery eye makeup to the 2016 Emmys.
Getty Images/ David Crotty / Contributor

The Modern Family star dipped her toe into Y2K’s obsession with all things shimmer. At the 2016 Emmys, Hyland wore a sparkly gold eyeshadow along with a neutral lip.

2Yara Shahidi’s Cat Eye

Yara Shahidi sported the perfect winged cat eye to the 2017 Emmys.
Getty Images/ Steve Granitz / Contributor

The cat eye was big in the early 2000s, and it’s a nostalgic trend Shahidi expertly wore to the 2019 Emmys, complete with the look’s signature bold flick.

3Shailene Woodley’s Dark Eyeliner

The 2000s called for heavy eyeliner looks, a trend Shailene Woodley sported at the 2017 Emmys.
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer

When Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi” came out in 2002, she solidified smudged, heavy eyeliner as a trend. Woodley rocked the look with a dark green velvet gown for a chic but edgy vibe.

4Tracee Ellis Ross’ Colorful Lids

Tracee Ellis Ross wearing vivid orange eyeshadow at the 2018 Emmys.
Getty Images/ Steve Granitz / Contributor

The early 2000s were all about embracing colorful makeup, which was a totally new vibe after the muted brown tones that were big in the ’90s. At the 2018 Emmys, Ellis Ross proved a vivid orange shadow is nothing to fear.

5Rachel Brosnahan’s Frosted Blue Lids

Rachel Brosnahan rocking frosted blue eyeshadow at the 2019 Emmys.
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer

Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Brosnahan paired one of the biggest makeup trends of the early 2000s with her navy sequined gown: pale blue eyeshadow. She let her eye glam stand out by opting for a more subtle swipe of color on her lips and cheeks.

6Susan Kelechi Watson’s Winged Liner

Susan Kelechi Watson sported heavy winged eyeliner at the 2019 Emmy Awards.
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer

It was almost a rarity to see eyeliner-less beauty looks in the early aughts. At the 2019 Emmy Awards, star Kelechi Watson sported a winged liner look with bold definition on her top lid along with full lashes.

7Mandy Moore’s Pink Blush

Mandy Moore wore heavy pink blush on the apples of her cheeks at the 2019 Emmys.
Getty Images/ Kevin Mazur / Contributor

The 2000s were a decade that embraced the heavy use of blush. Moore’s pink cheeks at the 2019 Emmys were a gorgeous nod to the era, and matched her color-blocked outfit perfectly.

8Julia Garner’s Glittery Pout

Julia Garner wore a sparkly lip to the 2019 Emmys.
Getty Images/ Steve Granitz / Contributor

Sure, glossy lips were a big 2000s trend — but the decade also saw lots of glittery pouts. Garner went bold with a dazzling gold lipstick at the 2019 Emmys, which complimented her violet dress.

9Kristin Cavallari’s Bronze Glam

Kristin Cavallari rocked a bronzed makeup look to the 2019 Emmys.
Getty Images/ Dan MacMedan / Contributor

One trend in the early 2000s was to pile on the bronzer. Cavallari went full bronze goddess at the 2019 Emmys, bringing all the sun-kissed beachy vibes to the red carpet.

10Zendaya’s Glossy Lips

Zendaya stunned in Y2K-style lip gloss at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Getty Images/ ROBYN BECK / Contributor

She may have gotten more attention for her red hair and custom Vera Wang gown at the 71st Emmy Awards, but it’s worth appreciating Zendaya’s very Y2K lip gloss.