Every 20 years or so, trends recycle themselves, and the 2000s are no exception: denim on denim, low-rise pants, visible thongs, chunky highlights, trucker hats, thin brows, mini skirts, and belly chains galore. It’s all back. Is it time to channel our inner Britney Spears, Aaliyah, or Paris Hilton? Maybe…but if we’re being honest, were any of these trends ever that good in the first place?

So what trends from the new millennium should we be flaunting this season, and which ones should we just leave in 2002 with our forgotten MySpace account and our pink Motorola Razr flip phone?

Thin Brows

How could we ever go back? The tweezers were finally put down, and everyone's natural brows are still emerging from recovery. 

“It really was brow genocide back then wasn’t it,” says 22-year-old New York City-based makeup artist and influencer, Danielle Parkes. “I always tell my clients that when doing your eyebrows, all you’re trying to do is enhance their natural shape. Don’t, and I repeat, do not over-pluck and change them completely. Everyone’s natural shape already compliments their features, so why change that?” 

Parkes even notes further enhancing her clients’ natural brows to give them a more natural, “bushy yet tamed” look by brushing them up with some setting gel.

So, put the tweezers down, and don’t ever pick them up again.

Frosted Eyeshadow

It was shimmery. It was cakey. And it came in absolutely every tacky color you could imagine. Pink, white, and even…blue. 

Did no one have the heart to tell us how bad it really was?

“I know there’s someone out there putting baby blue, glittery eyeshadow on with a red lip,” says makeup artist and Blush Magazine’s Beauty Director, Frankie Byrd, 20. “I absolutely hate it. But, makeup artists today have incredible skills to take a horrendous look and turn it into something tasteful and amazing.”

Stars like Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, and even Tyra Banks flaunted the look on red carpets past, and now, celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, Zendaya, and Dua Lipa are following in their footsteps.

Perhaps Byrd is right. Given the right skills, tools, and products, frosted eyeshadow can be tasteful. But maybe we should just leave this look to the professionals, and forget our wet n wild palettes in the past.  

Ombré Lips

A look so iconic, it survived the late 90s and made its mark in the early 2000s. 

Often called two-tone lips, the look is achieved by applying a darker shade around the outer edge of the lips, and blending into a lighter, more neutral shade in the middle of the lips for a seamless illusion of a fuller pout. 

Although more recent renditions of the lip are much less contrasted than that of Winona Ryder’s or Gwen Stefani’s looks circa 2001, the more subtle ombré lip is not only on-trend but much more wearable than its more edgy counterpart. 

“I think the ombré lip will always be a staple in beauty culture because it elevates a simple nude lip,” confirms Byrd.

Chunky Highlights

Let’s be honest. These were never actually highlights. They were stripes. Thick, chunky stripes. In our hair. 

Most recently, singer Billie Eilish appropriated the chunky highlight (in gaudy, neon green and black) as her signature look. And pop artist Dua Lipa, seems partial to the trend, recently dyeing her naturally dark bangs into bright, highlighter yellow stripes.

“Although chunky highlights are controversial and many people seem to feel strongly that they don’t look good, I think when they’re done in a precise and detail-oriented way, in terms of color application, they can look amazing,” says New York City-based hairstylist Jennie Segedin, 21. “While they’re definitely not a hairstyle everyone would enjoy or pull off, I love when people use chunky highlights to contrast a dark hair color, or use pastels or vibrant colors to break up sections of hair.”

So, what’s the consensus? Are these highlights abstract, or just plain tacky?

Spiky Space Buns

Thank you, Lizzie McGuire and Britney Spears, queens of the spiky buns, for the most iconic look ever. These buns (aka space buns), often coming in pairs of two, are notable for their lack of hair in the bun itself, and rather, the spiky straggle of hair poking out of them.

“I think the spiky buns have a sleek and edgy look that isn’t too difficult to achieve, and they look really chic,” says Taylor Gove, 29, a hairstylist from Syracuse. “I also like how space buns can be more relaxed and almost intentionally messy-looking while still having that effortlessly yet cute feel.”

The look, when worn in one bun perched on the crown of the head, has even been coined the “model off duty” look as models such as Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Gigi Hadid have been spotted sporting it. 

Bella Hadid often wears the updo to accompany her streetwear looks and in doing so has practically made it her signature hairstyle.

It had us at “effortless.” 

Not only does this style require little skill, but it’s a great style for days when you don’t feel like washing your hair. “This sounds so weird, but the dirtier your hair, the better,” explains Segedin. “It makes it easier for your hair to stay in place, so it’s perfect for those days where you don’t want to do much with your hair but still want to look put together.” 

Side Bangs

You weren’t cool in the 2000s (and part of the 2010s) unless your part started on the other side of your head (guilty, unfortunately). Is the side-sweeping bang making its return?

“You know personally, I really hope not. I’ve spent far too long cringing at old photos of myself to ever go back to that severe of a part,” says Gove. “But with the right face shape, texture of hair, and length of the bang, I think certain people can pull it off. Haircutting is all about proportions and knowing how to suit someone’s facial features, — vital with a side bang — so not knowing how to cater to a client’s features can make or break the look.”

TikTok has even found a method of pointing out exactly who was born before the millennium. Middle part = did not grow up, for the majority, in the 90s. Side part = obvious Millennial.

Denim on Denim

If done well, this look isn’t that bad. Known as the “Canadian tuxedo” or the “Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake AMA look,” once scorned, the iconic fabric of America is now springing up everywhere, from head to toe.

“I’ve been rocking this look for a while, even before its comeback,” says Blush Magazine’s Fashion Director, Raelen Todd. “It’s all about the denim. The denim washes should match in color and texture, and honestly, I think the slouchier the better.”

This year’s Met Gala was no exception to the trend, with actress Lupita Nyong’o paying homage to the iconic American fabric by wearing an all-denim Versace gown.

“It’s a staple,” explains Todd. “Why not be a little controversial and go all out with it?”

Low-Rise Pants

They’re back, and lower than we remember. It wasn’t long ago that we were all swearing off low-rise anything ever again, and here we are with lower waistlines and lower midriffs exposed.

“I don’t think I own a single pair of high-rise pants anymore,” laughs style influencer Hannah Brower, 20. “I think the cut of low-rise is not for everyone, but they can really help elevate a look with a bit of some sexy sophistication.”

While we don’t need to go out and buy the skinny jeans that reveal our hip bones, with the proper cut and the right type of pants (trousers do this trend the most justice), this look can complement any ensemble.

Mini Skirts

Emphasis on mini. These skirts practically left nothing to the imagination, and have returned once again to leave even less mystery than before. 

“I think people love it because it puts them in control,” says Brooklyn-based stylist and TikToker, Sydney Avery, 23. “I mean, the whole point of the mini skirt is that people want other people to look. I absolutely love it. If someone wants to feel sexy, this is a really versatile way to do that.”

Often paired with knee-high boots, and commandeered by stars like Avril Lavigne and films like Mean Girls, skirts are once again losing their length.

“I mean it’s no wonder people want to show a little more leg,” says Todd. “They’ve been forced into sweatpants because of the pandemic for over a year now! Their legs just want to be free.”

Whether you lived through Y2K yourself, or are finding yourself virgin to the concept that is the Juicy Couture velour tracksuit, just remember, not every trend is worth a resurgence.