I was born in the 90s and reached adolescence in the early to mid-2000s. Even though this is a problematic era for many reasons (I firmly believe that “body positivity” is an unheard of, almost incredible concept), I still look back on it affectionately. At that time, I didn’t know I would be a beauty editor, but I knew I loved stealing my mom’s perfume spray, applying weird Mary Kay lip balm samples, and covering my limbs with a blue raspberry-scented body glitter (Iykyk).
One of my favorite Y2K beauty trends is Glitter Lip Gloss. Iconic and striking, I remember some of my favorite celebrities filming shiny, shiny lips on the cover of my most harvested teen magazine. I want to understand this trend. I remember begging mom to buy me a glittering pink lip gloss so I could be like Britney Spears. She agreed, and I kept wearing it.
Fast forward to today, and some of the coolest beauty brands are resuming this Y2K trend (still be my beating, millennial heart!). Whether it’s a cult classic brand like Tarte, a budget-friendly brand like color, or a cool girl like Half Magic (by Happy Makeup artist Donni Davy, no doubt, glittering lips are better than ever. Before, see the best glittering, glittering, Y2K-style lip products to buy in 2025.
Original Y2K reference
(Picture source: Getty Images)
Here we have four pioneers of the original flash trend. First, Beyonce was awarded the 2000 MTV Movie Awards with golden, glittering lips. Second, Britney Spears’ photo is a party entering the 2000 Grammy Awards, dressed in seemingly glittering holographic lip gloss. Next, Rihanna plays the icy silver iteration in MTV’s total request. Last but not least, brandy comes with a warm, shiny lip gloss when attending the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.
Say what you want, but as a millennial, coveted, glittering lip gloss I still think of this look as an atmosphere. It’s not outdated, but it feels cool, different, and usually just pleasure. I have been missing the relaxed boom of this trend after the so-called “clean girl” aesthetic takes over and makes the beauty scene a little sterile and minimized. More importantly, I feel like celebrities like Charli XCX and Dua Lipa will get recognition for this trend. It seems to fit their “boy” and modern disco aesthetics.
The best part about this trend is that it is flexible. Touch the shades of pearls, silver, lilac and indigo with bold glitter spots to the original Y2K reference. Or, by sticking to a subtle, flickering formula of neutral tones, such as petal pink or pink, will be a modern 2025 spin.
Anyway, keep scrolling to see my favorite selection of glitter and glittering lip products.
The best Y2K style lip products
Half magic
Magic drip glitter in Y2K CHERUB
Donni Davy is the lead makeup artist at Euphoria. She is also the creator and expert behind Half Magic, a beauty brand that encourages playing with color, shape and self-expression. This shiny lip gloss is the final nod of the Y2K flash trend. High-level formulas contain shiny, shiny dimensions. Although there are a variety of shadows to choose from, I’m going to use this shadow called y2k cherub(abvi).
Half magic
Cinnawitch’s Crystal Butter Lip Balm
This is another half magic lip product that is perfect for this trend. It’s a moisturizing, nourishing lip balm that just happens to be filled with sparks. Every shadow is in a very important place, but I have a special place in my heart for the shimmering cinnamon shadows.
Tate
Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump Shimmer Glass Indigo
Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip Plumps is very popular on Instagram and Tiktok, and there is good reason. They feel soft and comfortable on their lips, providing much-needed moisture and look incredible. The original highlight version is good, but I’d reach for the glittering version, especially this very Y2K-encoded shadow.
Valentino
Pufferfish compound lip gloss in dazzling mermaid
Speaking of Charli XCX, I have good authority because she loves this lip gloss from Valentino. This shadow of what is known as the dazzling mermaid is just something I’m cool, Y2k inspired to dream. The fact that it makes my skinny lips plump is just a benefit.
Patrick Tower
She’s expensive
Patrick TA’s main glossy lips shine with her expensiveness and fits in the bill. True to its name, it makes the lips look beautiful, look beautiful, and Excellent…expensive.
Sephora series
About the shiny shiny lipstick in the iridescent ice
Use this pure lipstick as a top hat or a standalone lipstick.
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty
Cold green martial arts bomb jam
Fenty Beauty’s glossy bomb Stix is so smooth, smooth and hydrating. They literally melt on the lips, providing a glossy finish, in which case they are eye-catching glitter.
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty
Glossy Bomb Stix in Hot Chocolit
I also like this ICH brown shade called Hot Chocolate.
Kelly Cosmetics
High gloss, you like it very much
Don’t sleep on Kylie Jenner’s high gloss. Comfortable, non-stick formulas come in multiple shades, each with the most eye-catching glitter.
Make up forever
Super lifting the hydrating and plump lip color in fairy tales
These lip glosses provide a high gloss, a shiny finish and a comfortable cooling effect when infused with hyaluronic acid. All the shadows are collectible, but I like this one, called fairy tale glitter, the best. It is holographic gold with a pink glitter.
luster
Birthday balm lip balm
I love the glittering shadows of Glossier’s signature balm dots.
Hermes
Rouge Hermès PoppyLip Shine Shine
Even the iconic design house is on the shimmer lip trend. Rouge Hermès PoppyLip Shine has a translucent, slightly orange formula that makes the lips look radiant and healthy. Add highly reflective mother-of-pearl particles to the mixture and you will have the ultimate subtle lip gloss.
Colourpop
So juicy plump angel baby’s gloss balm
Last but not least, Colourpop’s so juicy plump glossy balm has subtle, glittering shades like this golden pink nude color called Angel Baby. I think this warm and toast shade is perfect for all kinds of summer makeup.
