Just like in fashion, beauty trends come back around. Products and formulas may evolve, but popular hairstyles and makeup looks from the past have a way of returning—and the frosted lip is the latest to make a comeback.
You may remember the metallic lips worn by supermodels in the late ’90s and the pearlescent glosses that defined early-2000s celebrity makeup. In 2026, though, the look is a bit more subtle. We tapped celebrity makeup artist Brandy Allen to explain why frosted lips are suddenly having a moment again and how you can get the look for yourself.
What Made Frosted Lips So Popular in the ’90s and 2000s?
If you vividly recall your mom or older siblings slicking on a frosted lip to top off their look in the ’90s or 2000s, you’re not alone. Allen also recalls her first encounter with the trend as a preteen. “I remember my mom introducing me to MAC cosmetics in the late ’90s…purchasing her FOIL frosted lipstick and chestnut lip liner,” she says.
Pamela Anderson wearing a frosted lip look during an appearance in 1999. Barry King // Getty Images
But what made the look really pop at the time was the focus on creating contrast. “From the precise contouring to contrasted nude eyes, a deeper lip liner paired with a lighter, pearlescent lipstick was a staple look,” she says. “Models like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Kate Moss really pushed the look to iconic.”
And in the 2000s, as metallic looks dominated, the lustrous lip look was seen more regularly on Hollywood stars. “Celebrities like Pamela Anderson helped make that frosted pink or nude lip incredibly recognizable,” Allen says. “It became part of the overall Y2K beauty aesthetic, with celebrities like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Halle Berry, and more rocking frosted lips topped with gloss.”
Why Are Frosted Lips Back Now?
As you may have noticed from the surge in popularity around capri pants, body glitter, and analog hobbies, Y2K nostalgia is at an all-time high. And according to Allen, that nostalgia is what’s fueling the frosted lip’s return, though she notes that this time around it’s executed a bit differently.
Rihanna wearing a frosted lip look at the 2026 Met Gala. Mike Coppola // Getty Images
“The biggest difference is dimension,” Allen says. “The original frosted lip could sometimes be very opaque, pale, or almost silver. The 2026 version is softer and more sophisticated. We’re seeing pearl, champagne, rose gold, bronze, and warm metallics that complement the wearer’s complexion.”
And while in the past metallic pigments could come off chalky or leave the lips feeling dry, Allen says the look has improved. “Today we have hydrating glosses, lip oils, balms, and finely milled pearl pigments, so you can create reflection without the lip looking dry or heavy,” she says. “I think that’s what makes this version feel more wearable.”
How to Get the Look
Allen suggests approaching the frosted lip in three layers: definition, dimension, and shine.
- Create definition: Define your lip shape with lip liner. “Start with a lip liner that’s one to two shades deeper than your natural lip color,” Allen says. “Instead of filling in the lip, concentrate the liner around the perimeter and softly diffuse it inward.”
- Add dimension: This is the step where you’ll pick your frost. “You can use a pearl or metallic lipstick, but you can also modernize the look by tapping a champagne, rose-gold, or pearl pigment onto the center of the lips,” Allen says. “That placement creates dimension without making the entire lip overly metallic.”
- Get ready to shine: To complete the look, “finish with a hydrating gloss concentrated through the center,” Allen says. “That finishing shine is what takes the look from Y2K to 2026 frosted lips.”
With the right products and technique, the frosted lip is easier than ever to wear in a way that feels fresh and modern rather than like a costume from a decade past.
