Trends always come and go. Typically, today’s current trends are reflective of what was popular around 20 years ago. With the rise of Y2Kfashion—we see you, low-rise jeans—it only makes sense that we’re also starting to see some early 2000s makeup trends appearing on our social feeds.
One trend that we’re seeing everywhere right now is a controversial one. You guessed it, frosted lipstick is officially having a moment, having been seen on many celebrities this year. What’s more, with the popularity of the Pam & Tommy series, we’re reminded of Pamela Anderson’s iconic frosted lipstick looks, and so many celebrity makeup artists are bringing it back for today’s red carpets. Both Zendaya and Beyoncé also wore frosted lipstick looks for their recent Italian and British Vogue covers. However, if you’re anything like me, it might bring back makeup nightmares. I remember buying frosted lipsticks that felt chalky, dragged on the lips, and had way too much glitter. Is it just me, or were they always just a bit too pale, too?
Thankfully, this time around the frosted lipstick trend is more subtle and wearable. Not to mention that the chalky, glitter-heavy formulas have been left in the late ’90s and early 2000s in favor of more sophisticated formulas, says beauty expert and Founder of OPV Beauty, Opeyemi Adeyemo. “Today’s frosted lipsticks have newer, duo-chromed pigments that have better light reflectivity. They’ve also been adapted to be hydrating on lips, long-lasting and smudge-proof making this trend wearable for a night out, or a casual lunch,” she says. Ahead, we rounded up some of the best celebrity frosted lipstick trends, as well as the best frosted lipsticks to try right now.
For Luptia’s Oscars look, makeup artist Nick Barose used a matte brick lipstick before applying an early 2000s favorite, Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Hallucination, to the middle of the lips for a frosted finish.
This is the exact lipstick that makeup artist Nick Barose used on Lupita for her Oscars makeup look.
For that all-important frosted finish, Nick Barose used this exact Juicy Tubes shade on top of Lupita’s lipstick. It has a frosted gold shimmer for a metallic finish. “[I used] a dot of #JuicyTubes in Hallucinations on center of lips for subtle golden sheen,” said Barose on Instagram.
As Jessica Biel demonstrates, the frosted lipstick trend can look subtle and understated. Makeup artist @nikki_makeup created this pink frosted lip look for Jessica Biel when she attended Dior’s menswear show in Paris recently.
While Jessica Biel’s makeup artist didn’t share details of her lip look, we think it can be replicated with Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Diamonds lipstick, which has a shimmering pink finish.
Makeup artist Hung Vanngo created this subtle peach frosted lip on Jodie Smith.
This golden-peach tone is ideal for recreating Jodie Smith’s look.
For a more subtle take on the frosted lipstick shade, a sheer metallic lipstick looks great on top of your usual lipstick. We’re obsessed with model Elsa Hosk’s lipstick here.
This is the exact lipstick shade worn by Elsa Hosk.
Dial-up any lipstick into a frosted lip look with a sheer metallic lipstick. This one by Fenty Beauty is totally sheer, so it looks great worn alone or on top of any lipstick shade.
This nude frosted lip on Kendall Jenner has subtle metallic tones, which make it very wearable.
MAC do great frosted lipsticks that are long-wearing and comfortable to wear.
We’re saving this frosted lip look worn by Maren Morris.
This liquid lipstick glides onto lips, leaving a metallic coating.
A metallic lipstick makes lips look fuller and plump. Try patting it onto the middle of the lips for a modern take on the trend.
This shimmering metallic lipstick looks great worn alone or on top of lipstick.
Lizzo always delivers a great makeup look, and her glittery frosted lips haven’t gone unnoticed.
If you want your frosted lipstick to have more glitter, go for this. Once applied, you smack your lips together to reveal sparkling pigments within the lipstick.
We’re here for Ashley Graham’s nude lipstick with subtle flecks of gold.
Look for a gloss with shimmer tones for a low-maintenance way to tap into the frosted lipstick trend.
