The Frosty Eyeshadow Trend Refuses to Melt Away
The Y2K pastel shimmer you remember is back in rotation, only now, it actually hits better.
Let’s talk about one of your favorite makeup looks that you might have forgotten about in the midst of growing up, and, oh yeah, becoming an adult. Frosty eye shadow has been making its way back into society slowly over the past couple of years, and it’s time for you to get formally reintroduced. Yeah, we’re talking about that glimmering eye shadow hue. You know it, you love it, you wore it to your very first middle school dance in the 1990s or early 2000s.
If you’re unfamiliar, frosty eye shadow is a silvery pastel blue shade, first becoming a trend in the ’90s and reappearing now with the beauty world’s renewed interest in all things Y2K.
The Y2K era’s obsession with shimmer, especially that signature pale blue wash across the lids paired with heavy mascara, still defines the frosty eye today. “We had the ubiquitous pale blue shimmer eyeshadow swiped across the lids, topped with thick mascara,” Manila-based celebrity makeup artist Mickey See tells Allure Philippines.
In the 2020s, we’ve seen Hailey Bieber, Doja Cat, and Nicole Richie—and of course, most of the characters on Euphoria, too—rock different hues of frosty eye shadow. One thing’s for sure: this look is so back.
“After this global pandemic, we are ready to come out with a bang,” Joseph Carrillo, a makeup artist based in New York City, tells Allure. “We have been covered up for so long. We’re all craving something bold and fun.”
But to get the ultimate frosty eye, it’s imperative to use an eye shadow primer, Carrillo says. You can use foundation. Apart from priming, the way you apply the shadow itself also makes a massive difference.
“Pressing, not rubbing, will ensure maximum glitter pay-off and minimum fallout,” (a.k.a. when loose powder particles fall onto the cheeks), says New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli.
“Where do I even start looking for the perfect frosty shade?” you might be wondering. See recommends the icy blue or metallic eyeshadow shades of the Shu Uemura Pressed Eyeshadows.
But, as any makeup aficionado knows, you have to go the extra mile if you want the look to stand out—and if it’s by using a multi-purpose product, even better. “Topping any eye shadow look with, glittery frost with lots of iridescent sparkle adds fun,” Flowers says.
When deciding what other makeup to pair the frosty eye shadow look with, it depends on the person. “If your eye is the focus of the look, let your eyes have their moment; the lip should complement it,” says New York City makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell. “I typically go for a pink tone nude to compliment the pastel tones of the eyes.”
See agrees. To keep it feeling modern, he emphasizes balance: “If you want a shimmer on the eyes, keep the rest of the face matte to keep it balanced,” he explains.
On the other hand, this look can also be paired with a bold lip, says New York City makeup artist Delina Medhin, especially if you choose a warmer eye shadow hue. “I almost always use a gold frosty color on my clients—it’s something that looks good on all skin tones,” she says.
If you want to lean fully into the throwback, a glossy lip ties everything together–think that high-shine finish that defined the early 2000s. See suggests layering MAC Lip Glass over a tinted base like Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey to get that signature, glassy sheen. He also suggests adding a lipliner like MAC Lip Pencil for definition.
It’s no mystery as to why we’re seeing a revival of the frosty eye right now. After all, beauty and style trends are and have always been cyclical. “We are definitely seeing a lot of nods [in pop culture] to ’90s fashion, hair, and makeup these days, [with series] such as the television series Pam & Tommy or Euphoria,” Flowers says. “It’s fun to borrow influences from earlier times in history and make them fresh.”
All in all, we can’t wait to see more frosty eyes in celebrity selfies and on the red carpets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frosty eyeshadow is a silvery pastel blue shimmer shade that first became a defining beauty trend in the 1990s and early 2000s. It typically features a pale, icy wash of shimmer across the lids, worn with heavy mascara — a signature Y2K aesthetic now experiencing a mainstream revival.
The frosty eye revival is driven by beauty’s broader return to Y2K aesthetics, amplified by pop culture touchpoints including the television series Euphoria and Pam & Tommy. Makeup artists also point to a post-pandemic desire for bold, expressive looks after years of minimal, covered-up beauty.
The key application technique is pressing — not rubbing — the eyeshadow onto the lid. Pressing maximizes color and glitter payoff while minimizing fallout, the loose powder particles that settle onto the cheekbones. An eye shadow primer or a thin layer of foundation applied first helps the shadow adhere and intensify.
When the frosty eye is the focal point, makeup artists recommend a complementary pink-toned nude lip to balance the pastel shimmer. For a fully Y2K-era finish, a glossy lip using a tinted base with a lip gloss layered on top recreates the high-shine aesthetic that defined early 2000s beauty.
While pale icy blue is the most recognizable frosty shade, gold and warm metallic variations are considered universally flattering across skin tones. Makeup artists often recommend gold frosty eyeshadow for clients with deeper complexions, noting its versatility and wearability across a broader range of looks.
