If the early 2000s taught us anything about beauty, it’s that shimmer never truly dies; it just hibernates until the fashion gods decide it’s time to sparkle again. Enter 2025, where frosted lips, glossy lids, and that unmistakable powdery blue eyeshadow have made their chilly return. The Y2K revival has officially hit peak frost, and beauty lovers everywhere are embracing the cold.
Why We’re Craving Frost Again
Trends are cyclical, yes, but this one feels particularly nostalgic. The icy makeup of the late ’90s and early aughts represented optimism, tech futurism, and a playful sense of experimentation. Think Britney Spears in “Oops!... I Did It Again”, Christina Aguilera’s metallic lids, or the cool-toned palettes that dominated the pages of every magazine.
Today’s frosted revival is part of the broader Y2K renaissance, a craving for something lighthearted after years of clean girl minimalism and matte, neutral tones. After all, maximalism is back across fashion, beauty, and even home decor.
How to Make It Modern
Pulling off icy makeup in 2025 is all about balance. The key lies in mixing textures and tones so that the frost feels intentional, not costume-y. Here’s how makeup pros are reimagining the chill:
- Soft shimmer over saturation. Instead of the opaque baby blue of 2002, today’s shades lean toward translucent washes of silver-blue, lavender frost, or sheer opal shimmer. Cream shadows and liquid metallics give a modern, skin-like finish.
- Pair with glowing skin. Frosted shadow looks best when offset by warmth. Think radiant, hydrated skin with soft blush and a hint of bronzer. The contrast keeps the look grounded.
- Gloss, not glitter. Swap chunky sparkles for high-shine glosses—on the lids, cheeks, or lips. A clear balm over a frosty base adds dimension without feeling dated.
- Subtle lips, bold eyes (or vice versa). The early 2000s loved matching icy eyes and frosted lips, but today’s trend favors choosing one focal point. A slick of silver-blue shadow paired with a rose-nude gloss feels modern, while frosty lips pop best with clean, minimal eyes.
How to Nail the Look
Step 1: The New Icy Eye
Forget the chalky blue shadow of decades past—today’s frosted lids are soft, dimensional, and a little bit wet-looking.
- Start with a creamy base.
Use an eyeshadow primer or a soft cream shadow in a neutral shade to smooth texture and make shimmer pop. A light beige or taupe helps the frost stay luminous instead of stark.
- Lay down the shimmer.
With your finger or a dense brush, tap an icy blue or silvery shadow across the lid, keeping most of the pigment near the lash line and center. The goal is to create a halo of light, not an opaque wash.
- Soften the edges.
Blend a cool-toned taupe, lilac, or even a whisper of champagne in the crease. This transition keeps the look modern and wearable. You want dimension, not hard lines.
- Add a glossy finish.
For that “wet ice” vibe, press a bit of clear gloss or balm onto the center of the lid with your fingertip. It catches the light beautifully in photos and feels fresh, not overdone.
- Line and define.
Skip harsh black liner. Instead, try a navy, charcoal, or silvery pencil smudged close to the lash line. Add a coat of lengthening mascara to keep the look airy and fluttery.
Pro tip: Don’t forget the inner corners—dot a silver or pearlescent shimmer there to make your eyes look wide awake and angelic.
Step 2: Frosted Lips, Reinvented
The frosted lip has evolved from its sticky, metallic-pink roots. Today’s version is sheer, balmy, and multidimensional—a cross between gloss and light-catching balm.
- Prep your lips.
Exfoliate gently and hydrate with a lightweight balm. Smooth texture is crucial for shimmer to look flattering.
- Layer a soft tint.
Apply a neutral or pinky-nude lipstick or stain as a base. This gives your lips natural warmth underneath the frost.
- Add your frost strategically.
Dab a pearly gloss—something with champagne, silver, or rose-gold shimmer—onto the center of your lips. Blend outward with your finger for a subtle, icy highlight rather than full metallic coverage.
Step 3: The Modern Highlighter—Lit, Not Glittered
Today’s highlight is less “strobe light” and more “moonlit glow.” It complements icy eyes and frosted lips without competing for attention.
- Cream > Powder (usually).
Cream or liquid highlighters melt into skin for a natural radiance. Apply with your fingertips or a damp sponge to the tops of cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and brow bone.
- Placement is everything.
Instead of painting a solid stripe, think strategic shimmer. Dot highlight on areas where light naturally hits—temples, tip of the nose, even above the brows for a fresh, hydrated finish.
- Layer textures.
For that extra “frozen glass” glow, tap a thin veil of translucent powder highlight on top of your cream base. Choose tones that flatter your skin: icy pearl for cool undertones, champagne for neutral, and soft gold for warm.
- Skip heavy contour.
The new frosted aesthetic favors softness. Let the highlight sculpt subtly through light, not shadow. A radiant complexion keeps the look ethereal instead of overly defined.
How to Choose the Right Frosted Palette
To make sure you pick a palette that works for you, here are a few quick tips derived from experts:
- Know your undertones. If you have cool undertones, icy blues and silvers will often flatter more naturally. Warm undertones? You might want to blend the blue with a warmer transition shade so it doesn’t wash you out.
- Texture matters. For icy looks, shimmer or metallic finishes tend to give that glacial gleam. But you’ll want at least one matte or satin to help define the crease or soften the look.
- Balance your palette. Even if you’re all about the blue lid, having some neutral tones in the palette helps create dimension and ensures the look is wearable in more than just party mode.
Product Picks for the Frosted Revival
ColourPop Cloud 9 Eye Shadow Palette: A rich mix of silvery blues and cool neutrals with metallic and pearlescent finishes—perfect for the icy-blue lid trend.
ColourPop Cloud 9 Eye Shadow Palette
L'Oreal Paris Makeup Le Shadow Stick Eyeshadow in Ice Sparkle: A shadow stick that applies like a dream.
L'Oreal Paris Makeup Le Shadow Stick Eyeshadow in Ice Sparkle
Milani Lip Gloss in Champagne: With a sheer, creamy formula, this gloss is the perfect way to finish off your icy lips.
Milani Lip Gloss in Champagne
SHEGLAM Glow Bloom Liquid Waterproof Highlighter in Vanilla Frost: Bring out your inner glow with this liquid highlighter.
SHEGLAM Glow Bloom Liquid Waterproof Highlighter in Vanilla Frost
Some of the products featured here may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on personal use, stylist feedback, or product performance.
