5 beauty looks from which to draw inspiration The comeback that (maybe) we were expecting

If in recent years beauty has been dominated by Y2K nostalgia, now the gaze moves even further ahead: welcome to the Y3K era. Feeds are increasingly filled with make-up featuring metallic and pearlescent reflections, and details that seem inspired by a digital, futuristic imagination. And who are we to miss out? Here are five beauty looks to inspire you.

Y3K Make-up Trend: what is it?

First of all: what is Y3K? Y3K is the aesthetic that imagines the future beyond the future: an evolution of Y2K that leaves behind the pop side of the early 2000s to move toward a more digital, sleek, and artificial imagination. The idea is not of an imminent, realistic future, but of how we imagined the future between the late '90s and early 2000s, between Frutiger Aero graphics and visions of hyper-technological cities that probably will never exist. Y3K, therefore, adopts that techno-futurist and cyborg aesthetic born when digital was beginning to change everything. In beauty, this translates into metallic eyeshadows, mirror-like highlighters, smooth skin, almost plastic-like hair, and satin-finish nails.

Bronze make-up

In the Y3K world, warm colors are by no means banned, quite the opposite. Here we see how a bronzed look can perfectly match this aesthetic. Satin-finish lips, luminous skin - without going full glass skin - and bronze-toned eye make-up show that even warm shades can have a futuristic soul.

Metallic Lip Combo

Here, the lips take all the attention. Beyond a light face make-up, with subtle shading to define the face, there’s a silver lip combo fully aligned with the Y3K aesthetic, paired with very thin eyebrows and icy contacts.

Eye reflections

Here, multiple shades come into play. The eye make-up is a true explosion of reflections: from purple to green to blue, all completed with an intense black eyeliner. The lip combo is equally striking: a chocolate-colored pencil, almost violet, paired with a metallic-finish lipstick.

Silver eyeshadow

This look is perfect for those not yet ready for a full Y3K face but still want to experiment. Just a metallic silver eyeshadow and you’re good to go. It can be applied over the entire lid or, as shown, used to create a symmetrical highlight focused on the inner part of the eyes.

Bleached lashes

Similar to the previous look, but with a few extras. Here we see bleached-effect lashes, increasingly loved by make-up artists, paired with bleach brows for an almost alien gaze. On the eyelids, a metallic lilac pairs with a lip combo of the same tone, creating a super futuristic effect.

Must-have products

The products to look for when recreating any Y3K make-up look are those labeled metallic, satin, or chrome. These are the key words. A good mirror-effect highlighter is essential, capable of reflecting light like the hull of a spaceship. The MAC Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter is perfect, as it’s buildable and ideal for achieving that super luminous and smooth effect. You’ll also need an eyeshadow palette where the number of shimmer shades exceeds matte ones: in the future, we shine. The Chanel Space Traveller palette (the name says it all) is suitable for any futuristic make-up. You never leave the house without lipstick, and Isamaya makes the most trendy metallic lipsticks of recent times. If you prefer lip gloss, the Sirius Chroma Gloss by Glisten Cosmetics is perfect for completing the look. Final touch? A satin or chrome nail polish, like the one from Essence.