I hope you haven’t thrown away that old Urban Decay Naked palette.
The nostalgic palette that millennials loved in the early years has made a triumphant return and is being embraced by Gen Z, as the coquette trend continues and women opt for youthful, fresh-faced looks with a touch of glitter, a la Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter.
Afterpay ambassador and fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes Bell said the trend had hints of nostalgia, and Urban Decay’s head of global artistry Steve Kassajikian explained how you can try it at home.
If you want to channel your inner coquette with a bit of a millennial edge, here’s exactly how to do it and why it’s so popular.
The coquette trend continues and Gen Z women are opting for youthful, fresh-faced faces with a hint of glitter, a la Sabrina Carpenter
Olivia Rodrigo embraces the Y2K vibe in her pop punk music, vintage clothes and even with her glittery beauty looks
Afterpay ambassador and fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell said the coquette trend offered hints of nostalgia
Steve Kassajikian, head of Urban Decay’s global artistic department (pictured above with Bebe Rexha), explained how to try out the makeup looks at home
“Embracing these types of looks is rooted in psychology,” Shakaila told DailyMail.com.
‘There is a hypothesis called the babyface hypothesis and in a studyResearch found that adults who appear to have higher levels of baby-facedness produce greater competence.
‘There are also advantages to embracing the croquette style. Research has shown that having a baby face can change the way we are perceived. This explains why we believe that people with a baby face should be treated kindly.’
According to data on Postpaywhere people can purchase items immediately and pay for them over time, the most popular coquette makeup looks include eyeshadow sticks, lip stains, pink eyeshadow, false eyelashes, and white eyeliner.
Shoppers are also fans of hyper-feminine doll lashes, glossy highlighter, soft pink blush and romantic lip stains.
On TikTok, Gen Z is embracing the coquette beauty look, making videos on how to achieve the babyface, doll-eyed look that Sabrina Carpenter has mastered, with lots of bright pink blush and fluttering lashes.
Influencers are creating beauty tutorials on how to achieve wide-eyed glam, calling Sabrina “the blueprint.”
The Y2K beauty look is very similar to the light makeup beloved by those who embrace the coquette aesthetic, only with a little glitter — think of Olivia’s glow for inspiration.
Celebrity makeup artist Steve, who works with Bebe Rexha, Tinashe and Chloe Cherry (above), has mastered the coquette beauty look on his clients
The Naked palettes aren’t the only Y2K Urban Decay products making a comeback — the eye pencils in sharp shades like smog, roach and mildew are fan favorites, as are glitter liners
Steve said that to achieve the girlish beauty aesthetic, he must “keep the skin soft and natural, the lips transparent and glossy, and the cheeks and eyes cohesive with soft, romantic pink tones.”
If you want to opt for a full Y2K face—but still want it fresh—Steve said it’s best to use a dewy liquid blush, keep the brows feathery, and create a smoky eye with shimmer.
Celebrity makeup artist Steve, based in Los Angeles, has mastered the coquette beauty look on his clients including Bebe Rexha, Tinashe and Chloe Cherry.
Steve said that to achieve the girlish beauty aesthetic, he “kept the skin soft and natural, the lips transparent and glossy, and the cheeks and eyes cohesive with soft, romantic pink tones to give a monochrome finish with wispy eyelashes.’
“It’s ultra-feminine, romantic and complementary to everyone and every eye shape,” the makeup artist raved about the beauty trend, which is also being embraced on TikTok.
It’s fitting that the coquette beauty look coincides with Generation Z opting for Y2K fashion while being thrifty.
“This look feels nostalgic and looks from decades past are making such a comeback right now,” Steve agreed.
The Naked palettes aren’t the only iconic Y2K Urban Decay products making a comeback — the eye pencils in sharp shades like smog, roach and mildew are fan favorites, as are the glitter liners.
And if you want to opt for a full Y2K face — but keep it fresh, and not like you’re on a trip to Abercrombie & Fitch in 2004 — Steve said it’s best to use a dewy liquid blush, the brows fluffy and create a smokey eye with a bit of Space Cowboy shimmer on the inner corners and matching eyeliner.
Whether you’re in the mood for a flirt or want to show your love for shine, it’s easy to make these classic looks feel new and trendy.