The “Lee Hyori Makeup” Trend Is a Throwback to the 2000s – Here’s How To Recreate Her Iconic Look

Love or hate the era, you can’t deny that the 2000s were a truly remarkable time for makeup!

From frosty eyeshadows to bold lip liners, the turn of the century introduced a plethora of captivating makeup trends that seem so far removed from current styles.

Whether you love these looks or cringe at 2000s makeup, you might just be interested in its resurgence!

Although we haven’t fully returned to the era of concealer lips (yet), beauty enthusiasts have been embracing the challenge of recreating 2000s makeup on TikTok, with a particular focus on 2000s K-beauty.

If you’re curious about joining in on the fun and giving this unique look a try, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive guide!

The Look

@tomxinh_

2000s makeup #leehyori #y2k

♬ 10 Minutes – Lee Hyori

TikTok users are embracing the chance to relive the early 2000s by recreating the hair, makeup, and fashion trends of that era, complete with props like camcorders and hoop earrings!

This trend specifically highlights the more subtle and understated Korean beauty trends of the early 2000s, which contrast with bolder and more dramatic Western makeup looks.

Looking back, beauty enthusiasts have taken note of the effortlessly chic style that Korean celebrities embodied during the early 2000s.

One star in particular has become synonymous with this makeup style – Lee Hyori, the “it girl” of 2000s K-pop!

Starting from her debut in 1998, Hyori has been making waves in the K-pop industry for her gorgeous visuals and chic style, making her truly an icon of the early 2000s.

So, it’s no surprise that beauty enthusiasts have been referencing photos of Hyori’s makeup looks back in the day for this trend!

With makeup trends constantly evolving over the past two decades, recreating the light eyeshadow and lip looks of the early 2000s might seem bizarre when compared to current makeup habits.

Still, despite the changes in makeup trends, TikTok users are enjoying experimenting with these new techniques!

So, whether you remember having a similar makeup style back in the day, or were far too young to experience these makeup trends, this look offers a fun opportunity to transport yourself into a different era.

Interested in trying it out for yourself? Check out our tips on how to recreate the look!

Base

To start off this look, begin by creating a flawless and even base using your regular foundation and concealer to help cover any imperfections or dark circles.

Add dimension with some subtle contour, and a touch of shimmery highlighter to achieve a soft glow. It’s important to keep your base natural, so that your eyes can take center stage without any distractions.

When it comes to blush, opt for a lighter shade that will brighten up your complexion.

If you have cool-toned skin, try a pale, bubblegum-pink blush for a cute pop of color!

On the other hand, if your skin leans towards the warmer side, go for a bright coral shade to enhance the warmth of your complexion.

Eyeshadow

Light and sparkly eye makeup is a key element of this look, featuring vibrant colours and shimmers to make your eyes stand out.

Start by applying a light eyeshadow, like white or beige, to create a smooth base for the eye-catching colors you’ll be using.

Icy blue eyeshadow has been trending on TikTok for this look, but if you prefer more natural shades, you can also experiment with various brown tones!

After applying your main eyeshadow, add a generous amount of sparkle to the inner corners of your eyes to make them appear larger.

To add depth and contrast, apply a darker eyeshadow to the outer corners of your eyes.

For brown eye makeup, opt for a darker shade of brown to achieve a seamless blend. If you’re using icy blue eyeshadow, a smoky grey shade will complement it perfectly.

Next, enhance your eye makeup by using a slightly lighter eyeshadow shade than your skin tone to highlight your aegyo-sal (undereye area).

Don’t forget to add some shimmer to your aegyo-sal to draw more attention to your eyes!

Instead of following the current K-beauty trend of focusing the sparkle only in the center of your aegyo-sal, feel free to be a bit more generous with your glitter and spread it across the aegyo-sal area, to create an endearing doll-like effect.

Brows, Lashes, and Eyeliner

To achieve a subtle definition for your eyes, try tightlining your upper eyelids and the outer corners of your lower lash line. This technique will enhance your eyes without going overboard.

If you want to elongate your eyes, you can also create a small sharp wing using eyeliner. To soften the look, blend it out with dark eyeshadow for a slightly smoky effect.

To finish off your eye makeup, don’t forget to apply mascara for that extra touch of glamour! If you’re a fan of false lashes, focus on placing them in the outer corner of your eyes to achieve a cat-eye look.

When it comes to your brows, lightly fill them in and shape them to create a thin arch. This will give you a chic look that’s runway-worthy!

Lips

In the early 2000s, glossy lips in light tones were all the rage. To achieve this look, start by adding a bit of concealer to your lips to lighten their natural shade. This will make your pale lip color stand out more.

Not only will this trick enhance the colour of your lip product, but it will also give the illusion of slightly smaller lips.

This creates a look reminiscent of the thinner lips of celebrities in the early 2000s, long before plump, Kylie Jenner-esque lips became more popular.

To complete your 2000s K-beauty look, apply a lip gloss in a light shade like peachy nude or pale pink, for the perfect finishing touch to your makeup!

Featured image credits: @louiseiya/TikTok, @trieulinhhoa/TikTok, @tomxinh_/TikTok.