Early 2000s Victoria's Secret Makeup Is Trending—How to Modernize It for 2023

TikTok has a way of recycling old beauty trends and making them fresh for a modern (i.e., Gen Z) audience. Knowing that, we weren't all that surprised to see matte foundations make a return thanks to the "cloud skin" trend. We weren't even all that surprised to see short nails come back in style after years of long-nail dominance. Sure, it helped that It girls like Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez, and Sofia Richie Grainge cosigned the trend, but still. Some TikTok trends just aren't all that shocking. 

With that being said, there is one that we never saw coming—Victoria's Secret makeup. Yep, we're talking about the makeup looks that early to mid-2000s supermodels such as Gisele Bündchen, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio made iconic. Celebrity makeup artist Andrea DiSabatino knows the look well. "In the early 2000s, the Victoria's Secret allure was defined by voluminous wavy hair, sultry smoky and shimmering eyes, a sun-kissed radiance, glossy lips, and fluttering lashes," she says. "This aesthetic was a blend of natural allure and sexy glamour."

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At first, we despaired that this look (and time period) were already old enough to recycle, but then we reminded ourselves that TikTok loves to reference the 2000s. Early to mid-aughts trends like frosted eye shadow and body shimmer are proof. This is just the latest obsession, and honestly, we get it. As burgeoning beauty editors who grew up watching Victoria's Secret fashion shows, we remember marveling at all the models' glowing makeup looks. Luckily, re-creating these looks (and modernizing them) is actually quite simple. 

The Original References

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(Image credit: Getty Images/Original Collage by Makena Frederick)

The Modern Iterations

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(Image credit: Instagram/Original collage by Makena Frederick)

The modern iterations of this look pay homage to the original references without looking, well, dated. The secret is putting the skin first, using cream highlighter, and being precise with product placement. "When creating a Victoria's Secret–inspired makeup look, you want to aim for a radiant glow," DiSabatino says. "In an era where makeup standards are evolving from heavy applications to fresher, flirtier looks, Victoria's Secret makeup offers the perfect blend."

Step 1: Prep Your Skin With a Hydrating Primer

Step 2: Apply a Medium-Coverage Foundation

Step 3: Use Concealer to Bring Light to the Center of the Face

Step 4: Contour for Definition

Step 5: Bronze Your Skin

Step 6: Use a Cream Highlighter

Step 7: Apply a Peachy-Pink Blush to the Apples of Your Cheeks

Step 8: Apply Neutral Eye Shadow Overlayed With Shimmer

Step 9: Create "Flirtatious" Lashes

Step 10: Subtly Define the Brows

Step 11: Apply a Shiny, Neutral-Pink Lip Color

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Kaitlyn McLintock
Associate Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.