What’s Up With The Y2K Butterfly Trend? (+ Beauty Looks To Try)

Trends
by Eleanor Mallon |
Sun, 26 Sep 2021

butterfly trend

Y2K (millenium) trends are currently experiencing a modern-day renaissance. While we were initially skeptical (umm, low-rise jeans make us nervous), we’re now majorly feeling the vibe. The most recent trend to creep onto our social media feed is Y2K butterflies, led by it-girls Dua Lipa, Meg Thee Stallion, Bella Hadid, and Olivia Rodrigo. From butterfly clips to old skool collages, here’s everything you need to know about the trend and how to incorporate it into your life.

The Butterfly Trend

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Let’s start by making it clear that the butterfly trend is by no means new. It all began in the noughties with designer brands like Alexander McQueen showcasing the trend and then later under fashion houses like Moschino, Valentino, and Givenchy. This trend then infiltrated into the mass market: think butterfly tattoos and rhinestone embellishments. The rest is butterfly history!

Now, the butterfly trend is having a rebirth. Leading the Y2K pack are Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo, while celebs from Ariana to Harry Styles are inspiring the TikTok generation to incorporate it into their beauty routine. We’ve seen butterfly clips, butterfly makeup, even butterfly filters, which were all over IG last summer.

This 2000 Christina vs, 2021 Dua explains everything.

All we have to say is anything that’s Naomi-approved is timeless. Case in point: this early 2000s dress.

Butterfly Makeup

Butterfly makeup focuses heavily on the eyes and recreating the signature wing shape across the lid. We’re obsessed with this butterfly eye on celeb MUA Katie Jane Hughes, using the new Revlon X Meg Thee Stallion Big Bad Palette, $15. Take note of her bright color scheme and pop of highlight on the inner corner, which makes this look so wearable.

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Butterfly Hair

Is there anything more 2000s than butterfly clips? Whether you’re slaying a half-up-half-down look or box braids, they’re the ultimate on-trend accessory. Bonus points if they’re sparkly. In the words of Paris Hilton: that’s hot.

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Butterfly Nails

If you love the trend, but don’t want to go all-in, butterfly manicures are the perfect fail-safe. They’re super pretty and cute, plus, there are so many ways you can work the trend. From mix and match nail art to glitter butterflies, just have fun and get creative.

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Butterfly Collages

Last but not least are butterfly collages reminiscent of those retro collages you used to make to cover your diary at high school. That’s the vibe.

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Do you like the Y2K butterfly trend or would you prefer to leave it in the 2000s? Let us know in the comments below.