Frosted tips & butterfly clips: A look back at iconic Y2K hairstyles
The period we can’t escape! We may have been captivated by the more recent ‘clean girl aesthetics’ but the nostalgia for the crazy, unapologetic looks of the 2000s seem to have a chokehold on us.
The revived Y2K trends keep taking us back in time. Scrunchies came back and went again, but what’s next? Get ready to mix, match, and maybe even bring a little sparkle back into your routine. From spikes and glitter gel to chunky highlights, we recap some of the most iconic hair looks of the 2000s, sported by none other than the era’s icons and pop legends themselves.
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The chunkiest highlights of them all
American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson (Photo: Getty Images)
Miley Cyrus for her Disney show 'Hannah Montana' (Photo: Getty Images)
Chunky highlights and lowlights were the ultimate 2000s hair statement, bold and definitely high-contrast.
Whether it was platinum blonde streaks against deep brunette or caramel pieces through dark hair, the look was all about dimension and drama. Celebrities like Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera made the low-light trend iconic, proving that the thicker the stripe, the better. And of course, 2000s It-girl and cultural icon Hannah Montana turned chunky highlights into every girl’s hair dream.
Then there was the Zig-Zag parting craze
Spice girl, Mel B aka Scary Spice rocking the zig zag parting (Photo: Dazed)
Seen everywhere from red carpets to school hallways, the zig-zag parting was the ultimate playful touch to any 2000s hairstyle, a little detail that made a big statement, offering instant attitude and edge.
It was a simple switch-up that transformed even the most basic ponytail into a trend moment. Seen on icons such as the Spice girls, Beyoncé and Hillary Duff, yet with a comb and a bit of confidence, anyone could pull it off.
Space buns too, of course
Gwen Stefani with standout blue space buns (Photo: fashionista.com)
Gwen Stefani again, but this time tripled (Photo: Getty Images)
Playful and just the right amount of chaotic, space buns were a 2000s staple that perfectly captured the era’s carefree spirit.
Gwen Stefani embodied the versatility of the look, whether worn sleek and high or messy and glitter-dusted at festivals. And of course, no space bun moment was complete without face gems, borrowed from late ’90s rave culture and carried into early 2000s festival and futuristic fashion. These sparkles never truly disappeared from festival settings, but they’ve recently resurfaced in pop culture through shows like Euphoria, where face gems evolved into a modern makeup statement.
Who can forget the spiky buns
Spiky buns were the ultimate ‘don’t mess with me’ hairstyle of the 2000s—equal parts sass, chaos and hair gel.
The goal? Get as many perfectly stiff spikes as possible while keeping them standing all day. Hours were spent with a can of hairspray and a lot of determination, turning a simple bun into pure attitude.
These days, toned-down versions have been resurfacing as people look back to Y2K style for nostalgic inspiration, proving that a little edge and a lot of personality, never really goes out of fashion (just maybe not as extreme).
The guys got involved too, remember frosted tips?
Justin Timberlake and the well recognised highlights (Photo: Getty Images)
Frosted tips were the ultimate 2000s teen dream, and no one wore them better than Justin Timberlake during his NSYNC days. Those platinum-blonde highlights at the ends of perfectly styled curls became an instant signature, and they sparked a craze of their own. Boys everywhere were bleaching the tips of their hair, trying to capture that pop-star vibe, turning frosted tips into one of the defining trends of the era.
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The butterfly clips and twist combo
Alicia Silverstone and her multiple twists(Photo: Getty Images)
Gwen Stefani and one large twist and clip (Photo: Getty Images)
Butterfly clips and twisted strands were the ultimate accessory mash-up of the early 2000s. Tiny, colourful clips weren’t just cute, they were a way to show off personality, section hair into playful twists, or keep flyaways in check.
Twisted hair added dimension and texture, giving even the simplest hairstyles a fun, effortless vibe. Together, they created looks that were whimsical, bold, and unmistakably Y2K, perfect for everything from school hallways to sleepover photo ops.
Flipped ends for the short hair girlies
Paris Hilton at the MTV Movie Awards in 2008 (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Drew Barrymore and her popular flipped ends (Photo: Getty Images)
Flipped ends were the quintessential 2000s move for short-haired girls, adding bounce, flair and instant attitude. Whether flicked out with a straightener or teased at the roots, the look made even a simple bob feel styled and full of personality.
From glossy salon-perfect flips to slightly messy, ‘just rolled out of bed but still cute’ versions, flipped ends were playful, flirty and totally Y2K.
Lastly, the crimped hair
Christina Aguilera crimping strands along with pink highlights (Photo: Getty Images)
Tyra Banks going for the full head of crimped hair (Photo: Getty Images)
Last but not least, crimped hair was the ultimate texture experiment of the 2000s. Seen everywhere, whether covering the full head or just in small sections, those zig-zag waves added instant volume, edge and drama. Perfect for school dances, music videos or festival looks, crimped hair was bold, playful and completely unforgettable—a true signature of the era.
An honourable accessory
Seen on red carpets and premiers on the likes of Jennifer Lopez (Photo: Getty Images)
A bedazzled one worn by Ashley Tisdale, because why not? (Photo: J. Merritt/FilmMagic)
To end, let’s not forget the floppy hat, a 2000s staple that somehow survived premieres, school hallways and every awkward photo ever taken.
It’s oversized and slouchy, but a life-saver for hiding a bad hair day. Don’t expect it to make a comeback anytime soon, but for its moment in history, the floppy hat reigned supreme.
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