Beauty chronicle: the 2000s
In this weekly column, we examine 60 years of beauty from the 50s to today. After the 50s, the 60s, the 70s, the 80s and the 90s, this is we have arrived at the last chapter in our series... the 2000s!
Flashback Era
The new millennium capitalises on past trends, mixing the grunge of the 90s (and its' glorious dreadlocks, red highlights and braided hairstyles) with 50s pin-up attitude and an 80s love for platinum peroxide blondes.
Internet it-girls
The 2000s is the era of it-girls, who leapt in to take over the void left over from the supermodels of the 90s.
Their domain is the internet, and not necessarily the catwalk. Buzz on social networks now determine the reputations of fashion and beauty brands. Blogs, too, are the virtual critics of today that decode the key trends to follow. The blogosphere makes or breaks talent in a click.
Girls that matter are now actresses, singers, daughters of the wealthy and famous, or simply, a very chic self-made girl getting buzz on the web.
The notable names of this era are Beyoncé, Alexa Chung, Cheryl Cole , JLo, Scarlett Johanson, Lady Gaga and Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen.
Beauty essentials
The make-up must-haves of this era include iridescent lipgloss, bronzing powder (almost all women have one in their vanity) and black eye khol.
Lovely locks
The hair salon is still important: trends include short and unstructured cuts, blunt cuts, and graphic cuts. In stylistic contrast: long, wavy and curly hairstyles are also on the rise.
Style on the street
The fashion industry is no longer content to draw inspiration from the street to create trends. The street has become THE podium for the key fashion trends to follow, and not necessarily the industry.
The star photographers of this stylistic movement are Scott Schuman, aka The Sartorialist and Ellen von Unwerth, who celebrates the return of pin-up girls like Dita Von Teese.
