The Y2K Concealer-Lip Gets a Glow-Up

Once a controversial staple of the early 2000s, the Y2K concealer-lip is making an unexpected return — only this time, it’s been reinvented. South African beauty tastemakers are giving the look a sleek, modern edge by softly diffusing concealer along the lip line and melting it into nude gloss or balm, creating a plush, blurred pout that feels effortless rather than overdone.

Gone are the flat, chalky tones of the past. The new version leans into hydration, shine and barely-there contrast, making it far more flattering across diverse skin tones and perfect for that cool, understated finish dominating beauty feeds right now.