Beauty
Why "Antenna Bangs" Are The Y2K Hairstyle You'll See Everywhere This Year
Stylists share the top throwback trends to know.
by Danielle Sinay
When considering the next big thing in beauty, one can usually look behind them. That’s because contemporary styles continually pull from the trends of yesteryear. Currently, there has been a particular boom in Y2K hairstyles. This is proven not only by search patterns on TikTok, but the looks worn by fashion icons — see: Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber’s perpetual blast-from-the-past inspired hairdos as prime examples.
It’s not only the two supermodels embracing the early 2000s aesthetic. Nick Stenson, celebrity hairstylist, artistic director at Matrix, and senior vice president of store and services operations at Ulta Beauty, tells Bustle that both beauty and fashion are on the cusp of a major expressive revival of Y2K-inspired styles. That calls for looks that are both lighthearted and colorful, adds Nick Drewe, a trends specialist at WeThrift. In terms of beauty, this is easily achieved via hair accessories and brightly colored eyeshadows, says Drewe.
While ’90s trends have cemented their status in today’s cultural zeitgest, it’s clear that it-girls are taking off into the next millennium, trading their middle parts for zigzags. Read on for the top Y2K hairstyles set to make a comeback this year, according to beauty insiders.
1
Antenna Bangs
A sleeker take on the iconic hair tendril, antenna bangs are much thinner than their predecessor and resemble — well, obviously — antennas (remember those?). Stenson says this sleek look has been experiencing a resurgence: Considering that style pioneers Bieber and Hadid have already sported the Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century-esque trend on the red carpet, it’s safe to say the stick straight hair-pieces are well on their way to a (second dose of) stardom.
To recreate it, simply pull out small sections of hair in the front of your face and pull the rest back.
2
Barbie Ponytails
Inspired by none other than the ultimate nostalgic beauty icon herself, the Barbie ponytail adds a (literal) twist to a standard high pony. It features curled hair at the end along with an optional swoosh of side bangs for an elevated yet whimsical take on the classic updo.
3
Bubble Braids
According to Drewe, bubble braids are set to come back with a bang, and have already been spotted on Gigi Hadid, Olivia Rodrigo, Tessa Thompson, and other celebs. Similar to the Barbie, these are basically a variation of a ponytail. Rather than actually braiding the hair, secure small sections along your ponytail with an elastic to create the “bubble” illusion.
4
Butterfly Balayage
Similar to the also-trending “money piece” highlights, butterfly balayage is another term for brightening specific strands of hair around the face. Compared to money pieces, however, butterfly involves painting more than just one or two pieces and fully framing the face with highlights and/or a contrasting shade instead, depending on your personal style.
5
Bedazzled Barrettes
Vibrant hair clips and accessories are also back in style —just look at Rodrigo’s penchant for flower pins. Stenson points to a return of bedazzled accessories to add a pop to your hair. Consider this red carpet look worn by Lizzo, which features a trio of oversized glittery barrettes with a simple middle part.
6
Chunky Highlights
Chunky highlights dominated the Y2K area, and Stenson tells Bustle they’re back to do the same in 2022. These contrasting strands of lighter hair give an alternative edge to any color hair, whether you’re adding platinum blonde to brunette strands or a copper red to a jet-black ‘do.
7
Clip-In Color
Remember Christina Aguilera’s black and red highlights from all her early 2000s music videos? Stenson predicts that clip-in color extensions will experience a rise in popularity this year, as they’re the embodiment of the Y2K aesthetic: They’re youthful, unapologetic, fun — and they don’t require the commitment of dye.
8
Pastel Pinks
Stenson specifically cites vibrant pastels as an up-and-coming trend that has roots in the Y2K era. His prediction? Anticipate “fun” shades like pale pinks to be everywhere in 2022, serving as a throwback to Kate Moss and Gwen Stefani’s dye jobs from back in the day.
9
Hair Horns
On the alternative side, Drewe says hair horns are becoming a thing. The hashtag #hairhorns has a shocking 65.8 million views on TikTok — meaning they’re definitely rising in popularity. Pulling inspiration from the staple half-up hairstyles circa Y2K, this brave and edgy look should definitely be kept on your radar.
10
Zigzag Parts
Who could forget the iconic zigzag hair part? Drewe tells Bustle the early 2000s look — one that’s been approved by Hadid — is here to stay. The great thing about it is it can give practically any hairstyle a unique and trendy boost, all by changing your part.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics, including beauty and hairstyles. I can provide you with insights and information based on my knowledge and access to search results. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Y2K Hairstyles and Beauty Trends
The article discusses the resurgence of Y2K-inspired hairstyles and beauty trends. These trends draw inspiration from the early 2000s and have gained popularity among fashion icons and influencers. Let's explore some of the key concepts mentioned in the article:
1. Antenna Bangs: Antenna bangs are a sleeker take on the iconic hair tendril. They are thinner than their predecessor and resemble antennas. This trend has experienced a resurgence, with celebrities like Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber sporting the look on the red carpet. To recreate antenna bangs, you can pull out small sections of hair in the front of your face and pull the rest back [[1]].
2. Barbie Ponytails: The Barbie ponytail adds a twist to a standard high ponytail. It features curled hair at the end, along with optional side bangs, for an elevated and whimsical take on the classic updo [[2]].
3. Bubble Braids: Bubble braids are a variation of a ponytail. Instead of braiding the hair, small sections along the ponytail are secured with elastics to create a "bubble" illusion. This trend has been spotted on celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Olivia Rodrigo, and Tessa Thompson [[3]].
4. Butterfly Balayage: Butterfly balayage refers to brightening specific strands of hair around the face. It involves painting more than just one or two pieces and fully framing the face with highlights and/or a contrasting shade. This trend adds dimension and can be personalized based on individual style preferences [[4]].
5. Bedazzled Barrettes: Vibrant hair clips and accessories, including bedazzled barrettes, are making a comeback. These accessories can add a pop of color and sparkle to your hair, as seen in Lizzo's red carpet look featuring oversized glittery barrettes [[5]].
6. Chunky Highlights: Chunky highlights, a popular trend in the Y2K era, are making a comeback in 2022. These contrasting strands of lighter hair can add an alternative edge to any hair color, whether it's platinum blonde added to brunette strands or copper red added to a jet-black hairstyle [[6]].
7. Clip-In Color: Clip-in color extensions are predicted to rise in popularity this year. They offer a way to experiment with vibrant colors without the commitment of permanent dye. This trend aligns with the youthful and unapologetic aesthetic of the Y2K era [[7]].
8. Pastel Pinks: Vibrant pastel shades, such as pale pinks, are anticipated to be popular in 2022. These fun and playful colors serve as a throwback to the dye jobs of celebrities like Kate Moss and Gwen Stefani from the Y2K era [[8]].
9. Hair Horns: Hair horns are an alternative trend gaining popularity. This look draws inspiration from the half-up hairstyles of the Y2K era. Hair horns involve creating bold and edgy styles by pulling sections of hair upward, resembling horns. The hashtag #hairhorns on TikTok has gained significant views, indicating rising popularity [[9]].
10. Zigzag Parts: The iconic zigzag hair part, popularized in the early 2000s, is here to stay. Changing your part to a zigzag can give practically any hairstyle a unique and trendy boost, as approved by celebrities like Bella Hadid [[10]].
These are some of the Y2K-inspired hairstyles and beauty trends mentioned in the article. By embracing these throwback styles, individuals can add a touch of nostalgia and express their personal style.
