Middle school was a time when a lot of people started getting into makeup and all sorts of bubble gum and candy-scented body lotions: A time when beauty regimens were tested and established. When reminiscing about that experimental stage, there are certain beauty products from middle school in the early 2000s that will likely hit you with a big wave nostalgia, taking you right back to your junior high bedroom.
If you were anything like me, then you probably had Mandy Moore playing on the clunky stereo while you dabbled into double buns á la Scary Spice, telling your friend to take your collection of sparkle nail polishes out of your closet.
Back then, it seemed like my makeup drawer was overrun with super shiny lip glosses and sparkle-dusted everything, while my fragrances and lotions ran towards overtly sweet yet chemical-like scents. Although half of me wants to shake my head sadly at all the beauty missteps I tinkered in, another part of me usually chimes in and says, "Hey, those were your early teen years; give yourself a break."
I'd wager that anyone reading right now who has surpassed their awkward teen years has probably dabbled in some sort of form of Claire's-inspired, glitter-bomb-induced beauty looks. Let's take a peek at the tools that made them all happen. Below are 11 examples of makeup we used in middle school.
1. Lancôme Juicy Tubes
Lancôme Juicy Tube Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss, $19, Nordstrom
From Jessica Simpson's glossy pout to the Olsen twins' lipgloss-centric beauty looks, a super shiny mouth was the thing to have in the early '00s. Enter the Juicy Tube craze. In a plethora of flavors and colors that all went on clear, almost every gal had one rolling around in her purse.
2. Art Stuff At Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works Charmin' Cherry Glitter Splash, $15, ebay
Finally, a way to douse oneself in glitter with just a couple of spritzes. That and we had the bonus of smelling like a charming cherry or a cosmic apple, whatever that meant.
3. MAC Lip Glass
The rival to Juicy Tubes, the MAC lip glass formula promised us a shine that was unprecedented. And the super sticky, thick feel of it was just an added pro.
4. Victoria's Secret Lip Venom
Lip Plumper, $11.94, amazon
Those of us who were upper lip challenged found solace in the Victoria's Secret Lip Venom. While we definitely couldn't kiss anyone for hours after using it, and the burn was oddly satisfying yet totally uncomfortable, this was a makeup staple that I kept going back for time and time again.
5. Great Lash Mascara
Great Lash Lots Of Lashes Mascara, $5, Amazon
I remember reading in a magazine that this was the most prized possession of makeup artists at fashion shows in the early '00s. Sign me up.
6. Urban Decay Lickable Body Powder
Urban Decay Sparkling Lickable Body Powder, amazon
Who thought we would like to eat our setting powder as we put it on our face? Follow up question: Why did we stop?
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7. Roll On Eye Shimmer
Roll On Eye Shimmer, $2, Ulta
Ain't no way we could go to a school dance without a bold shade of roll-on shimmer in toe. Or a date. You can't split popcorn at a theater with your crush unless your eyes look sufficiently Justice-d out, right?
8. Wet N Wild Nail Polish
Wet n Wild Wild Shine Nail Color, $1, Walgreens
Did we choose these shades for the color? Sure, I can agree to that. But the 99-cent price tag made us flock to it like moths to a flame as well.
9. Body Shop Body Cream
Vineyard Peach Body Butter, $7, The Body Shop
In my school, only the coolest of girls had these. Mainly because they were more expensive than the Bath & Body Works bottles. What a bunch of elitists.
10. Jessica Simpson's "Dessert" Beauty Line
From lip glosses to body creams, Simpson's line appealed to every juvenile bone in my body. With product names like "Whipped Body Cream with Candy Sprinkles" and "Deliciously Kissable Hair Mist" (wut?) I wanted to slather my body with the chocolate and confectionery goodness. No matter how little sense it all made.
11. Clear Mascara
CoverGirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara, $10, Amazon
This promised to plump up and lengthen our lashes even more.
Whether you had a full makeup drawer or only dabbled in a couple of beauty products, chances are you had at least one of these in your arsenal.
Images: Courtesy Brands
