In a world increasingly dominated by smartphones, a curious counter-trend is emerging, championed by figures like Anna Wintour and the author's friend Judith. These individuals opt for the simplicity of a flip phone, eschewing the constant connectivity and digital demands of modern devices. Judith, for instance, doesn't use Instagram, Venmo, or Twitter, communicating through calls and SMS only. This deliberate inaccessibility, the ability to be "not around" sometimes, is presented as a new form of cool, challenging the traditional status symbol of owning the latest smartphone.
The allure of the flip phone lies in its inherent inaccessibility. It signifies a vote of confidence in oneself and one's social life, offering the luxury of not being reachable 24/7 across multiple platforms. This allows individuals to go "off the radar" without the anxiety of being forgotten, suggesting they might be engaged in something far more interesting than being constantly online.
Shailene Woodley has also spoken about her preference for avoiding smartphone technology, stating, "The more you get away from all the technological buzz, the more freedom you have." Similarly, Alexa Chung found the Apple iWatch "kind of dorky," suggesting that trying too hard to stay technologically current is no longer considered cool. The flip phone, in this context, is likened to the resurgence of normcore fashion, like Adidas slide sandals and Esprit sweatshirts - a rejection of overt trend-chasing.
Smartphones, particularly newer models like the iPhone 6, are described as "a huge phone with a huge battery," and the compulsive checking they encourage is seen as a societal obligation. While celebrities may have assistants to manage their schedules and appointments, the average person remains plugged in constantly. The author posits that the ultimate in instant coolness, desirability, and sexiness is not needing something that everyone else does. While not practical or efficient, this detachment is framed as "kind of hot."
The Flip Phone's Influence on Trends
The trend of embracing flip phones and simpler technology has coincided with a resurgence of Y2K aesthetics in fashion and beauty. The early 2000s, a decade marked by technological advancements, cultural shifts, and global anxieties, are being revisited. Just as low-rise jeans and butterfly clips are making a comeback, Y2K makeup trends like chunky highlights, techno-inspired eyeshadows, and glossy lips are gaining popularity.
This retro trend is seen by some as a response to the current global turmoil, offering a sense of brightness, cheerfulness, and a reminder of less dangerous times. The makeup trends, like the fashion trends, often deviate from predictable influencer-driven forecasts, offering unexpected twists and turns.
The Makeup Revolution Y2K Baby Flip Phone Palette: A Review
One brand that has embraced this Y2K theme is Makeup Revolution, with its Y2K palette, specifically the "Baby Flip Phone" eyeshadow palette. This product aims to capture the aesthetic of the era, featuring packaging designed to mimic an iconic flip phone. The palette itself contains nine pans, a mix of matte and shimmer shades, with the keypad area of the phone represented by the eyeshadows.
Packaging and Design
The Makeup Revolution Y2K Baby Flip Phone palette is notable for its unique packaging. It comes in a metallic rose gold and traditional gold casing with a mirror-shine finish that is prone to fingerprints. Inside, the design continues the flip phone theme, with the screen serving as a mirror and the eyeshadow pans resembling buttons. The inclusion of "answer call" and "end call" emojis on the mirror adds a charming touch. The palette measures 9cm x 6cm, making it a compact, handbag-friendly size. However, the eyeshadow pans themselves are quite small.
Color Selection and Pigmentation
The palette features nine shades: four mattes and five shimmers or marbled shimmers. The matte shades include two pinks, an off-white, and a beige/grey. The shimmers consist of a lilac, a marbled silver/blue with a duochrome effect, and other shades in pink and gold tones. The brand's performance with pigmentation is described as a "sticky wicket" for some of the matte shades. The off-white and beige/grey are noted as being very sheer, appearing as "barely-there fine powders" that are best applied with fingers. Applying them with a brush requires significant effort. The pink mattes, however, are more pigmented and are considered universally flattering, even on mature skin.
The shimmer shades are generally considered "fine," though not exceptional. The lilac and marbled silver shades are highlighted as particularly pretty. The author suggests these eyeshadows are more suitable for daytime wear due to the limited pigmentation for dramatic evening looks. They could be used for casual occasions like a trip to the beach or shopping, and the compact size allows for on-the-go touch-ups.
Performance and Overall Impression
When applied, the shadows with better pigmentation perform adequately. They require a couple of layers to build up color but blend well without becoming patchy. Unfortunately, the two less pigmented matte shades do not perform any better on the eyes than they do in swatches. The shimmers are described as soft and buttery, with some being almost creamy, and they produce decent swatches and application. While some shimmers are brighter and have more reflects, all are relatively easy to apply. Apart from the two less successful matte shades, the palette has few issues. There was no staining from the red-based shades, and the shimmers lasted a reasonable amount of time before creasing. There was minimal fallout from the shimmers.
Overall, the Makeup Revolution Y2K Baby Flip Phone palette is considered a "mixed bag." While the packaging is a definite hit for its nostalgic appeal and accurate reflection of the Y2K aesthetic, the performance of the eyeshadows is inconsistent. The shades are appropriate for the era, but the pigmentation varies significantly. The author acknowledges not expecting much initially, making the product's ability to deliver on the nostalgic packaging a positive outcome. The palette is cruelty-free and vegan.