Pamela Anderson's Best '00s Beauty Moments Are Still So Iconic Today

Nobody embodies Y2K style more than Pamela Anderson. The "Baywatch" superstar and Playboy model has been captivating audiences since the '90s. At the peak of her career, Anderson was named Hollywood's highest-paid woman, and as a multi-talented performer, she went on to secure a role on Broadway. While Anderson's success extends far beyond her appearance, it's her famous makeup transition through the years that confirms her icon status.

As a celebrity whose public image has long been shaped by her appearance, it's no surprise that Anderson prioritizes a versatile wardrobe. From bouncy blowouts and micro-tops to messy updos and bohemian aesthetics, her style has continued to inspire contemporary outfits. In fact, even her go-to '90s manicure was one of 2026's hottest nail trends.

Despite being remembered for her iconic smoky eyeshadow, in recent years, Anderson has left makeup behind altogether. The model made headlines for attending Paris Fashion Week with a bare-faced look in 2023. "I think people are starting to look more alike these days ... I just never want to get caught up in that trap," Anderson told People. "I still have fun, but I don't want to look like anybody else. I want to look like me," she added. Even with a laid-back beauty routine, Anderson has found ways to inspire all generations — right down to her favorite hobby, a stress-free workout perfect for older women. Her new look may be flawless, but still, we can't help but admire her iconic beauty moments from the 2000s.

Everything about Pamela Anderson's look at the LA Convention Center in 2000 was iconic. The model wore an ultra-cropped top, a floral skirt, and a gold belly chain. A crystal choker and her bouncy blond blowout finished off her ensemble. She exuded confidence in her statement black crop top, which showcased her defined abs and was fastened with only two buttons. As Gen Z started a crop top revival in 2025, it's safe to say younger generations would go crazy for Anderson's love of ultra-cropped tops in the 2000s.

Pamela Anderson has long been a messy bun muse. Despite being known for her voluminous blond locks, she occasionally took to red carpets wearing a meticulously undone updo. At the "VH1 Divas Live" in 2001, Anderson posed on the red carpet wearing a dress that clung to her frame and featured a daring neckline. She topped her white ensemble with a wispy bun that was created by carefully folding in her soft, blond ringlets. In recent years, supermodels like Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber have sparked a return of Anderson's iconic go-to updo.

In 2002, Pamela Anderson arrived at the Annual American Music Awards wearing an iconic glitter co-ord. Shimmering in sparkles, the model donned a silver cowl-neck top that featured a halter neckline and an open back. Since glitter made a major comeback in 2022, there's no denying that Anderson's statement look has continued to inspire new generations. Daring silhouettes have long been iconic, and the hip-high slit of Anderson's midi skirt didn't disappoint. To conclude her look, the model added her signature smoky eyeshadow to balance her otherwise bright ensemble.

Pamela Anderson's wardrobe is versatile, and throughout the 2000s, she embraced several aesthetics. Anderson may be known for her punk-glam image, but her outfit at the 2002 Teen Choice Awards was classically bohemian. She wore a crochet top made with chocolate-brown and mustard yarn, and a flowing beige skirt. While her skirt featured a statement floral adornment, meticulously placed suede fabric seamlessly covered her chest — iconic. Anderson further embraced the classic bohemian movement that has returned in recent years by wearing her hair in effortless, loose waves.

Pamela Anderson turned up to the American Music Awards in 2003 wearing yet another risqué number. The model posed wearing a monochrome black dress that was anything but subtle. Her dark, mid-length gown was completely backless and had a dramatic side slit, showcasing her famous figure. In true Anderson style, the model donned her signature voluminous blond blowout that cascaded across her thin eyebrows in a sweeping side part. She also wore her staple smoky eyeshadow and black eyeliner, which gave her look a punk-glam feel.

From her collection of lace-up corsets and nightgown-inspired dresses, Pamela Anderson was an undeniable Y2K icon who helped popularize lingerie-inspired pieces for formal events. In 2006, Anderson arrived at the Doyle Brunson Poker Player Appreciation Party wearing a hot pink satin slip-style dress. Her look featured cream lace detailing across the neckline and a delicate bow that wrapped around her waist, evoking a sultry nightgown. To give her ensemble a red-carpet allure, she topped her look with shimmering open-toed heels, which would later become a major trend.

Pamela Anderson attended the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 wearing an elevated version of her signature — not to mention iconic — makeup look. That evening, the model transformed her classic smoky gray eyeshadow into a smudged charcoal wing that mimicked liquid eyeliner. Her thin eyebrows arched on her forehead, duh, and she topped her look with a bronze blush. Anderson's classic beauty moment was completed with brown-pink lip liner and gloss, a defining beauty fad in the 2000s. She wore choppy curtain bangs, which only accentuated her punk-glam allure.

In 2009, Pamela Anderson was photographed backstage at Vivienne Westwood's Red Label Show at London Fashion Week. She was undeniably dressed to impress, clad in a glitzy gold minidress and pointed black heels. Indie sleaze dominated fashion in the early 2000s, but as a punk-glam icon, Anderson embraced the style for years. The model added a daring element to her ensemble by altering the dress's square neckline and deliberately pulling one strap off the shoulder. She made her appearance even more captivating with her signature charcoal eyeliner and an ultra-deep side part.