Lancôme Juicy Tubes Were *the* Lip Gloss of the ‘TRL’ Era—and Now the TikTok Era, Too

What makes a beauty product transcend all others? Maybe it’s the first of its kind, introducing a multi-generational phenomenon. Or perhaps it levels up an entire category with innovation that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. At its core, it’s an industry hero that does or will stand the test of time. In Recipe of an Icon, InStyle traces a legendary product’s history, evolution, and long-term impact.

I don’t make the rules, but if Usher’s Confessions album or The O.C. Mix 1 was the soundtrack to your first kiss, your favorite flavor of Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes was on your lips.

Launched in 2000, Juicy Tubes instantly became more than just a lip gloss—they were a beauty phenomenon, a cultural reset. With their shimmery shine, addictive scents, and sleek, denim pocket–friendly tube, no one—from guests on TRL to teenagers at the mall—could get enough. They were aspirational yet affordable, and just one swipe could make you feel like you were on the cusp of fame. Or, at the very least, channeling main character energy straight out of SoCal. (That’s what I was going for with my treasured tubes of sparkly pink Marshmallow Electro, anyway.)

Twenty-five years since it burst onto the scene, it’s time to revisit the rise and ever-enduring influence of Lancôme Juicy Tubes.

The Origin

During the Y2K era, makeup trends shifted away from the matte neutrals of the ’90s, embracing shiny, hyper-real finishes that captured the futuristic spirit of the new millennium. So when Lancôme launched Juicy Tubes in 2000, the beauty world was primed for a gloss revolution—and that’s exactly what was delivered.

“They instantly rose to fame as the iconic lip gloss in a tube with [their] high-shine finish, fruity scents, and fun, playful packaging,” says Isabelle Carramaschi, senior vice president of U.S. marketing at Lancôme.

The Innovation

Originally released in 10 shades running the gamut from pastel pinks to deep ruby reds to nudes, each pocket-sized squeeze tube dispensed a thick, cushiony gloss that left lips hydrated and gleaming. Playful, scent-infused shades like Marshmallow Electro, Magic Spell, and Tickled Pink delivered a multi-sensory experience—youthful and nostalgic, yet surprisingly elevated.

Juicy Tubes quickly became a best-seller, but that was only the beginning.

The Evolution

What began as a shiny makeup must-have quickly turned into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. “When Juicy Tubes first launched, it was a blockbuster,” says Carramaschi. “We were selling out everywhere, and glossy—even sparkly—lips became the beauty trend of the moment. This was before social media; it was a word-of-mouth craze, friends telling friends! It was a ‘viral’ product before virality existed.”

But their popularity skyrocketed even higher when early-2000s It Girls like Paris Hilton and The O.C.’s Rachel Bilson were spotted using them. Bilson, who famously played Summer Roberts, was said to carry multiple tubes of the rosy shade Tickled Pink on set. As Carramaschi puts it: “Juicy Tubes became part of iconic scenes and characters—they truly captured the zeitgeist of the 2000s.”

At their peak, 20 Juicy Tubes were sold every minute in the U.S. Their popularity remained strong for more than a decade, even inspiring a 2011 limited-edition collaboration with artist Yayoi Kusama, who adorned the tubes with her signature polka dots and whimsical illustrations of flowers and butterflies.

Further into the 2010s, the glossy craze began to fade. In 2018, Lancôme quietly discontinued Juicy Tubes, prompting waves of nostalgic heartbreak from longtime fans. Their absence, however, didn’t last long.

In 2020, to celebrate the gloss’s 20th anniversary—and to meet a burgeoning lip gloss revival—Lancôme brought Juicy Tubes back. They introduced 20 shades (10 new and 10 beloved originals) with updated finishes like shimmer, sparkle, jelly, and cream. “Their return not only rekindled memories for original fans, but also introduced the gloss to a new generation via TikTok and other social platforms,” says Carramaschi.

And now, for the big 2-5, Lancôme is doubling down on nostalgia with its new “The Juicy Kissing Web” campaign. The spotlight is on seven classic shades and some of the biggest stars of the 2000s, including Hilary Duff, Kelly Rowland, Paris Hilton, and, of course, Rachel Bilson. The inspiration? The emotional connections Juicy Tubes helped spark back in the day.

Take Bilson, for example. In an exclusive clip shared with InStyle, she reflects on how Juicy Tubes played a role in her 2005 Teen Choice Award win for Best Chemistry alongside then-boyfriend and O.C. co-star, Adam Brody. Her winning look? A swipe of Tickled Pink that feels just as fresh today as it did when we were watching Seth and Summer’s slow-burn romance unfold on screen.

The Impact

When Juicy Tubes first made a splash, they weren’t just riding the wave of Y2K makeup trends; they created one. Red carpets, teen dramas, high school bathrooms—lips bathed in pinky shimmer were everywhere. They were the moment.

But more than just a trend, for many of us growing up in the 2000s, Juicy Tubes represented something deeper—girlhood itself—with an inextricable link to core memories like prom or mall trips with friends. It was that little luxury you saved up your allowance for, and a swipe could make you feel like a new version of yourself you were just discovering.

From the fruity scent to the unmistakable glossy finish, Juicy Tubes will always be a transportive touchstone for me and so many others. It’s a sticky-sweet reminder of more carefree times, when the toughest decision was which melodramatic AIM away message to set…or which flavor to choose. And for that, we’ll love them forever <3 .

Read the original article on InStyle