Swimsuit

Y2K Style Icon Paris Hilton Is to Thank for the Timelessly Trendy Smokey Eye

The media personality reminded her Instagram followers that she originated the look.

Cara O’Bleness

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton.

On Friday, Paris Hilton reminded her Instagram followers that she basically invented the smokey eye, and we’re not arguing. The early 2000s style icon rocked bold, black eye makeup whether she was on the red carpet or shooting an episode of The Simple Life, her reality TV show with pal Nicole Richie.

Hilton’s Aug. 25 carousel included 10 pieces of photographic evidence to back up her claim. In the first, she rocked a black lace-up corset top with a low-waisted skirt. Her glam was a stark contrast, featuring bleach blonde hair and dark eye makeup. In another, the 42-year-old mom of one donned a turquoise top and paired her heavy eye makeup with bedazzled hoops and an blinged-out eye necklace.

A glamour photo with hot pink lips, sparkly designer Marc Jacobs ensemble, blingy Celine frock and black-and-white mirror pic also made the cut, depicting Hilton’s bold look over the years. While her style may have evolved, she’s always stuck with her dark eye makeup.

“I practically invented the smokey eye 🔥 💁🏼‍♀️✨,” she noted in her caption, to which many of Hilton’s 24.5 million followers agreed in the comments.

“You taught me the Smokey eye! ‘If you want to look older and get into clubs you have to wear a lot of black eyeliner and eyeshadow.’ 🤭,” sister Nicky Rothschild cheekily noted.

“icon > reality star > chef > makeup artist 🔥,” the official Facebook account wrote.

“To be fair Paris practically invented everything 😎♥️,” a fan observed.

“Without a doubt!!! EYE-conic,” Michael Anthony quipped.

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.