Stylists Share Tips for Achieving Jenna Ortega’s Smoky Hair and Makeup Look

If you’re a fan of Jenna Ortega from Netflix’s Wednesday or just love horror films, you likely know her well. The 22-year-old actress has rapidly become a household name, and her distinctive Gen-Z, Y2K hair and makeup style has become synonymous with her brand. With prom and graduation season upon us, this iconic look is set to be sought after by many.

To discover how both professionals and you can recreate this style, we spoke with Jae-Manuel Cardenas, Senior Stylist at Ollin NYC Salon, and makeup artist and esthetician Erica Marie Gatt. Cardenas has worked with celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Gigi Hadid (and recently styled Ben Stiller for Jimmy Fallon), while Gatt has glamorized the Kardashians and Vanessa Hudgens. They shared their favorite products, from blow dry spray to lip liner, to achieve Jenna Ortega’s stunning look. With these tools and tips, you can recreate it at home or at your favorite salon.

Bouncy, Texturized Hair in Four Steps

“Jenna Ortega’s Y2K hairstyle is perfectly on-trend with its bouncy, rock ‘n’ roll-inspired blowout and face-framing fringe,” Cardenas states. For this style, he suggests:

1. Hair Prep: Start by applying Shu Uemura Tsuki Shape Blow Dry Spray to damp, towel-dried hair.

“This spray is ideal for prepping hair,” Cardenas remarks. “It provides shape and definition while maintaining a soft, natural feel.”

2. Style n’ Dry: Cardenas recommends a large barrel brush like the Morrocanoil Round Brush for effective drying.

“Blow dry small sections of hair upward, lifting at the roots,” he advises. “[At the same time], wrap the ends around the brush to achieve that iconic bouncy Y2K effect.”

Wrap the ends around the brush to achieve that iconic bouncy Y2K effect.

3. Finish it Off: To complete the look, Cardenas prefers Shu Uemura’s Wata Wave Texturing Spray.

“It’s one of my favorites! The micro-powders create incredible volume and buildable texture when heat is applied.”

4. Tousle It: If you want a more tousled, bed-head appearance, Cardenas recommends Oribe’s signature Dry Texture Spray.

“This invisible dry hairspray gives you that ‘next-day’ tousled finish,” he explains. “It’s essential for any ’90s-inspired blowout.”

Modernized Smoky Y2K Makeup

“Jenna Ortega is reviving ’90s grunge makeup with a modern 2025 flair,” Gatt shares. If you want to emulate one of Jenna Ortega’s most iconic Y2K looks, adjust your palette to fit your complexion, but here’s a starting point:

1. Shape Those Lips: To begin, Gatt would use Mac Lip Liner Pencil to outline Ortega’s lips, recommending the color Night Moth to achieve the desired effect.

“Jenna showcases a beautiful muted lip shade and darker liner that enhances her pout,” Gatt explains.

2. Quiet on Set: Next, Gatt would fill in her lips with Dior Forever Nude. The lighter shade contrasts perfectly with the liner, making her lips stand out.

3. Sultry Eyes: Focusing on the eyes, Gatt suggests Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry Palette.

“For the eyes, we’re going for a more sultry finish,” she notes. “This means smoky shadow paired with a darker, smudged black liner.”

Smoky shadow paired with a darker, smudged black liner.

4. Volume-Eyes: Upon close inspection, you’ll notice Ortega’s lashes have a perfect curl. Dior’s Backstage Lash Curler is a professional tool that will make you ditch your cheap drugstore curler.

Squeeze from the base to the tips, and work from the inner corner out, as advised by Dior. “Curled black lashes give a grungy yet glamorous nod to the ’90s,” Gatt adds.

5. Get Dark: Both stylists assume you have your own, so complete the look (after curling!) with your favorite dark black mascara.