It is undeniable that 2016 was a key turning point in popular culture, especially in the Western world. High-rise jeans with rips that made relatives tell you to take them back. Chokers made from thin plastic that if stretched too far, would never regain their shape. Although it’s important to recognise the nostalgia of the year. With the rise of Vine and Snapchat filters, and the spectacle and drama of celebrity gossip, the year holds great memories for Gen Z.
Social media was crucial for the trends within 2016 and the resurgence of it in 2026. The spread of fashion and makeup trends worn among influencers and celebrities across multiple platforms, from Musically to Twitter undoubtedly drove a certain aesthetic that every person wanted to fit into, particularly young teens. This year served a core role in the way young people grew up, and now in 2026, they’re all grown up and able to look fondly back on the content they watched that shaped who they are today.
Bold. Matte. Full coverage.
This year was full of iconic makeup trends, from block eyebrows using Anastasia Beverley Hills’ Brow Pomade to heavy, matte Mac Studio Fix foundation on top of a glittery base that stood no chance of appearing from underneath. Within this year, it appeared a pale base was the least desired, with trends famously featuring foundations two shades too dark, and with the lack of availability of undertones in liquid base products this year, the shade always pulled towards a dark orange.
With the popularity of celebrities and influencers, the marketability of their own products was a clear and obvious way to boost their careers and ultimately wealth. Kylie Cosmetics, Kylie Jenner’s brand, was a critical staple in the makeup industry during this year. First launching in November 2015, Lip Kit by Kylie launched the iconic kits that included a matte liquid lipstick with a matching lip liner, further demonstrating the desired matte makeup look. Rebranding to Kylie Cosmetics in 2016, the brand continues to evolve with the launch of more colour variations for their lip kits, eyeshadow palettes, a holiday collection and even a collaboration with her sister, Khloe Kardashian.
It’s clear that Kylie Jenner’s internet presence drove her to the high success of her brand, but it is also because of people online sharing their own creativity and style on their social media platforms. The full glam, the brown eyeshadow with a gold, shimmery cut crease, harsh contour, full coverage foundation and concealer, and lack of blush was the look. YouTube was the place to be, a social media platform that allowed anyone to post content they wanted. From Nikki Tutorials to James Charles, the industry blossomed from their product and brand recommendations, with brands, especially those on a smaller scale, sending free products to influencers for promotion and a chance to establish themselves in the industry.
Fashion trends
Fashion was another industry that flourished in this period, with fast fashion benefiting the most. With the demand of styles changing quite rapidly before, during and after 2016, the surge of new trends sought the latest designs continuously, so the cycle of the old and new came and went quickly. PrettyLittleThing was a notable fast fashion brand during this year. Despite their huge rebrand in 2025 to a more business-casual driven clientele, the British brand was the place to get clothes, from cut-out t-shirts, high-rise jeans, to camo bomber jackets, and with their collaborations with other celebrities and brands, including Kylie Jenner and The Gypsy Shrine, the reach of their influence was extensive. And with popular culture being a huge topic this year, all eyes were on what the celebrities will be wearing next.
Although accessories were also essential to an outfit, and in particular, the choker was a vital item to any outfit. Claire’s was a core brand to sell this item and many other accessories, from charm bracelets to necklaces; they were a dream for young children but also for teenagers alike. These chokers would be made from thin plastic strings that were threaded together to make a decorative pattern that sat tightly around your neck. Some chokers even came with little charms attached to create more choice for their consumers. Despite the brand suffering from a decline in interest and stores across the world shutting down, Claire’s ultimately held significant importance in the mid-2010s.
With the growth of social media, it allows us to look back on the trends and memories of 2016. The content released within the year allows us to relive this time in our life, as ten years on, we are to be completely different people from who we were then, and the fashion and makeup choices we made in this time are only scratching the surface. The resurgence of 2016 trends is ultimately based on nostalgia, a time when things are no longer common or have drastically changed. Though we can say for certain, 2016 can certainly come back, it is up to the industries and the consumers to make that choice.
Words by Madison Holt
Featured image courtesy of Ivan Aviles via Unsplash. Image license found here.
