Trends tend to repeat themselves, and with 2026 beginning, many people are looking back to a year that felt simpler: 2016.
From fashion and music to pop culture, the mid 2010s are making a comeback, especially among teenagers who were kids during that time.
In 2016, makeup trends were bold and expressive. Full coverage foundation, bolder brows, sharp contour, and winged eyeliner were popular looks. Today, some of these styles appear with students who are experimenting with heavier glam.
(quote about 2016 makeup)
Youtube also played a huge role in shaping beauty trends during 2016. Beauty creators posted long tutorials and product reviews that felt personal and unfiltered. Nowadays, on apps like Youtube and TikTok lots of people are posting Get Ready With Me videos and makeup tutorials.
(quote from somebody who makes grwms)
Music from 2016 is also resurfacing. Songs by artists like Rihanna, Drake, and Ariana Grande are trending again on platforms like TikTok and Spotify.
For many students this music represents comfort and nostalgia, even if they were too young to experience it the first time.
“The music is so freeing and it just feels like a night out with your friends. It’s fun and upbeat and refreshing overall,” Sophomore Sahory Villela said. “One dance by Drake is always in my playlist,”
