The 2016 Makeup Comeback (But Make It 2026)

What Is ‘2016 Makeup’?

What’s funny is that if we were to mention 2015 or 2017, there would be no immediate association with a makeup trend. But when we hear 2016, there’s a clear-cut vision.

“It’s a maximalist approach to makeup to portray a high-glamour look,” Kassajikian explains. “It’s a structured brow, full coverage complexion with sharp contour and baking, bold eye looks with a cut crease, winged liner, and a defined matte lip.”

Why Is ‘2016 Makeup’ Trending Right Now?

Trends always recycle—and following a long period that’s predominantly been focused on minimalist, no makeup-makeup, it’s only natural that people crave change.

“After years of the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, there’s a desire for maximalist makeup again, and a craving for nostalgia,” Kassajikian says. “After 10 years, this trend is making a comeback with the rise of full glam returning. The consumer wants to experiment and play with colors and textures as a form of creative expression.”

Tips to Modernize the 2016 Makeup Trend

Because Kassajikian has truly seen it all over the last decade, he knows how to keep things current, while still referencing the past. Below, he shares key tips, while we share our favorite ways to implement products into an updated 2016 routine.  

Create a Fluffy or Laminated Brow vs. a Defined or Structured Brow

Full brows are still a vibe—blocky brows are not. To keep the strong brow in effect without overdoing it, brush them up with a gel like the MILK MAKEUP Kush Clear Brow Gel, and fill them in with gentle strokes, using a pencil (vs. a pomade) like the HAUS LABS The Edge Precision Brow Pencil.

Apply a Semi-Natural Foundation vs. a Full Coverage Matte Foundation

Unless your skin is super oily, the matte look just isn’t it. It can lead to cakiness and looking unnatural. If you still want that day-to-night 2016 vibe, opt for a velvet finish or a full-coverage foundation with a dewier formula. Our pick? The MAKEUP BY MARIO SurrealSkin Foundation.

Underpaint vs. Harsh Contour

Your face should still have dimension, but it shouldn’t look like a visible art project. Placing structure underneath your foundation is a good way to go about it, or you can use your traditional bronzer to subtly carve out some shape. If we want to keep things in the 2016 family, we’re still loving the cult favorite BENEFIT COSMETICS Hoola Original Powder Bronzer. 

Give the High Points of the Face a Natural Glow vs. a Strobed Highlight

If you ask us, highlighter is always a vibe. Seeing a reflection on your face is not. Keep the highlighter subtle to create a natural, lit-from-within glow. We always turn to our trusty KEVYN AUCOIN The Lighting Highlighter Stick. It’s buildable so you can control the intensity. 

Create a Siren Eye vs. a Bold Liner

Let’s be clear: Eyeliner isn’t going anywhere. But the full bold, black line from corner to outer-eye is too much in 2026. Opt for a subtle wing that focuses on the outer area only, or do a light-handed application of brown along the lash line. We can’t get enough of our ICONIC LONDON Smokey Eye Duo Kajal Eyeliners. Additionally, URBAN DECAY launched their own new 2016-adjacent 24/7 Liquid Stick Retractable Liners to keep the trend current. 

Apply an Overlined Satin Lip vs. a Matte Lip

If there’s one 2016 trend we never quite understood, it’s the matte lip. Like, who thought it was a good idea to walk outside with lips looking chapped all the time? Sure, the formulas were longwear, but we can get the same staying power with something like a KEVYN AUCOIN Velvet Lip Paint, paired with DIBS No Pressure Lip Liner. 

Final Thoughts

While 2016 makeup is the hot topic du jour, it seems we love the essence and nostalgia of the moment—versus the look itself. No one in 2026 is rocking block brows, matte lips, and reflective highlighter with confidence. While trends of the coveted year influence the new looks of today, the identical aesthetic isn’t meant to be replicated. With the help of some innovation over the last decade, we’ve been able to modernize the look while still giving us a welcome reprieve from the “clean girl aesthetic.”