Ah, 2016 makeup—a time when contour was as sharp as a knife, eyebrows resembled rigid rectangles, and setting spray was practically glue. Looking back, it’s safe to say that makeup trends from 2016 were not for the faint of heart. Today’s TikTok beauty community revels in this era’s quirks, poking fun at it while marveling at how far we’ve come. From cheek-chiseling contouring to a blinding amount of highlight, let’s dig into what made 2016 makeup so awful—and why Gen Z’s TikTok can’t stop talking about it.
The All-Out Glam Look: No Chill Allowed
In 2016, subtlety was a foreign concept. Makeup routines were intensive, a marathon of products that left no skin surface untouched. The guiding mantra seemed to be “more is more,” and it wasn’t uncommon to start with three layers of primer and finish with two rounds of setting spray. TikTok creators like @throwbackglam and @contourkween have recreated these multi-step routines, reminding us of the laborious ritual that defined 2016 makeup.
Brows So Bold, They’d Stare You Down
One glance at a 2016 eyebrow, and you’d be transported to a world where arches were carved with military precision. Think Instagram brows: outlined with a sharp, concealer-defined border, filled with heavy pomade, and impossibly square at the start. TikTok creators often spoof these brows, donning their “2016 brows” as a joke. Creator @nostalgiabeauty went viral with her eyebrow transformation video, using the caption, “When brows could block out the haters.”
The Glow That Could Guide Ships at Sea
If you wore makeup in 2016, highlighter was your shining star, literally. Whether you were heading out or just staying in, that cheekbone glow was visible from outer space. The highlighter obsession is perhaps the most talked-about feature of 2016 makeup on TikTok, where creators layer on shimmery products until their cheeks resemble disco balls. Today’s dewy glow is a faint whisper compared to the metallic shine of 2016.
The Contour Olympics
Contouring was a must-do in 2016, an intricate map of lines and shades designed to morph your face into Kardashian-like perfection. Back then, the sharper the contrast, the better. On TikTok, the “contour like it’s 2016” trend has creators applying stripes of bronzer, blending it out with dramatic flair, and even jokingly naming their contour sticks after construction tools. @throwbackcontour has a series dedicated to “2016 face-sculpting hacks that are better left in the past.”
The Rise of Matte Lips (and the Death of Lip Hydration)
No look was complete without a matte liquid lipstick in a nude or mauve shade that was borderline drying. Brands like Kylie Cosmetics were all the rage, selling out of lip kits in minutes. The end result was a lip look as cracked as the desert floor. TikTok creators today mimic this with comments like, “2016 matte lips could’ve survived an apocalypse.” @kylieschronicles jokingly says, “We sacrificed our lips for this.”
The 2024 Comeback: Embracing Natural Glam
Fast forward to now, and 2016 makeup is a relic of a bygone era. In 2024, we’re embracing minimalism, sheer coverage, and a glow that says “I drink water.” TikTok is filled with “glow-up” content comparing 2016 to present-day trends, with videos like “Then vs. Now: Makeup Edition” using the hashtag #2016makeup. 2024 makeup is all about enhancing natural features, a direct contrast to the ‘face armor’ of 2016. We’ve traded contour maps for natural shadows and swapped metallic highlight for soft, cream-based glows.
Why TikTok Can’t Get Enough of 2016 Makeup
The obsession with 2016 makeup isn’t just about reliving the past—it’s a reminder of how much beauty standards have shifted. TikTok’s beauty creators often mix humor with nostalgia, with captions like, “When your face could double as a reflective surface” and “Just going out for errands… after my 40-step routine.” Videos like @2016vibes’ recreations showcase the shift from rigid beauty rules to today’s anything-goes approach. This blend of satire and homage keeps 2016 makeup relevant, albeit in a less literal way.
Final Thoughts on 2016 Makeup: Was It Really That Awful?
In the end, 2016 makeup was a bold statement, a look of its own that required commitment. While we might cringe at those brows or laugh at contouring overkill, there’s something almost admirable about how 2016 makeup allowed us to experiment. It may have been a high-maintenance moment, but it was one that gave rise to countless beauty trends we still see echoes of today.
For those of us reminiscing on TikTok, 2016 makeup serves as a marker of where we were and how far we’ve come. Today’s makeup trends may not be as intense, but they carry the spirit of self-expression that 2016 pioneered—even if it’s a little less blinding.