2016 is often remembered as a nostalgic era filled with laughter, bold self-expression, and vibrant colors. In just 10 years, beauty, fashion, and culture have evolved dramatically, leading many to question whether people are now turning back to this earlier time to gain a sense of comfort.
Recently on social media, people have been posting “2026 is the new 2016.” This phrase is associated with a viral social media trend that began in late 2025 but did not catch attention until early January 2026. People have been sharing nostalgic Snapchat filters, makeup trends, and where they were that year, capturing it all in overly exposed photos.
Many influencers have participated in this trend, including former Musical.ly star Baby Ariel, who posted a TikTok featuring a clip from 2016, when she was at the height of her popularity, captioned “Live Laugh Love 2016.”
Because influencers are reviving this time period, their followers are as well. People are doing so by posting high-exposure pictures with nostalgic Snapchat filters like the iconic dog face. People are posting old Tumblr pictures of where they were during 2016 to show a sense of excitement and low worries.
Social media used to be a time of expressing yourself and your adventures rather than specific aesthetics. People posted casually without worrying about how many likes or comments they were going to get, making 2016 as a time when online spaces were less fabricated and more authentic.
Kylie Jenner‘s lip products, released in 2015, gained popularity in 2016 with all girls wanting to try them and look just like “King Kylie”. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade was another staple as young girls wanted the fullest, fluffiest brows. Makeup in 2016 was all about being bold and trying on full glam beats, such as a smoky eye.
In contrast, today’s trends favor the “clean girl aesthetic,” which focuses on minimal makeup, skin tints, and dewy finishes rather than heavy, full-glam looks. Fashion has also shifted. From watching Ariana Grande confidently step out in off-the-shoulder tops to today’s models wearing more overpowering, statement-driven garments, styles have become increasingly bold.
In comparison, 2016 fashion balanced elegance and trendiness, maintaining a look that felt both classy and modern. Skinny jeans and chokers are making a comeback, as they had 2016 millennials in a chokehold. Ultimately, people seem to be drawn back to a time when effort felt effortless, and self-expression did not feel so demanding.
Iconic songs such as “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey have even started playing on the radio again. Halsey is certainly making a comeback this year, mainly due to her “Back to Badlands” tour, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her debut album “Badlands.”
Scrolling through TikTok today, it is clear that people will continue to revel in the nostalgia for 2016. People are returning to this time period in search of happiness and freedom. Many express dissatisfaction with how social media feels today and use these posts to show how they believe content should be shared, more authentically and without pressure.
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