January 9, 2026
If you have TikTok then you’ve most likely seen the trend “2026 is the new 2016,” circulating across user’s For You Page. With the new year, people are seeking a revival of 2016 trends and aesthetics from the bold makeup and skinny jeans, to its nostalgic music by Ariana Grande and Halsey–and with what’s happening in the world, who can blame them?
It appears that people want to return to a time where they were younger, carefree, and life seemed to be filled with energy, but is this trend really making a comeback?
One person leading the way in the trend is Kylie Jenner, most known for her brand Kylie Cosmetics, was a pivotal influencer during the time, with her matte lipsticks and social media posts that had people obsessed for her “King Kylie” era. Kylie herself revived archived lipsticks from 2016 for its anniversary and even posted herself with her iconic pink hair. With her influence and people’s eagerness to move past the boring “clean girl” aesthetic of natural makeup, neutral clothes, and slick-back buns, people are returning to the blueprint of 2016 for something new. Senior at SCHS, Sienna Galbasini stated, “[She] misses when clothes and makeup didn’t all look the same and were expressive and fun.”
Another influential person of 2016, most known for her song “Lush Life,” Zara Larsson has satisfied people’s need for bold makeup and fun music with her own style and recent Midnight Sun Tour. With her new tour, people online are recreating her colorful makeup looks and dances that remind many of 2016. It seems nostalgia is the theme of 2026 and it’s hitting people hard as they cling on to old trends that reflect self-expression and the good old days. Color, glitter, and drama are what people are seeking to return to and the iconic times of 2016 that had people obsessed.
With this trend, there have also been new rumors speculating returns of the iconic Unicorn Frappuccino from Starbucks, as well as a new rendition of the app Vine. Those who remember 2016 are ecstatic to see these returns as they are a reminder of when the internet felt more creative and life felt more easygoing. Senior at SCHS Tanner Metzger has been following the trend online and reflected that, “back then everything felt fun and free without the stress.”
With this revival mainly being led by today’s youth, it highlights the overwhelming times of peoples lives as college becomes a new focus, price of living is dramatically rising, and people fear what their future might hold. The response has been people seeking comfort in nostalgia from a time of creativity and joy before life felt so serious.
Will 2016 make a full comeback? Most likely no, but it’s certain that people crave an outlet for self-expression and bold outlooks, something that feels on brand for this generation.
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