For those playing along at home, social media users of 2026 are dialling their posts back a decade to 2016 … With almost anyone with an Insta account throwing things back to simpler times when Drake played on repeat, glitter eyeliner was considered a mood and makeup tutorials could easily eat up an entire afternoon.
It was an era of bold brows that deserved their own hashtag, matte lips that required a straw to sip a latte, and contour so snatched it could slice a bagel. Highlighter wasn’t subtle … it was a spotlight for your cheekbones. And, if your Snapchat didn’t include a floral crown filter, were you even living?
Back then, getting ready for a night out looked like a production: a Tarte Shape Tape dab here, a Kylie Lip Kit swipe there, dramatic use of concealer to carve a block brow, and maybe a hair flip that deserved a TikTok tutorial of its own.
Now, 10 years later, nostalgia is in the air (and makeup bag) – and beauty brands are giving us a cheeky nod back to the good old says when “more was more.”
Because, despite our current obsession with minimalism – skin-like foundations, nude glosses, and soft, effortless brows – 2016 beauty is making a playful comeback, and it’s not shy.
MCoBeauty: Bold Eyes, Bright Brows
If 2016 taught us anything, it’s that brows were everything. And while today’s clean-girl aesthetic still dominates Instagram, MCoBeauty is bringing brow highlight back … but in a polished, wearable way. Cream and powder formulas lift and brighten the brow bone subtly for everyday wear, or can be layered for full-on glam. Add in bold eyes with a softer take on the cut crease, and suddenly, eye makeup is stepping back into the spotlight without feeling heavy or overdone.
Whether you’re after an everyday glow or full drama for a night out, MCoBeauty’s Ultra-Luxe Eyeshadow Quad and Powder Highlighter are the perfect throwback tools. Think of it as a 2016 remix: the same bold energy, but with a 2026 polish that makes it feel fresh rather than over-the-top.
Pump Haircare: Pixie Cuts Take Prime Position
2016 was also the year of the pixie, with the cropped, cute ‘do delivering the ultimate “I woke up like this” flex. And, Aussie brand Pump Haircare is here to tell us it’s not just a phase. Hair in 2026 is healthy, expressive, and effortless. But with shape and texture taking centre stage.
According to Pump’s Marketing Manager, Wizdom Westlake, “In 2026, hair trends are really leaning into confident minimalism. Sharper cuts paired with softer, more natural-looking colour. There’s a clear move toward shorter styles. Texture and shape are starting to take priority over length – Zendaya’s cropped, curly pixie is a perfect example.”
However, while shorter silhouettes are having a moment – proving that sometimes less length truly equals more – they are being served with a some decidedly 2026-style support. “Leave-in treatments are now haircare heroes, protecting against sun, salt, and chlorine while giving your strands that soft, touchable texture,” says Wizdom.
Smashbox: Step-by-Step Sculpting
A decade ago a perfectly contoured cheekbone were the norm (long live the “Instagram Baddie” aesthetic) with the Kardashian kweens encouraging fans to commit to a full face that was chiseled, highlighted, and snatched to perfection. Fast forward to 2026, and (if Smashbox Cosmetics’ new studio-born sculpting essentials are anything to go by), contouring is making a cheeky comeback – proving that while trends might take a decade-long nap, a good cheekbone never goes out of style.
Morphe: Matte Lip Love
Matte lips, your time to (un)shine is here! In 2026, beauty lovers still favour balms and glossy formulas, but they now often layer them with matte liners and mousses to add depth and definition Morphe is leading the charge with their air-whipped matte lip mousse, a comfortable, velvety soft formula that won’t settle into lines or smudge – basically, all the things 2016 lips promised, but updated for today.
Vitamin E nourishes, while the flexible applicator allows for everything from sharp definition to that “just kissed” smudged effect. It’s a nod to King Kylie Jenner-era lip kits, but without the fuss or dryness. The matte lip is no longer a rigid rule – it’s a playful option that can move with your mood, outfit, or even your TikTok content.
The Body Shop: Simpler Scents
Finally, let’s not forget fragrance. The Body Shop is resurrecting Dewberry, a scent that defined a decade and still carries those juicy, nostalgic notes we all secretly missed. While technically first launched in the ’90s, it remained beloved through the noughties, making Dewberry’s return not just a blast from the past – but a thoughtfully updated with modern textures and formulations that feel fresh for 2026.
From bath and shower gels to body butter, hand balm, and even a perfume oil, Dewberry now hits all the self-care notes we crave: hydration, softness, and just the right amount of juicy nostalgia. For anyone who wants to close their eyes and instantly rewind to the era of oversized hoodies, chokers, and endless YouTube beauty tutorials, Dewberry is a little scent-based time machine.
