With the new year kicking into full swing, a lot of people have looked back on the trends of a decade ago. The nostalgic trend started on TikTok the first week of January, with over 50 million videos being posted with the hazy 2016 filter.
Many people are wondering what trends are coming back and which will stay in 2016.
First, let’s take a look at the past.
This nostalgic trend started on TikTok, however back in 2016, TikTok wasn’t a thing yet. Musical.ly dominated the short-video platform, making its peak debut in 2015-2016, becoming the number one free app in 30 countries.
Similar to TikTok, Musical.ly was flooded with trending dance and lip-sync videos, with its fair share of comedy and memes, ones that still stand today.
The app’s success was short-lived as it soon rebranded into TikTok, an app that’s popularity still remains very strong now.
Not all social media platforms from 2016 have become forgotten. Snapchat allows you to send pictures, videos, and chats to your friends. This app has definitely not seen any sort of downfall, in the past decade.
Snapchat hit its peak popularity in 2015-2016, with the dog filter having everyone in a chokehold. Photos have surfaced of trending big names at the time, such as Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, Drake, Shawn Mendes, and more, seen in this infamous filter.
However, 2016 wasn’t just about the filters, but the big celebrity personas. Kylie Jenner’s “King Kylie” phase was a hot topic. With her bold outfits, hair, and Lip Kit drops, Jenner had all eyes on her, in comparison to her soft, toned-down style now.
Now for the music, the topic which has been trending most on TikTok. “Lush Life” by Zara Larsson is making its reappearance on the platform following Larsson’s Midnight Sun Tour. The song hit its peak in July of 2016, however nothing compares to the popularity the artist has seen lately.
Along with Larsson’s comeback, many other musicians and songs have grabbed attention.
Songs such as The Chainsmokers’ “Closer,” “One Dance” by Drake, and “Let Me Love You” by DJ Snake were played on repeat, hitting top numbers on the Billboard Hot 100, all making their reappearance on TikTok.
Though a lot of trends resurfacing from 2016, one that lots of people are perfectly content with leaving in the past is the beauty trends. From aggressive side parts to dark lips, the beauty trends have changed significantly in the past ten years.
In 2016, thick brows and cakey, bronzed bases were a bold choice compared to the glowy, soft makeup that has had everyone shamefully dwelling on their harsh looks of the past.
Many beauty influencers such as NikkiTutorials, James Charles, and Jaclyn Hill have openly expressed their regret for their looks and expressed appreciation for the softer trends.
While 2026 is not a repeat of 2016, the influence is undeniable. Many trends are easily coming back around and others not so much, but the 2016 TikTok trend has been a good look into the past for a nostalgic first few months of the new year.
