This week, the 2016 trend has been dominating our feeds—and inspiring us to look back in our own archives. Today, we’re giggling about how how we all seemed to subscribe to the same beauty formula, which seems so different from today’s dewy skin, blurred lips, and understated hair trends. But a quick scroll down red-carpet memory lane reminds us that lots of our 2026 It-girls were setting a very different tone 10 years ago.
Walk with us. The year is 2016—it’s peak King Kylie era, and everyone’s wearing her brand new lip kit. Taylor Swift hits us with ‘Bleachella.’ Zendaya will not be caught anywhere without a choker. Dakota Johnson has yet to cut bangs, and if you’re not copying her piecey lob, you better be hitting your strands with the Beachwaver.
Matte skin is in, and matte lips are everywhere—bonus points for dark burgundy or fuchsia shades. Eye makeup is dramatic; if you’re not wearing a metallic smokey eye, your liquid liner is razor sharp. And don’t even get us started on the cut creases.
In a lot of ways, 2016 felt like a simpler time—a time when we weren’t afraid to be loud and expressive with our beauty choices, and our algorithms weren’t stifling our urge to experiment. Ready for a quick trip back in time? Below, check out some of your favorite celebrities in 2016 vs. now.