2016 “Instagram” Makeup

Hi classmates! Today, I’m going to talk about a trend that was pretty much the opposite of the one i talked about last week, and it’s the life changing, storm before the calm,  2016 “Instagram” makeup. It was a game-changer for social media trends, introducing bold looks and innovative techniques inspired by drag queens, that transformed our beauty routines. Let's revisit some of the standout trends from that year.

- Contouring and Highlighting: sculpted cheekbones and illuminated skin became essentials, thanks to influencers like Kim Kardashian. Contouring kits and highlighters, such as Becca's Champagne Pop, were must-haves. Skin was usually matte, with strong highlighted points  

- Brows: full, defined brows replaced the thin, over-plucked look. Products like brow pomades and gels, popularized by Anastasia Beverly Hills, became staples for achieving #BrowsOnFleek.

- Liquid Lipsticks: matte liquid lipsticks from brands like Kylie Cosmetics and ColourPop offered long-lasting, bold colors. Overlined lips for a fuller pout were also in vogue.

- Cut Crease Eyeshadow: this precise eyeshadow technique, involving a sharp contrast in the crease, added drama to eye looks. Glitter and metallic shades enhanced its impact.

- Bold Instagram Brows: Full, defined brows replaced the thin, over-plucked look. Products like brow pomades and gels, popularized by Anastasia Beverly Hills, became staples for achieving #BrowsOnFleek. The "Instagram brow" featured a gradient effect, meticulously shaped and filled-in. This look often required multiple products for a polished finish.

- Baking: like most of this techniques, this is borrowed from drag makeup, baking involved setting makeup with a thick layer of translucent powder for a smooth, creaseless finish.

- Unicorn and Mermaid Makeup Fantasy-inspired: looks with iridescent and holographic products were a hit. Brands like Too Faced embraced this whimsical trend with themed collections.

This was also the time of beauty youtubers and influencers. People would watch them to learn and enjoy the drama on the side. Names like Jeffree Star, James Charles, Manny MUA and Nikkie Tutorials were all over social media, showcasing techniques in a simple way for their viewers, and reviewing products with what we hoped was honesty. Other celebrities that exuded 2016 style were Kylie Jenner, who started her own makeup brand, and Kim Kardashian, who’s makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is known for being a trend setter in the industry.

If you want to try one of these looks, it’s very simple! Just check out some of the older tutorials, and Facetune your pictures until they look authentic. But, changing the topic, I genuinely enjoy this look. I’ve always liked drag makeup and this is like a softer version of it, which allowed people to cake on a face and have fun with it. I don’t like doing my makeup this way, it’s too heavy, but that’s particularly what I enjoy the most when someone else does it. Which trends were your favorites? Share in the comments!