Babe, we are diving deep back into pigment! Since 2026 is throwing it back to 2016 all over TikTok and Instagram at the moment, the "Clean Girl" aesthetic is being left in the dust.
TikTok searches for "2016" spiked by over 450% this month, with 55 million videos using those iconic warm, lo-fi filters that we loved, and the message is clear: full glam is back.
Look, we appreciate the no makeup makeup look, the sheer skin tints, fluffy brows, the light blush, we get it, it’s cute.
But at P.Louise, we don’t do things by half, 2016 makeup is us to a T. We’re talking carved eyebrows, bright eyeshadows, matte lipsticks and of course the iconic cut crease.
Let’s put the clean girl aesthetic to the side for a sec and just fully appreciate the nostalgia of 2016 makeup.
The Tea: Why Your Feed is Screaming 2016 Right Now
TikTok Takeover: Our FYPs are officially being reclaimed! The #2016 hashtag has smashed through over 2 million posts this month alone as creators trade in their sheer tints for those iconic full-coverage transformations and reminisce our fave songs from that period. Plus, the 2016 filter has been used in a staggering 229.8 million videos. The message is loud and clear: the baddie is back!
The 10-Year Anniversary: Can you believe it’s been a decade since the era that literally changed the game? We’re talking the birth of the lip kit, the golden age of YouTube tutorials, and the tracks that defined our makeup moods. Just like Y2K owned 2020, 2016 is the "new vintage" for Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha. It’s not just a look; it’s a whole legacy.
The "UK Glam" Effect: The demand for that high-glam finish is skyrocketing. Search interest for "Matte Liquid Lipstick" and "Carved Brows" has spiked by 45% on Pinterest since the year started. Everyone is craving that structure and definition that only a true P.Louise babe knows how to deliver.
Influencer Stamp of Approval: The icons are leading the charge! From Mikayla Nogueira to James Charles, everyone is posting those "2016 vs. 2026" tutorials. It’s the ultimate flex of skill—because we all know full glam takes talent, precision, and the perfect P.Louise Base to pull off.
Minimalist Fatigue? We Feel You!
Don’t get us wrong, we love a versatile moment—that’s why we created our Bestie Balm Tinted Moisturiser for those "low-key" days. But let’s be real, babe: P.Louise was built on full glam.
The world is bored of "playing it safe." This trend is a total rebellion against the "perfection" of minimal skin; it’s about the artistry, the process, and the passion. Back in 2016, makeup was more than a routine—it was a hobby, a community, and a total vibe.
In 2026, we’re craving that "YouTube Tutorial" energy again. We want to sit down, play with our palettes, and experiment with those creative, high-pigment eyeshadow looks that make people stop and stare. Our palettes are still the best in the game with that signature P.Louise pigment payoff you know and love.
We heard you wanted 2016 glam back. We heard you were craving creativity again. So stay tuned, babes—the best is yet to come.
The Iconic 2016 "Baddie" Makeup Look (Step-by-Step)
Carve The Brows
@plmakeupacademy Brows that slay make EVERY DAY 🔥✨ #plouise #eyebrowtutorial #ukmakeup #plouisemakeup #brows #carvedbrow #browbalm #fyp ♬ No Lyrics - Kilo G
Step 1: Lock 'Em In
First things first, let’s get that structure secured. Grab your P.Louise Brow Balm to start. Apply it right at the root of your brow hairs, pulling upwards in the natural direction of growth. This gives you that snatched, laminated hold that stays put from the first selfie to the after-party.
Step 2: Mimic the Natural
Precision is our middle name, babe. Grab your #125 Angled Liner Brush and our P.Louise Signature Blend Eyebrow Palette. Fill in any sparse gaps with tiny, hair-like strokes for that "born with it" but "bettered by us" vibe. Pro Tip: Focus the pressure on the very tip of the brush and flick it in the direction your natural hairs grow for that ultra-realistic finish!
Step 3: The Iconic Carve
Now for the main event—let’s carve out that sharp 2016 brow using the #7071 Brush! Use the side of the brush to line directly underneath the brow with your P.Louise Base for a razor-sharp arch. Then, using the full length of the brush, pat and build that coverage down across the lid to prep for your shadow.
Step 4: The Seamless Finish
We want drama, but we don’t want harsh lines on the skin, Queen! Take your #121 Brush to blend and soften those edges into the skin for a flawless transition. The result? Brows that literally slay the social feed.
Cut The Crease
@plmakeupacademy Education anyone ? #plouise #cutcrease #makeuptutorial #makeupartist #makeuphacks #heavyglam #fyp ♬ original sound - PLOUISE
Step 1: Prep the Canvas
Apply a small amount of P.Louise Rumour Base across the entire lid. Use a #7071 Flat Brush to "pat, pat, pat" until the base is thin, even, and tacky. Do not set it with powder! We need that tackiness so your shadows grab and pop with 10x more pigment.
Step 2: Map the Transition
Using a fluffy blending brush, sweep a medium transition shade slightly above your natural socket. Take a darker, more concentrated shade on a smaller brush and pack it directly into the crease line. Blend it upwards, keeping the bottom edge (closest to your lashes) slightly messy—we’re going to clean it up in the next step anyway.
Step 3: The "Wipe-Out" (The P.Louise Secret)
For the cleanest lines in the game, you don't just layer—you carve. Use the P.Louise Cut Carver. Take a tiny bit of the Carver balm on a #7072 Precision Brush. Trace the shape of your "cut" across your lid.
Gently wipe away the balm and the shadow underneath with a cotton bud. This removes the "bulk" and ensures your lid colour won't mix with your crease colours. You now have a literal blank canvas.
Step 4: The Master Cut
Now, let’s make it official. Take a fresh bit of P.Louise Base (try a shade lighter than your skin). Place a dot of Base near your lash line, then look up. Where the Base transfers is your guide!
Use the edge of your #7071 Brush to follow that line and fill in the lid area. Keep your eye open while mapping to ensure the "cut" is visible even when your eyes are fully open.
Step 5: Seal and Slay
Finally, set your lid to keep it from budging. Pack a shimmering pigment or a stark matte shadow directly onto the wet Base on your lid. Because the Base is tacky, the colour will look vibrant and won't crease.
Add a thick, black winged liner (like our Badda Black Base) to ground the look and lean into that full 2016 baddie aesthetic.
Blinding Highlighter
Step 1: The Cheekbones
This is the most iconic placement for that baddie aesthetic. Start at the top of your cheekbone and sweep the product up towards your temple in a "C" motion. Use a fan brush for a soft wash, or a dense, fluffy blending brush if you want it heavy.
Buff the product in circular motions to melt it into the skin so it looks like a beam of light rather than a stripe of glitter.
Step 2: The Nose
Nothing snatched a face in 2016 quite like a highlighted nose. Apply a small dot of highlight on the very tip of your nose and a thin line down the bridge.
Pro tip: Leave a small gap between the bridge and the tip—this creates an "exclamation point" effect that makes the nose look instantly more lifted and contoured.
Step 3: The Cupid’s Bow & Brow Bone
Dab a little glow onto your Cupid’s bow (the dip above your top lip). This makes your pout look fuller and more defined, especially when paired with a matte lip. Pop a touch of highlighter directly under the arch of your brow. This emphasises that sharp "carved" look we created with the P.Louise Base.
Step 4: The Inner Corner Pop
This is the final touch to brighten your eyes and make your cut crease look professional. Use a small pencil brush to pack highlight into the inner tearduct of your eyes. This "wakes up" the face and adds that extra level of glam that looks incredible under ring lights.
An Ombre Lip
Step 1: The Frame
Start by lining your lips with a P.Louise Lip Liner in a deep, chocolatey or mauve shade. Overline slightly at the Cupid’s bow for volume, and don't be afraid to make the line thick—we need that contrast!
Step 2: Shade the Corners
Using that same liner (or a darker P.Louise Lip Base), lightly shade the outer corners of your lips, blending slightly inward. This creates the "shadow" that makes the center of your lips look instantly bigger.
Step 3: The Center Pop
Take a lighter, nude P.Louise Liquid Lipstick or a tiny dab of P.Louise Base in a pale shade and apply it strictly to the center of your top and bottom lip.
Step 4: The Seamless Blend
The secret is in the blend, babe! Use a small, fluffy brush or your fingertip to lightly tap the edges where the light and dark colors meet. You want a smooth transition, not a harsh line.
Remember that while trends come and go, the P.Louise Base was born in this era of high-intensity glam. It was the essential tool then, and it’s the essential tool now. Try out our 2016 makeup look, slap on a lo-fi purple filter or a snapchat flower crown while blasting One Dance and it’ll feel like you never left.