Throwing it back to 2016! That year was a massive turning point for the beauty industry, moving us away from the heavy "Instagram face" toward some of the most iconic formulas still sitting on our vanities today.
This was the peak of the "Beauty YouTuber" era. We weren't just buying products; we were buying , matte liquid lipsticks (thanks to the Kylie Lip Kit craze), and blinding highlighters (shoutout to Becca Champagne Pop). It was a year of maximalism—more was definitely more. best beauty buys 2016
: This was the year high-tech met hair care. At a premium price point, it promised (and delivered) faster drying times and less heat damage, turning a functional tool into a status symbol. Throwing it back to 2016
: While the brand officially launched in late 2017, the hype and development in 2016 set the stage for the "Fenty Effect," making every other brand realize their shade ranges were severely lacking. Why 2016 Mattered We weren't just buying products; we were buying
: This palette changed the game for eyeshadow. Before this, neutral browns reigned supreme; 2016 was the year we all started wearing warm berries, burnt oranges, and "Realgar" red on our lids.
: 2016 was when skin hunger for "clinical" ingredients began. The Ordinary launched and disrupted the entire industry by offering active ingredients like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid for under $10, making skincare education mainstream. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
If we’re drafting a retrospective on the absolute best buys from that era, here are the heavy hitters that defined the year: The Cult Classics of 2016 Tarte Shape Tape Concealer