2016 Is Back: Full Glam Makeup & Instagram Nostalgia

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In this episode of GlowJob, we unpack why 2016 is suddenly everywhere again — and why millennials can’t stop romanticizing it.

Searches for “2016 aesthetic” are up 450% on TikTok, but this isn’t just a trend cycle. Psychologists say nostalgia is a coping mechanism for anxiety — and in an era of burnout, algorithms, AI, and constant pressure to perform, people are craving a time that felt lighter, freer, and more human.

We break down what actually defined 2016: peak full-glam beauty, matte foundation, Kylie Lip Kits, and the early rise of Glossier (hello clean girl). We revisit the brands that ruled the decade and which ones quietly fell off.

We also break down how different social media felt back then: chronological Instagram feeds, VSCO filters, Snapchat dog ears, and posting just for fun — not for the algorithm.

Plus: the shift from loud, maximalist glam to today’s beige “clean girl” aesthetic, what happened to iconic brands like Too Faced and Kat Von D, and why we’re not actually missing the makeup… we’re missing the feeling.

If you’ve ever wished the internet felt less curated and a little more unhinged... this one’s for you.

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The only podcast to make you hotter AND smarter.   GlowJob™ goes beyond the headlines to unpack the business and culture driving the world’s most influential industry… beauty. Hosted by best friends Julia Bellary and Sasa Li, GlowJob dishes on the conversations you actually want to hear — and the ones everyone else is too afraid to start. From celebrity drama to billion-dollar beauty deals, join us as we break down how skincare, makeup, and wellness collide with society, culture, and business. 

 

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