Party content online is leaning into full glam again.
The 2016 glam aesthetic is officially back for party season 2025, bringing a nostalgic yet modern twist to high-impact beauty.
This revival reflects a wider cultural shift where bold makeup feels exciting again after years of subtle minimalism.
South Asian audiences are particularly embracing this trend because it celebrates artistry, precision and expressive colour.
The return of this look also aligns with the broader re-emergence of full-coverage beauty on runways and social media.
Creators are revisiting techniques that defined the mid-2010s and updating them to suit today’s high-definition cameras and lighter product formulas.
The result is a fresher version of full glam that combines statement features with more refined blending.
What 2016 Glam Looked Like
The original 2016 look was all about heavy, matte perfection that prioritised sculpted impact over natural finish.
A full-coverage foundation, strong under-eye concealer, and intense baking created a smooth yet powdery base that dominated tutorials at the time.
A sharp contour and reflective highlighter added further drama, often worn with minimal blush to keep the sculpted look defined.
Brows were solid, squared at the front and heavily filled, inspired by Instagram perfectionism.
Eyes featured strong cut creases, thick eyeliner and large lashes that created a striking lifted effect.
Lips were overlined with matte liquid formulas in nude or mauve shades, echoing the height of the King Kylie era.
How It Is Coming Back in 2025
A wave of TikTok nostalgia has pushed this aesthetic back into mainstream beauty, with Gen Z revisiting looks many first discovered on YouTube.
Influencers are recreating 2016 glam using updated techniques that offer the same drama with softer transitions.
Metallic shadows, rhinestones, bolder liner shapes and high-shine highlights now dominate party tutorials.
This reflects a reaction to simplified clean girl beauty, which prioritised minimal coverage and understated definition.
Party content online is leaning into full glam again because people want makeup that stands out in photos and videos.
The comeback feels familiar yet refreshed, particularly as formulas now offer longevity without the cakey texture of past trends.
Key Differences Between 2016 and 2025 Glam
Today’s revival takes inspiration from the past but adapts it for modern skin expectations and digital quality.
Bases remain full coverage but are applied in thinner layers, skipping extreme baking and adding more blush for natural dimension.
Brows are still defined but softer, favouring hair-like strokes rather than dense blocks.
Eyes lean towards metallic tones, shimmer effects and occasional gems to create depth under 4K lighting.
Lashes look lighter and less plasticky while still adding volume and lift.
Lips stay overlined but use blurred edges and satin or gloss finishes to appear more effortless.
How To Wear It For Party Season 2025
The best way to approach this comeback is by balancing full glam with updated placement and texture.
Apply foundation in controlled layers and avoid excessive powder to keep your base looking smoother in real lighting.
Add a generous wash of blush to bring life back into the complexion while keeping contour more targeted.
Reintroduce cut creases and defined brows, but blend softly and swap very dense lashes for fluffy, flexible ones.
Choose one nostalgic feature to emphasise so the look feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
This helps create a polished finish that suits events, weddings and festive nights out.
Kylie Jenner’s King Kylie Era Influence
Kylie Jenner’s 2016 Met Gala look continues to shape the modern interpretation of full glam.
Her matte skin, sculpted cheeks, heavy lashes and structured nude lip are referenced repeatedly across creator tutorials.
These elements defined a generation of beauty fans who still use her red carpet looks as a nostalgic benchmark.
Makeup artists also credit her mid-2010s appearances with popularising strong overlining and Instagram contour.
Tutorials discussing Kylie lips are resurging as fans recreate the shape using updated satin textures.
This influence demonstrates why the 2016 return feels timely and culturally recognisable.
The 2016 glam comeback proves that high-impact beauty remains deeply influential, especially for South Asians who love expressive makeup artistry.
Its return reflects a growing desire for statement features that hold their own against bright lights and high-definition cameras.
Updated textures and refined techniques mean the look feels wearable rather than heavy.
Nostalgic references from Kylie Jenner’s era and 2016 award-season glamour keep the style culturally grounded.
Modern adaptations allow the aesthetic to feel fresh without losing its original drama.
This fusion ensures 2016 style glam will continue shaping party beauty throughout 2025 and beyond.
Loading ...