If you have been active on social media in recent weeks, you would know a new era is upon us. Or should I say an old one? A comeback of past trends has taken over TikTok’s For You Pages (FYP). 

Teens and young adults who were children during the 2016 era are now looking to revive the aesthetics that once defined their early internet experiences.  

Here are trends that are making a return to bring back the nostalgia:

1. The Use of Nostalgic Filters 

The Dog Filter on Snapchat is making a comeback. People on social media have been lip-syncing to popular songs from the 2016 era while wearing the Dog Filter. TikTok has even created its own version of the filter. Another trend taking the internet by storm involves applying TikTok’s Metal filter under the Retro category to current photos to make them appear as though they were taken in 2016. 

2. Creating Iconic Throwback Playlists

There is no better way to capture the spirit of 2016 than by creating a playlist filled with hits that dominated the year. Songs such as “Panda” by Desiigner, “Side To Side” by Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, and “Me, Myself & I” by G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha were heard everywhere in 2016. Blasting these hits in the car or while studying will take listeners back in time. A few songs I included in my own 2016-inspired playlist are “Starving” by Hailee Steinfeld, Grey, and Zedd, and “I Took A Pill In Ibiza – Seeb Remix” by Mike Posner and Seeb. 

3. Performing Old Video Trends 

Another fun way to join the nostalgia is by doing video trends. Creators on TikTok are lip-syncing and dancing to the song “Don’t Mind” by Kent Jones, which was a popular trend on the app Musical.ly during the era. The Don’t Judge Me challenge has also made a comeback with TikTokers singing along to “Cheerleader – Felix Jaehn Remix Radio Edit” by OMI.

The people performing the trend would appear “ugly” in the first half of the song, and then, with a swipe of a hand, look their best in the other half.

4. Recreating Iconic Beauty Looks

Anyone with an older sibling or cousin in 2016 understands how iconic the makeup scene was. To step back in time, ditch the “clean girl” makeup look and embrace filled-in eyebrows, thick eyeliner, shimmer on the eyelids, and a matte finish. As for hairstyles, opt for messy buns over slicked-back looks. Teens on TikTok have also been favoring fun nail designs that reflect the 2016 era. Instead of the classic French tip nails, they are adding the iconic mustache icon to one nail. 

5. Creating the DIY Unicorn Frappuccino

Although the Unicorn Frappuccino from Starbucks was released in 2017, many people associate it with 2016, and it is easy to see why. Its bright blue and pink colors reflect the aesthetics of that time, and its sour, fruity taste left many speechless. Teens on social media have been seen mixing a Coconut Berry Redbull and a Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher to match the vibe of the Unicorn Frappuccino. While the textures of the two drinks differ, their bright colors and playful flavors capture the same whimsical vibe as the Unicorn Frappuccino.

2016 might have been full of trends that have faded away, but that doesn’t mean our want for nostalgia has.