2016 — Best Beauty Buys

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 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. best beauty buys 2016

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. Throwing it back to 2016

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 At a premium price point, it promised (and

: This was arguably the biggest launch of the year. It completely redefined "full coverage" and became the gold standard for brightening under-eyes, essentially launching a thousand YouTube tutorials. Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

: 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