2016 Makeup, Reimagined: From Daylight Glow to Midnight Glam
Makeup artists are cheering the resurgence of 2016 makeup—not the blocked brows, harsh contours, and concealer blindness per se, but the joy of it all: vibrant eyelids, graphic liner, and unapologetically bold lips. And who else is there to thank but pop star Zara Larsson and her makeup artist, Sophia Sinot?
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The Looks That Broke the Internet
For the Swedish pop star’s Midnight Sun tour, makeup artist Sophia Sinot transformed Larsson with vivid colors and glittering stones that lit up every look. Spanning nearly every hue on the color wheel, the duo sent the internet into a frenzy—and signaled that creative makeup was finally back.
While these looks aren’t exactly everyday fare, makeup can still be creative—and perfectly appropriate for the boardroom. That’s why MEGA asked makeup artists for their take on creative makeup, from subtle twists to full-out glam.
Wearable Creativity
Everyday makeup usually involves a lightweight base, a touch of blush, a swipe of lip color, and the occasional liner or mascara. It becomes routine—muscle memory—and sometimes, a little too ordinary.
Carissa Cielo Medved believes that your everyday makeup doesn’t have to be too plain or too loud. “Sometimes, it’s the tiny twists that change the whole vibe,” she shared. She recommends a soft gradient lip that fades from the center outward, or spiky lashes created by pinching mascara together with tweezers—reminiscent of Korean and Thai beauty trends. “Little touches like these add personality without overpowering your daily look.”
Celebrity makeup artist Jason Delos Reyes echoes this sentiment. “Sometimes it’s as simple as choosing one focal point you want people to notice right away—whether that’s a bold lip, a soft sunset blush, a pop of color on the eyes, or a graphic liner.”
A hint of color on the eyes, in his opinion, instantly elevates a look, but still wearable. “The best part about makeup is that it’s temporary—you can always erase it if it doesn’t match your vibe that day. That’s why I always encourage people not to be afraid to experiment.”
His recommendation for that elevated touch? A soft brown liner paired with matte white eyeshadow on the inner corners—wearable everywhere, yet captivating enough for a double take.
“Makeup is meant to be fun, personal, and a reflection of how you feel in the moment.”
When Makeup Goes All In
On days meant for experimentation, makeup artists Kenric Carpio and Miki Liuson don’t hold back—especially as creative makeup makes a strong comeback this year. This year, Carpio is excited to see everyone’s creativity come alive again. “I love witnessing different artists’ interpretations of creative makeup trends and how they translate those ideas into their own original looks,” he expressed.
His take on creative makeup centers on his favorite versatile product: INGLOT Duraline. “It’s an incredible mixing medium that allows me to transform any colorful eyeshadow powder into a liquid, tacky formula, giving me more control, precision, and longevity in my creative looks,” Carpio shared. “It’s inspiring to see individuality celebrated through artistry.”
Where Carpio’s interpretation is bold, Liuson’s is soft and dreamy—a testament to her love for playing with color and experimenting with techniques. “It’s refreshing to see people become more open to bold makeup again and view it as an element to enhance the concept rather than something that has to be toned down,” she said.
Her dreamy look features Issy powders, including Blush in Erotic, Issy x Slo matte eyeshadows, and Glitter Suspension for highlight. She finished it off with rhinestones—a true Zara Larsson-inspired look. “If this were on a real face, I would’ve also mixed chunky glitters with a lip gloss for a high-shine glitter lip moment,” she added.
Creative makeup in 2026 is all about reclaiming the joy of self-expression. From subtle everyday twists to rhinestone-studded glam, today’s beauty renaissance encourages everyone to play, experiment, and tell their own story through color and texture. This year, beauty isn’t about blending in—it’s about standing out, one bold lip at a time.
Featured Image from MEGA ARCHIVES. Photographed by GAIL GERAINE, Makeup by MIKI LIUSON, Hair by REESE CY, Styled by ANNELIESE NG, Model TATIANA RODRIGO, MEGA Magazine, September 2025.
Additional Photos: SOPHIA SINOT, CARISSA CIELO MEDVED, TU TONTAWAN (via Instagram), MEGA ARCHIVES. Photographed by KIM ANGELA SANTOS of KLIQ INC.
The post 2016 Makeup, Reimagined: From Daylight Glow to Midnight Glam first appeared on MEGA.
2016 Makeup, Reimagined: From Daylight Glow to Midnight Glam
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