Each month, Fabulate’s head of strategy and talent Lucy Ronald looks at what’s trending on TikTok.
A new year, a fresh calendar… and for some reason we all collectively decided to dig up our 2016 selves like it was a personality reboot. January 2026 had us time-travelling, begging to be believed, psychoanalysing our friendship groups, and asking the universe for very specific signs.
From throwback aesthetics to emotionally charged lip-syncs, here’s a snapshot of the trends that defined the first month of 2026:
2016 throwback
What it is: 2016 is officially back – and TikTok is deep in the archives. Creators are resurfacing decade-old selfies and party pics, or recreating the unmistakable 2016 aesthetic from scratch. Think aggressively oversaturated Instagram photos, heavy filters, Snapchat dog ears, nostalgic poses, throwback makeup, era-defining music, and all the chaotic charm that came with it. Some creators are even shooting brand-new content designed to look like it never left 2016.
The talent perspective: Dig deep into your camera roll or recreate the look intentionally. The more “this definitely happened in 2016” it feels, the harder it hits.
The brand perspective: A strong nostalgia play for brands in fashion, beauty, music, or culture. It’s a great way to tap into emotional memory – or show just how far your brand (and aesthetic) has come.
@neverclicked They said 2026 is the new 2016
You Have to Believe Me
What it is: Using Holly’s now-iconic line from the final season of Stranger Things – “Come on, you have to believe me, please you have to.” (We’re still processing that ending, by the way. Respectfully.) Creators lip-sync the audio while adding on-screen text about something they desperately need others to believe. From convincing friends to start a TV show, to passionately defending a wildly unpopular opinion.
The talent perspective: Keep it simple. The humour comes from the contrast between the emotional intensity of the audio and how low-stakes the situation actually is.
The brand perspective: Perfect for playful persuasion moments. Great for advocacy, passion points, or those “trust us on this one” brand messages.
@dakb0b Obviously Heated Rivalry right now but there’s been many. #heatedrivalry #tvshows #friends #fyp
The Three Different Kinds of Friends
What it is: A cheeky format breaking down how three different friends react to the same situation – usually confrontation. Set to I Love Rock ’n’ Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. One friend goes in hot, one immediately apologises on their behalf, and the third matches the chaos beat for beat.
The talent perspective: Lean all the way into exaggerated personalities. Clear character differences help the joke land instantly.
The brand perspective: Ideal for humour-led brands wanting to tap into group dynamics or showcase different customer personas without over-explaining.
@kendalljenner
I Asked the Universe for a Sign
What it is: Creators start with on-screen text saying “I asked the universe for a sign,” followed by an AI-generated cloud formation shaped like whatever they’re manifesting – a dream car, holiday, promotion, or very specific life goal.
The talent perspective: Have fun with it. The more niche or unexpected the “sign,” the better the payoff.
The brand perspective: A strong fit for aspirational products or wishlist moments. Easy to adapt without feeling forced or overly branded.
@karolinageits the universe knows 🥰
I Used to Love This Hair
What it is: Set to Olivia Dean’s Lady Lady (the woman who has all of our hearts), specifically the line “I used to love this hair, now there’s something in the air.” Creators reveal a hair transformation, cutting from their old look to a new style – usually paired with a very visible confidence shift.
The talent perspective: Keep the transition clean and emotional. Confidence sells the transformation more than the haircut itself.
The brand perspective: Ideal for beauty, haircare, and glow-up adjacent brands. Transformation storytelling without the need for heavy explanation.
@eleonoragaggeroreal
