2015-2017 was a TIME

OMG, who else remembers the absolute grip the 2015-2017 aesthetic had on us, especially on Pinterest? Seriously, you just had to be there! For me, that era was all about perfecting my "full beat" makeup look, no matter the occasion – even if it meant being notoriously late for college class, or rocking a dramatic winged eyeliner and dark matte lipstick for a shift at Smoothie King! It wasn't just about being ready for a night out; it was about being perpetually photoshoot-ready, all thanks to those endless Pinterest inspo boards. My Pinterest boards from back then were a treasure trove of inspiration. It felt like everyone was chasing that perfect blend of glam and grunge, with a touch of soft VSCO filter magic. I distinctly remember saving countless pins featuring intricate eye looks. We weren't just doing subtle eyeshadow; we were going *bold*. Think heavy blue eyeshadow blended out perfectly, or a vibrant pink eyeshadow paired with the sharpest winged eyeliner you could possibly achieve. I even recall screenshots of whole Snapchat stories dedicated to Morphe brushes, with everyone trying to get their hands on a good M431 blending brush to get that smooth transition. That precise blending was key to mastering the eye looks that were everywhere. And the products! Oh my goodness, the products. Does anyone else get a whiff of nostalgia when they see a picture of the Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons palette? I swear I can still smell that sweet chocolate scent! And let's not forget the highlight craze. The Anastasia Beverly Hills GLOW KIT was absolutely revolutionary. We were all obsessed with achieving that blinding highlight, often paired with an elf Baked Highlighter Blush Gems for extra sparkle. It wasn't just about a subtle glow; it was about being seen from space! Coupled with perfectly sculpted brows and a flawless base, these products were non-negotiable for anyone serious about their 2015 aesthetic. Beyond the makeup, the general vibe was so unique. It was the era of the 'Niykee Heaton caption' and heavily filtered selfies, often taken with a slight squint or pout. We were all trying to curate this effortlessly cool, slightly moody, yet perfectly polished image. Our outfits typically involved chokers, ripped jeans, flannel shirts tied around the waist, and chunky boots or platform sneakers. Even our skincare routines were part of the aesthetic – remember the e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask? Feeling like an influencer just by putting on a fun mask, snapping a pic, and uploading it with a perfectly chosen filter! The whole look was an experience, from pre-makeup prep to the final Instagram post. Looking back, it’s wild how much effort went into those looks, but it truly felt like a creative outlet. That 2015 aesthetic wasn't just about trends; it was about a whole lifestyle captured through our phone cameras and meticulously curated Pinterest boards. It shaped so many of our beauty journeys and left us with some truly iconic (and sometimes questionable!) memories. It was a time of self-expression and discovery through beauty and fashion, heavily influenced by what we saw trending on our feeds. What are your favorite memories from the 2015 aesthetic? Did you rock the heavy blue eyeshadow too, or were you more into the vampy dark matte lipstick?