Why Some Trends Belong in the Past and Others Should Join Them
We’ve all been there—scrolling through old photos only to realize we fell victim to a trend that didn’t just age poorly, it practically expired the minute it started. From questionable beauty choices to “what was I thinking” fashion, here are the outdated trends I’m ready to leave in the rearview mirror for good.
The Beauty Spoilers
Let’s talk about the face. I never understood the trend of overplucking eyebrows until they were just two thin lines of regret or completely gone with only a penciled line. And don’t even get me started on overlining lips! But the modern obsession with “work” has taken it to a whole new level.
When Botox and fillers make your cheeks look like two sizable marble balls instead of actual human features, we’ve gone too far. There’s a point where lip injections make people look like they’re having a severe allergic reaction and need a heavy dose of antihistamines rather than another appointment, which should be among outdated trends if you ask me. Sometimes, the effort to “escape” aging can really backfire with the results that look far from flattering in my opinion. Instead of looking younger, features from overly done plastic surgery can radically distort the appearance to the point the person looks more like an alien than someone you remembered.
The Modern Mask of 2026
The current obsession right now is “expressive” makeup—think bold, vibrant colors, different textures, and enough glitter to be seen from space for the eyes along with statement lips. There’s a fine line between painting a face to bring out natural beauty and applying a wild scheme that looks more like you’re putting on a mask for a costume party.
This 2026 trend is especially brutal for those of us with more “experienced” skin. A fresh, young face might handle a swipe of neon, but on an aging face, those heavy textures and glitters act like tiny neon signs pointing directly at every wrinkle and dark undereye shadow.
Fashion Fails and Harem Pants
Then we have the clothes. I still don’t understand jeans that have so many holes they barely qualify as pants. If the holes dominate the denim, why are we paying full price? Then there were harem pants and that bizarre trend of men wearing their pants so low they were essentially advertising their briefs to the world. It wasn’t a great fashion fad—it just looked like they were in a losing battle with gravity.
Pet Rocks and Feathered Fads
Does anyone remember pet rocks? We literally paid for a stone in a box. It’s the ultimate proof that marketing can sell anything. Couple that with the era of massive feather earrings, and it’s a wonder we didn’t all just tip over from the weight of our accessories. Thank goodness, both of these are outdated trends that have seen their day.
The Death of Social Interaction
Perhaps the trend I hate most isn’t something you wear, but something we do. I see it all the time: a beautiful, warm day with kids sitting on their porches, perfectly positioned to actually talk to each other. Instead, they are glued to their cell phones, texting the kid on the next porch over. We’ve traded actual interaction for a screen, and it’s one trend I’d love to see reversed. You might want to read my previous post on How to Tighten Family Bonds for some ideas.
Where Do We Go From Here?
At the end of the day, fashion and beauty should make us feel like the best versions of ourselves, not like we’re hiding behind a mask or struggling to keep our pants up. I may have watched those feather earrings and pencil-thin brows from a safe distance, but that didn’t make them any less baffling to witness! Trends come and go, but common sense (and a good mirror) should stay in style forever.
I want to hear from you! Did you fall for any of these, or were you standing on the sidelines with me? Is there a current fad that makes you want to hand out antihistamines or a sewing kit? Let’s vent in the comments!
