Recently, Kylie Jenner posted a picture of herself on Instagram celebrating her 29th birthday. She posted her cake, which was covered in many colorful rhinestones. Once she posted this, everyone went absolutely wild. People on the internet started putting rhinestones on everything from water bottles to makeup to skincare. They even started describing this as “whimsy,” despite the fact that the word usually means creative and imaginative, not do what everyone else is doing.
It’s completely normal to follow trends that you find online. Recently, I started using a gua sha for lymphatic drainage. I’m not completely sure it works, but the internet told me it does. When it comes to fashion, people succumb to trends more than they realize.
In 2020, it was the indie aesthetic or alternative aesthetic and recently it’s been the clean girl aesthetic (which in my opinion is boring, sorry). When we follow all these trends, an issue rises. People are now dressing and presenting themselves for the eyes of others, rather than for the eyes of themselves. I’m also part of this issue. I recently bought $6 wired headphones so that I could look “performative” and I love them. People this past year have now coined the term to describe this phenomenon.
With the introduction of influencers and short form video content, people are being introduced to the same type of content over and over again and with people generally wanting to fit into society, we follow what these influencers are telling us because it’s what everybody else is doing.
The real greatness is seen when people present themselves differently than the norm, or when their outfits and makeup contain little parts of their different personas.
I like to think I dress differently than others in my surroundings (in the least ‘pick me’ way possible). I go to the University of Colorado Boulder, where I’ve found that most people dress very outdoorsy or comfortable. I dress in the streetwear style (or at least an attempt at it). This style includes baggy jeans, graphic tees, and various accessories. It’s what I think suits me best. Even then, I don’t usually adhere to just this one aesthetic. My jewelry and makeup also reflects my skills and personality. My second piercings are traditional pieces of studs I got from India. When I do my makeup, I love doing intense eyeliner with a black waterline (or kajal for South Asians). I even cut up and mess with some of my clothes, just to make my outfits more detailed. I do little things that make me feel more like me.
When you look at different alternative aesthetics online, you can tell that they’re filled with personality, creativity and effort. For example, the Gyaru aesthetic has fun makeup, colorful outfits, and people who are confident and comfortable in their own skin.
When dressing and doing your makeup, try doing something different. Try different colors, different makeup styles, mix up a couple of different aesthetics, and wear pieces that have meaning to you. Don’t be afraid to showcase the real you!