Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Woman with flowers in her hair
Woman with flowers in her hair
Photo by Ezekixl Akinnewu from Pexels
UH | Culture

What does it take to be That Girl?

Updated Published
Jimena Juarez Student Contributor, University of Houston
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UH chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

The average skincare routine consists of seven to ten steps. It starts with washing your face in the morning, followed by using an oil or water-based cleanser. Then, you exfoliate, apply toner, essence, and serum, and use eye cream. After that, you apply moisturizer and finish with sunscreen. Completing this routine takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Similarly, in a K-Pop Demon Hunters song, entitled How It’s Done, the lyric, “Heels, nails, blade, and mascara,” highlights the theme of how it can sometimes feel very high maintenance when you take care of yourself. Staying updated with beauty trends can sometimes feel overwhelming, whether it’s skincare, haircare, or body care. We strive to stay on top of things by putting in so much effort; however, can remarkable results make it worthwhile? Or is it that, ultimately, it’s about feeling and being the person you aspire to be?

It girl products vs “just trendy”

Does one size really fit all, or is it just a marketing gimmick? Since 2019, the rising popularity of TikTok has made many people become content creators in various niches. The beauty community, in particular, is in constant exposure; this community constantly seeks new trends to share on their platform. These content creators often say things like, “Run, don’t walk, to target this *name of product*! It is a MUST-have!” Those words alone are more than enough to influence and persuade influential viewers to make a hefty Christmas list filled with many items they want from places such as Sephora or Ulta. 

But do you really want those products, or are they just trendy? 

Part of feeling confident relies on being proud of oneself. At some point in our lives, we have all desired what others wanted. The phrase, “The grass is always greener on the other side,” has gotten many of us to make purchases in hopes of fitting into some sort of beauty standard. For example, many of us have spent our savings on a Morphe palette simply because we were drawn to the vibrant colors and their marketing techniques even if we ultimately rarely used them. 

Self-evalutations

It is imperative to take a step back and think, “Am I already fulfilling the role of the person that my younger self admired and strove to become?” One step in the journey towards that goal is to love the process you’re currently in. Don’t be too hard on yourself for following quirky clothing trends or for dyeing your hair a dramatic color a few years ago. To embrace what some may consider “cringe” is to be carefree. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how others perceive you; the important question that you should ask yourself is how you feel about who you are today. Explore new trends and go through as many phases as necessary, but don’t seek others’ approval. Do it to uncover a creative side of yourself that you haven’t met yet, and to, ultimately, make your younger self proud.

Let go of the mental standards that arise from comparing yourself to others. Start journaling, explore Pinterest for inspiration, create a vision board, and set healthy, achievable goals. You don’t have to wait until New Year’s, the beginning of the month, or a certain week. Every new day is a great opportunity to start fresh. There’s no manual or correct way to become the person you aspire to be. 

Even when challenges arise, it is important to change your perspective instead of thinking that you let yourself down. If you’re a gym enthusiast, missing one day isn’t the end of the world, nor should it become a habit. If you are artistic, inspiration is everywhere; just walk outside and listen to the sounds of the world around you. For book lovers, take your time to dust off your books and embrace the pleasure of flipping through pages once again. Make some time out of every week to have some me time. Prioritize your personal activities over distractions. 

It’s okay to drink that eight-dollar matcha; you are not making a terrible financial decision. It’s the small things in life that can help us through the difficult moments we face. Not every day may be a happy day, and that’s alright. Be confident, be yourself, and never forget that you are that girl. 

Be proud of yourself!

Click here to view our article on HOW TO ENTER YOUR HEALTHY HOTTIE ERA IN HOUSTON

Jimena Juarez

UH '27

Hello, my name is Jimena. I am an aspiring writer with interests in pop culture, history, and literature. I love poetry and anime. Currently, I am an undergraduate at the University of Houston, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Political Science. I consider myself a music enthusiast and enjoy exploring various genres. Additionally, I appreciate nature and enjoy going for walks.

I enjoy having structure in my life; my planner is my best friend. However, I also embrace flexibility and understand that not everything needs to be planned—there's joy in spontaneous moments, too. I take pride in the numerous playlists I have crafted, which range a variety of genres, from blues to cumbias on the dancefloor; everyone is a muse. Each piece of rhythmic art is essential.

My favorite quote is from one of the most impactful authors in literature, Toni Morrison. "If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it." This reflects the power of writing, a concept I wholeheartedly believe in. Perfection has no place in my life. For me, there's no need to strive for a goal that is standardized by others. Good or bad, I am here for the feeling.