TikTok’s Latest Beauty Trend: A Facade of Self-Acceptance?
A popular beauty filter on TikTok, boasting over 52,000 videos, claims to empower women to feel confident in their own skin. Dubbed the "What’s your contrast" filter, it’s the brainchild of French makeup artist, @alieenor. By categorizing faces into high, medium, and low contrast types, the filter provides users with a recommended makeup style tailor-made to their perceived contrast level.
On the surface, @alieenor’s intentions seem pure. She claims the filter’s purpose is to help women understand how makeup can work in their favor, rather than against them. Her goal is to liberate users from the shackles of insecurity and bolster their self-confidence. However, experts argue that the filter perpetuates a sinister ideology that reduces self-worth to mere aesthetics, echoing the beauty industry’s long-standing mantra: "You are not enough unless you look the part."
Critics point out that the filter caters to Eurocentric beauty standards, with its limited options of light, medium, and dark skin tones. This overlooks the rich diversity of skin tones found across the globe, rendering the filter inaccurate and irrelevant for many users. Beauty creator, Monika Ravinchandran, echoes this sentiment, stating that the theory is "bogus" and only works for fair skin, leaving darker-skinned individuals marginalized.
Moreover, contrast theory threatens to dictate what makeup styles are deemed acceptable for certain skin tones, effectively curtailing personal choice and creativity. By promoting a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach to beauty, the filter inadvertently perpetuates the notion that certain makeup choices are undesirable or unattractive.
The timing of this trend is especially concerning, given the rising levels of teenage girls experiencing persistent sadness and hopelessness. A 2021 CDC report revealed a staggering 21% increase in these feelings since 2011. Rather than promoting a beauty trend that capitalizes on insecurities, shouldn’t we strive for a culture that celebrates individuality and self-acceptance?
Rethinking Beauty: A Call to Action
In light of this, we need to reexamine the beauty industry’s role in shaping our perceptions of self-worth. It’s high time we shifted our focus toward body neutrality and self-acceptance, rather than perpetuating the idea that beauty is a commodity that can be bought and sold.
Perhaps it’s time for TikTok to break free from its beauty trend cycle and champion a more inclusive, empowering message. A filter that promotes body positivity, rather than perpetuating unattainable beauty standards, would be a refreshing change.
As the beauty industry continues to evolve, we must prioritize the well-being and individuality of our users, rather than sacrificing them at the altar of profit and popularity. By recognizing the inherent value of self-acceptance, we can create a more compassionate, inclusive world – one that celebrates our diversity, rather than dictating what beauty should be.
