When I started Skintuition, I wanted to create a welcoming, open-minded community dedicated to minimalism, self-love, and healthier, more natural beauty standards. I wanted to create an environment that encouraged acceptance and authenticity regardless of age, sex, gender identity, or skin color. After all, all skin is good skin.
But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I was also driven by a deep frustration with the beauty industry. From superfluous products to deceptive marketing to toxic standards, it can be difficult to pinpoint what isn’t wrong with today’s beauty industry. It’s little wonder why so many things seem to ruffle my feathers.
Before we begin, I want to make it clear that what follows are my opinions. Everyone has their own beauty standards and preferences, and I believe those should be accepted and honored. But the beauty industry can also lead us into extreme and questionable practices, and that’s when things tend to go sideways.
Beauty shouldn’t feel like an obligation or something we owe to the world. We should do it for ourselves and in a way that makes us comfortable. And while that may look different for everyone, it’s important to check in and make sure we’re pursuing our beauty goals in a way that makes us both happy and healthy.
So, without further ado, here are some of my biggest beauty pet peeves:
“Luminous” Moisturizers: We all want fresh, dewy-looking skin. But there’s a difference between healthy, glowing skin and looking like you’re ready for a night out at Studio 54.
If you’re unfamiliar, I’m referring to moisturizers that contain a pearlescent shimmer designed to give the skin a lit-from-within glow. While not a bad idea in itself, I can’t help but recall my first and only encounter with this type of product.
I had just purchased a new moisturizer (Yes to Carrots Daily Moisturizer SPF15, if you’re curious). I had been using the same moisturizer for years and was excited to see what something new could do for my skin. To the naked eye, the product looked like any other moisturizer. It was only when I applied it to my face that the full horror revealed itself.
Looking in the mirror, I was shocked to see that my skin was covered in clumpy patches of iridescent glitter and caked in a color that was slightly orange but also strangely gray.
When I finished crying, I immediately washed my face and vowed to be much more careful when trying new beauty products. I’m happy to say that not a speck of glitter has touched my skin since that day.
Ideally, moisturizers are meant to do one thing: moisturize. Call me unadventurous, but I’m not looking for much more than that. And while I intend to vigorously pursue a healthy glow, I’d rather do so without looking like I’ve just wobbled off a spaceship.
Bronzer and Self Tan: There’s little harm in using bronzer or fake tan to create a sun-kissed glow on your skin. However, excessive amounts of these products can often leave users looking like the main dish at Thanksgiving dinner.
I can’t identify exactly when our obsession with tanning started or when it began to get out of hand. All I can say is that it has, and we seem to be moving into territory that could be considered unhealthy. Let’s not forget that tanning is our skin’s natural reaction to sun damage. Perhaps we should consider whether or not this is a beauty standard we want to continue to cultivate.
There’s also something to be said for accepting and celebrating natural skin tones, however light or dark. We all have insecurities and things about our physical selves that we wish could be different. But when does enhancing our natural features cross over into something else? Issues like these (and their implications) often demand a closer look.
Faux Freckles: Although I don’t wear makeup myself, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for it. Not only is makeup fun, but its ability to transform is unmatched. I strongly believe that makeup is an art form as important as any other, and I am consistently in awe (and a little jealous) of the skill and creativity that some people have.
However, much like bronzer, the faux freckle trend has left me feeling unsettled.
Makeup artists and social media influencers have largely driven the faux freckle trend. People use dedicated “freckle pens” with fine tips to create tiny dots on their faces, mimicking the look of natural freckles.
Like many makeup trends, faux freckles have divided the beauty community. Some people with natural freckles have expressed mixed feelings about the trend, with some finding it flattering, while others feel it trivializes their experiences of being bullied for having freckles.
The faux freckle craze has also sparked debate concerning the appropriation of natural features. Freckles are often a genetic characteristic and are an integral component of many people’s identities. Creating these qualities artificially has raised questions on where to draw the line between appreciating and appropriating such natural traits.
Extreme Eyelashes: It’s okay to want long, lush, flirty lashes. It’s only when that desire is taken to the extreme that we run into problems.
Whether it’s eyelash extensions or eighteen layers of mascara, having lashes long enough to knock over furniture may not be a look to strive for. Not only do chunky lashes give the impression of being bogus, numerous eye problems can develop. False eyelashes and eyelash extensions can cause allergic reactions, infections, blurred vision, irritation, and damage to natural lashes. Even a couple of swipes of mascara can create a cozy enough environment for infection-causing bacteria to grow.
Your eyes are a delicate ecosystem. Your natural lashes are designed to reduce airflow into the eyes, filter sunlight, and help keep out excess moisture. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to achieve a certain look, it’s important to consider how far you’re willing to go and whether it’s worth risking the health of your eyes.
“No Makeup” Makeup: What’s concerning about the “no-makeup makeup look” is how much goes into achieving it. This popular trend often involves an extensive skincare routine to “prep” the skin before applying makeup, including expensive serums, creams, and other treatments. Once the proper canvas is established, concealer, foundation, blush, highlighter, eyeshadow, mascara, and lip color (all in “barely there” shades) can be applied.
I’m struggling to see the point here. I’m all for minimal makeup, but six pounds of makeup in various neutral colors does not make it undetectable or save you time or effort. It also seems like a lot of money to spend on products meant to look like nothing. Surely, there are better ways to spend our hard-earned cash.