The internet is full of different types of content. Opening any app can be a gamble and you never know what to expect, recipes, outfit inspiration, which Kardashion married who and now, which type of pretty you fit into. Recently, the trend of categorizing the type of pretty you are has flooded feeds. 

Tikok seems to crave these kinds of trends, the kind that can affect the way we look at anything like relationships, friendships, and how you view yourself. After seeing these videos it’s tempting to view yourself a little cock-eyed until you decide what category you fit into. It is essential that you don’t. 

Deer pretty, squirrel pretty, frog pretty, fox pretty, clean girl, coastal grandma, grunge girl, are just a few of the “ are you _ pretty”. To fit in any of these categories it all depends on face and body shape, makeup routine, clothes you wear and even something as far of a stretch as what kind of car you drive. 

For example, let’s describe a girl who would be qualified as fox pretty. To be qualified as this she would have to be, without any exceptions, the following. Sharp facial features, wears sharp black eyeliner, skinny and with long extensive nails. A finance major, who can be intimidating to talk to but don’t worry once talked to, she opens up. Smart, takes things secretly and is a night owl. Viewers on tiktok would immediately stick her in the box ( which is full of other girls similar to her) of “ fox pretty”. 

When diving into this trend a little deeper, it opens a pandora’s box of underground feminism issues. Why must a woman’s beauty be categorized? Women go through enough in their daily lives, already trying their best to look their best.The pressure women go through to fit in and stay with trends is exhausting. We go to social media for a mindless escape but all there seems to be is yet another place they need to try their best to now fit in a pointless category. 

Feminism and recent revelations of body positivity and being confident in your own skin is something that social media encourages. Companies even started taking action, such as Victoria Secret and Nike. The same audience that encouraged this is also encouraging this micro trend of fitting into aesthetics. 

Insecurities is something that everyone has experienced no matter the severity. Social media has without a doubt has opened the doors for new insecurities that didn’t even occur to people until now. The underlying toxicity of this simple trend can change people’s outlook on themselves and go to extreme lengths to achieve the goal of a type of pretty. 

Now, it is easier than ever for a person to try their best to fit into a certain box. There has been an uproar of middle school girls pushing to fit into the “clean girl” aesthetic, buying adult face products and emptying the shelves at Sephora. It’s unfortunate that little girls now are trying so hard to grow up faster to fit into these boxes. The evolution of how middle school girls act now because of these pretty trends on tiktok is exhausting. 

Without being too corny, you are beautiful the way you are. No trend can take personal beauty away from you. Also looking back on these micro trends that we once thought were the coolest will be embarrassing!! Just like how we look back at 2020 and get flushed with embarrassment because we thought too much blush and pink hair was the coolest thing ever. You know yourself like no one can, you know what looks good on you and how to wear your makeup and hair the best. Don’t give into the pressure to do anything just because its a trend.