A model walks onto the runway. Her breathtaking presence stuns the entire crowd. Her poise, curvy and perfect body, and her beautiful face gives people a reason to love and look up to her. Girls use her as inspiration and strive to achieve the “ideal” body type that she “obviously” possesses. An influencer. 

This word doesn’t necessarily have a direct ideology. When people think of the word “influencer”, they think of a social media icon or famous actress or singer. They don’t think that “influencers” can influence the masses in a negative way. 

The beauty industry has been hidden and covered by an invisible, gloomy, dark mask of “beauty is pain” and “try this product to look like your favorite model.” People have been brainwashed. As encouraging as the beauty industry looks and makes you look, in reality, it is toxic and diminishes girls’ self esteem. 

To begin, the beauty industry lacks diversity and primarily focuses on a single culture. The controversy over the question “is each race and culture being equally covered in today’s media?” is prominent in our world today. Racism. Stereotypes. It’s a trend that has stayed with the general population since before the beauty industry was even a thing.  

Research at the University of Nebraska-Omaha has even concluded that, “The principles of feminine beauty are based on the heteronormative ideas and largely discriminate against women of all sexual orientations. These ideas further incorporate the shape of a woman’s body which usually varies by culture.”

Beauty is not a script that one has to follow; it is a canvas that allows for different and unique attributes. The beauty industry fails to insert this principle into modeling and influencing because of the stereotype that has been placed in the past. 

Despite the insane amount of evidence and firsthand accounts of girls who have experienced negative effects within the beauty industry, some people, influencers especially, believe that the industry has positive impacts on young girls. 

Beauty influencer Jackie Aina expresses how she isn’t scared to tell her viewers the honest truth about the media and any false information that she may be presented with. Jackie also films her videos with a sense of humor and realness while trying to inspire other girls. Her mission is “Changing the standard of beauty, one video at a time.” 

Young girls are simply looking for some guidance when they are looking for something beauty related. Influencers should be more like Jackie, where they give valid reviews, not just what the internet and the brand wants to hear. 

Overall, the beauty industry isn’t what it is perceived to be. Models, campaigns, and advertisements are simply driving girls to think of themselves as “less than.” Although it may have a few positive and real role models, it serves as an example of the looming stereotypes that are in society today. The beauty industry needs to be remodeled to actually showcase a positive environment where everyone is accepted.