Makeup and grooming thoughts

I agree social media plays a big part in this and the aspiration to affluence that seems worse now than in the 80s- when designer became a big thing.

My daughter plays Roblox and likes Adopt Me which is kind of cute but the youtubers are all about not looking poor. I spend ages getting ignored telling her it’s not about how much you have, don’t be friends just because someone has money, look for bargains (I buy virtually all our clothes in charity shops and eBay) so I think that drips into it as well. “Look how much I spent on my eyelashes!” I would think that foolish as my motto is “look at this bargain!” But it’s capitalism getting as many consumers on board.

It’s the same with cosmetic procedures- I worked with a woman who was in her 30s and had lip fillers and Botox. I couldn’t get my head round that but it’s a money making operation so people (mainly women) have it pushed on them. You can reject it but it’s so normal now.

There’s more to it than that but I’m rambling.

Personally I think it’s weird that people spend hundreds each year on getting their hair cut. I’ve used the same pair of scissors (€3.99) For the last 13 years

I would agree with you but I've got very thick hair so I really appreciate going to a hairdressers and getting it thinned out. I tried the home haircut during lockdown and it didn't go well for me - maybe I need more practice!

I think the issue is more likely to be Instagram than anything else. The selfie culture makes people obsessed with any perceived imperfections

I also think there's two things going on:

• Certain procedures such a lip fillers seem to be addictive. You see women get bigger and bigger lips until they end up with horrible disfigured mouths. Then they almost seem to snap out of it, get the fillers dissolved and wonder what they were ever thinking. It almost seems like there's some sort of body dysmorphia going on.

• A lot of these treatments (e.g. eyelash extensions, veneers) essentially ruin your natural eyelashes/teeth/skin/lips and so once you do it you have to keep getting it done. It's almost as if it's designed to work like that so that the clinics can keep cashing in

I wouldn't think the eyelashes would be from watching porn. I would guess something like Rupauls drag race is inspiring huge eyelashes and contouring make up.

I don’t think young men are completely immune.
For instance young men’s hair styles often now include elaborate shaved sections including cut into facial hair.
Men’s shoes continue to function as foot protection though.

I think it might be growing up with the ubiquity of cameras that create digital images that can be shared to friends/social groups/bullies/“influencers”.

Someone my age has been on holiday with teen dcs and put photos on Facebook. My peers are all smiling and relaxed, teens are all posing for the camera, at same angle in every photo, so the same pose every time. :-(

I wouldn't guess pornography, if it's influenced by anything, I'd guess maybe it's the ads we're exposed to.

Our hair isn't thick and silky enough so we need this shampoo. Our eyelashes aren't long and thick enough so we need this mascara. Our skin isn't soft enough so we need this moisturiser. Wrinkles are the devil so we need this latest cream that dermatologists swear by-that sort of thing. Not everyone will be susceptible to it (like me with alopecia ) but I believe it does have an influence.

The majority of ads are aimed at women. During breaks on TV, the most I'll see for men is a razor ad and a hair loss shampoo, maybe a shaving lotion. For women there's dozens of shampoos, makeup, clothes, moisturiser, hair dye, weight loss plans-just boat loads of products. Subliminally telling us we could be reaching our 'full potential' if only we make an effort and buy their stuff.

I think social media plays a part too, particularly for younger women/girls, where they see trends like microblading (is that still a big thing), lash extensions, lip fillers, etc.

Teenagers/many young adults have all the time in the world to do crazy things to their appearance - I think back at the amount of time I spent getting my side pony-tail just so or whatever.

I think it's got more extreme as this stuff is just more available, and more affordable. When I was a kid, mascara was a fiver, It was a major purchase when you only got 1.50 a week pocket money! Now it's still a fiver, but kids are getting 10X that in pocket money.

Personally I think it’s weird that people spend hundreds each year on getting their hair cut. I’ve used the same pair of scissors (€3.99) For the last 13 years.

It’s just the particular weirdness of this moment in time - 50 years ago kids were ironing their hair and drawing seams up the back of their legs.