I want to have a real chat today. Not a glam one. Not a product breakdown. A real conversation.
Let’s talk about the word guru. It’s thrown around so much these days in the beauty world. And even though I appreciate when people refer to me as one…I mean, I’ve worked hard for over two decades in this industry, but I don’t always love what the word represents. Somewhere along the way, ‘beauty guru’ stopped meaning expert and started meaning trend-pusher or basically someone who tells you what’s cool and what’s not. That’s just not me.
Here’s the truth: I don’t agree with a lot of what today’s ‘gurus’ preach.
I scroll through Instagram and TikTok and sometimes see creators with millions of views telling people that a certain makeup look is out…or that a product is suddenly trash because it's no longer trending. I can’t help but wonder…when did makeup become this fast-paced? And more importantly, when did we start deciding that if it’s not in, it must be wrong?
It actually really gets under my skin…because it’s the opposite of what makeup should be. Makeup should be about you. Your mood. Your vibe. Your personality. It should never be about pleasing someone else’s algorithm.
And let’s talk about education for a second. When I teach makeup…whether on YouTube, in person, or through my content - I teach with intention. I teach to help you understand why something works. To help you problem-solve. I care more about you figuring out how to make your concealer sit properly than whether your blush is currently trending on TikTok. Because trends won’t help you fix your base if you’re creasing under the eyes.
So yes…I’m just going to say it. A lot of beauty gurus are getting it wrong.
I’ve seen creators contouring their nose with a fork. A fork! And while I’m all for being creative, let’s be honest…no one is actually doing that before work in the morning. It’s content for the sake of content. It’s not education. It’s not helping anyone understand makeup. And that’s where I draw the line. Just because something looks good for 5 seconds in a video doesn’t mean it works in real life, or lasts all day.
I’ll never stop promoting education over entertainment. And I’ll never pretend to love a product or technique just because it’s trending. That’s just not me.
But let me be clear…I do love a good trend when it’s inspiring. I loved the clean girl era. It gave people a new way to embrace minimalism with more focus on skin quality. The difference is…I never treated it like a trend. I still wear that look now because I like it. Because it makes me feel fresh, confident, and put together…I feel it suits my personality. The trend might be over, but why should that stop you from wearing what makes you feel good?
It genuinely frustrates me when I see (some) new-gen beauty creators telling their audience, not to use certain products or wear certain looks because it’s ‘not in’ anymore. Since when are we letting someone else dictate what we wear?
Makeup is supposed to be personal. It’s supposed to be a tool that makes you feel empowered, and gives you a way to express yourself….not a test you’re going to fail if you don’t match what’s trending.
But how do we ensure we don’t get lost in the weird new beauty world we live in? Maybe next time you could ask yourself a few things:
- Am I doing this because I like it, or because someone told me it’s what I should like?
- Do I feel confident and comfortable in this look, or am I hoping it will make me feel accepted?
- Am I following beauty accounts that educate and inspire me…or ones that make me feel like I’m never quite doing enough or looking good enough?
My philosophy will always be the same: Find what works. Learn how to apply it well. Understand why it suits you. And most importantly, wear what you love…regardless of what’s trending.
Tinted vs. Translucent Setting Powder
If you've ever stood in the makeup aisle staring at rows of setting powders, wondering whether to grab the tinted one or stick with translucent, you’re not the only one! It’s one of those beauty dilemmas that seems so small until you realize the wrong choice can completely
10000000% agree!
Great piece!!