Why are we making the 'sad girl aesthetic' a trend?
among Gen Z is at an all-time low and depressive episodes for this demographic have doubled between 2008 and 2019, the idea of romanticising breakdowns or making the visible signs of not coping sexy on social media seems macabre – if not outright dangerous.agrees that the crying makeup trend can be problematic. “The ‘sad girl’ aesthetic has been around for almost 10 years, so the idea of aestheticising female sadness isn't new," Noor says.
“It’s even possible that trends like crying makeup could contribute to the stigma attached to mental ill health or the belief that young women struggling with low mood may be acting or exaggerating their feelings,” she continues. "This is particularly worrying as stigma, and fear about not being believed, are some of the most frequently reported barriers preventing people from reaching out for support.
My criticism isn't that crying makeup is an accurate depiction of grief; on the contrary, the beauty influencers on TikTok don't look anything like me after an IRL weep. With their flushed cheeks, glossy eyelids and rosy lips, it's all very– sad, ethereal and impossibly perfect post-cry. I don't know about you, but when I sob, there's so much snot and ugliness; I have runny mascara, swollen eyelids and blotchy skin that looks so crumpled it resembles a deflated party balloon.
As ever, not only are women's bodies a political battleground, but so are our tears. And that dubious pressure to still look good when you're feeling depressed or despairing could be a dangerous trigger for those truly feeling vulnerable.