‘Morning shed’ - assurance for better skin or claustrophobia? Let's find out!

Another addition to the long list of beauty standards or just an additional step to our beauty routine? We try to understand how the beauty trend 'morning shed' serves this beauty-positive generation.

The more you think about what’s hot in the beauty industry, the more you are left with questions about how and why it makes sense to people. No matter how much you try to keep up, you will always end up with a new trend that needs decoding. Compared to traditional media, people are willing to try bizarre trends online because they appear on their feeds in a way that seems tailored for them. You know the FOMO is real when people jump right into consuming anything trendy without a second thought only because the internet is talking about it. And if you are a creator, you feel compelled to make content specifically around what’s trending because the privilege of saying no immediately leaves the room. This could be why, "morning shed" has turned out to be a hot new trend that ended up as people’s routine. 

What's "morning shed" about, though? Beauty content creator Sneha Jain explains it beautifully. She mentions how it's about starting the day fresh, shedding the stress of the previous day and embracing a mindful morning routine. "It focuses on skincare and self-care to prepare your skin and mindset for the day ahead.” It basically involves applying multiple layers of beauty and wellness products, such as face masks, eye masks, chin straps, and mouth tape, before bed, and then "shedding" them in the morning. This trend has been gaining significant popularity on social media platforms for a while, with people thoroughly engaging in it.

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If you ask how starting the day with a beauty routine like the morning shed influences one's mindset and self-esteem, Beauty content creator Suchorita Roy highlights the positive impact it has. “People may experience a boost in confidence and self-esteem, feeling more empowered and prepared to take on the day.” While people continue to feed on it as a way to boost their own self-esteem, what role does social media play in sustaining or evolving this trend? Jain believes that social media drives this trend by showcasing routines, product recommendations, and inspiring ideas from creators. 

Although the trend looks weirdly soothing, especially if you are watching creators shed their skincare to reveal glowing skin, it's the way these transformations keep getting complicated that has sparked some debate online. It seems there is an unspoken competition among creators to develop more elaborate shedding techniques, as they seek to shock viewers and attract more attention to their pages. The more rigid and layered you go to bed, the more interested people are to see the results. Influencers continue to indulge in it because their audiences are curious about embracing new trends and willing to experiment. Maybe it's our inherent lack of self-worth and social media continuously pushing new products down our throats to make us feel more worthy that makes us indulge in every new trend!

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For a religious routine that involves spending the night applying various skin care products in the hope of waking up with glowing skin, you can't miss the slight inclination to perfectionism and beauty standards that ironically also encouraged the beauty revolution that shaped online beauty content. Not to forget the underlying tones of materialism that lead us into a cycle of never-ending consumerism. There is always a new product that serves its own specific purpose, be it collagen masks that stay on all night, lip masks to stop you from breathing through your mouth, stomach masks that promise to tone your belly, or chin masks that aim to define your jawline. It's completely understandable to question why someone would want their face covered in products that look uncomfortable to sleep in while also undermining the long-standing journey of self-love that is the foundation of the online beauty industry!

Considering how we have seen a growing trend of plus size celebrities and influencers choosing to lose weight and face ozempic allegations in recent times, watching another beauty routine to keep up with ever-changing beauty standards seems inevitable. As influencers continue to advocate the idea of "clearer glass" skin, the question of whether we need to add more pressure on ourselves when we are already feeling suffocated by patriarchal expectations remains. Until we truly find the answers to the questions surrounding who sets these standards and why, maybe we can argue that it is the price to pay for beauty that is less about meeting beauty standards and more about bonding with our fellow girlies. Not to forget the incredible feeling of having accomplished something every day that these additional steps bring!

What do you think of this beauty trend that has taken over the internet? Let us know in the comments below.