The Beauty Ed®’s Note: In my 27 years as a beauty editor, I’ve seen trends come and go, but the current wave of ‘skincare FOMO’ targeting teens is a unique challenge for the beauty industry. Between high-potency ingredients and the pressure of influencer culture, young skin is often caught in the crossfire. This is why I created THE LAB - to amplify authentic voices and provide expert-backed clarity. Today, THE LAB mentee Lexie Stone addresses the "Sephora Kid" culture and the struggle to balance viral trends with actual skin health. Whether she’s comparing the cult-favorite Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm to e.l.f.’s dupe and budget-friendly alternative or weighing up Rhode’s Glazing Milk against McoBeauty, her perspective is refreshingly real and honest.
“My friends and I talk about waking up forty-five minutes early to do a multi-step skincare routine to limit acne and protect our skin barrier. As a fourteen year old girl, I want my skin to be healthy, but finding the products that work for me is a constant struggle.” Lexie Stone
The Sephora Struggle: Hype Vs. Health
We are surrounded by trending products that we feel we should buy, but in reality, the popular products are sometimes not what works. Trends can lead to over consumption and are not built for everyone’s skin types.
The culture of modern beauty can lead to insecurities and feeling that you have to buy something just because your friends are talking about it. Walking into Sephora, I am overwhelmed by products advertised by influencers on social media, such as Drunk Elephant, Sol de Janeiro, and Summer Fridays.
The FOMO EFFECT: When Trends Break Your Skin Barrier
The popularity of trending products can drive us to make impulsive decisions. We buy products because of the hype around the trend, not because of the effectiveness of the beauty product.
For example, my friends were talking about The Ordinary, a brand that makes serums, oils, and other skincare products, so when we went to the mall, I felt like I should buy the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides), because my friends said it would benefit my skin. But after about a week of using it, I started to break out and I had to use alternative products to fix the damage - like the Laneige Cream Skin Mist Duo.
So I’ve learned that many highly advertised products can disrupt my skin barrier, cause irritation and lasting damage. Finding products that match your skin type involves a trial and error process. But it’s worth doing to find what works for you!
The Lip Balm Battle: Summer Fridays Vs. e.l.f
Popular products like Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm are circled by the glow of social media, but some people don’t want to spend $24 on a lip balm.
So step forward e.l.f. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm. This budget-friendly makeup and skincare brand is cruelty free, vegan and affordable!
The Glow Reviver Lip Balm is a buttery tint with a glossy finish and isn’t shy in admitting it’s a dupe for Summer Fridays either. Under the details tab of the product, it states:
“$24 for a lip balm? do butter. Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm is only $9!”
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Smart Swaps: Why We Love Dupes
There is no shame in buying products advertised on the internet. I have bought multiple lip balms from Summer Fridays, but it’s important to be aware that finding products to represent your true self is more important than letting the noise of your friends or social media affect your own ideas.
Rhode vs. MCoBeauty
MCoBeauty is another brand known for creating dupes. The MCoBeauty Hydrate & Prepare Milky Toner is considered a replica of Rhode’s Glazing Milk. McoBeauty’s toner is $13.99 for 4.73 ounces and Rhode’s glazing milk is $32 for 4.2 ounces. Falling for trendy products makes me feel like I’ve been duped by brands that promise to help my skin.
The glow around Rhode could be because the founder is Hailey Bieber, who is known to have perfect skin. And this can make us feel like we should have perfect skin too - but there is no such thing as perfect skin! It’s an impossible standard used to try to make us feel better about ourselves.
Great Skin Is About Owning Who You Are
Following trends can leave you feeling like you’re not good enough or you don’t fit in. This is why it’s important to keep in mind that fashion, makeup, and skincare is not a one size fit’s all.
Your image does not need to mirror the influencers promoting the product or models that seem to be perfect. Everyone deserves to look in the mirror and feel confident and proud of who they are.
The appeal of “hype” products can compromise your skin, waste money, and have a negative mental impact. Please don’t be stressed about what you put on your face when you wake up in the morning. Just find products that are right for you and ones that you can trust.
Lexie Stone is a freshman, competitive gymnast, and THE LAB mentee, focusing on feeling confident through your skin. You’ll find Laneige, Refy, Rare Beauty, and Makeup By Mario in her beauty supply.
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