It’s no surprise that the ‘fake eye bags’ trend is taking off like wildfire. I can’t help but constantly see them strutting around in the streets donned with this new ‘look’. They look so pretty, almost like a glamorous ad campaign of an eyewear brand. But the thing is, it’s not quite real.
I recently heard on the grapevine that it’s some sort of cream, padded or even tape that’s applied to the area around the eyes to achieve this ‘look’. I thought to myself this is absolutely bizarre. Don’t people already have enough insecurities around their looks? Then why go out of your way to make yourself look like you have been crying for days?
But it wasn’t until I had a conversation with my friends who were obsessed with this trend. They said it made their appearance look ‘sensitive’ and ‘haunting’ – seemingly two words that advertised potential beauty in the minds of some. I don’t know where this strange idea originated, or how it became an obsession, but I’m starting to think it’s here to stay.
It’s almost as if ‘fake eye bags’ are the new desired aesthetic. Of course, many of us would be (rightly) alarmed if someone was clearly wearing a fake layer of bags in a cartoon-style sense. But there are certain looks that can be achieved using this ‘padding’ for more of a subtle, glamorous effect.
I’m not here to pass judgement on my peers who choose to partake in this trend. Instead, I’m here to be a voice of reason that wants to ask the following questions: Are you aware of the unhealthy and toxic implications of the current ‘fake eye bags’ trend? Is your overall wellbeing taking a backseat while you succumb to this trend? And how well are you ‘content’ with yourself without wearing this ‘look’?
These questions are worth exploring, and this is especially true for younger generations who may be more susceptible to the varying forms of consumerism that can come through fashion. I’m sure many of us have experienced the feeling of wanting to live up to impossible and unrealistic standards of beauty and overall self-image.
I understand the desire to look ‘different’, stand apart and look stylishly unique. But adjusting and molding ourselves for someone else’s idea of beauty only adds to the cycle of a toxic environment for young people who are continuously grasping to become their own person.
Furthermore, resorting to ‘fake eye bags’ can often be a careless experience. You need to be aware of which products to use and be informed of how to use them in a responsible manner. I guess we need to choose our clothing and aesthetics very thoughtfully, without compromising on our well-being or mental health.
I know so many people try to look good with the intention to feel better about themselves. But what we ultimately forget is that sometimes our ‘blanket cover-up’ becomes more of an inhibitor than enhancer for true self-expression. We need to remember that at the end of the day, nothing beats the ‘real you’.