Social media channels are the busiest platforms for the flow of ideas, trends and habit patterns in the era of digital interconnection. Among the various sectors or areas that have undergone a dramatic transformation because of the digital revolution, aesthetics is one of them. Social media dynamics propel the movement of different aesthetic trends including architecture, makeup and interior design.
The emergence of influencer culture
People who are passionate about aesthetics and now having sizable followings thanks to social media platforms which has furthermore democratized the influences. Many people from around the globe get inspired by these influencers as they compile and express their exclusive aesthetic ideas. Diversity of aesthetic trends no longer exclusively set by established gatekeepers like fashion publications or design firms. In a contrast to that, they tend to emerge from the grassroots where real originality and genuineness of social media influencers provides fuel to take them to higher bases.
Aspiration and visual inspiration
Pinterest, Instagram or any other website performs as an online boardroom and source for all internet users, thanks to unlimited number of photos in them. It could just take a couple of taps and users may navigate different styles ranging from colourful streets to Scandinavian minimal design. At this point, where the source of the visual stimulants is just about everywhere, people start to be more imaginative, so the arts take more and more form, thus lead to various new aesthetic movements and subcultures.
In addition, due to social media as well, inspiration is becoming more important. Besides, the people are visually attracted to things which are aesthetically pleasant and the user is also inspired by the same looks hence are eager to copy the similar aesthetics in their own life. The consumers’ aspiration factor in market circulation originates from the necessity to be someone who has a taste and carries certain fashion outfits, using specific cosmetics, traveling to beautiful places or just purchasing or decorating their homes.
Globalisation of aesthetic influences
Social media users are not constrained by geographic boundaries, they can transmit information and aesthetic elements that harm cultural variety. The networked structure of social media amplifies its effect; in fact, what starts in Tokyo may soon be repeated in New York City. Due to increased cross-cultural exchange and hybridization brought about by aesthetic diversity, a multitude of innovative and distinctive artistic forms have emerged as a result of cultural globalisation.
Social media also empowered those voices which were deprecated and redefined the notion of beauty which generally was used to undermine these communities. The apps such as TIKTOK have become the room where crowd which promotes body positivity can be found and where diversity is appreciated in all its forms along with the conventional standards of beauty are being discussed.
Impact of algorithmic curation
There is an overwhelming amount of visuals because of the algorithmic arrangement of the online experiences that we witness daily. Very often, social media algorithms with possessive (can´t stop thinking about it) echo chambers avail users with the content that corresponds their interests by getting information user behaviour and likings and giving customized recommendations.
Algorithmic curation makes content that users favour become more visible for further interaction and at the same time, it affects the aesthetic uniformity. Nowadays, social media users face imprisonment in “filter bubbles,” which limit reaching the diversity of artistic opinions. Moreover, to attain algorithmic valuation may lead to conformism as the variable might become more crucial than originality or investigations.
The negative aspect of social comparison
Social media which is a major platform for putting out ideas and concrete expressions also provides an environment of competition through carrying out the duties of perfectionism and comparisons. Social media feeds are managed extremely hence users may struggle with insecurity and inadequacies in daily basis as they always are exposed to the idealized versions of the real world. The pressure to live up to certain aesthetic standards that are constantly placed on society, particularly on young and vulnerable people, can also have an impact on mental health. Teens that use social media excessively have been found to have low self-esteem, anxiety, and a bad body image.
Definitely, the social media gave rise to the new situations that changed the way how aesthetic trends were seen, democratising the power, promoting international communication and elevating the voices of many people. On the other side, the negative impact of its influence is also apparent, through the distribution of glorified images and disastrous consequences on mental health. For successfully managing the era of digital life, we will be required to critically analyse the role of social media in our aesthetic perception and we have to work towards a more genuine and inclusive depiction of beauty and intelligence.
The author is a celebrity cosmetologist and Director of Flawless Cosmetic Clinic & ILACAD Institute.