Social Media, Communities, & Networks Conference 2026: Semester 1 & SP1

Comments

3 responses to “GRWM! Young Women’s Makeup Culture on TikTok: Forming Connections and Communities | Youth | Shasha Dang”

1. 

   siennalynch

   01/05/2026

   Hey shasha,

   Love this topic, i feel like grwm’s have become such a part of girlhood online and is the best way to get skincare and makeup recommendations haha!!! I totally connected with this as a young girl myself 🙂
   A question I have is how does GRWM makeup culture on TikTok both enable self-expression and potentially reinforce gendered expectations around appearance for young women? I know that sometimes when i watch them it does feel unrealistic or curated whilst some maintain authenticity and relatability. Best of luck for the rest of the conference!

   Reply
   1. 

      Shasha

      02/05/2026

      Hii Sienna, thank you so much, I really appreciate that, and I’m glad the topic resonated with you. I definitely agree that grwm videos have become such a recognisable part of girlhood online.

      That’s a really strong question. I think grwm culture can do both things at the same time.

      On one hand, it enables self expression because young women can use makeup, skincare, fashion and storytelling to present their identity in creative ways. Many creators now use the format to challenge unrealistic standards by showing the difference between social media and reality, posting unfiltered routines, or using humour and meme culture.

      That is why funny or more realistic grwm videos are often so popular since audiences tend to engage strongly with content that feels relatable and genuine.

      On the other hand, these videos can also reinforce gendered expectations around appearance. Because TikTok often pushes polished and visually appealing content, there can be pressure to maintain certain beauty standards. Even when creators seem authentic or relatable, the content is still often curated through editing, lighting, product choices and selective presentation.

      So I’d say grwm videos exist in a tension between connectivity and expectation. They can be spaces where young women express themselves, but they can also reproduce social pressures around femininity and appearance.

      Thank you again for the thoughtful question, and best of luck to you as well for the rest of the conference!! 🙂

      Reply
2. 

   20252988

   02/05/2026

   Hi Shasha

   It was really great getting to know you and your personal style through your presentation. I loved the visuals and the video examples really helped my understanding on the different “get ready with me” style videos.

   My questions are,

   1.
   How do you think TikTok’s algorithm and affordances (such as the “For You Page”) shape the way “get ready with me” content builds community among young users, and does this reinforce certain norms or identities within these communities?

   2.
   How do “get ready with me” videos influence how young people feel they should present themselves online, and do you think this creates pressure to look or act a certain way on TikTok?

   3.
   In what ways could “get ready with me” culture both strengthen a sense of belonging for youth while also contributing to issues like comparison, misinformation, or unrealistic expectations, and how might this affect the sustainability of these online communities?

   Cheers
   Sarah

   Reply