Beauty Standards in 2025 Are More Toxic Than Ever

[@StateofKait]

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2025 is your best year yet! This is the first video in my new studio and I'm still working out the kinks so bear with me. I have to reduce the echoing and figure out what I'm doing with the blank wall, but hopefully you like this better than the kitchen lol

[@Keepitcurious1685]

Kinda loved the kitchen. I love real. ❤

[@juniperjaneese]

@@StateofKait I love your kitchen!

[@aimeevandijk1482]

The studio looks great!

[@JackiieGo]

​@@StateofKait Hi, there is a channel called PSL God Mindset that promote looksmaxxing or like the "blackpill" or whatever, and he has another channel called "PSLooksmaxxing" where he tells you to eat raw meats and not use suncsreen, could you please debunk his video "How to anti-age your skin, NO BS GUIDE.". Even I slightly got a bit influenced by it, because what if what he's saying is true? Maybe I should stop using sunscreen and also eat raw meat. :(

[@StateofKait]

@JackiieGo That's not the kind of person you can trust! Why listen to a random person online who has zero credentials and doesn't show their face? Their channel is all about improving your looks, but they don't show what they look like? That is extremely sketchy. Both of their channels are built for virality and they purposefully say controversial things (like avoiding sunscreen) because it's sensationalist and gets engagement. That is a dangerous channel.

[@aleneverson9022]

Coming from a teenage girl it's really eye-opening to watch your videos. They're so well put together and they're also fun to watch! Love your style & makeup as well :)

[@StateofKait]

Thanks so much!

[@heatherhaven1268]

This comment makes me happy and hopeful ❤

[@vcgomeez]

Love your comment and Stay strong lovely. Must be kind of tough being a teen in this generation and with how social media is. I deff feel for them as my childhood and adolescence wasn’t so intense. Remember, you are beautiful how god made you, try to not steer too far from that. It’s what makes you unique and special ❤️ happy new year and much love!

[@aleneverson9022]

@@vcgomeez thank you so much!! amen❤❤

[@alch3myst]

Hell yeah girl! I hope you continue to focus your attention on things that call into question the bullshit everyone is spoonfed on social media. It’s super important

[@ohthankg-dforthebourgeoisi9800]

What’s crazy is fewer women are getting their hair done because it’s now considered a luxury service and the prices have become out of reach for many.

[@MoobloonGale]

Been cutting my own hair for years. Can't imagine spending money at the salon.

[@zztopz7090]

Never had my hair done professionally. It just feels like women trying to one up other women, and its annoying when theyre already hot.

[@alch3myst]

I can see why! My friend just told me how much her stylist costs and I just about fell over. I learned how to do my own coloring and (limited) cutting when I was a teenager bc i couldn’t afford to go to a pro (and wanted to change my hair like every other week). For cuts, when I do go somewhere I just go to the school bc sure it’s a little risky but I’ve overall has great experiences there

[@jessnotmylastname8955]

When I found my hair stylist, the one who helped me grow in confidence in striking reds and pinks. She was about 40-50 per job. I dried my own hair at home so she could fill her seat. For 3+ years i handed out her card hundreds of times. She raised her prices to under 200. Then 300. Then 750 for 2 colours. She was excited and kept thanking me for everything I did. Just like all the times she raised her prices. Then told me she had given away my appt and her next was in 3-4 months. I thanked her and walked away. My wonderful husband did his best to help me dye my hair. That first year was grim. I slowly learned how to dye my own hair. Now, now I use 2-4 colours, 3-7 shades of each. Even at rest, my hair moves, it's 3D, it's alive. Highlights, lowlights, slow colour change from there to there, like the sun lightened it a bit. Women have chased me in their cars to ask who did my hair and how much. I have been wanting to see how much I can push this working on someone else's head. Been looking to get the schooling so I can maybe do one to three people a week. I will do some wigs first, make some schooling monies. I do all the colours and shades at the same time. It's fun to see when I take the foils off.... even more fun to dry my hair and see what's poppin. More and more women will start helping each other with this. Cutting and dying. Crazy costs are crazy. The same little less then 90 minute appt with red or pink went from 45 to 750 in 4 years. Because I kept hanging out her card. I wear my own card right on my head. I want to make like, 100, plus cost if dyes are more then 50. I just want to make art. Make some person giggle in joy when they look in the mirror.

[@christinemarie6976]

LOL, I tried cutting my own hair during the pandemic, and it was a DISASTER. I have no choice but to go to the salon 3 or 4 times a year so they can trim it up and try to make me look relatively human.

[@torschiiimietz7304]

The first time I saw Nara Smith I seriously thought it was satire. I wondered who she was making fun of

[@Vschauce365]

I knew it wasn't real immediately...and wonder who thinks it is haha I like it.

[@HulaMask]

@@Vschauce365 I wonder that too. I would never look at an international supermodel with a body like hers three children and a person who is cooking gourmet Michelin level recipes, and think… Oh, that looks easy to achieve. Being a mother for cooking foods that require that level of technical difficulty in it of itself is hard work. Let’s not even factor in the other things about her life. Anyone who looks at that and this is what my life should be like this is the average person‘s experience is out of touch with reality. And I think that’s the bigger issue. Sometimes is not the content creator. I just think it’s people‘s expectations because they aren’t going out and interacting with the world

[@RKon1995]

I thought she was making fun of the traditional wife movement straight away. And it is so over the top, I'm surprised people don't pick up on it.

[@alch3myst]

The whole “media literacy is dead” thing is SUPER REAL. I have to remind my younger friends - or, even people my own age or older (I’m a millennial) that social media isn’t real life! People now lose their shit over *obvious* jokes or *obvious* satire when it’s not explicitly stated over and over that it’s a joke. That’s the thing with jokes: it shouldn’t HAVE to be explained. Like I am legit worried about how critical thinking and media literacy seem to have entirely gone out the window with a lot of folks

[@masodemic4509]

Herself

[@samday414]

One thing that always strikes me is how people don’t know what natural looks like anymore. I will often hear men say thing like”I like natural women, I don’t like surgery and makeup.” Then proceed to show a picture of a woman with fillers and a full face of makeup. Perceptions have become so warped that people have lost the ability to understand what a natural face and body looks like.

[@Anna-bo5dk]

yesssss, thank you. I met a friend of my husband some time ago who told me who he hates make-up and made his girlfriend stop using it (a red flag in itself), but I know the women he went after while they were broken up for a while and he must have been blind to not see that they wore a lot of make-up.

[@NiinaSKlove]

I remember Cindy Crawford saying something along the lines of “I wish I looked like Cindy Crawford.” That was back in the 90s (if I remember correctly.) - I can’t even imagine growing up with social media. I was a kid/teen in the 80s and 90s and a young adult during the early 2000s. Free from social media of any sort, my childhood and youth was far from perfect, but I think it would have been much more challenging with social media in the mix. Thanks for making this very interesting, informative and important video. I wish you a great 2025! ❤

[@StateofKait]

Happy new year!

[@HulaMask]

I think one of the harmful things about the supermodel era back then was that there wasn’t a lot of knowledge on how to lose weight in general. Like let’s talk about fat free snack well cookies being launched as a diet food. Despite the fact, they added more sugar. I think models had to exhort some extreme measures to get their bodies because in general exercise science was still pretty new at that point. And it’s not like these girls had the resources to learn how to drop weight slowly and do it in a healthy way. It’s not like they were being paid enough to make that happen anyway , and then on top of it when they would say things like all I eat is pizza. That is so toxic. Because girls will think that they can do those same things and achieve the same results. I like that we have the body positivity movement and all these people talking about how to get skinny now. I think it’s good for girls to at least have the information of how to do it in a healthy way and decide whether that’s for them or not. Versus in the 90s I feel like it was just going based off of who you thought the skinniest or the fittest person was and asking them their advice.

[@cougaray3166]

I used to have an eating disorder for a long time. Being obsessed with weight and my looks has been a key part of who i am. Happiness was a temporary feeling of joy from yet another makeup shopping spree i didnt need. The one thing that stopped my makeup obsession? Pigeons. Yes. Pigeons. Im rescueing a mama pigeon and her two babies. I still do makeup, but i wake up happy knowing im actually doing something good, that isnt related to myself. My advice for this: makeup, sephora, clothes, being skinny, being curvy, it doesnt bring any good to the world to obsess over it. Obsess about something that actually has purpose. I can name 100 pigeon facts right now, which is weirder for a girl to like than makeup, but it makes me happy! Good luck everyone. Find something that you can do to help others. Thats more fulfilling than any product you can buy.

[@EmL-kg5gn]

This is so cute!!!! You rescued her and now she’s rescuing you in a way 🥹🥰 Also can you please tell me a pigeon fact? I love pigeons!

[@cougaray3166]

@EmL-kg5gn of course! Pigeons aren't actually a thing, they are actually doves! The generic gray Pigeons you see are technically Rock doves, because all doves and Pigeons have a common ancestor. Think of it like different breeds of dogs Pigeons are actually the first domesticated bird. We have had them for literally thousands of years! Pigeons actually lactate, but not like mammals, they make "pigeon milk" in their crop. Pigeons can find their way home after thousands of miles. To do this, they use their fantastic eyesight but when they get close they also use their sense of smell. Pigeons pass the "mirror test" which means they recognize themselves in the mirror, unlike parrots. You can actually pet a pigeon all over, without causing massive hormone issues. With parrots, you can only pet their head for this reason. Since Pigeons don't have a strong beak, like a conure, they will often "slap" you with their wing instead if they get angry lol. Pigeons are fantastic pets compared to parrots. Parrots are wild, so think of them like a coyote, while a pigeon is like a dog. Dont get me wrong I love parrots but the vast majority of people should get a pigeon instead! They are way easier to take care of but loving and quiet compared to the screeches. Look up different pigeon breeds, there are a ton of really beautiful ones. I would look up the classic frill pigeon. Thats my favorite.

[@EmL-kg5gn]

@@cougaray3166 Thank you so much!!!! This was really interesting. The classic frill pigeons are so cute, I can see why they’re your favourite. I also really liked the Lahore pigeons. And I was so surprised by how different pigeons can look, some breeds had really long necks and some even had fantails like peacocks!

[@cougaray3166]

@EmL-kg5gn Lahore pigeons are beautiful. Doves are beautiful birds and need more recognition. Even generic pigeons can have this beautiful colorful shimmer to their feathers in the sun. I was always fascinated by this. Another fun fact: some pigeons have been known to use the subway. They take the subway in the morning to where there is more feeding, then come back at night to their homes. They quite literally commute to work like us on the subway.

[@DopamineDecor]

Birds are the best. I will always have a parrot on my shoulder. ❤

[@bt5577]

Thank god we have SOME reality-based content creators on KZbin... social media and celebrity culture is so distorting and harmful.

[@CrustyUgg]

What I can't understand is it seems like most adult women (and even some men) are very much aware of the negative impact social media has on our mental and self-esteem, but those same women will allow their very young daughters to have an all access pass to the internet unsupervised.

[@bmet102]

I think people have an awareness that it can be harmful, but they're not in a position to take action to change their own consumption of social media. There's a psychosocial theory of change, and this would be described as the "contemplation" stage. I think it's where society is as a whole. And it is sadly affecting kids because they're growing up in a world where it's a very special media heavy environment, and it's normalised so they're not getting shielded from it. I live in Australia and they just passed laws banning children under 16 from having social media accounts. Which is interesting, but I don't know how it will be enforced. It really is more about the parents. Maybe more public education as well.

[@zztopz7090]

You cant protect kids from the world. The best you can do is show them how good they have it.

[@moimimi9399]

“What was it all for?” Exactly this! You’re risking your health for what? People harming themselves to look a certain way really have to ask themselves this.

[@tanyad3989]

Zac made $18M from Baywatch. That’s what it was all for. Most of us will never ever see that kind of money.

[@StateofKait]

@@tanyad3989 Bingo

[@rebeccahegewald9170]

I’ve been watching you for years for your makeup content and just want you to know that I absolutely LOVE the new direction of your channel! This video was so eye opening and important.

[@StateofKait]

Thank you!!

[@jenessastrickland1555]

I recognize that there are far more serious problems in this realm than this, I have been thinking a lot lately about how cosmetic procedures may affect some of my generation’s best actresses as they age. I recently watched the last season of True Detective, with Jodie Foster (which I highly recommend). Her face is *exquisitely* expressive. It would be such a loss for everyone if she’d had a ton of cosmetic procedures that affected her facial expression. I also have to say that aging looks fantastic on her. I don’t mean “She looks good for her age,” or that she is aging well or whatever. I literally mean that, in my opinion, she is becoming more beautiful as she ages. Her wrinkles add to her beauty. I hope that she can be a role model for all of us.

[@HulaMask]

I think there will be a hard divide of people who got surgeries that don’t age well like BBL‘s. And then people who’ve gotten surgeries like the new facelift that are coming out. I think we will be able to tell who got surgery with the newest technology and who got surgery before advances. And that sucks Could you imagine having been a person who went through gastric bypass surgery and then a week later comes out. After he mutilated your organs, you find out you could’ve just taken a shot.

[@journeyjulie3973]

Yep. I just watched a review of Lindsey Logan’s new movie and she looked great, but her face lacked the range of expression it once had and because of this is looked a bit uncanny. In stills the results of plastic surgery looks great, but something looks off, even creepy, once they start moving.

[@alch3myst]

Omg yes! I want to marry her lol I’ve always thought she was so beautiful even when I was a little girl. A first clue, perhaps hahaha

[@Cavernvision]

All of this reminds me of, back in the 90’s and learning about how, women who regular consume fashion magazines, were also suffering from body dysmorphia and low self-esteem. I noticed that, once I stopped looking at these magazines, I felt so much better about myself, my body and my appearance. That meant my mental health improved and in turn I began to take good care of myself instead of abusing myself with horrible diets, bad thoughts, and harmful skin care products.

[@vtop1c]

I sometimes hope that as the numbers of bots, fakes, and all the AI stuff is growing on social media, people will just lose interest in the online world and getting outside will become the norm again...

[@TracyD2]

I doubt it. I’m sorry to be contrary but the push from big tech companies, any company out there trying to sell you something( which is all of them) are going to up their game to manipulate people to keep them engaged and addicted and spend spend spend. Governments are in on it. It’s for the economy. 😒Also most people on social media make their money trying to sell us shite so not much influencing the other way. I personally just don’t see hope, yet. We have to teach that Mother Nature is everything. She truly is like a mother. She heals us, nourishes us, teaches us, spiritually teaches us, punishes us. Lol

[@teecee9113]

I've been cutting my hair for years & colouring it. I have a short bob style haircut. Just below my ears. Dead straight. It costs me around $50.00 just to get an inch/inch 1/2 cut off. It's ridiculous. So I decided to start cutting it myself. It isn't perfect but I do a pretty good job. I also colour it with store bought hair dye. I save myself hundreds of dollars a year. I dont have the money or inclination to get Botox/fillers. I am middle-aged & have wrinkles, greying hair, am not skinny, etc. i just can't be bothered torturing myself like I did in my youth. Life is too short.

[@exRestoredCOG]

I really appreciate the celebrities willing to be transparent about the diets they go on and the damaging affects of them.

[@carlacookingvegan]

I’ve noticed that most people only follow influencers that look a certain way, so people that want to become influencers put filters on too.

[@jentleil2183]

This is the best video I have seen in a long long time. I took notes during some of it! Thank you for advocating for better causes.

[@StateofKait]

Wow, thank you! That’s very generous of you. I’m so glad you liked the video!

[@SueK2001]

Really appreciate this shift in your content. I mean I still do love beauty content but that isn’t the only thing I consume. I don’t have any social media accounts, just KZbin for entertainment so I think that’s best for my mental health.😊.

[@crinklescat1871]

Same. I’m 35 and getting rid of social media has been the best move for my mental health. I do love beauty content and even I’ll listen to some celebrity drama but don’t care, it’s back ground if I’m cleaning. Cheers to trying to live our healthiest lives ❤️

[@iosonoxkrxmovxi]

Same

[@Mymarie89]

Fantasy content!!!! This is key!!!!!!! I think us average Josephinas forget that this “stay at home mom” content is truly fantasy content…. It’s beautiful in its own form. But it’s a fantasy. Thank you for calling this out!!!!

[@HulaMask]

Not only is it fantasy content. It’s also content. Like it’s literally this person‘s job to make content. People need to stop comparing themselves to people who’s literal job is to be beautiful

[@Butterflieslove2]

Yesss

[@idalarsson4729]

Thank you for making content that forces us to think,reflect and understand our own role and responsibility! I’m grateful that my teens and young adult years didn’t have the weight of social media! I feel so sorry for all of the young people of today. 💕

[@jesslovesstuff_]

i can't imagine being a kid or teen right now and not realizing how or why these expectations are so unreasonable or unrealistic

[@lisalovesphotography]

Schools need to do a better job of teaching critical thinking so that young people gain tools to help them analyze what they see, hear, and read. It’s a skill we all need, especially in this day and age. Love this type of content, Kait!

[@ElizabethNonsuch]

Thankfully in the UK we have it written into the curriculum that children are taught media literacy - it's the law. I'm not sure if it's like that in US schools?

[@lisalovesphotography]

@ That is impressive. It’s such an important skill. I’m not sure what happens in the US but I didn’t get anything like that in Canada until uni.

[@HulaMask]

Yes!!!! but I don’t think that’ll happen. I mean newspaper articles literally have to be written using the Hemmingway rule meaning it’s so easy in eighth grade or could understand it.

[@alisonschooley5459]

As an older viewer(62), something I have found as I age is I surround myself with positive women who do their own thing(they are pretty quirky) and are quite a bit older than I am. I think as older women we can balance influencers by not becoming invisible, speaking our mind(comes with age) and just modeling a more positive version of life. Many of the issues faced by younger people are because they just don't know how hard life(raising a child, health issues) can be, so your video is right on point.

[@kaydreamer]

I'm only 35, and one of my favourite friends just celebrated her 70th last year. She's everything I hope to be as I age. She's an elder hippie who's funny, friendly, quirky, and very boldly herself. She hosts a singalong party every solstice, gave me a nugget of her prescription weed for Christmas, and makes the best tabouli I've ever eaten. Older women who are positive, kind, and march to the beat of their own drum are amazing, and I hope I can be half as cool as her one day!

[@QueenRaven911]

This is more toxic than 90s Rom Com, that gave an entire generation of Millennial women unrealistic expectation on relationships. 😅

[@Butterflieslove2]

😂

[@Headfullofmarbles]

I went to school with someone who did body building competitions , they said that they have to restrict liquids and food for days prior to photo shoots - that being dehydrated was why the muscles stand out so much. those pictures where they look like the picture of health that others set as fitness goals. . . they are tired, and dehydrated and feel horrible. Let that sink in.

[@QQave]

slay'

[@heyhorinshi]

That is what VS model did as well... same stuff just diferent level

[@crissiv8853]

One of your best videos ever, thank you ❤

[@StateofKait]

Oh thank you!

[@LadyJBeauchamp]

Happy New Year! I really appreciate your shift in content, people need to hear this stuff. A while back I changed up my IG to only engage with people I know and everyday folks who post things related to my hobbies, and it really wasn’t that hard. I still get ads but they’re not terrible and I hardly ever see celebs or overglamourized influencers in my feed. That said, I never look at my FYP, it’s got some weird AI shit going on.. all that is to say, training your algo isn’t that difficult and it can make a huge difference in your state of mind!

[@alisonmartin6101]

Thank you for moving your content away from beauty and focusing on destructive “beauty “ standards instead. I’m an older woman and even in my age group, the focus is still on thinness and looking young. I have friends who lean into restrictive diets and celebrate their disordered eating. It’s so sad.

[@Lucabythesea]

Really loved the editing in this one! The background is coming together nicely too 😊 Moral of the story: trust no one 😅

[@OccupationalThpy]

I think it bears mentioning that many male celebrities who gain a massive amount of muscle in a short amount of time (within a year or less) are guaranteed to have used steroids. Muscle just doesn't build that fast naturally, even with all the gym time and hyper protein intake.

[@EliM-m8q]

Yes I saw this a lot when I was living in LA

[@LulaRu]

Tom Hardy said he busted his knees for life after working out to be Bane in Batman and he would never do those intense workouts ever again

[@lilacpeonies9643]

I just discovered you…what a treasure you are. Your content: wow! This video is so deeply meaningful. Thank you for your care for us, your logic and for putting into words the conflicting feelings that I have grown up with starting with Seventeen magazine that my mom gave me with the best of intentions when I was in middle school. My self image never recovered, unbelievably. I’m 57. I can’t imagine if I had to grow up with social media.

[@sanjanat1085]

In my country, and others like South Korea, pretty privilege plays a sizeable role in employability as well. People will get plastic surgery just so they can get a job. And with how beauty standards are evolving and becoming so out of reach, achieving that kind of beauty that will "get you places" is so hard. The toxicity is baffling.

[@janealexandra89]

I was 7 when Titanic came out, and I distinctly remember Kate Winslet's nude scene being controversial because she was considered obese by the media. She was only 19/20 in that movie and had a little "baby fat", but she certainly wasn't actually fat by any healthy stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, that assessment drastically impacted my young mind, and I'm still unlearning that toxicity.

[@EliM-m8q]

She looked slim to me. She is far from being obese.

[@ainomerlin]

i reading "the beauty myth" by naomi wolf rn. its so eye-opening. ive never used makeup but i wanted to be thinner. now i am just angry at this industry

[@judyzaino8172]

Great topic that so many influencers ignore. Really enjoy your content.

[@StateofKait]

Thanks so much!

[@stephaniebarker472]

Bravo, Kait. This video is a masterpiece and you touch on so many important points. I have followed you for a while and am excited to see the direction your channel is taking. You *are* the change I wish to see in the world. Keep up the great work!

[@StateofKait]

@@stephaniebarker472 wow, thank you!

[@ginag2176]

I grew up with the gossip mags etc and its definitely had an affect on me, im 43 now and still have body issues. I have lost 4 stone over the last year and this has been aided by the weight loss injection, when people say what did u do to lose weight i always say the truth, i dont know why celebs dont do the same! Xx

[@HulaMask]

Well, when women try to say what they do for weight loss they’re often ostracized. Look at all the skinny content creators like Liv Schmidt. Say what you want about her. But at least she is honest about how she dropped the weight. She eats small portions. She does very low impact workout and she walks a lot. She talks about if she has a drink then she’s not gonna have dessert. But when she was honest about that, her account kept getting banned from TikTok. We could all probably agree that whatever Liv Schmidt does is probably nowhere near the degree of what celebrities are willing to do to lose weight. And if they crucified a random girl, who’s not in the public eye, can you imagine what they would do to celebrities if they were honest about it? Though I do think the unfortunate issue is that when men talk about it, it’s more acceptable. If Bella had talked about it, people would be rioting in the streets and calling for her to be canceled. I’m a firm believer in that they should be honest in what they do. So people can actually understand what it takes. And then they can make an informed decision on if they’re willing to do those same things understanding the side effects and consequences. But I think the truth is not something people on social media actually want to hear at least when it comes to women and weight loss.

[@Gorditavont33se]

Your content is ON FIRE!!!! Loving your videos lately and loving seeing you continue to succeed on this platform. It's so well deserved. I hope 2025 continues to bring you great success!

[@StateofKait]

Thank you so much, that means a lot to me. I hope you have a great 2025!

[@carolliskovice7250]

I’m glad you’re back. I enjoyed the content. It’s something that needs to be talked about.

[@ReneShiro]

23:18 - just one thing, "symmetrical features" are not European, or specific to any part of the world. Good video though!

[@giselioliveira630]

To me, someone seeing something on Instagram and thinking it's an image of real life is like someone watching a movie and expecting things to happen that way outside of the screen.

[@Jannabelle126]

Love this content, Kait! You're going to help so many brains and hearts. 💗

[@Kelseyveg]

I’m so excited for what videos you’ll come up with in 2025 ❤❤❤

[@asiabarajas2839]

Thank you for this!! While I've always loved your beauty content this has so much more meaning. I'm in my early thirties and grappling with my changing body as well as chronic health issues. I'm glad I'm not the only one who needs these reminders!

[@StateofKait]

I have a pretty solid awareness of the impact of social media and celebrity culture and I still need reminders too!

[@Youooo-b6z]

We cant just blame celebrities and influencers. The audience sometimes bully them a lot . They would try to pin point out minor imperfections in them. Its like a cycle we are so used to seeing perfect people on social media and celebs dont want to get bullied. Just check the comment sections of any social media app some people are just so jealous and insecure that they would only feel empowered by bullying others.The only good part is that in reality if you think people wont just us like in social media and most of the poeple we see around would be average looking.We are the reasons why they act like this and they are the reason we act like this.

[@susanmcf1]

I appreciate your clarity on unethical social media practices.

[@Beautydemos]

Wow Kait. I remember when you were under 20k for a while. Congrats on the growth and finding this niche of content! So inspiring

[@StateofKait]

Thank you so much!

[@susanreeve9430]

No one thinks that in her non-video life that Nora Smith is wearing evening gowns to cook. Just like we don't think the models in Vogue, are living the lives they are representing in the fashion layouts. We don't think the SI Swimsuit models are actually vacationing in their poses in SI.

[@StateofKait]

Not true, a lot of young people don’t realize her content is a fantasy.

[@olgreeneyesemma]

Great video Kait! I really appreciate how much work you put into it and how considered and thoughtful your words are. 👏🏻☺️

[@StateofKait]

Thanks so much, Emma! Means a lot

[@TheSim1derful]

Ok someone popped off with the editing in this video! This video was your best yet in this vein (and they were already good). I am definitely going to show this to my tweenage nephew and niece, this is going to be really helpful for them.

[@StateofKait]

Ahh thank you! I write the script and edit the A roll and Maggie Haslan does my graphics and finishing!

[@Butterflieslove2]

You are very humble, natural and down to earth, so here is a new sub! 🎉❤

[@andysweb]

I had been making a strong effort to cut back on my social media usage to support my mental health. But then I started a business, and suddenly, I needed to be on social media more to promote my products. Balancing this has been challenging, especially when it's easy to get caught up in the negativity online. What helps is that a part of my business involves selling at markets in person. This reduces the need to rely heavily on social media-just enough to post updates and share what’s necessary.

[@joanneblakely2498]

Kait you are beautiful but you continue to be more and more beautiful to me. This happens when you get to know someone on the inside, which is much more valuable than the outside. I am so impressed with each and every commentary that you do, this one is no exception. Valuable information for us to keep our children and grandchildren off the internet as they do not understand that no one is perfect and how pictures are altered to make celebrities appear more beautiful in the moment. Kait I loved your makeup videos and your deep dives into products but what you are doing now is so valuable and thank you for all the time you are putting into research the topics. I love your channel and I adore you and we must not forget to mention beautiful Thumper. Happy 2025. Looking forward to what is to come this year

[@StateofKait]

Thank you, Joanne! That is so sweet of you to say, happy new year 👏🏻

[@TheGarsowTwins]

loved this video - I think back to seeing celebs on E! or magazines growing up but it was so easy to put down the magazine or turn off the TV - NOW photos and videos of them and their lifestyle are everywhere, its so hard to shut off.

[@StateofKait]

Thank you! I feel like we're *just* starting to see a shift away from social media, but maybe its just my age and the people I'm surrounded by lol

[@TheGarsowTwins]

@@StateofKait I agree with this too!

[@consciouslypure2176]

LOVE this video so much! More people should be seeing this.

[@staceydupre9664]

This is a great video that many people need to see.

[@PappiLongstocking]

Happy New Year! I actually liked your kitchen, but your new studio is lovely too, and probably more comfy for you! And I just plain like your content - whether beauty or a shift into the current content. :-) Honestly, I don’t follow many beauty content creators, but yours always had a more authentic tone. Here’s to 2025!

[@StateofKait]

Thank you and happy new year!

[@tinar1405]

Thank you for this!

[@Kristyn.roberts13]

Thank you... love your content!💜

[@mushrooomtea]

I love how honest and real you are :) we need more emphasis on reality these days

[@callioscope]

Whenever I watch Jennifer Garner on social media, I fall into this trap. She is an actress playing the role of a lovable, relatable, slightly klutzy Ina Garten fangirl. She does this so well and her videos are so well-produced that it all seems real. Bravo to her team, but these encounters are to some extent scripted.

[@jjoykj]

❣Thank you for creating this space ❣

[@eponymouscharacter]

An eminently sensible video! Thanks Kait :)

[@ofeliaaaa]

I am 20 now but because of social media being introduced to me so early, and tv I became anorexic at 13 years old. I got send to psychiatric ward, and I am still struggling with accepting my body. It's been 7 years and its better now, but I still suffer - I always see imperfections everywhere. Please be safe, and don't trust anything you see online or on tv!

[@StateofKait]

Sending you so much love! I can't imagine what it would've been like to grow up with social media.

[@ofeliaaaa]

@@StateofKait Thank you so much for reading my comment! Sending love 💖 I love your videos.

[@i77yah]

im really glad you mentioned how people view men and women aging differently because it really has been odd to witness

[@mskaruhluheevon]

Powerful video! Great insights!

[@smaurine]

Hey, love your message! Gentle feedback: Allow a full second or 2 to pass after you say trigger warning, or rather than pausing, say trigger warning so you can jump ahead to this time stamp or leave the video.. something like that gives people more time to decide what to do. 🙂

[@cherylhurst4390]

I truly appreciate you highlighting these issues; thinking critically about what is presented on social media sites/TV ‘reality’ shows (so not anyone’s real reality)/news (which more often are opinion/conspiracy/influencer platforms) needs to become part of school curriculum and warnings/disclaimers should be required/read at the beginning, and end, of the posts/shows. These unrealistic expectations can immobilize, create a pattern of perceived failure, demoralize, and in the. extreme result in real harm; this will become even more critical as AI warps reality even further down an unrealistic black hole. Hannah Alonzo (Trad wife vlog) and Swoop are two other KZbin channels that tackle the issues of highly curated influencers/celebs and the unrealistic expectations/pressures they create. I am a bit confused as to why you chose to use images of Nicole Kidman and Jane Fonda, both of whom have had extensive plastic surgery (both beautiful, but far from exemplifying natural beauty), when talking about celebrating growing older naturally after posting George Clooney’s and Patrick Dempsey’s images….there are some beautiful examples of female actors who have aged naturally and are stunning; this was truly a missed opportunity (ie. Selma Hayek, Halle Barry, Reece Witherspoon, Helen Mirren, Julienne Moore, Andie McDowell, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Obama to name a few). I have just discovered you and will definitely watch more of your posts.

[@shelleyeatz]

Love the new lighting/setup!

[@Barbaras_Likes]

Happy New Year, Kait.

[@StateofKait]

Happy new year!

[@gardenhappy4]

Thanks for speaking out on this topic Kait. Well done.

[@juniperjaneese]

I absolutely LOVED what you said at the end of your video. Such a beautiful reminder. Thank you! Let’s go touch some grass y’all! This is the one life we have, enjoy it!! ✨🫶🏻✨

[@StateofKait]

Thank you!

[@itscarolinemary]

3 mins in and loving your narration. Very well done ❤

[@StateofKait]

Thank you so much!

[@itscarolinemary]

@@StateofKait no problem! Very well researched and worded! Also love your blouse ❤

[@baileydubs]

Thank goodness KZbin actually showed me your video this time!!!! Happy new year kait!!

[@StateofKait]

Yay, happy new year!

[@Ryanneey]

I was listening to a podcast about Hollywood, and the host made a really interesting point. They said that if you look back at a movie set fifty years ago, the leading men would be drinking whiskey and smoking cigars on their breaks. Now, the leads are doing extreme workouts between takes (think of all the superhero movies). Interesting to think about.

[@toxiczombiewolf5692]

I take long breaks on social media. Its good only use Instagram for virtual photography as a hobby. Breaks online are good.

[@rebeccajkellyauthor]

Just found your channel. I’m hooked. You should definitely consider doing an MLM video!

[@maggiemenking5709]

beautiful video and message. i needed this. thank you. never stop spreading your grounded optimism and positivity.

[@emerybayblues]

Nara Smith (?) does troll with the whole dress up thing however she does have some GI or inflammatory issues which is why she cooks everything.

[@cristinag3507]

First of all, I love that you're getting back into makeup (from your IG story), but I also really really love the newer content you've put out over the last few months. It's really comforting to hear someone express how we all feel on the inside. There is such an obscene amount of pressure put on female celebrities to look a certain way, stay young forever, and maintain a specfic bodyweight. This is so titghtly interwoven into the system, that until we can find a way to successfully combat it, I know it won't change. Women have always upheld their appearance to satisfy the male gaze. So I really don't have an issue with cosmetic surgery or procedures (yoyo diets for films is another thing), as long as people are just HONEST about it. Olivia Munn is an example I'll use. Look at Olivia Munn from The Newsroom and now. Yes, she's older but she practically has a different face. I remember it was around the time that X-Men Apocalypse came out that it was really apparent, and there was noise about. In an interview she said it was all due to a sweet potatoes and a diet for the movie. Yes, diets can absolutely lead to volume loss, but not to a John Travolta/Nicolas Cage face switch! I just believe that leading by honesty and transparency sets realistic expectations for future generations of women, and female-identifying. Also, the word "Woke" make me cringe so hard now. The Conservatives have taken it into such an insane direction that we need to find a new word.

[@taylormcooper]

Awww I grew up with chase James! So cool seeing you reference his TikTok. Loved this video!

[@marquettagunderson8820]

Girl so good keep them coming 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@cakepopslingshot9181]

Love the video; very insightful! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - if we let the lens of social media dictate then we’re not really looking at ourselves or our world truthfully. I approve of touching grass and playing with dogs!

[@billied7045]

Thank you for this amazing video!

[@chaton20]

Very insightful and important video.

[@kimberlywelch4198]

These conversations are so necessary, when you have millions of young people stanning influencers, like Mikayla Nogueira, who are so obviously fake, filtered, manipulative, and lie every day. It's not enough that they follow these influencers, they defend them with everything they have as if they actually are best friends with them. It's so disheartening to see so many young people who can't see what these influencers are doing to the world, and themselves for that matter! How exhausting, mentally and emotionally, must it be to pretend to have an accent, film a video, then go edit it so much that you are unrecognizable??? I hope we end influencer culture soon.

[@melaniesenecal7153]

Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been following you for a while and even if I’m not in the same age bracket as you (51) I truly appreciate what you share. I started following for beauty content but I am loving this direction even more because I feel the same way you feel. Every single time I have a bad day, I realize I’ve been on my socials more than 1/2 hour. Two years ago I’ve put a limit on my IG and FB of 1/2 hour for both so it’s like 15 minutes each. It’s enough. Really. I changed careers 2 years ago and I now grow cut flowers and it literally changed me. It’s like medicine, meditation, natural beauty. It grounds me. I live in Canada so I don’t work winters and I can see an enormous difference with my mental health. Being outdoors close to nature is a must for me. Thank you again for your great content. I am always happy when I see a new video from you!

[@hmaommer]

Thank you for bringing honestly 🥰

[@barbung3628]

💯 glad i am gen x! your content is awesome ❤

[@StateofKait]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@yueyume]

The amount of people falling for this makes you question if you're the one who's wrong. I don't know how many videos I've watched where people praise the creator's appearance, while I'm sitting there wondering if it's really possible to have a face with zero texture

[@kiwicanton377]

I always say we only see the highlight reel on social media. Every is edited and filtered to show the absolute best of ppls life's.

[@artbygilik]

Right. I know someone who is miserable she complains constantly. Her social media is filled with “happy anniversary to my amazing husband”, family vacation, concert, happy family and friend photos.. when in real life she complains about always being tired, anxious, not being able to travel more, etc.. no one looking at her Instagram account would ever know.

[@saffycatamos]

I love your videos and how you tell THE TRUTH about celebrities and so "Influencers". There's a family I blame for all this hype and everyone wanting to be rich and famous. Must be awful to need an entire team to put you together, just so you can walk out your front door.

[@anerdslife4me]

Oh thank good you're back 😭

[@rodrigocampos972]

What a great vídeo 👏👏👏

[@carak4356]

“What was it all for” yikes! That made me pause.

[@peacefulleagle]

costs for ones are profits for others

[@maryhaynes8633]

I don't worry about this. I stopped giving a rats behind about so called celebrities. I can't think of a more useless group of people. Well as we watch the world imploding those of us already in survival mode for years can watch them try to cope with no servants, no designer clothes, no elaborate meals. Because that is coming too as the prices skyrocket out of control. History has shown us over and over what happens to these people when the poor, the workers, the ones who keep the wheels turning, finally get fed up. It usually is not pretty. Only really dumb and uneducated people would think these folks have anything worthwhile to say to most people. It's ridiculous.

[@AE-ue2ro]

I'm loving your content lately! So interesting and very needed. I'm going on 48 yo so I don't have to grow up w social media thankfully!

[@StateofKait]

Thank you!