The Most Out Of Touch 2024 Influencer Trends

[@StateofKait]

Huge thanks to Factor for sponsoring today's video! You can use code KAIT50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month at bit.ly/4dqHGZt. To put my money where my mouth is: I got this month's Factor box for free, but I love it so much that I'm a paying customer with an active subscription.

[@ShannonFord]

I love Factor. I’ve been getting them for almost 3 years. I am celiac and they are gluten free which many are not.

[@StateofKait]

@@ShannonFord it’s been genuinely life changing for us!

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

I under consume. I buy too much and use too little. I think the definitions and terms are too blurry. It’s noisy out there ❤

[@carrained]

They were life changing for us as well but too expensive to keep up with after our offer ended so if you ever get a code for a returning costumer, I'd love that 😅 I told my fiancé we needed something like Factor because of my chronic pain and his ADHD (not the overactive kind..) and when I saw they had come to our country I was SO happy, and the meals really taste good aaand kind of re-taught me what portions sized I should be having now that I'm not able to move much 😅

[@MamaMOB]

This is a weird video to push a product in. Couldn't one have been sponsorless? Because this promotes consumption.

[@sophia-O]

I'm a registered nurse who works 12hr shifts in a trauma ICU. TRY doing what I do for a day Mikayla. I have zero sympathy for these people.

[@StateofKait]

Thank you for your service 🩵

[@conniescrustycharredcooter2476]

None of them could hold a candle to you. I'm a tech in a hospital lab, so my hat is off to you

[@dear_totheheart]

I took my dog to an emergency room once and I was mortified and started crying, I cannot even fathom your resolve and tenacity and how fortunate we are to have people with hearts, skill, and passion like you - you all are such heroes and I wish our society acknowledged and rewarded such contribution instead of our apparent obsession with vapid, insincere hollowness

[@orchids4256]

​@@conniescrustycharredcooter2476respect to a fellow med tech! The hidden hero of the healthcare team.

[@lynngouveia3508]

I couldn’t agree with you more 👍👍!! I consider myself to be an overall positive and kind person, but the ONLY time I can feel my BP becoming elevated from the mere mention of the name “Mikayla” does just that 😤🤯😡!! And to compound matters is that these brands gladly & STUPIDLY fork tons of money into her bank account 🤦‍♀️😩!! I won’t give up any more of my valuable time than I already have on this selfish, greedy,incompetent, inconsiderate, elitist, self indulgent and disingenuous P.O.S. little girl 😠!! And @sophia-O thank you so very much , and our nurses everywhere for all that you do for ALL of us 🙏💪🫶!! Your integrity and compassion is truly appreciated and admired 😊⭐️👏!!

[@kimw3784]

"Why are you yelling at me?" 😂 100% it's so offputting

[@heatherLcharron]

@kimw3784 Cassandra bankson is so cringey. No, I am not "YOUR beautiful butterfly" and please stop stressing me out with your chaotic energy.

[@EmiStar070]

It's like walking into a casino, it's so overwhelming

[@SyKnife]

I’m a boomer, living on a low income in a high rent state. I keep wondering what everyone is talking about when they say “this economy is terrible”. There’s so little unemployment rn and wages have gone up (the minimum wage had been the same for over a decade). I worked my bum off at jobs before sexual harassment was even a concept. Housing prices are way too high, yes. But there’s no 20% inflation. It’s just weird to have experienced times where you had to sit in lines for hours to even get gas (1970’s) and there really was super high inflation. This seems like good times to me.

[@RykerJones28]

​@SyKnife girl what are you talking about?

[@christiecruzxo2841]

When most of us are struggling to choose between paying our rent/mortgage or buying groceries these influencers are such a turn off. Especially with all the disasters going on in this country…the hurricanes the homelessness epidemic etc. The last thing I care about is watching Mikayla review another new Chanel bag. Life does feel heavy, you nailed it. Thanks for handling this in an honest and compassionate way.

[@StateofKait]

Part of the reason I've been shifting away from beauty reviews!

[@christiecruzxo2841]

@@StateofKait these new videos are immaculate! I’m sure it wasn’t easy to change lanes but I’m so glad you’ve decided to make some commentary content. Your thoughts are always well researched and presented in thoughtful way. You have alot to add to the conversation that other commentary channels don’t. You do it in a way that doesn’t feel “dramaish” but more analytical. Can’t wait to see more, I hope the algorithm is being good to you, you deserve it 🫶

[@StateofKait]

@@christiecruzxo2841 thank you, that means a lot! It’s tough because anytime you try something new, you’re going to be bad at it for a while, and being bad in a public setting where people are extremely critical is embarrassing. But I’m having fun and feeling challenged! I’m trying to add my own perspective on these topics, but it’ll take me a while to find my voice and improve my writing and delivery skills.

[@AnnAndNala]

100%

[@barbarawright9123]

Yes! A Chanel bag that low-class vulgar Mikayla got for free.

[@stephenelizaga7699]

I think growing up without social media was such a blessing - to develop your own sense of self organically and based on real life experiences. Feel that social media has made people more insecure and more materialistic.

[@nickimontie]

Makes me even more grateful that I've never been on TikTok.

[@kaitlyng7850]

Yep. Never got addicted to it. I don’t even think I’ve spent more than 10 hours on it tbh and now I deleted it bc it was taking up too much space on my phone

[@TischTosh]

Same never been there. Instagram is the new 'clock app' and I had to put that away. I won't look at shorts anymore on YT either because it's a giant time suck.

[@palemeadows]

@@kaitlyng7850i wont bc i love seeing edits of my fave shows + uni students lol

[@libbylikewhoa]

This made me laugh, amen 😂👏

[@ChristinePacinda]

Same. I've never understood the addiction.

[@dmc12397]

I’m a flight attendant and I sometimes work 14 hour days and only get paid for 6 of those hours. But yes opening packages is brutal.

[@erinlayke]

Wait what? That’s criminal! Why are they sometimes only paying you for 6 of those hours?

[@dominikar4969]

@@erinlaykeIf they’re working for a budget airline in Europe, these are known to not count delays as work, so if you’re stuck for 8 hours just waiting for your flight to take off, your employer argues that you’re not working. Which is stupid and borderline illegal, because you have to spend the delay time prepared to start any second.

[@dmc12397]

@@dominikar4969 this! I work in Canada for a definitely non budget airline. But unfortunately it’s very common. We usually don’t get paid if the doors are open and that’s a majority of the time we are working sometimes. Yesterday I had to take two separate, mandatory flights just to get to work for one flight and I only got paid for 2 hours of those when each flight was about 3 hours long.

[@mingiinimene3335]

@@dominikar4969 it should be illegal no borderline about it.

[@Pamela-B]

But how many days a month do you work? Hmmm?? My sister in law is a flight attendant and she works 10 days a month.

[@raluci]

LOL, the Tik tok live sales remind me of the teleshopping back in the day 😂😂😂

[@obnoxiouspurring]

Yes this exactly. My mum still watches some of the shopping channels for the novelty value. I think its like reality tv for her, she finds it funny. I find it repulsive.

[@sunflowerhillhomesteadaust7887]

'But wait! There's more!! Free steak knives!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@erinwantenaar7206]

OMG it's literally that 😂😂

[@wandby7090]

teleshopping was at least pleasant to look at.. not just bombarded with screams. same thought about ads now, tv ads were more pleasant than the sponsorships or regular yt ads.. and more creative too, but there're some channels who do it nicely, yet the most just do not care.. somehow miss the tv era..

[@Melinda-f3l]

This!!!

[@literallyheather]

I think these influencers are just begging for an IRS audit. 💰

[@kls6612]

😂😂😂😂

[@christiecruzxo2841]

@@literallyheather that part ✨ let’s not forget all the PPP loan fraud like 80% of them committed back in the pandemic

[@kimberlywelch4198]

What a slap in their faces if they actually paid tax on all that free stuff, trips, etc. It's quite criminal.

[@dear_totheheart]

@@kimberlywelch4198 No, they'll use it as a business right off Dx

[@Trish.Norman]

Lmao. Absolutely!!!

[@sher3196]

I've quit buying tarte because of their ridiculous trips. It doesn't matter to them, but it matters to me.

[@AnnAndNala]

I agree, it's such a turn-off even with the brands. It's too much, too overwhelming, and way out-of-touch.

[@drina4706]

I shall do the same.

[@tomfondly5266]

That along with how they've treated POC and the green washing is why I don't buy Tarte anymore.

[@awalker127]

Agreed

[@YounhaMizuki]

Exactly and more when they don't invest in their brand.

[@krista436]

Seeing people go on trips and vacations like once or twice a month (or more) is just so irritating. Even if a person can afford a yearly vacation, in the US it’s unrealistic that most people have jobs that would allow for this.

[@AnnAndNala]

I totally agree.

[@moremiaj4786]

Honestly I always wonder who can afford such lavish vacations. I thought I was the only one not taking these lavish vacations. Like who spends $50,000 on a two day vacation and what job are people doing whereby they can afford such a vacations multiple times a year?

[@thatElene]

I'm 32 and never been on a vacation 😭

[@justsummers1559]

​@thatElene no what pls go to an air bnb nearby at least!!

[@MamaMOB]

Yeah influencers don't have jobs. They have you to pay for their lavish vacations. They're sales people who live off of your views. It was ridiculous that people made them popular to begin with. We never made door-to-door salesmen glamorous why on Earth are we making TikTok salesmen glamorous?

[@TokenTupperware]

This is so needed. With everything going on, I'm adopting a minimalist approach to clothes, skincare, makeup, everything. Even home decor/furniture. We just cant keep up! The pressure to decorate our new home when we have little money and one of us is in school is just so unrealistic. Time to normalize the 90s when people had hand-me-down couches, grandmas dining table, mismatched dinnerware, etc. think Malcolm in the Middle or Gilmore Girls vibes. There is nothing wrong with that and honestly, most of us are there, not the catalog picture perfect HGTV homes. We're all doing the best we can and we can't all be the McGees or the Gaines! One step at a time. Quality > quantity. Contentment > envy ❤☺️

[@2863wonderland]

Yes 🙌🏻

[@bethong910]

This! 🙌🏼

[@animula6908]

I feel lucky to have grandmas who give me furniture and dishes. I resent anyone trying to make me feel ashamed about it tbh.

[@asarishepard8171]

Exactly us normies dont want to rehaul decorate our place, we tend to find what we like and keep it. At the most i may change out a framed picture. But couch, side tables, etc, no!

[@rosemoss9380]

As a Gen Xer, I’m glad I didn’t grow up with social media. We had other pressures, and I’m glad my parents put their foot down on consumerism while emphasizing the fulfillment in helping others. We had one tv with limited tv time. Even when my parents started to make a little more money while I was in high school, I had to buy my own makeup and was allowed a limited number of pants and shirts. I had four pairs of pants, except in winter a pair of corduroy jeans were added. I am now a nurse who volunteers once a week at a food pantry. I’m quite happy. Your fulfillment isn’t staring back at the screen, it’s out there. Trust me, but more importantly, trust yourself to get past the fear and anxiety to find just how fricking strong, beautiful and amazing you truly are.

[@PARAZARELLE]

They all seem so fake to me. I follow content creators, influencers annoy me. All their reactions are so over exaggerated, they don't feel genuine to me. I've recently discovered JOMO, also I'm an adult so not that easily influenced.

[@moremiaj4786]

The one reaction influencers have that annoys me is the " oh I am obsessed" and then the next day its another item to replace the one they were obsessed over yesterday..

[@jennifers1040]

Yes! I can't stand it.

[@kaitlyng7850]

Yeah I never thought I’d have JOMO until I was watching some overconsumption TikToks on a KZbin video about overconsumption and I just thought to myself “this is too much it would actually cause me anxiety” because I really hate sooo much stuff even if it’s aesthetically pleasing! Minimalism “aesthetic” is more appealing to me

[@ewetn1]

What on earth is jomo?

[@PARAZARELLE]

@@ewetn1 Joy of missing out

[@sarahjames927]

This is also where parenting comes in. Parents need to set boundaries allow for growth but in a safe environment. You can’t control everything but you can parent your kid to be discerning about these influencers.

[@tamaradaniel9294]

I’m so glad someone said this. I 100% agree with this. Kids are so spoiled these days!! Parents need to teach their kids to be humble and appreciate what they have.

[@Nyctm91]

I really appreciate and respect you. I’ve been a makeup artist for 14 years and all people care about these days are influencers who secretly spend 2-3 hours on their makeup and act like that’s just a normal look lol. Nobody has that much time, professionally on set or a person doing their own makeup day to day

[@TheSim1derful]

Kait you're really slaying with these vids - you somehow manage to be fairly analytical and objective while still taking clear moral stances, and I find your evaluation of these current social issues are way more thoughtful and engaging than many other "commentary" KZbinrs I've seen!

[@StateofKait]

@@TheSim1derful you made my day, thank you! It’s scary to try new things in a public space where people are judgmental, but I’m excited to improve my skills over time.

[@SapphireandFadedJeans]

Agree! She deserves a much bigger following for her transparency and intellect.

[@TheSim1derful]

@@SapphireandFadedJeans 100%! She's doing well on KZbin but I really hope these videos make her blow up. She deserves it!!

[@stephaniecruz3164]

Also, influencers may work the same number of hours as the rest of us, but they get paid at least 4-5x as much (at a minimum) as we do, so actually they get paid more for their time compared to the rest of us.

[@StateofKait]

100%

[@dallynutkat3252]

Plus no commute, no pressure / stress (I don't care what they say, you cannot compare their "job stress" with someone who actually works in retail, healthcare, construction etc.) Also, if they mess up or have a bad day, no one dies and you don't lose your job! The only thing they really have to worry about is if they fall out of public grace and lose their cushy income streams. In other words, they pray they will stay in the popular clique 🙄 just like highschool. No one should be comparing these sales reps (that's really what they are, right?) to a real worker. Also, they are so unoriginal. They are basically all the same person. I don't know why anyone would listen to what they say 😮. Apart from anything, they are so boring. How dare these people complain about anything?! They're lucky the public hadn't thrown them all on a desert island to fight it out for The Biggest Fool.

[@LJMcCarty]

TikTok sounds like a chore.

[@wearelegion1163]

I stopped watching most all "beauty" influencers when they made giant hauls for views, used the products for views, then return the used products to the stores for refunds. That's literally stealing. The companies can't resell used beauty & personal care products. It's infuriating & makes everything more costly for all of us. Also, can't stand to see so much waste. Disgusting.

[@StateofKait]

Yes! That’s why when I do my deep dives, I always sell products at a discount or give away the ones I received in PR. It’s disgusting how influencers buy products just to try them and return them.

[@dwsel]

When people are returning products on mass scale companies have to increase prices to cover for their losses caused by this model of functioning. Just saying.

[@tomfondly5266]

I think it's just as bad to horde insane amounts of makeup that no one person can ever use up no matter how much make up you wear only to declutter it years later. Mindless consumerism is just so wasteful. I missed the good ole days of makeup tutorials where the emphasis was on technique and application and not the product itself.

[@wearelegion1163]

@@tomfondly5266 Exactly! Hoarding (aka collecting) Eyeshadow palettes makes me crazy. Like WTF? No one can use that much eyeshadow in 1,000 lifetimes yet they continue buying more. So much waste.

[@heatherhaven1268]

OMG that TikTok shop live thing was so overstimulating ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 🙈🙉

[@StateofKait]

It legitimately makes me angry!

[@semirelatablesarah]

Damn, never realised Cassandra Bankson had gone down that route..

[@spookyariel1]

Yeah her KZbin content that I've watched gave me no idea that she was a home shopping host on tic toc..doesn't she sort of poo poo that sort of thing?

[@semirelatablesarah]

@@spookyariel1 her view count always seemed relatively low to me, maybe that could be a reason.. we all need money but it is a shame because unfortunately I wouldn’t trust her opinion as much anymore

[@donotreply8979]

She keeps telling people she went to Stanford 😂

[@captain__rogers42]

I thought she looked familiar. Disappointed not gonna lie

[@spookyariel1]

@semirelatablesarah too bad..this is questionable

[@eeveum]

You hit the nail on the head, they’ve always been obnoxious to me. But people are so exhausted and anxious right now, watching someone flaunt frivolous stuff they got for free and acting like its life changing is just so disingenuous.

[@Zhaneel]

as someone who found you through your video on blake lively - really enjoy your videos because your analysis feels very balanced and your awareness of nuance gives your perspective a thoughtfulness i appreciate. on a personal level, as a fellow autistic person it means a lot to me to see someone else who thinks in a way that feels familiar to me, especially when you’re receiving so much (well-deserved!) positive feedback for it. i’m rooting for your continued success!! edit: as someone else noted, the met gala is in fact a charity fundraiser, but loved this video other than that!

[@StateofKait]

Thank you! Being autistic makes it a lot harder to process critical or mean comments, but I’m SO proud of myself for pushing through and developing a thicker skin over 5 years.

[@hannahbanana6261]

Finally! An honest and open video on the nonsense of the world we’re living in. ❤

[@pamandrade0759]

Thank you!!!! So SICK of falling for these influencers rants about products that i feel i really needed only to find out most of these products are nothing more than just another product to give away or throw in my bin of useless cosmetics and skincare items!

[@trae4529]

Amen to that! Never EVER again am I giving in to “You’ve GOT try my HG mascara!!!! Obsessed!!”

[@pamandrade0759]

@@trae4529 Yes!!!!! We all need to educate ourselves on how some of these influencers trick us to spend our money when sometimes they get it for free! And that you cant have 20 “ favorites , holy grail” mascaras!!

[@niushad.2608]

Wow! this video is EVERYTHING! the research, the set-up, the analysis - truly chef's kiss! as a phd who makes below living wage, I couldn't take the overconsumption on my fyp while simultaneously seeing the genocide in Palestine, the child labor in the Congo, and the fashion waste plaguing east Asia, mainly for western benefit. I had to stop and delete instagram as well as TikTok bc the dichotomy between death and shopping has become unbearable. I can't say how much this video meant to me and how educational it was, when you said that engaging with this starts to change your perception of normal - I felt that so hard. From one neurodivergent girlie to another (I also cry when opening my fridge sometimes lol) - thank you so so much for the time and effort you put into this

[@StateofKait]

Ahhhhhhh thank you! Sending you hugs

[@ajh3301]

Thank you. As a disabled woman who had to quit work 20 years ago due to autoimmune disease I can say most people don’t get it. I see ridiculous overspending all around. My income is well below the average you quoted, like half. And the whining about a wrinkle or pimple is just insane when I’ve had multiple amputations. Now I realize everyone’s reality is their own but let’s open our eyes folks.

[@asarishepard8171]

Omg I'm so sorry. On the acne talk though, I found one face wash that works on my skin like a dream. 8 bucks and lasts 2 months, im not getting anything else 😂

[@heatherLcharron]

Was so pumped to see your video pop up! As always, your opinion is spot on. Thank you for this! ❤❤ 95 percent of influencers I see are completely out of touch. Amd weirdly it doesn't make me get fomo or want what they have it just makes me think "wow, these people must not have much joy in their lives outside of their material posessions" and just how simple-minded some must be to not realize or think about how they come across to their followers or everyday people who stumble upon their content.

[@StateofKait]

I don’t get fomo either, I just find it rather sad.

[@heatherLcharron]

@@StateofKait 100 percent 😔

[@jwynn1812]

My favorite line in the entire video was “why are you yelling at me?” 😂. Absolutely love your channel! ❤️

[@cs-yq5ed]

I only follow a few content creators that I feel like I can trust. Whenever I see the same new product over and over, it is an immediate Red Flag. Often it is a hot product for about 2 weeks and then nobody talks about it again. If a product is truly good, you will keep using it. And, if a CC is wowed by every single product, that tells me their review can't be trusted.

[@StateofKait]

Same here!

[@awalker127]

Mikayla makes my scalp crawl when i hear her. I clearly dont follow anything of hers, lol. Im not sure who the hell can even listen to her. Oddly, Cassandra had the same impact on me, and i also can't follow anything of hers. They're all so out of touch, it's absurd. I dont need to go online to find someone to lie to me or sell me something, and WHY are they always yelling. If only we could cancel them both, and many more. They certainly do more harm than add value in this complicated world

[@lostgirlcosplay14]

I'm from Massachusetts and can't stand her fake Boston accent. No one here talks like that

[@KaiGrafia]

Same!!! She irks me

[@marianna6926]

Really enjoyed the video. As a Gen X I am not on TikTok, it mostly just irritates me. I have never been a fan of social media. Although I do like Instagram and that is more than enough social media for me (I am aware that TikTok, KZbin, and Instagram often cross over). The more hysterical and insistent influencers become about products they are trying to hawk the more repulsed I feel. I do think at some point Millenials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha will turn away from this media and there may be something else on the horizon. Facebook is a good example of that trend and the generational gap, it is not popular with younger generations at all. Additionally I do hope as younger generations get exposed to more and more social media they develop a thicker skin, and have a stronger barrier against being influenced .We are all working on controlling our impulses, our FOMO and developing our critical thinking. These technologies are still nascent to the course of human brain development. And although they have been incredibly disruptive to our social order and historical context, this outsized influence may be short lived. Being in tech myself, I know that companies employ social scientists to make their products more compelling and thus more addictive. But people adapt and I do believe we will all learn to reach a balance between how much we allow technology to disrupt our societal norms.

[@omgitsmeginbailey]

I thank you for touching on the Office Siren trend! As a young Gen Z, I look at some of these siren looks and think there’s absolutely no way they actually wear these outfits to work. For me, it’s about looking professional, but being comfortable too. I will take my saddle, Oxford and dress pants with a sweater over some of these looks any day if it means uncomfortable. There are content creators out there who show realistic office environment, friendly outfits, and I do appreciate those so much. It can be mundane to wear the sameoutfit every single day just mixed up a little bit, and it’s nice to see people who get it and actually get good insight and advice and inspiration of what to wear in an office environment and still look cute.

[@LostInSpaces]

26:05 I felt my eardrum burst. OMG how are people deliberately following a person who sounds like that? 😣

[@StateofKait]

@@LostInSpaces it’s satire! Her content makes fun of influencers.

[@LostInSpaces]

Wow good to know but still, so annoying 😖

[@em-xr8dk]

I’m in college full time, honors program student, and work two jobs for around 30 hours a week total. I would love to get paid thousands to sit at home and work on the internet.

[@theoneonlyjustine]

Your comment about there being no way these office "sirens" actually dress like that at work becayse they would be freezing was pure GOLD 👏I laughed out loud! Thanks for a well researched and clearly communicated video.

[@alleycat1396]

Really love your content and especially this video. I ventured into the beauty side of influencing two years ago and was immediately sucked in. The FOMO was intense and I felt like I had to buy so much product to keep up. Finally, perspective and boundaries kicked and I started to critically think about the content I consume. It was really watching a ‘video essay’ by JB where she pretended to get so deep on trends and overconsumption that triggered me. Her feed is literally full of influencing, flaunting of wealth, extravagant trips, etc. it was so alarming how many people really thought she was being genuine when in reality, she is using her parasocial relationship for clicks, views and more subscribers. I started looking at everyone with a much more critical lens and I only follow two influencers that I trust now. Like you, I was a 90s teen and I think not having social media so engrained in my formative years helped snap me out of it. I am a teacher and I am constantly trying to help teens critically think about content on Tik Tok and to not buy the latest trend. We actually look at ingredients of lip balms and compare pricing and everything in math class now. Showing them that trends are built in for a reason and you are being duped. Such a hard lesson to learn.

[@ewetn1]

Who is JB?

[@charmingandwitty]

Every area in our day to day life is over hyped followed by so many exaggerated claims and just plain lies. I have social media people I follow since instragram was created .... they have become so disconnected from reality that I have blocked them from seeing the crap they put out. I have to ask have so many people lost their common sense? Social Media influencers are simply chasing the buck no matter what. I can rant about this forever. Kait stay true to who you are, you're one of the few that provides honesty on content.

[@StateofKait]

Thanks so much, means a lot

[@elliottfg6005]

I literally had to rewind when you said 75 MILLION dollars. I liked her before the marie antoinette, but it shows who she really is. I’m 19, and being enticed to shop has become part of my life. I’m lucky that I come from a frugal family who taught me to save, but I’m so worried about the incessant marketing we all encounter every day.

[@wearelegion1163]

I'm glad social media wasn't around when I was young, impressionable, gullible & super-impulsive.

[@cynthb]

Female IT Security / Cloud engineer here, so one of the most male-dominated career paths. And I'm a Canadian Air Force veteran. What the influencers the "office siren" trend, and the young women who act on this trend, don't seem to understand is that women dressing this way will get harassed and/or have their actual work played down and overlooked. The predators will see someone who "wants it", and the others will see someone who is trying to get ahead using her youth and figure, not the skills her employer is paying for. And yes, they are undermining many decades of work to be seen as qualified and equal.

[@flowerfinder-f1e]

Thank you for this comment.

[@joannaalexander1006]

I’m currently a female in the US Army and I agree with everything you said. I purposely don’t wear makeup and only get my nails done because I don’t want to attract anymore unwanted attention that I get working a male dominated field.

[@AM-ry4px]

Software developer here. I do not wear too dressy clothes to work even though I love dressing girly, makeup and accessories so much. But due to my working environment and the people I mostly interact with everyday, so I avoid anything that might be considered too much and opted for more comfortable clothing. Even though we women dressing up without any bad intention, but somehow people will take it wrongly which I find sad.

[@gardenhappy4]

I stopped using TikTok a long, long time ago. I felt instantly overwhelmed and it made my ADHD spiral. Looks like I am not missing anything. (Low consumption shopper here.)

[@martasoltys9091]

I'm so proud of myself. I took an honest look at everything I had from Sephora before the sale and all the sh-t I gave away and I realized.... I NEEDED NOTHING. I did buy one eyeshadow palette and two mini sizes of the Orbie shampoo, just b/c it's so expensive to buy and I like to try new stuff, but in general... I'm super happy I resisted. I even wonder if I need the eyeshadows since I'm not an eyeshadow girl. But they are pretty and I just got a new job, so I might actually use them. I have been really trying to focus on WHAT IS NEEDED and while I do love trying new things and the samples from Sephora go a long way... I find drugstore brands have really stepped up their game. Thanks for the video. Very timely. Very honest. I like hearing your NO BS attitude.

[@StateofKait]

Thank you and great job exercising constraint!

[@martasoltys9091]

@@StateofKait Thank you. I am trying to be a yogi from the heart. I even spent a few months at an Ashram at 3 different times since 2018 and one month this year. I can't believe Cassandra Bankson is on tiktok. She sounded like a crazy person; like the very person she used to be against. I really liked this video. I like when people don't give into pressure and just do their own thing. Minimalism is calling my name, even if just to try it for a while. Thanks for the video again.

[@Nyctm91]

“Its no wonder people are bored of this shit” 😂

[@belladonna1475]

Thank you. You are a great influencer. I’m 17, and consuming content like yours helps me a lot. I think people are just crazy nowadays. Not that I don’t understand them-I do-but I don’t want to be like them. We desperately need to love ourselves. I’m lucky to have had an idol like Lady Gaga at a very early age, so that I love myself now. Lol 💜🖤🦄

[@lauralong3545]

I am so glad I deleted TikTok!

[@saadbunni]

They still have access to all ur data I think ☠️😭

[@hbanana970]

It’s the sponsorships that urge us to buy things. They say they “love it so much” and they’re “so obsessed!!” But I’ve never heard them talk about that product before and I’m tired of being told to buy things. I just want to see normal real life people

[@smokerscough2907]

Also when they have multiple brands sponsor products for them and it's the same type of product but the influencer has the nerve to say it's the only product they use. Like girl we saw the competitor product in your last 2 videos. Be for real.

[@melissa.deklerk]

The clip you included from the movie "Keeping up with the Joneses". Excellent movie. Really makes the "chasing the influencer lifestyle" lifestyle very clear.

[@alice_rabbit8345]

TikTok gives me anxiety. I lost my job in May and decided to retire (I’m 65). I still watch a few beauty YT channels but I’m not tempted to buy anything.

[@Sowindiee10]

Kait you rock, you are like the dose of reality I always need (my husband also loves your content because you are an excellent de-influencer btw). You are like the 'go touch grass' KZbinr we all need haha it's great.

[@StateofKait]

Awww, thank you 🥹

[@ninthefrog3911]

Thank you for covering this topic. Some influencers are unaware of how disconnected they are from the general public. I don't blame them, but I do wish they were more well informed of their own followers.

[@my-nostalgia-is-horror]

I literally hate fast fashion over consumption and stuff like that It’s so damn soulless

[@papasalvo]

12:47 good lord someone took that "Shiny teeth" song to heart

[@snaillord9516]

this is the first time i've stumbled upon your chanel, but i am so happy to have found it!!! thank you for sharing such important topics and opening up the floor for these discussions

[@StateofKait]

Thank you, glad to have you here!

[@thepywacket]

Really enjoyed this, thank you. I am a neuro spicy old tech worker. And at a certain point in my life where my relevancy is fading, so I am prone to being influenced by influencers. Content like this is helpful

[@kikiLafleurGlam]

31:10 I laughed out loud. “ Those bitches would be freezing.” Because ain’t nothing like a portable heater underneath your cubicle desk 😂😂

[@StateofKait]

I was wearing thick sweaters and socks to the office in the summertime! 😭

[@kikiLafleurGlam]

@@StateofKait lol Exactly.... Me too.

[@starlightsall]

It's also a lot easier to work 11 hours a day if the end result is a 6 figure salary per moth plus sponsored luxury trips to Bali. There are many people who have to work those hours for minimum wage and then have to pick up side hustles just to make ends meet in this economy.

[@StateofKait]

Exactly!

[@vvitch-mist20]

I'm all for offices taking people serious regardless of appearance, but this looks very uncomfortable like if I was in an office I would wanna dress in more comfortable clothing.

[@StateofKait]

I would be *so* cold

[@vvitch-mist20]

@@StateofKait Right. Like it's cold in offices lol . If she wore thick tights on top of it and maybe a turtleneck the outfit would be okay.

[@_DROM_]

(4.14) About generations... I remember my mother telling me there were 3 ways to either destroy my life or set it back bad. I was 10 when we sat down. She said, "Have a kid while you are a kid yourself, abuse drugs and alcohol, stop studying'. My boy turns 10 next month. I'll add, "scrolling on social media" to that list.

[@PenielShober]

Thank you for this video! I’m a hairdresser and I speak with a lot of younger girls in high school or older teenagers and I make sure they know that this is all fake and is not reality, many if not all of them don’t realized that social media stuff is SET UP and purposely put together for a reason and it’s not real. Influencers just want to get paid and push content out. Also this reminds me of Samantha Ravndahl and how she posted something a while back saying: “This year has been one of the hardest of my life, in every single category. The lows have been so low that it's been difficult to come out of them to enjoy the highs.” And then a few posts later she said: “I am struck by how many small businesses and creatives have expressed how difficult of a year 2023 was for them. So many of these people have talked about how they have struggled to see how they will be able to keep their businesses going. Running a business has been the scariest endeavour of my life - putting so much of your time, love and money into something, having no clue if it's going to work out. Celebrating small wins feels like tempting fate, worrying about bad days or weeks is a never ending spiral. It can quickly turn passions into anxieties. The people who truly care about what they do and what they put out into the world often closely tie their sense of self to their work - and as their business ebbs and flows, so does their confidence. For anyone feeling this way, trust that you aren't the only one - though I often find myself wondering why I can't seem to match up to businesses and people that make success look simple…..” Mind you she lives in an Island in Canada!!!!!! Like really????? I guess living on an island makes you even more disconnected from reality!

[@pixi78]

Loving this content ❤ I’m so over gross overconsumption. We don’t have TikTok shop in Australia and I hope we never do!

[@savguidry]

You nailed how i feel about not growing up with social media, but seeing it today is so hard for me even as a 22 year old. I got instagram at 15, and didn’t have influencers screaming in my ear convincing me to get stuff. But i STILL struggled with insecurity. Can’t imagine being a teen girl (or boy) now. We are the only ones who can help Gen Z, they aren’t hopeless.

[@tiyya91]

Its either Eat or Be Eaten. I get both sides. I’ve been off IG, TikTok and Facebook for over a year! Best decision

[@sonialouisa3637]

I am definetely a marketing victim and struggle with FOMO surrounding especially beauty products so watching these videos help me a lot to become more aware of my own consumption habits!

[@happygolucky9004]

Remember that "reduced inflation" only means that prices are going up slowly. Cost of living, which I think is a better indicator, is at an all time high.

[@AeropostaleM]

This is the first time I hear of the Office siren look 😮 That’s why I don’t have and to plan to open a TikTok account. That thing is poison.

[@Muh-Rang]

Oh my gosh - i was so surprised to see Cassandra Bankson!! I generally see her content as down to earth, informative and not overly-consumerist

[@magathax1587]

I’m not on TikTok, and I’d been wondering why I hadn’t seen her much lately on KZbin. I was even a little concerned. Now I get it. I wish her well, but I’m not gonna follow her there.

[@megschield8412]

I was taken back as well to see her! Like the other commenter said, I haven't seen her on KZbin, just shorts, and I wondered why. Now that I know, I'm really disappointed and not sure if I can trust her 😢

[@tiffany.Elizabeth.]

It was very embay

[@christinasciabarra1216]

Oh no!! Bummed to see her there, but I guess all those ethics she talked about weren’t more real than the money she could make. So disappointing.

[@josie4897]

Omg SAME!! I always liked her educating content but this just threw me off 😢

[@rosierose4452]

I don't give compliments often. But I must say that you look very graceful. Like a real queen. It's becoming increasingly rare these ❤ Much greetings from Germany

[@lynzieplays]

Hey Kait. Always love your content. I’m always so grateful up here in Canada tiktok shop doesn’t exist haha, must be so annoying to scroll when everything feels like a way of trying to sell us something

[@TheSim1derful]

@@lynzieplays oh my god same. It's actually so nice to not even know what tik tok shop even looks like

[@N.Traveler]

We're literally at a point where these "aesthetic/cores" are just turning your average hard-working 9-5 people into costumes, and the hard-working 9-5 people are watching influencers cosplay as them (while being paid 5-10 times their salary). What a world...

[@orangeandyoghurt]

Excellent analysis and commentary as always! I'm getting so excited whenever I see a new video of you pop up. It's always time well spent.

[@ProfMcGonaGil]

I really enjoyed your nuanced take on these issues along with specific examples both from current media culture and your own life. I watch a lot of videos like this, but you offer solutions and ideas for addressing these issues rather than simply sensationalizing them. I like that! Fellow 90s gal here lol. I enjoy your humor and your thoughts!

[@StateofKait]

@@ProfMcGonaGil oh thanks so much!

[@skulltaylor1616]

U know they don’t pay for anything. They don’t buy $1000+ hauls - they’re given vouchers and free clothes

[@Mariann907]

I'm visiting your channel for the first time. I must say - Your makeup looks pristine, and you look beautiful! Also, thank you for this video; I am glad these messages are being spread out! I am sick of the influencer content. Now I spend most of my time on social media watching memes which at least make me laugh instead of experiencing FOMO

[@BIRDY_GIRL49]

Great video, Kait! Very smart and thoughtfully executed. Looking forward to your next one! Take good care.

[@StateofKait]

@@BIRDY_GIRL49 have a great weekend 🩵

[@loveit7484]

GREAT VIDEO!! Youre right about the struggles to be taken seriously as a woman in the work place. We've come a long way but still a way to go. Also, what floors me beyond all the great points youve made is posting new skin care every few days and how wonderful it is. Youre skin turns over every 28-30 days, so judging how great a product works takes time. Also, every new cosmetic- no way youre going to use them all. I struggle to just pay bills & buy food. I have about 10 cosmetics I use on the regular. Honestly, I only watch two bueaty content creators regularly. Just added you as I dig where youre coming from. Very articulate, well thought out videos. Great Job! And thank you!!

[@kristinnared]

Most of us barely make ends meet and seeing these already rich influencers getting so many free stuff - is infuriating honestly. When Tarte gave out iPads to influencers was one of the most out of touch & dystopian things I've seen. They should have gifted those iPads to schools or kids/people in need.

[@ladylongsleeves3175]

I'm so sorry to hear about your food aversions! I've struggled with similar things before, so I send you all the solidarity and strength!❤

[@StateofKait]

Thanks! Now that I understand I have tea aversions and I’m not just a “picky eater,” I’ve been able to find strategies to manage it 🩵

[@ladylongsleeves3175]

@@StateofKait That's good to hear!! Any progress is amazing I love your videos btw, they're great commentary and much needed critique on online culture! Not many people make that kind of content (or do it well)

[@StateofKait]

@@ladylongsleeves3175 thank you!

[@emagalociova]

I find it a little weird that you criticize people who want to get their bag on tiktok/influencer work by selling things while at the same time saying that gen Z cant afford basic living and housing. That is why they do it. And that is what you do too to some extent.

[@MeryChess]

26:05 oh my god my ears started bleeding what the actual f

[@Filmchica99]

3:36 all of you who made her famous should be ashamed

[@sienastevens]

I’m significantly less likely to buy an item if it’s being mass pedaled by influencers.

[@joanneblakely2498]

I have said it before and I will say it again. Kait you are a unique KZbinrs and have been making this point of overconsumption since the day I first watched you. I loved your talk myself out of your loves list at Sephora. I would say stay off of Tic Toc. I only watch my favorite KZbinrs that only curate the very best products that you may be interested in and those that you trust. Thank you for all of your efforts and time spent to help your community

[@StateofKait]

Thanks for always sending me love! I hope you have a great week

[@nancybrewer5871]

Thank you, thank you,thank you! Finally someone with real insight, intelligence and COMMON SENSE...which is no longer common AND the courage to tell the truth! Kait, I am SO thankful for you. I want a life..not a "lifestyle " real friends, not virtual friends. I could pull one of my many soap boxes out and hold forth forever. The things you are pointing out are REALLY scary. I'm horrified. Please don't go anywhere. We ALL need you!!!

[@glowyaf]

I’m pretty careful about the content I consume. I have a few that I follow that promote overconsumption, but I avoid their videos unless I’m in a place where I feel like I can see it without purchasing. One of my favorite creators is Hannah Louise poston. She is very good about telling you that you do not need to buy things, promotes no buys, and is very mindful about what she recommends and has philosophical talks about overconsumption and just having fewer nicer things. Which I love. I can’t watch people who are a walking ad telling me I HAVE to buy things constantly. I’m glad some of these smaller creators are being mindful about what they recommend and how they speak about what they’re using.

[@majesticbeast4830]

I hate influencer culture as much as the next hater. But I see it more as an issue with the algorithms. I would love to be a content creator, but my voice would not get enough traction to be successful. I view influencers as actors. They're exchanging a portrayal of a persona for goods and money. As long as we feed the social media machines in place, the culture will not change. There are plenty of beauty lovers who have unique voices, displaying healthier spending habits, but their content won't reach enough people to compete with those willing to sell products regardless of ethics. Companies have hijacked platforms meant for connecting people of the world to get cheap advertisement.

[@StateofKait]

@@majesticbeast4830 I wish I had included that perspective in my video! Well said

[@majesticbeast4830]

​@@StateofKaitThank you for continuing to use your platform for good. You've shed light on so many under-represented issues while still maintaining your integrity and I truly appreciate you for that 🖤

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Love that you are doing this content!! If you are thinking about life after YT or a career change, you would be phenomenal as a broadcaster/journalist, or an on-camera media critic; & frankly, you’re an easy hire for TV, your vibe & style are impeccable & your face is perfectly symmetrical! I feel like YT is 100% a platform for infomercials, unless creators form a SAG-type guild, it’s pretty easy to see that YT & other platforms are run for the advertisers. I expect AI content & professional infomercialists like Mikayla (isn’t that a nice phrase “professional infomercialist” to mean carnival barker type sales) will benefit the most. Even the honest reviewers are part of the problem when they incessantly cover the newest releases. A few critical channels with huge numbers would be better, as the overwhelming number of beauty channels means that they create so much content on certain products that they do drive sales (all publicity is good, barring moral turpitude, IF you have the platform & cash to create critical mass; that only applies to like 3% of brands/performers), even when reviews are underwhelming. I appreciate these think pieces, beauty content featuring different products & older ones, and the deep dives on this channel! And you deliver think pieces I can stand to listen to, it’s actually very difficult to hold attention with this type of presentation, which is why I wanted you to think about being on-air talent in non-social media. The perception of eye contact is superb, pacing is perfect, voice is smooth, content is well edited & tightly expressed, 10/10 from a genuinely critical professional trainer! Also training would be great for you. I think you’re in marketing & sales which is perfect too but you’re better than most on camera with speech-style content that sounds freaking conversational! It’s so hard to do that! ❤❤❤❤

[@StateofKait]

@@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory thank you, you made my day! I’ve always wanted to be an on-camera host, I just don’t know how to break into that industry. 🩵

[@gelbeauty87]

This is why people should just start following smaller influencers. They are buying MOST if not ALL of the things they review and some of them even tell you NOT to purchase things and use what you already have. I know I do when it comes to LOTS of eyeshadow palettes. Lately it looks like they use the rinse and repeat method when it comes to creating color stories and I'm tired of seeing it.

[@tastycar]

The sad reality of this is the smaller influencers grow quickly, morph into out-of-touch influencers and the cycle continues

[@gelbeauty87]

@@tastycar There are a couple of big influencers I feel still act normal (Casey Holmes & Samantha Ravanthaul) but they are far and few.

[@vcgomeez]

YUPPPP🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@smokerscough2907]

Unfortunately some smaller influencers are just as desperate to become larger influencers and will take brand deals from anyone. I've had to unfollow multiple creators between 1,000-5,000 followers who got a viral video and immediately turned into brand bots.

[@smokerscough2907]

@@tastycar Exactly what happened to a couple people I know. One girl switched up so bad she stopped hyping up her irl friends but still asked for favors about editing content. It's a sickness.

[@Always_hangry91]

Thank you for the most realest video I have seen in forever. Influencers are so detached from reality, they promote materialism because this is their driving power in life. No other morals there. So yeah, it was refreshing to see someone addressing real life problems and issues, that us normal people have to deal with on a daily basis.

[@gretae7321]

When I hear someone trying to sell me something, I immediately scroll. It’s like I can sniff out an ad even without that yellow banner. When I see the yellow banner, I’m not watching period.

[@crissiv8853]

You are definitely right. I don't have TikTok and only follow youtubers who review makeup/skincare, but I have to admit that my spending habits have recently worsened. All those videos also trigger shopping addiction, which is a very serious problem. I think that Instagram is one of the most addictive platforms, it made me buy so many products I don't need... 🙈😓 Thank you for your helpful video and greetings from Genoa, Italy ❤️

[@elenagrace8524]

Crazy idea buttttt what if we just stopped paying attention to them!!

[@sofiahhhh1016]

You're absolutely right! 👏🏻

[@caitystrong4599]

Cassandra Bankson was such a hard one to unfollow for me, but the product pushing got to me. I am very prone to impulse shopping and overspending and I’m actively trying to correct these behaviors. I’ve been following and supporting Cassandra for 11 years but I had to recognize what was no longer a healthy thing for me.

[@melissah5391]

And, just because the influencer isn’t over the top in personality, the result is the same - SOO MUCH stuff!!!!

[@CourageousDreamerAllon4journey]

But it's their lives to live as THEY see fit. Instead of dissing them and making them feel bad for what they have.. just don't watch them. Pretty simple.

[@sazdoxie4247]

Brava! You hit the nail on the head,Kait. Hope this video goes viral.

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Love the work you are doing!!! And your on-air skills are sublime (see my long a$$ comment lol). Felt I must tip this think piece!

[@StateofKait]

@@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory you are so sweet, thank you 🥹

[@MaratheSamoyed]

I work at a funeral home. Putting babies in caskets and dealing with grief all day is hard their life is paradise compared what these families go through. Trying to decide what they can spend money on in time of grief

[@x77punk77x]

Intelligent channel; much appreciated

[@mwatson4970]

For me, i like thrift clothes shopping and plant care. But i get tired of seeing influencers with a ridiculous amount of anything that is their niche since operating from more of a one-in/one-out mindset feels more sustainable. But clothes influencers that just buy new (not styling-focused) and plant-influencers with 200-300+ personal collection of plants (not including side seller biz) feels like it's now performative dopamine hits.