In a society that has become so reliant on public validation, views, and likes, the anti-filter TikTok trend serves as antithesis to the usual. Set to Twenty-One Pilots’ hit song “Tear in My Heart”, the video starts as the person sings along with a heavy beauty filter or a full face of make-up on. Then, as the lyric “But my taste in music is your face” plays, it transitions into them showing off a bare face or a more natural look.
Captivating hundreds and thousands of the platform’s users, TikTok superstar Charli D’Amelio join in on the fun herself, sharing the video with her nine million followers.
@charlidamelio♬ Tear in My Heart – twenty one pilots
The conversation around transparency on social media has seen a drastic rise over the years. A concept initially designed to be humorous, filters have now taken on a life of their own and evolved into what we know now: A quick fix to smoothen skin texture, an easy solution to enhance one’s nose, or maybe even a cheeky solution to a bloated face.
Needless to say, the use of filters and other appearance-enhancing apps, has taken a large toll on many individuals’ body image. In a Harvard School Of Public Health interview last year, Professor Bryn Austin stated, “From experimental research, we know that Instagram, with its algorithmically-driven feeds of content tailored to each user’s engagement patterns, can draw vulnerable teens into a dangerous spiral of negative social comparison and hook them onto unrealistic ideals of appearance and body size and shape.”
@ashleytisdaleI love a no makeup trend♬ Tear in My Heart – twenty one pilots
We may still have a very long way to go, it’s safe to say that this trend may be pointing us in the right direction. Actress Ashley Tisdale tried out the trend and praised it for being “healthy” and “cute.” It is a unique way to embrace one’s self when stripped away from all the make-up and styled hair.
Hopefully, this TikTok trend continues or at least helps us build healthier viewpoints as we play with our front-facing cameras.