TikTok is no doubt a source of endless inspiration, procrastination material and let's face it, some pretty bizarre internet trends… but it's also kind of a confusing place to wile away some scrolling time.
We can thank TikTok for plenty of fun and (mainly) harmless crazes, from dance routines to strange beauty hacks and lifestyle regimes – but in reality, the app has served up some pretty conflicting advice. There was the ‘that girl’ aesthetic, and then the ‘anti-that girl’ movement; there's the countless makeup hacks that are constantly contradicting each other – not to mention the various ‘cores’ and ‘eras’ that are on rotation.
TikTokers are concerned these odd food videos are disguised fetish content but are they really a problem?
Of course, most of us know we can take TikTok with a pinch of salt at the best of times, but we can all be a little guilty of getting sucked in – so it's useful to step back and take stock of all the contradictory advice we might have found ourselves reading into every now and then. Luckily, life is rarely black and white, so there's room for nuance between plenty of these…
Be influenced, but don't be influenced
Anyone that's a TikTok fan will know that it's an influencer's playground, and that you can discover some pretty amazing products through genuine recommendations. From viral powder puffs to nifty Amazon buys, TikTok's selling power can not be denied – but in doing so, the app's users have also coined a new trend: de-influencing.
Now, plenty of TikTokers are trying to persuade their followers not to buy the products that are circulating from video to video, in a bid to stop overconsumption. Someone had to.
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Pile on the thickest layer of foundation ever… or just dot on a tiny amount of concealer
Avid beauty tokkers will know makeup creator Meredith Duxbury and her very heavy foundation technique very well – essentially, you slather ten pumps of foundation on your face and blend it out with a healthy helping of concealer, contour and bronzer.
Over on the other side of TikTok, there's the Hailey Bieber-esque ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, which encourages minimal amounts of concealer in place of foundation, so you “never, ever look like you're wearing too much makeup”.
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Be ‘that girl’, but don't be ‘that girl’
The ‘that girl’ concept dates back to around April 2021, and essentially glamourises a wellness-driven lifestyle. ‘That girl’ gets up at 5am, makes her bed, journals, makes a smoothie and goes to the gym in a matching activewear set – she makes healthy recipes, lights candles and always nails her skincare routine. And she lives in an immaculate and aesthetic home, of course.
The antithesis to that? Not feeling pressure to achieve these standards every day and knowing that it's okay. Appealing.
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Practice intuitive eating… but count your macros
The notion of intuitive eating has become popular on TikTok, encouraging users to have a healthy relationship with food and release the influence of harmful diet culture – but there's also a popular focus on weight loss and macro counting. Both can have benefits when practiced with care and kindness to yourself, of course.
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Get up at 5am and have a full routine before work… but don't succumb to feeling the need to be productive all the time
The ‘5-9 before 9-5’ has become a popular trend on TikTok, with people sharing their extensive workout and lifestyle routines before the sun is anywhere near rising. Cool. But if you don't fancy joining the 5am club, there's a legion of other TikTokers who endorse staying in bed a little longer if you feel you need to, and not prioritising productivity all the time.
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Wear shapewear, but don't wear shapewear
Shapewear is a thing on TikTok. There are countless ads and reviews raving about the latest Skims bodysuit or a more affordable dupe – and its snatching, shaping magical powers. Cool.
Elsewhere, TikTokers have been debating whether shapewear is actually fatphobic and promotes poor body image, as well as endorsing the so-called ‘Kardashian’ body ideal.
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Prioritise your gut health – but gut health programmes are a scam
Another concept that has consistently done the rounds on TikTok is that of ‘healing your gut’ with various supplements, powders and lifestyle choices. Some critics argue that the craze has lessened genuine gastro conditions such as IBS, as well as promoting the idea that everyday bloating is abnormal.
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Try out hardcore fitness challenges… or don't, do the ‘softer’ version
Fitness challenges regularly circulate TikTok, from duet routines to workout ideas such as the 12-3-30 treadmill challenge or the 75 Hard – a ‘mental toughness’ regime which involves working out twice a day, every day.
Others suggest trying the ‘75 soft’ challenge, which instead involves more gentle workouts and an active recovery day.
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Try mouth taping but don't, because it could be dangerous
Mouth taping while sleeping is another wellness trend that's popular with TikTokers, since it promotes nose breathing – which is optimal – but of course, mouth taping comes with risks.
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Bake your base with powder, but don't – because it looks cakey
The baking makeup technique is nothing new, but it's hugely popular with makeup influencers on TikTok (alongside the aforementioned powder puff) – though some makeup artists and creators are speaking out against the trend.
