I have never been influenced by the internet.

I know it’s shocking, right? A 20-year-old girl from Southern California who claims to be untouched by the mind-altering consuming pit that is social media. I thought I was above it all. The newest trends, unattainable aesthetics and allure of influencers.

“day-in-my-life,” “doe-pretty or siren-pretty?,” or “summer 2025 INs and OUTs.”

These titles buzz past me daily as I scroll through Instagram reels, TikTok, or YouTube recommendations. Influencers feel inescapable, permeating their curated lives into every corner of the internet. Yet, I was convinced they were unable to reach me.

Upon closer inspection, I was wrong. I see their fingerprints all over my so-called “personal style.”

I grew up without social media. Thank you to my parents. No Instagram until high school. No TikTok. Even during middle school bus rides (unless a friend shared their phone). Honestly looking back, I’m grateful for this. It let me stay innocent longer, shielding me from the pressures of online comparisons. At the time my “style” was blissfully simple with comfy clothes, unstyled curly hair, and focusing on what felt good rather than what looked good.

But today my reflection tells a different story.

My naturally curly hair is tamed into a symmetrical middle part, begging to be released from the grip of my flat iron. My makeup bag is stocked with “effortless” tubing mascara and hydrocolloid patches for acne. Plenty of skin-care products hyped by influencers. My wardrobe with the backless tops to flare jeans, screams “newest microtrends.” Even my UGG slippers “the comfy-girl staple” are a remnant of a TikTok recommendation.

Every detail of my look has at one point or another been curated not by me but by the latest trends. Without realizing I’ve been influenced by the very culture I thought I resisted. It is very humbling to realize. 

What is the role of influencers in our lives? They might make decision-making easier, offering helpful content that has advice on the most flattering clothes or latest skincare. But at what cost are they contributing to our society or blurring the line between genuine recommendations and advertisements?

Take a “get ready with me” video where a casual makeup routine also doubles as a subtle ad for sunscreen. Or the sudden “must-have” clothing item conveniently promoted by every major creator at once. It is almost pervasive how products are shoved in our face.

This question is difficult for my generation. We are often torn between deleting platforms and staying connected to the trends and community they provide. Pre-social media my influences were the mannequins at Old Navy. Now my every decision feels subtly guided by an algorithm.  

So, I’m still stuck with even more questions. Are influencers responsible for shaping our self-image? More importantly, how do we handle a society where personal style feels prescribed?

I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this, the idea of individuality on social media is an illusion. Perhaps the first step toward reclaiming agency over our lives is recognizing how deeply we’ve been influenced in the first place.