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TikTok is known for having several trends which go viral and spark debates. Recently, users have started using the phrases "low income white girl eyes" and "trailer park cheekbones," leading to confusion and criticism in equal measure.
Per an article by MSN.com, most users agree both terms have referencing a beauty aesthetic defined by a hooded eyelid with a slept-in or smudgy makeup (think smudgy contours and eye makeup).
However, some also believe that it is a trend that mimicks women "living in less-than-ideal conditions." In her take on the low income white girl eyes and trailer park cheekbones trend, author Fleurine Tideman of Betches likened it to "fetishiz(ing) a low income appearance," adding:
"Despite what the look entails, the name is kinda offensive. It’s reducing people on a low income or living in a trailer park to a specific appearance. Once again, we’re treating a feature of poverty or working-class conditions as an aesthetic rather than a reality."
The low income white girl eyes TikTok trend started sometime in October 2024
According to Daily Dot, the phrase low income white girl eyes began to trend on TikTok in early to mid-October 2024. Some of the earliest videos on the platform saw users questioning whether their features, specifically their eyes, resembled those of low-income white girls. It soon gained traction, and by December, it went viral.
TikTok users soon began associating the term with trailer park cheekbones. It is another aesthetic label characterized by using makeup with very prominent use of highlighter and contour to give the effect of sunken-looking cheeks.
As the two phrases, low income white girl eyes and trailer park cheekbones, went viral on TikTok, internet users expressed confusion. Many criticized the trend for being "classist" and a way to belittle people. Here are some comments seen on the Reddit thread r/beauty by user u/Professional_Flan20:
Many criticized the trends for promoting class differences and worsening insecurities in some women. Despite the criticism, some users claim it isn't meant to be an insult, including TikTok user Melody (@melodylauer780).
According to MSN.com, Melody elaborated on what the trend involves and how to create the look. It begins with applying concealer underneath the eyes, followed by drawing a thick, heavy line with an eyeliner on top and below the eyelids. Melody explained:
"The more smudgy, the better."
The next step is to apply a thin line of blue eyeshadow above the eyeliner. After that, Melody suggests applying "some sort of white shimmer" on top of the eyelid. The final step is to finish off the look with mascara, specifically making it look clumpy. Author Fleurine Tideman of Betches described the look as:
"Basically, me in high school."
Per Betches, comments under Melody's video indicated several women claiming it was referencing aesthetic trends over the recent years.
Some recent TikTok trends that have gone viral include the Sofia dance trend, sparked by a viral video of media personality Sofia Richie Grainge. During the Thanksgiving holiday, Grainge, along with TikToker Jake Shane, shared a video of themselves dancing to Lola Young's Messy. Sofia's shimmy and rhythmically swaying to the track gave off a cool girl energy that caught on with several people trying to replicate the dance.
