A perfunctory skim of beauty YouTube says it all: a revolution is underway. Amid a gaggle of skincare hauls, make-up tutorials and product reviews emerges a new genre—the glow down. Summed up as a deliberate regression to one’s natural, unenhanced state, its focus lies in subverting the need to constantly upgrade one’s physical appearance.
‘Reversing my glow up transformations’, one video title reads. ‘No lash extensions, removing my veneers and dissolving my fillers’, another states. Then there are the videos that are more pointed in nature, hinting at the insidious nature of jaw-dropping physical transformations. ‘How glowing up ruined my life’ is the subject of Internet personality Alivia D’Andrea’s now-viral minidocumentary, garnering 5.3 million views and 23,000 comments since it was posted six months ago.
The apex of the 25-minute chronicle features D’Andrea lying in a foetal position on her rug, head buried in her hands. She details her struggle with maintaining her newfound appearance. “It was easy to be kind to myself when I was at my ideal standard,” she rasps. “But as soon as I wasn’t, it would trigger negative thoughts and I’d start to shame myself.” The next scene is of D’Andrea staring blankly at a mirror, hair pulled back and barefaced. “Okay,” she says. “Let’s try to say something nice about yourself.” The lengthy silence that follows speaks volumes.
Before and after
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Vogue Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Vogue Singapore.
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Gone Glow
To most, the crux of self-improvement lies in a drastic makeover montage, but is the desire to better oneself as innocuous as it appears? Vogue Singapore examines the growing phenomenon that is the glow down; a movement trumpeting the purposeful diminishing of conventional attractiveness.
Fashion's AIEVOLUTION
Vogue Singapore speaks to the founders of Maison Meta, the pioneering generative AI agency, about how this technology is pushing creative boundaries and what's next for fashion in the digital age.
A Tapestry Of Evolving Threads
From the utilitarian origins of tank tops to the eclectic styles of today, Singapore’s fashion scene has undergone a remarkable shift. At the heart of this evolution lies a thriving fashion community, where designers, artisans and creatives collaborate to blend local influences with contemporary styles.
VITAL VEGETATION
Green in every sense of the word. Follow Vogue Singapore's associate beauty editor to Bangkok to discover Aesop's Virere, a beguiling scent brimming with verve and vivacity.
Safe SPACE
For queer people in Singapore, community is hard-earned. Jesslyn Lye takes a tender look at how far we have come in terms of the spaces we have built and where we can go from here.
ATASTE of HOME
Three of Singapore's newest modern Asian restaurants Hayop, Club Rangoon and Odem reveal what it means to explore heritage and connect a community through food.
Promised LAND
On a week-long immersion in Bhutan, the world's first carbon-negative country, a lifelong city-dweller catches a glimpse of a more enlightened way of life.
HEART EVANGELISTA
Donning some of the season's most glamorous looks and lensed by photographer Ilyes Griyeb, the multi-hyphenate, fashion darling and philanthropist speaks to Vogue Singapore about community, presence and what it truly means to have heart.
THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
In an ambitious social experiment, a dreamlike new literary space is taking root in a heartland Singaporean neighbourhood.
Sporting GLORY
Patrice Leguéreau, the director of Chanel’ jewellery creation studio, lets Vogue Singapore in on the story behind the house’s athletic Haute Joaillerie Sport collection.
