DIY personal care on TikTok is another of young people’s #RecessionIndicators. Olive oil “bum scrub,” onion-based shampoo, and baking soda deodorant paste are just a few of the DIY personal care items young people are making and sharing on TikTok. These budget-friendly alternatives have seen explosive growth, with onion shampoo searches up 70% since last year and rice water treatments gaining half a billion views on TikTok. Fashion analyst Faran Krentcil calls this the “Pretty Preppers movement,” noting how economic uncertainty historically drove DIY beauty booms—like YouTube makeup crazes in 2008. But beyond saving money, these trends empower users by educating them on practical personal care. There’s also an added dimension that many viral formulas originate from creators of color whose traditional beauty wisdom is finally gaining mainstream visibility. (BoF)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Skinny Jeans and Other Recession Indicators on The Viral List
