Brands, Advertisers, and Insecurity: The Price of Perfection

Let’s be honest—consumerism and the beauty industry are built on making us feel like we’re not enough. It’s wild when you think about it. On one hand, we see so much progress with movements advocating for mental health, inclusivity, and self-love. But then, just as quickly, we’re hit with filters, edited photos, and influencers pushing a picture-perfect lifestyle that feels impossible to attain. It’s like we’re stuck in this weird cycle where everyone’s trying to keep up with a game they don’t even want to play.

Scrolling through social media can be frustrating. It’s not just the influencers promoting unattainable lifestyles; it’s the pressure to engage, to “like” and comment, all while we subconsciously compare our lives to others. Are we all chasing a dream, or is it just an illusion crafted by brands?

Consider this: According to a recent survey by Credit Karma, nearly 38% of Americans have purchased products advertised on social media in the past year. A staggering 23% have charged $1,000 or more to their credit cards for these purchases. And interestingly, 69% of social media users report feeling “de-influenced”—choosing not to buy items due to distrust in the influencers promoting them. This contradiction highlights the delicate dance between consumer desire and self-awareness.

It’s not really about the luxury watch or the designer handbag, is it? It’s about wanting to feel unique, valued, or accomplished. People spend crazy amounts of money to capture that feeling, and it’s honestly kind of sad when you realize how much of our self-worth has become tied to what we own.

Capitalism is pretty sneaky about all this. Once we’ve acquired what we “need,” it’s not enough to maintain satisfaction. Brands cleverly create new wants, leading us to believe we “need” the latest beauty cream or gadget.

The underlying message in most advertising is negative: “You’re not enough without this product.” Being surrounded by these messages all the time takes a toll on our mental health. It’s exhausting, and it makes you wonder how we can hope for a kind, fulfilled society when everything around us is built on telling us we’re not good enough as we are.

That's why one can sense that the goal isn’t really our happiness—it’s about endless growth and profit. We’re so conditioned to keep striving for more, to buy the next thing, that we forget to focus on what really matters. Meaningful connections, genuine self-acceptance, the little moments of happiness—these things are often overshadowed by the race to keep up.

In the end, advertisers are experts at exploiting our vulnerabilities. There’s likely a commercial out there targeting every single insecurity you have.

So, what can we do? Recognizing the tactics that brands employ against us is essential. We don’t have to subscribe to the narratives they sell. Instead, we can redefine our self-worth on our terms. Authenticity should always take precedence over perfection. The next time you find yourself caught up in a cycle of comparison or pressured to keep up with trends, remember: true beauty and value come from within—not from a brand, influencer, or polished Instagram feed. Take charge of your social media experience. Unfollow accounts that don’t serve your well-being and curate a feed that aligns with your genuine self.

Have you felt the pressure of keeping up with social media trends? How do you navigate the challenges posed by brands and influencers?

Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s spark a dialogue about the realities of our consumer-driven world.