The trend of vacation preparation, otherwise known as “vacation prep,” has taken off on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Influencers and content creators share their pre-holiday routines, such as self-care appointments, beauty treatments, and last-minute packing advice, contributing to over 81 million views on the topic. A key focus is on beauty services such as hair and nail treatments and new outfit purchases.
Canadian TikTok creator Monique Smith shed light on her own preparation process, revealing a cost of C$1,045 (US$785). She believes in the importance of transparency about these expenses and has noticed an uptick in prices, particularly in beauty services.
This trend has led to mixed reactions, with some consumers, such as Atlanta-based travel photographer Aspen Cierra Evans, expressing concerns about the significant pre-trip costs. Despite these costs, Evans also acknowledges the importance of looking good, especially for an Instagram-perfect snapshot.
The rise in these preparations has boosted businesses like Sugaring Salon in Florida, where clients often come for pre-trip beauty treatments. However, the costs associated with these treatments are significant. A recent survey showed that the average American woman spends US$877 per year on appearance.
Despite this, the trend continues to flourish, with people opting to invest more in their beauty routines and less on actual travel or clothing. This is often due to the desire to feel confident and look their best while on vacation and in photos.
As people share more about their beauty routines online, this phenomenon is getting normalized. While transparency can shed light on the standards and costs associated with these practices, critics argue it might also reinforce these standards.
Individuals like Maria Kalpakian feel the pressure to look their best, which for her, includes treatments such as lip fillers, manicures, eyebrow styling, spray tans, and laser hair removal, spending an estimated US$750 pre-vacation.
The paradox is that the desire for a “low maintenance” look often requires a “high maintenance” routine, encapsulating the effort required to be “photo ready” for social media. According to beauty critic Jessica DeFino, this trend might be due to the deep-rooted societal beauty standards that make people feel that they need to look good to enjoy themselves.
While the vacation-prep trend shows no sign of slowing down, the financial burden it brings to consumers cannot be overlooked. It emphasizes the need for balance and reflection on the values driving our pre-trip behaviors, whether it’s to be Instagram-ready or to truly enjoy the holiday experience.
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