Underconsumption Core: Trend or Lifestyle Change?

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Underconsumption core is the latest TikTok trend taking the internet by storm, urging online users to reduce their product consumption and master the art of a low-waste lifestyle. With this trend, users are making a conscious decision to romanticise the idea of living a simpler life, one that is more mindful of our wastefulness in skincare, haircare, makeup, and our ever-changing wardrobes.

This is a response to our overconsumption of products, which has undeniably surged in recent years and gained significant popularity in online spaces, especially throughout the pandemic, with the rise of Shein and TikTok Shop. Product mania has truly taken its toll on the planet, and users have finally had enough.

It’s hard not to want every new product on the market when, nearly every week, there’s a viral item that every influencer “swears by.” Nowadays, keeping up with the rapid pace of fashion trends is exhausting, whether it’s brat summer, demure autumn, or whatever new aesthetic has overtaken the TikTok algorithm for a couple of weeks.

@kbedfinance Underconsumption Core🌟 Just a reminder that you dont need to be buying a million products to feel pretty and to take care of yourself💁🏼‍♀️ #underconsumption #minimalist #femalefinance #budgeting #financialtransparency #savingmoney #CapCut ♬ original sound – speedz!

Underconsumption core represents an aesthetic in itself, offering a more sustainable and mindful alternative. It embraces the idea of not always chasing the latest makeup products or fashion trends, instead encouraging reliance on conscious shopping choices and making use of the products you already own. 

TikTok user @laurenleavellfit claimed it “could be such a huge catalyst for change and freedom. By mindfully consuming, we were able to pay off debt, save, and buy a house”. It’s not only far less time-consuming than trend hopping but also financially beneficial.

@laurenleavellfit I think underconsumption core could be such a huge catalyst for change and freedom. ⁣ ⁣ By mindfully consuming, we were able to pay off debt, save, buy a house, quit jobs we didn’t like, start businesses…⁣ ⁣ I love this trend. ⁣ ⁣ #mindfulspending #debtfree #underconsumption #healingjourney #financialfreedom ♬ original sound – Lauren • virtual barre+hiit

Ways to Embrace the Trend

“Build your capsule wardrobe”—it’s a phrase that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. But what does it actually mean? A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated collection of timeless clothing that transcends trends or aesthetics, remaining stylish and relevant regardless of the latest fads. These are pieces designed to last—some might say investment items—the go-to staples you can rely on when you’re unsure of what to wear.

Think classic white tees, well-fitted denim jeans, a leather jacket, a versatile blazer. You get the idea. Of course, it’s fun to be trendy and take risks with fashion, but these pieces are items you can consistently incorporate into every outfit regardless of trends, forming the foundation of every outfit you put together.

But don’t go building this capsule from scratch! Start with what you’ve already got, isolating those items of clothing you resort back to when you’re between trends or don’t want to be creative with your fit. The clothing items you know will give you that put-together, timeless look without too much effort.

@theraisareyes #underconsumption #makeup #dailymakeuplook @chanel.beauty @Fenty Beauty @Anastasia Beverly Hills ♬ original sound – Raisa 🌹

Find the Products That Work for You!

TikTok has made it almost a norm to have drawers overflowing with skincare, haircare, and makeup products, to the point where it’s easy to lose track of what you own and what truly works for you. Before TikTok’s influence, it was more common to stick with a few trusted products that fit your needs, building a relationship with specific brands or items that helped you feel your best.

Now, there’s pressure to adopt an ever-evolving 10-step skincare routine and to ‘test and try’ every viral makeup trend. But what happened to having a signature scent or a signature lipstick? Embrace a makeup routine that is uniquely yours. Skip the fleeting beauty trends and focus on finding a routine and products that genuinely work for your skin. Chances are, using a plethora of products isn’t great for your skin. Opt for simplicity and products that are individual to you.

Think like the ladies who wore Chanel No. 5 their entire lives or women who coined a signature makeup look, like Marilyn Monroe’s red lip or Sophia Loren’s cat eye. These women found what worked for them and capitalised on it—make it your own and ignore what everyone else is doing!

@christina.mychas Before you hit “add to cart” on that thing you JUST saw, try doing this first. It might scratch the same spendy itch, and you get more out of the clothes you ALREADY own. Get that cost-per-wear, baby. #shopyourcloset #underconsumption #costperwear #recreatingpinterestphotos #capsulewardrobetips ♬ original sound – Christina

As the underconsumption core gains online momentum, take valuable advice from its principles and understand its popularity. It’s clear there’s a shift towards a more mindful lifestyle. Whether you choose to adopt the underconsumption lifestyle or continue keeping up with trends, it’s worth noting that underconsumption is beneficial both for your wallet and the planet.

So, maybe consider slowing down and working with what you’ve already got—I promise you’ll be surprised once you really evaluate that wardrobe of yours. 

Words by Cillian Murphy 

• Fashion
• TikTok