In a generation where we can easily Photoshop, edit our images, or add filters on videos for digital platforms, it is simple to access ongoing trends as well.

Welcome to the Plastic Girl era where over perfection meets extra ordinary trends. And the gap between reel and real beauty has never been narrower.

For a growing craze of waxy lifestyle, it’s now aesthetics and mindset. For some, it’s their way of living by having sculpted cheekbones, plump lips, skin super smooth, and modifying body parts through implants. Basically, a boon for some or a bane for others.

Sanjana Sharma, 26, Delhi-based freelance makeup artist says, “It’s not about ‘faking’ anything; it’s just enhancing what you already have.” She loves wearing glossy fashion like PVC boots, latex dresses, vinyl corsets, etc, and trusts that cosmetic procedures are just another form of self-care people should do.

When we talk about surgeries who don’t think about Bella Hadid’s engraved face, Kylie Jenner’s iconic lips era, and Kim Kardashian’s unrealistic body standards? That was the most unnatural look with the polished vibe, and the funny part is how people actually started following them.

Kesar Taparia, 20, Studying Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, Delhi says, “The new obsession with looking ‘perfect’ scares me.”

She further adds,” I have seen girls who are younger than me getting fillers and laser treatments to seek current trends.”

Social media has designed this unrealistic standard where everyone looks the same. They don’t care about the personality, realness, and thought process of a person.

Dr. Deepti Srivastava, Dermatologist and owner of Skin, Hair and You Clinic in Anand Vihar, Delhi says, “Plastic operations can be empowering when responsibly used but the rise of Botox, extreme facial sculpting, and exaggerated fillers especially in this age group is concerning. It is very normal to get complications like nerve damage, infections, and loss of natural aging,”

She added,” Day by day the rising trend of getting cosmetic surgeries among teenagers is growing. One of my patients Vrinda aged 18, wants to get lip fillers as it is very famous and cost Rs.1,40,000 the maintenance is more expensive than the sum around Rs.80,000 and the process needs to be done every 9th -10th month of the year.” She talked about the importance of skin and health over following trends. She further shared stories where patients later regretted getting fillers and wished they invested more in skincare than quick fixes.

The cycle and standards shift fast, so try not to get trapped. FOMO is surely real when everyone around you digitizes their features, but you are trying to embrace natural beauty.

It’s not about carrying a Barbie doll imagery. It is a discussion of standards, self-expression, and the extent to which we would go in the name of perfection.