KIDS IN AMERICA
Gen Z’s take on beauty is individuality above all. Sixteen-year-old writer and high school junior Helen Burris sheds light on her generation, while photographer Squire Fox points his lens toward the world of four teens in NYC.
MARLENA. AGE 15
“MY FRIENDS DON’T REALLY FOLLOW BEAUTY TRENDS ANYMORE. SINCE I GO TO AN ART SCHOOL, EVERYONE JUST WEARS WHAT MAKES THEM FEEL GOOD .”
A LOVE LETTER to a GENERATION, BY Helen Burris, AGE 16
I VIVIDLY REMEMBER watching my mother get ready for a party when I was about seven. Similar to most kids, she was the first person I ever watched do makeup. I sat on the bathtub right next to her, in awe of how she was transforming. She was gorgeous, and
in my mind all I wanted was to look as glamorous as she did in that moment. Her eyelash curler, though, was what really caught my attention! I remember telling myself, “Nope, I’m absolutely never using that!”
Yet, here I am today using it everyday.
When I first entered middle school I was what one might call a “jock.” Makeup was barely even a second thought for me until about seventh grade. I played three sports, so that left me very little time to worry about my appearance. However, the constant sweat my face was enduring soon became apparent. Blemishes were one of my biggest insecurities, prompting my friends
to take me to Sephora for the first time. I was 13. I saved up the money I was supposed to be using for lunch for weeks, until I could afford to buy my first makeup product: a simple concealer from NARS. My friends swore that this concealer was the only one that would work. I soon had my entire beauty routine down to a T.
MAX, AGE 14
“FEMINISM . . .I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. . . . CREATING EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE AND AT HOME FOR WOMEN AND MEN TO BE ON THE SAME PLAYING FIELD. “
Up until about three years ago, women have been displayed on all platforms to the public, specifically through advertising, in extremely unrealistic and demeaning ways. Beauty standards, which were mostly presented to women by men, have set the norm for young girls throughout generations, inevitably leading them toward insecurity and toxicity. For people my age, the first brand we see having publicly defied standards to express the beauty of all body types, skin colors, genders and sexualities is Fenty Beauty by Rihanna. Her fashion shows had models walking down the runway giving representation to minorities and those who, in the past, may have been considered “unattractive.” Even the fact that Rihanna has the largest range of foundations and concealers for many, many skin tones— not just the ones society accepts or chooses to display— shows her true commitment to changing the norm. For me, this is feminism. Fenty raises women up and never tears them down. Feminism celebrates the immense strength and power of women as being equal to men in all aspects of life.
ANYAH, AGE 15
“THE FIRST TIME I EVER FELT BEAUTIFUL WAS MY 8TH GRADE PROM. I HAD A GLITTERY DRESS... MY MOM BOUGHT IT FOR ME. I FELT SO HAPPY. “
My generation is unique in that we reject stigmas. We let people express themselves however they choose through makeup and clothing. This is a generational trait that I am very proud of, since it is crucial for happiness and personal development. Life in New York City, with its blended cultures, presents me with unlimited inspiration to broaden my personal style. My parents have considerably loose rules in terms of what I can and cannot wear; plus, my school has no dress code, so I am given lots of freedom for personal expression.
As teenagers, this is our time for experimentation. I love being able to try new looks and see new sides of myself with the help of makeup. It’s a great tool for self expression. My twin sister and I rarely fight over makeup products anymore, but there was definitely a time when that was not the case. She used to refuse to buy more makeup once she ran out of something, so she’d steal mine. This has now stopped since we have slightly different skin tones, and let me tell you, it has saved us from many fights!
SAMANTHA, AGE 14
“I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER NOT FELT BEAUTIFUL, BECAUSE TO BE BEAUTIFUL MEANS YOU LOVE YOURSELF, AND TO LOVE YOURSELF, YOU KNOW, IT MEANS YOU LIKE WHO YOU ARE. I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED WHO I AM.”
On a day-to-day basis, my skincare routine consists of very few steps. Over the years, I have found that when I overdo it and apply too many products, I get breakouts. Now I keep things very minimal. I normally begin with simply washing my face with only warm water to wake it up. Next, I put on a vitamin serum from Fresh, which is great because it has antioxidants and smells super citrus-y, which I love. Then I put on an under-eye cream to lock in moisture. Finally, I apply Cerave moisturizer all over my face and down my neck (I learned that trick on YouTube). When it comes to makeup, it is all very complicated—and to be honest—I don’t entirely know what I’m doing. Recently, though, one of my favorite parts of my makeup routine has been eyeliner. I feel like it gives me a more mature look and makes me appear very awake, which is helpful during the school week.
Beauty is defined by my generation as individuality and self-expression. It’s less about appearance and more about happiness. That’s something I can stand behind.
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NYC resident Helen Burris is beginning her college search and is considering schools out West.
Marlena is a sophomore at a prestigious high school in Manhattan and an aspiring artist. In her free time, she enjoys taking classes in aerial silks along with other circus-related arts. Marlena challenges society’s beauty standards by dressing for herself rather than her peers.
Max, a freshman in high school, plays guitar and surfs when he can. Along with adjusting to a new school, he has been learning many important life lessons, like disregarding gender roles and taking people for who they are, rather than what society claims they should be.
Samantha is an aspiring model and actress. When she’s not posing or studying, she loves going to Broadway shows. She just got her braces off, so she’s smiling through it all in 2020.