Document Type
Conference Session
Publication Date
10-15-2026
Abstract
Looksmaxxing, a practice centered on improving appearance through everything from skincare and fitness to more extreme measures, has become increasingly visible among Generation Z social media users. The trend has grown through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where content focused on self-improvement, beauty, and personal transformation attracts millions of views. This roundtable will discuss looksmaxxing and its broader implications for personal branding, identity, and authenticity in digital spaces. Panelists will examine why the trend has become so popular among Generation Z, how social media shapes public image, and the role influencers play in shaping audience expectations. The conversation will also explore body image, mental health, dieting practices, and the normalization of cosmetic procedures and other appearance-focused interventions. As social media increasingly encourages individuals to develop and manage personal brands, looksmaxxing raises important questions about the relationship between self-improvement and self-presentation. The discussion will consider how algorithms, online communities, and influencer culture contribute to evolving standards of beauty and success, while also examining the pressures young people face to appear both authentic and aspirational online. The panel will not only review looksmaxxing itself but also consider what the trend reveals about social media culture and the increasing pressure to build, market, and maintain the self in highly visible digital environments. Drawing on perspectives from communication, advertising, branding, and media studies, the discussion will explore how social media continues to influence perceptions of identity, authenticity, and personal success among today's young adults.
Conference/Symposium
Northeast Popular Culture Association Virtual Conference (NEPCA)
Department
College of Communication and Design
Recommended Citation
Grodzki, E., Powers, S., & Carlin, G. (2026, October 15-17). Looksmaxxing, personal branding, and the performance of authenticity in Gen Z culture [Conference session]. Northeast Popular Culture Association Virtual Conference (NEPCA).
