What's the largest demographic in America right now? Trick question. Ditch the demographics.
Pivotals, a term we created for the sweet spot between Gen Z and Millennials, is possibly the most influential generation to date. This is critical to marketers as Pivotals refuse to accept traditional identity categories. More than 61% use at least one "niche" descriptor to identify themselves. Which niche? Anything and everything, from refugee to sexually fluid to mixed-race.
As part of this, Pivotals are actively redefining beauty to challenge outmoded ideas of race, gender, sexuality, politics and even religion. Beauty is no longer just a part of culture. Beauty now defines culture as Pivotals embrace their niches.
Niche is the new mass.
Recognizing the influence of this culture-defining group, Beautycon conducted a study, FOMO Volume One, in partnership with Culture Co-op, to take a deep dive into this generation's cultural trends that are driving a bold revolution in beauty.
FOMO is a data-driven look at what's shaping the world of beauty and self-expression among this influential generation. In addition to interviews with attendees at Beautycon's festivals in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, as well as chats with influencers in buzzworthy cities stretching from Portland, Maine, to Charlotte, North Carolina, to Austin, Texas, we also collected online surveys from 1,000 Pivotals, ages 13 to 34, across the country. They all had plenty to say. For example:
- 86% say "the biggest change in culture today is "the freedom to express yourself however you want."
- 79% concur that "the way I present myself is fundamental to who I am."
- 82% believe that "my physical and digital identities are one and the same," transcending IRL and URL to another stratosphere.
- 57% view themselves through a camera at least once a day. Hence, we have witnessed the rise of over-the-top beauty ideals, including contouring à la Kim Kardashian, lip injections and glossy highlighters.
Living in a post-woke world, Pivotals give new meaning to self-awareness. They see spirituality as an extension of their activism. Out of more than 15 phrases, "truth-seeking" and "positive" topped their list of terms that best describe them. They've sought products infused with good vibes from brands such as de Mamiel, Sodashi and Plantfolk Apothecary. Three-quarters of them asserted that "for young people today, it's cool to be sober." Doesn't that make you hopeful for the future?
As the world grapples with extreme perspectives, Pivotals are shaping their values and communities by pushing past conventional definitions of beauty. For instance, two-thirds of young people say they're "interested in learning about ancient beauty and health practices from other countries." That's why Chinese fire facials, the goat milk detox that originated during biblical times near Jerusalem and Indian turmeric have caught on.
As research has shown, beauty influencers have officially become the single most effective way to connect with Pivotals. They see beauty as more than makeup products or application tutorials—it's a springboard to create new communities. After all, 81% of them say beauty isn't just about products, it's about cultural expression. For this trailblazing generation, it's their cultural movement, and we're living in it.
