A college holiday moment I’m excited for is the cozy, end-of-semester vibe right before break when campus is lit up with decorations, everyone’s exchanging small gifts, and my friends and I take a break from studying to do something fun together. I love those moments when we finally finish finals, put on holiday pajamas, make hot chocolate, and watch Christmas movies in the dorm. It’s a chance to slow down, celebrate each other, and feel that little bit of home even while we’re still on campus.

I find Instagram and TikTok the most effective platforms for beauty content. TikTok is amazing for quick, authentic videos. GRWMs, product tests, makeup transformations, and funny finals-week moments all perform really well there. The algorithm also pushes content to new audiences fast, which makes it easier for beauty videos to go viral. Instagram is great for more curated beauty content. Reels allow for short, engaging videos, while photos and carousels are perfect for showing detailed looks, product textures, and before-and-after shots. Stories also help me connect with my audience in a more personal way, whether I’m sharing mini tutorials, daily routines, or behind-the-scenes moments.Together, TikTok and Instagram help me reach people through both authentic, unfiltered content and polished, aesthetic posts which is exactly what works best for beauty.

I would capture authentic moments by showing my real finals week experience not the glamorized version. I’d film myself studying in the library at 2 a.m., running to office hours, or powering through a last-minute assignment while my makeup somehow still looks fresh. I’d also lean into the humor of finals week: recording myself after crying over an exam or stressing over a deadline and pointing out how my mascara didn’t budge.These raw, relatable clips — “cry-proof,” “sweat-proof,” “all-nighter-approved” makeup moments — are exactly what students connect with. By letting people see my actual finals chaos while the makeup still slays, I can showcase the product in a real, authentic, and engaging way.