Can a Gen X “Influence” in a Gen Z world?

It’s a typical Thursday morning, and I’m cleaning up the last piece of dog poo since ten minutes ago. Yes, that’s right, when you have a grumble ( 3 pugs or more), picking up poop has become neverending, like my joint pain. I’m thinking of new ways to enter the workforce, particularly in the world of a social media influencer as a semi-centenarian. ( gulp)!

Ahh, the joys of a new year and a new reminder that the clock is ticking. Now listen, I’m not complaining; I’m just trying to feel and look good as the sun enters my 54th birthday this summer. (Shout out to my fellow Leos.)

As a seasoned makeup artist and licensed cosmetician, I have always been ahead of the beauty game and made a nice living back in the day. Still, I’m trying to find a new space in this burgeoning billion-dollar industry and a following to graciously like, comment, and follow my Social media. How does a 53-year-old stay relevant in a youth-obsessed TikTok culture? Are you feeling me, Gen Xers?

This influencer, digital creator, and marketing skincare on little mini reels isn’t easy. We didn’t grow up with social media to show us how to dermaplane, whiten our teeth with bananas, or how to highlight and contour the shit out of our faces with oil paints and coffee grinds. We had magazines. For kids under 30, magazines are glossy-looking books that come out weekly or monthly with photographs and stories of special interests.

Our bedroom walls were the closest thing to a social media page. Our walls were covered with hundreds of ripped pages and ads from Harpers Bazaar, Elle, and Interview Magazine. All the original supermodels looking like a million bucks, cigarettes dangling from their glossed mouths, newly manicured hands painted in CHANEL vamp polish, sexually suggestive GUESS ads shot by the fabulous Ellen von Unwerth, and Marky Mark and Kate Moss selling Calvins casually dry humping in their tighty whities.

Nothing pleased me more than my monthly subscriptions crowding the mailbox, going to the newsstands and bookstores, and schlepping a 20 lb Vouge September issue under my arm. Racing home to eagerly read all about the latest skincare, makeup looks, pop culture, Allures” best of the best issue, and so much more, But that’s in the past, long gone like my full head of hair.

Now we must find a way to stay engaged and tech-savvy while holding out our Smartphones as far out as across the street so we can see the damn thing to press “Follow.” Who’s with me? insta@cheekybeautyla