Gen Z vision board: Elizabeth's favorite things
In this series, I share a list of things Gen Z is consuming and loving.
In today's rapidly evolving world, it's essential to stay attuned to the preferences and passions of the younger generation. I wanted to start doing a new feature where I talk to Gen Zers about all of the things they're loving right now, from innovative products to commonly used Gen Z slang to social media trends. I am FASCINATED by what the younger generations are consuming and loving.
Think: emotional support water bottles, regimen-heavy nightly skincare routines, double-layering mascara, giving Kendrick Lamar the respect he deserves, why cringy slang is cool slang, listening to musical artists in a more meaningful/hands on way, and hoodies, always a size up. Bigger is better.
By paying closer attention to the interests and non-apologetic, passionate inclinations of Gen Z, we can gain personable insights and foster a deeper understanding and empathy for the people, and world, around us. Let's embrace the opportunity to learn from the younger set and enrich our perspectives.
Now, in today’s edition, I talk to a good friend of mine. Her name is Elizabeth. She was born in 2007 (Writer’s Note: I was a sophomore in college 🤦). Her favorite subject in school is math. She loves to hang out with her friends, try new restaurants, read, cook and bake, ride horses, and go to the gym. When she “grows up” she wants to either be an athletic trainer or horse trainer. She doesn’t have big summer plans atm. 1
Also, [hate to break it to you millennials] they are all so much cooler than us.
Here’s what she’s loving right now…
Stanley: Not only dubbed my “emotional support water bottle,” but also the key to drinking enough water. I proudly have two, one travels with me from the gym, to work, to my room, and beyond, and one whose paint is chipping and that has been demoted to my barn water bottle.
Nike Jordan’s (especially my pink ones): My everyday go-to shoe. I love the mid rise, and even though they aren't the most popular, I can’t stop or help the addiction. I’m just gonna have to get them in every color.
BioIonic Curling Iron: I saw it on TikTok, bought it (with my own money might I add), and have never looked back. Supposedly it has a shit ton of technology in it, but my favorite feature is the ability to lock in your settings so I never have to deal with accidentally changing the settings or turning it off.
Better Than Sex Mascara: tbh2 (and this is probably tmi3) I cannot truly attest to if this mascara is in fact better than sex, but it is truly the best mascara I have tried. It is very volumizing, but to truly lock it in all day and add a little bit of length I also add Maybelline Sky High mascara on the ends of my lashes. The better than sex foreplay primer is amazing, and truly complements the original mascara. However, it is so good at keeping my mascara on I only really use it if I know I am going to be putting my lashes through the ringer that day, primarily due to my laziness to spend time taking my makeup off/doing my skin care at night.
La Roche Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream: This is my HOLY GRAIL. It is the only product I completely trust with my face no matter how mad the breakout.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: The reason I don’t have acne, and haven't since 8th grade. I think that is all that needs to be said.
Record Player: This goes hand in hand with my record collection, but it brings back the feeling of supporting artists you love and listening to music in a meaningful way. I also love how colorful and unique vinyls are getting.
Hoodies: My favorite one is always changing, but I live in them. I’m still searching for the best one, but I’m not sure my mom is still in support of my addiction because she is psychotic and thinks there is such a thing as ‘too many hoodies” smh4 🤷.
Some of my favorites (ALWAYS size up):
GNX by Kendrick Lamar: An absolute bop. I don’t really know how to describe it, but he collaborated with some of the best, the album is cohesive yet every song tells its own story. There is a reason Lamar won 5 Grammys off one song. He is truly a genius, and dare I say the Taylor Swift of Hip-Hop.
“Slay”: I absolutely overuse this word, especially because it is deemed cringy now, but it just rolls off the tongue. Editor’s Note: I’ve heard her say it in reaction to super normal bits of conversation. I think I told her that I “had” to stop at Starbucks before going somewhere and she responded with, “slay.” It caught me off guard and made me laugh.
Starbucks: It’s not just a café anymore, it’s a culture. I swear half the female population at my school goes to Starbucks before school everyday. It’s an automatic study spot and the topic of surface level conversations among those in a friend group who barely even know each other's name (it’s a whole step above talking about the weather).
Fourth Wing: This book has been flying off the shelves along with the rest of their series, but this book/series is the epitome of my taste in reading. The dragons are kinda weird, but if you don’t think about it that way and just focus on the hot men, epic world building, and great plot it’s perfect.
“To rot:” Meaning to lay in bed or on the couch (or really anywhere) and do nothing (be on your phone). This is one of my favorite activities, especially after a long or busy day before going to dinner or getting a sweet treat.
Anyone But You: A movie I constantly wish was back in theaters. Based on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” but delightfully better (and starring hot Glen Powell and even hotter Sydney Sweeney). After a impromptu date after meeting each other went wrong and led them to hate each other, Ben and Bea are forced together at a destination wedding in Australia. This is most definitely the best rom com of this decade.
“At the moment”
“To be honest”
“Too much information”
“Shaking my head'“