Yes, the filters are unrealistic, but big names such as Glossier, Huda Beauty and Milk Make-up were born out of social media, in response to prolific influencers. Forget market research, it’s now all about ‘social listening’. “Beauty is no longer limited to bricks and mortar stores and the traditional beauty counter,” confirms Clare Varga, head of beauty for WGSN. “While consumers may do their product testing there, they’re more likely to purchase online. Shoppable platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have been a game-changer.”