Eltoria on Confidence, Comparison and Redefining Beauty in the Digital Age

Beauty today is lived online. It’s shaped by feeds, filters, and fleeting trends that tell us how we should look, act and feel about ourselves. But beyond the polished images, there’s a growing conversation about what confidence really means in this digital world, and how self-image can survive the pressures of constant comparison.

In the first part of our four-part series with Eltoria, one of the UK’s most authentic voices in beauty and lifestyle, we delve into the realities of self-worth in the age of the scroll. From the hidden myths of confidence to dismantling unrealistic standards, Eltoria speaks openly about her own journey and the everyday practices that build something deeper than likes or filters: genuine, lasting confidence.

Beauty is no longer defined by magazines or catwalks — it’s filtered through our phones. How has that shift re-shaped the way people view themselves?

Massively! But I do think it’s improving. If you’d asked me this question five years ago, I would’ve said the pressure to get filler and Botox was enormous. As an influencer at the time, I felt it - I even got it myself - but luckily I didn’t go too far because it never really felt like me. Back then, huge celebrity names were pushing those beauty standards all over my Instagram feed, and it was hard not to feel the pressure. Now, I’m seeing a real shift. More natural, authentic content is being celebrated, and that’s helping people view their natural beauty as just as beautiful. And honestly, I’m loving it.

Confidence is a word that gets thrown around a lot. What, in your view, is the biggest myth about confidence today?

I think the biggest myth about confidence is that it’s something you can see on the outside. When we scroll through content, it’s so easy to think, ‘Wow, that person looks so confident.’ But the truth is, a lot of the time they might not feel confident at all. Confidence isn’t about appearances - it’s internal. Some of the most confident people I know are quietly confident, and you wouldn’t necessarily spot it right away.

If social media is the new mirror, how can people avoid letting it dictate their self-worth?

This is such a good question, because it’s so easy to let social media become a mirror. For me, the key has been remembering that what we see online is only a highlight reel, not the full picture. I think people can protect their self-worth by curating what they consume - following creators who make them feel good, not insecure - and by grounding themselves in real life. The likes and comments might give you a little boost in the moment, but real self-worth comes from how you feel about yourself offline, not how the internet reacts to you.

What are the quiet, everyday practices that build a stronger self-image — the kind that no filter can replicate?

Honestly? Reading. Whenever I read a self-help book, I don’t just skim it - I try to actually apply those ideas to my own life. Unlike scrolling past a caption with a pretty visual, reading gives me the space to slow down, reflect, and really visualize the words in my own head. It’s incredibly enlightening, and it builds a kind of inner strength and self-image that no filter ever could.

Do you believe beauty standards have broadened in recent years, or simply rebranded themselves?

I’d say they’ve definitely broadened. Compared to 30 years ago, there’s so much more access to different treatments, products, and ways of expressing yourself. Beauty isn’t just one rigid standard anymore - people are experimenting, finding what feels right for them, and that’s opened the door to a much wider definition of what beauty can look like.

What’s the single most damaging narrative you see online about beauty - and how can it be dismantled?

The single most damaging narrative online is the constant promotion of unrealistic standards. So much of what we see on social media is filtered, edited, or highly curated, yet it’s presented as if it’s everyday reality. That creates this pressure for people to measure themselves against something that doesn’t even exist in real life. To dismantle it, I think we need more honesty and transparency - whether that’s creators showing unedited content, brands working with a diverse range of people, or individuals reminding themselves that what they see online is only a fraction of the truth. The more we normalize real, unfiltered beauty, the more those unrealistic standards lose their grip.

If someone is caught in the cycle of comparison, what’s the first step to breaking free?

The first step is to remove your triggers. If certain accounts make you feel like you’re constantly comparing yourself, unfollow them. Then, replace that space with people or pages that genuinely inspire you, educate you, or simply make you feel good. It’s such a simple shift, but curating what you consume online can completely change how you feel about yourself and break that cycle of comparison.

Do you think the next generation will have a healthier relationship with beauty, or a more fragile one?

Honestly, I think it could go either way. On one hand, the next generation is growing up with even more exposure to beauty standards through social media, which can make that relationship more fragile. But at the same time, I’m seeing a lot more open conversations about self-acceptance, mental health, and embracing different forms of beauty. If that continues, I think they’ll have the tools to build a much healthier relationship with beauty than past generations ever had.

What emerges from Eltoria’s perspective is a refreshing shift: beauty isn’t something to be chased or perfected, it’s something to be owned. Her take strips away the noise of filters and expectations, leaving behind a reminder that confidence is an inside job — built quietly, practised daily, and felt far beyond the feed.

In a culture that thrives on comparison, her words land like a reset button. Beauty, after all, was never meant to be uniform. It was meant to be personal.