Trend Taster: snackification edition
In this week’s edition of the Trend Taster, we round up the snackable trends, stats and insights from around the world, including:
What is "The Topanga" hair trend?
Mothers are actively trying to delay their daughters' first periods
32% of pet owners skip vet visits
Explainer: snackification
What are home cafés?
What is "The Topanga" hair trend?
The '90s are calling and Gen Z is answering. "The Topanga" hair trend is exploding on TikTok, channelling Danielle Fishel's voluminous, bouncy blowout from Boy Meets World. But this isn't just nostalgia marketing. It signals a bigger cultural shift away from minimalist "clean girl" aesthetics toward maximalist beauty that celebrates effort and texture. After years of slicked-back conformity, we're craving romanticism and individuality again.
Mothers are actively trying to delay their daughters' first periods
Mothers are actively trying to delay their daughters' first periods. Girls now start menstruating at 11.9 years on average, with 16% beginning before 11. That's a stark contrast to hunter-gatherer societies where periods started around 17. Early menarche increases breast cancer risk by 23% and correlates with anxiety, depression, and reproductive complications. These parents aren't fighting biology but creating environments free from hormone disruptors, processed foods, and excessive screen time.
32% of pet owners skip vet visits
New data reveals 32% of pet owners skipped vet visits in the past six months due to cost, yet only 25% have pet insurance. Dog owners prioritise nutrition over price, whilst cat owners do the opposite. Economic anxiety is reshaping how we love. Even our most cherished relationships become transactional when money gets tight.
Explainer: snackification
The trend of "snackification" is reshaping how we eat, moving away from traditional three-meal days to more frequent, smaller eating occasions. A 2024 International Food Information Council survey reveals 56% of people now replace meals with snacks, with 73% snacking daily. This shift is largely driven by the pursuit of convenience amidst busy lifestyles and the growing availability of healthier snack options.
What are home cafés?
Rising café prices aren’t stopping people from chasing that barista-made feeling. Instead, many are building café vibes at home, complete with smart frothers, curated ceramics and moody lighting. It’s not just about coffee. It’s about creating space for connection and ritual, on your own terms. Brands that meet people where they are (literally) can win big by designing for these domestic third spaces.
