It’s modern-day therapy—where getting ready becomes a shared experience of vulnerability, stories, and the beauty of girlhood
Get-ready-with-me (GRWM) videos have turned into a cultural moment. What started as a peek into women’s routines has turned into a backstage pass into her world—raw, unfiltered, and full of the delightful chaos of getting it together. They’re part beauty tutorial, part biopic, and full-on sisterhood in motion at its core. But vanity aside, why can’t we stop hitting play?
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What’s in Her Bag?
Half the fun of GRWM videos lies in the product lineup. Not only do we speak of the “new releases” influencers have been raving about, but the real, tested, and loved staples. Step by step, product by product, you’re taken through the exact motions of someone else’s routine. These videos are like beauty cheat sheets, helping fellow women dodge trial-and-error fatigue.
For younger viewers, they’re a trove of the essentials: how to layer skincare, where to draw your contour, and what tools make all the difference. At the end of the day, GRWM videos turn “What’s in her bag?” into “What should be in mine?”—a kind of collective wish list curated in real-time.
Yet, at the end of the day, it also becomes more about the trust than it is about the goods. When an influencer opens their drawer or takes you through their vanity, they’re not just sharing products; they’re letting you in. That honesty creates a bond, making every recommendation a little more personal, like advice from a sister.
Sisterhood in the Mirror
Beyond the pull of possessions, GRWM content taps into something primal about girlhood: getting ready together. Sharing a bathroom mirror with a sister, trading lip glosses with a friend, or drawing on each other’s eyeliners before a night out was never just about the makeup. It’s about connection, a quiet intimacy that only comes from shared moments of vulnerability and care.
Today, GRWM videos replicate that ritual, creating an intimate sense of community that transcends distance. It has come to the point where women queue these videos as they’re getting ready themselves, the screen propped up like a virtual mirror. It’s an unspoken reminder that the process of “getting it together” is universal—something made into a subtle yet powerful bond across screens.
It’s easy to get excited about the final look, but GRWM videos celebrate the in-between: the laughs, the trial-end-error, and the small triumphs of finally nailing the perfect wing. These are the moments that make getting ready feel less of a chore and more of a celebration of becoming.
Women Stay for the Stories
They also tap into a ritual as old as girlhood itself: storytelling. Akin to sharing laughs and secrets in the mirror, GRWM creators turn their routines into a space for real and raw narratives.
As a foundation is buffed into place, stories unfold—whether it’s heartbreak, plans for the day, or the collective dread of yet another work week. These videos reflect real lives, and more importantly, the real ways women process these experiences while putting their best face forward.
These stories are what make GRWM videos feel like home. After all, women are built from stories—our lives are a tapestry of experiences, big and small, layered with laughter, loss, growth, and everything in between. What else could’ve birthed trends like “this and yap” or “get ready with me while I…” if not for the compelling ways we share our lives?
At its heart, this is girlhood—stories that remind us that we’re not alone in the mess, the magic, and the mirror. We watch not just to learn or satisfy our curiosity, but to feel seen, heard, and, most importantly, not alone.
Featured Image: MEGA ARCHIVES
