‘Oooof_____aged badly’ is a reflection on the current phenomenon of social-mediated, skincare-brand weaponized ageism in the form of a 7-minute film. Narrated by a variety of AI voices representing individual users, a comment thread from one niche celebrity gossip account - showcasing how different women celebrities have aged - is re-performed. Skincare influencers, miraculous serums, anti-aging masks and filtered promises of perfect, youthful skin frame the visual backdrop to this online argument.

Navigating Instagram and TikTok as a user whose dataset pertains to the algorithmic bias of: female involves witnessing reels upon reels of beauty expectations coupled with product placement. The message is clear: to allow your skin to age as a woman is sacrilegious. The textual clash between these users - which took place over a 4-day period - displays industry-backed, manufactured insecurity as spectacle. The microscopic layer of Demodex folliculorum face mites, enveloping the manicured imagery of influenced sponsorship, speaks to the parasitic nature that’s embedded within this capitalistic amalgamation of internalized sexism and ageism.