Feeling out of the loop with Labubu Dolls, Matcha, and Glowing Turmeric? You’re not alone! This funny take decodes the latest viral trends captivating Gen Z and beyond, offering a midlifer’s perspective on what’s hot in ‘Viral Town’ and ‘Trend City’ this June.
If you as a midlifer have heard or seen any one of the following – you are very in with it!
- Labubu Dolls
- Matcha
- Glowing Turmeric ( also known as Magic Splash)
Sounds like Greek? Worry not – you are not alone- Read on and I will try to shed some light and decode these matters for you!
Labubu Dolls
These dolls were first introduced a decade ago with Monsters figurines but have only gained recognition in 2019. They have since then gone viral , exploded and hit the roof in 2025! There are now over 300 different designs- all of various heights. Prices are skyrocketing from $15 for a 3 inch figurine upto $960 and in June the most gasping and incredulous $170,000 at an auction!
You know of the evil face we hang outside a home or construction site ?- well these dolls are a slightly toned down version of that. They do have a menacing air about them.
A K- Pop group member was captured flaunting a Labubu keychain and therein began the trend to own these dolls.
The demand for these creatures has caused website crashes and concern about them affecting mental health due to their evil visage.
If you are on Instagram and seen one reel – the algorithm will ensure you receive so many more!
I actually forged a friendship over these with a young friend!
I have seen a car decorated with labubus and one dressed for a Tamil wedding!
The house of Balmain has created a Labubu couture collection. Coca Cola has created mini bottle accessories and Uniqlo has launched official Labubu merchandise!
Rihanna, Dua Lipa & David Beckham collect them!
Every brand wants a piece of the Labubu pie!
Kasing Lung, the original artist has become a celebrity in the Art world. One of his paintings sold for a whopping $330,000!
The mega Sports event – Wimbledon too was graced by the presence of the lab u us! On a starlet’s handbag .. no talk of her without the labubu!!
On Tik Tok unboxing videos are getting views by the million.
I think very soon these dolls are going to be peddled at traffic signals at throwaway prices and at the famous Sarojini Nagar market – I can hear the street vendors calling out “ Paanch ka pachees ( 5 for 25!) Labubu le lo!
Matcha Tea
All things green seem to be coming to the forefront ! Remember the kunafa craze which led to a pistachio shortage worldwide. Wel looks like matcha tea is headed down the same road.
Matcha Tea is a green drink which is made from a powder. It originated in Japan And is not brewed like your traditional teas. It also has a special little whisk to blend it in and I recently saw exclusive ceramic stands for these whisks.It even has its own emoji 🍵!
Personally I find it quite tasteless and can not fathom what all the hullabaloo is all about!
All coffee chains have now included it on their menu because it seems to be all of what Gen Z orders!It’s hot, it’s cold and has fruit and froth and many other things added to it.
It has also been added to desserts and there is a wide array of cookies and cakes featuring matcha.
There is even a matcha KitKat!
The popularity of matcha soared during the pandemic because of its health benefits. Then Social media took over – it is now the IT drink to be seen with and to be featured on your posts.
Now there are even cloud matchas and a vegan version of the same drink.
While researching this article – I came across a banana bread latte .. So looks like matcha may just be taken over and it aint the weirdest viral drink yet!
Matcha dates back to the 16th century and social media has brought it to the forefront.
It is visualized as a super food and its bright green colour sure makes for some arresting reels.
Now if I have tempted you to try it head on over to your local supermarket or coffee shop – they are sure to have some version of it!
Trust the online world to make fun of this trend – do check out the my kind of matcha visual and the therapy visual.
Glowing Turmeric
Bad enough they trend our grandma’s home remedy of Haldi doodh ( turmeric milk) into a turmeric latte. Now some creators suddenly found this ingenious trick wherein haldi glows when you shine a torch below it. I can certainly think of many more appropriate uses for the turmeric, flashlight and water!
But I am here to unravel thai trend for you so here goes. Again enter social media , a glass of haldi pani, a phone torch and we capture reactions to it, create reels and tik toks! It is also being referred to as a magical splash!
Quite frankly there is nothing magical and it’s the light and the golden hue of the spice powder that creates this effect.
With reels touching crazy millions of views this trend seems to be wasting precious haldi and I truly doubt if anyone has learnt anything scientific from it. The jokes on this trend are funnier and I would love to see more of that.
So here is what June looks like in Viral town and Trend city !? Do message us and let us know if you would like this to be a regular feature.
- All images sourced by the author from Instagram or Google images
Upasana Mahtani is a mid- lifer who loves to read and write. She has been promising to write a book – for a while. In the meantime she reads them and reviews them at https://www.instagram.com/thebookreporter/
