As the holiday season and potential for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) set in, a trend focused on boosting mood through intentional activities is gaining renewed attention. Building on a viral TikTok trend from last year, the “dopamine menu” categorizes activities by length and impact—appetizers, entrees, and sides—to help individuals proactively seek pleasure and motivation.
The Dopamine Menu Explained
The dopamine menu concept, which has generated over 19,000 posts on TikTok, suggests that intentionally incorporating activities that release dopamine—a neurotransmitter linked to reward and pleasure—can combat overstimulation and burnout. According to Reading University professor Ciara McCabe, dopamine is “involved in the reward response to pleasant experiences and pleasant stimuli.” The menu breaks down activities by time commitment: appetizers are five to ten minutes, entrees can be 45 minutes or longer, and sides are multitaskable practices. “Dessert” serves as a reward for completing challenging tasks.
Beauty Routines as Dopamine Boosters
The trend has seen a particular resonance within the beauty community, with makeup artists framing their routines as structured “menus.” Makeup artist Tae René suggests categorizing a routine as “skin prep as an appetizer, sculpting as the main course, cream blush as a side and extra lip gloss for dessert.”
Dee Carrion, makeup artist for Doechii, emphasizes the mood-boosting power of color and multi-use products, recommending shimmer eyeshadows, new lip glosses, and items like a MAC lip liner or Made By Mitchell Colour Case Cosmetic Paint Palette to minimize overstimulation.
Skincare and Sensory Experience
The benefits extend beyond makeup application. Celebrity makeup artist Wendi Tolkin San George incorporates skincare selection into her daily dopamine menu, and highlights the calming effect of the sensory experience. She notes that a full makeup routine can lead to feeling “brighter and happier,” and ultimately “uplifted and ready to greet the world.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “dopamine menu”?
A “dopamine menu” is a TikTok trend that categorizes mood-boosting activities into courses—appetizers, entrees, and sides—based on their length and impact, aiming to intentionally increase dopamine levels.
How can makeup be part of a dopamine menu?
Makeup artists suggest framing makeup routines as a series of courses, with skin prep as an appetizer, sculpting as the main course, and smaller steps like blush or lip gloss as sides or desserts.
What does Ciara McCabe say about dopamine?
Ciara McCabe, a neuroscience professor at Reading University, stated that dopamine is “involved in the reward response to pleasant experiences and pleasant stimuli.”
As individuals navigate the pressures of the holiday season, will the dopamine menu continue to offer a framework for prioritizing well-being through intentional, pleasurable activities?
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