Social media dominates our pop culture. Influencers from every corner of the internet churn out an endless stream of content, yet a few create to tell meaningful stories. One of them is Ashtin Earle—proof that being yourself, on and off socials, is the secret sauce to life.

Having just turned twenty-two, Ashtin navigates the complex nuances of early adulthood through her own style of self-expression, continually redefining what it means to be authentic in the public eye.

Scroll her Instagram and it’s easy to make snap judgments—we all do it, no matter how much we claim we don’t. At first glance, you might peg Ashtin as another stylish, effortlessly cool twenty-something living her best life. Spend five minutes talking to her and you’ll find something else entirely bubbling beneath the surface. Ashtin isn’t just building an online presence; she’s building a life—one that embraces realness, vulnerability, and a healthy dose of self‑deprecating humor.

For most of her life, Ashtin has had social media—and a front-row seat to the creator world through her sister, Alix. Watching Alix take a leap of faith into content creation planted a seed of curiosity. Over the years, Alix built a name for herself; we’ve tuned into her podcast, Hot Mess with Alix Earle, one too many times and watched her apply makeup while sharing clever, approachable tips. Ashtin says their relationship is one of the anchors in her life. “I would have no idea what I was doing in this space if it weren’t for her,” Ashtin says gratefully. “I’m very lucky to have her by my side.”

Ashtin remembers the moment she finally pushed herself to go for it like it was yesterday. “but it wasn’t until about two years ago that I started taking content creation seriously.” Being immersed in that environment planted the idea, but she didn’t act on it immediately—until a chance encounter at Coachella changed everything. “I met another creator whom I had been following online for years, and they told me it’d be a big mistake not to go for it,” she recalls. “That really gave me the confidence boost I needed to at least try.”

As time passed, Ashtin’s content found that sweet spot between aspirational and attainable—fashion-forward, never intimidating. “Playing with certain styles and layering pieces together in a clever way absolutely helps me when it comes to exploring my personal style has always been my creative outlet,” she explains. That curious, playful approach comes through in every post. “I don’t actively think about achieving a specific balance between style and relatability,” she insists, “but it has become more apparent as I’ve gotten more comfortable posting.” Her mirror selfies and OOTD reels? Unapologetically true to her style and creative voice.

But Ashtin’s real superpower is simply being herself—a rare commodity in a digital landscape saturated with polished perfection. “it genuinely doesn’t work when I try to be anything other than me,” she admits. “You can clock it immediately. When I first started posting on TikTok, I tried really hard to speak and post like certain influencers because that’s what I thought I needed to do. I got lazy and just started posting more unfiltered/laid-back content, which allowed my actual personality to show through.” That so‑called “laziness” was, in truth, genius: letting her natural voice lead is exactly what resonates.

Of course, being real online has its challenges. Ashtin knows the darker side of social media all too well. “I used to read every single comment on my posts,” she shares. “I would spiral about what people were saying, and it caused a ton of anxiety for me.” These days, she’s more protective of her peace. “Whenever I feel like I’m starting to read comments or opinions, I put my phone away and focus on what’s happening in front of me in the present. If you just close the comment section or even take a break from your phone, the comments disappear!”

Juggling a growing online presence with the demands of university took discipline—and a calendar. “I love to schedule my days by the hour,” she reveals. “I usually find I get most of my work done early in the morning.” That structure started at Tulane University, a testament to her drive and focus. “Before I graduated, school was my priority, and content creation came second. Now that I’ve graduated, pursuing content creation is my full-time job, and I take it seriously, just as I did with my education.”

Her psychology studies sharpened more than just her note‑taking skills. “Studying psychology has definitely given me a greater sense of empathy for people,” she reflects. “I feel like I can understand why people do the things they do or why they act/react in certain ways.”

Beyond the perfectly framed squares, there have been real-life plot twists. “Going through my first big breakup during my sophomore year of college was a really pivotal moment in my life,” she shares. “I used to be very dependent, shy, and insecure but through this breakup, I learned so many lessons in independence and self-sufficiency.”

And then there’s her work with Tulane’s service dog program—a wholesome reminder that there’s more to life than likes. “I joined my freshman year when I was looking for service opportunities on campus,” she explains. “When I heard about the organization and that they were looking for puppy-sitters, I knew I wanted to get involved since I love dogs.”

So, what’s next for Ashtin? “I’m a very go with the flow type of person,” she says. “I try not to plan too much, but instead make the most of all the opportunities in front of me.” And that’s the beauty of it. With her, you know it’s always going to be real, relatable, and a whole lot of fun to watch—life lived in the moment. And over here at ELETOM, we love to see imperfections and quality in those who influence us, reminding us to stay human and real.

PRODUCTION CREDITS: TALENT- ASHTIN EARLE | PHOTOGRAPHER – JANA SCHUESSLER | STYLING – BRITT MCCAMEY | ASSISTANTS TO THE STYLIST- OLIVIA REID & ELIZA FLYNN | MAKE UP – SANDY NICHA | HAIR – MARIA PELO | WRITTEN BY NATALIE STEGER | EDITED BY CYAN LEIGH DACASIN | COVER DESIGN – ALEXANDER SILKIN