From Oil Rigs to Butter Sticks: The Surreal TikTok Trends Taking Over Russian Girl Culture

Russian TikTok is currently serving up some of the most unexpected trends among young women—ranging from rugged career moves to eyebrow-raising diet fads. While some are heading to the Arctic for high-paying rotational jobs (and a better dating pool), others are ditching vegetables entirely and eating butter straight from the pack. Here’s a closer look at two viral obsessions taking over Russian girl culture.

“No Baristas, Only Men in Uniform” — The Rise of Rotational Romance

The rotational work method—once associated with rough conditions and remote drilling sites—is now trending on TikTok as a dream job setup for young Russian women. Instead of fighting for tech roles in the city, many are heading to far-flung regions like Novy Urengoy, Altai, and Khanty-Mansiysk. Why? The promise of high salaries (from 120,000 rubles/month, around $1,350 USD), no big-city distractions, and a better dating pool.

As the joke goes, there are “no SMM guys” in rotation—only serious, rugged men like engineers and dispatchers. Some TikTokers even claim they’ve found husbands this way, turning what began as a financial decision into a romantic lifestyle pivot.

“Butter Girls” and the Carnivore Craze

Meanwhile, in a completely different corner of TikTok, another trend is going viral—and it’s just as intense. Russian women are taking “clean eating” to the extreme by adopting the carnivore diet, cutting out all plant-based food and consuming mostly animal fats. The star of the show? Butter. Eaten straight out of the wrapper.

These self-proclaimed “butter girls” believe the diet improves skin, hair, and body shape. However, doctors are urging caution. Experts warn that exceeding 5–10 grams of butter per day could lead to serious health issues like weight gain, digestive problems, and heart disease.