TikTok has been a fixture in the beauty world for some time now. With an endless stream of inspiration and recommendations, it's impossible not to see trends come and go at lightning speed—but one that has withstood the test of time is “clean girl aesthetic.”
The “no-makeup makeup” look—the trend of wearing just enough makeup to highlight your best features but not so much that you're overdoing it (or spending hours getting ready in the morning)—has taken over Instagram. So we decided to dissect this popular beauty style and show you how easy creating this type of look for yourself can be!
Although we like to approach beauty from a place of inclusion around here, this trend does come with quite a few faults. But if you want to achieve the clean girl aesthetic, all of the details are below.
What is the clean girl look?
The clean girl aesthetic is an extension of the no-makeup makeup look that has been popular in recent years. This trend focuses on dewy, glowing skin and natural brows over smoky eyes and sharp contours—think tinted moisturizers instead of bold foundations
A slicked-back hairstyle, gold jewelry, and a large claw clip are the perfect finishing touches.
When I first heard of this trend, I thought it meant replicating the dewy glow and boost in radiance that everyone gets after stepping out of a long, steamy shower. No one really knows the meaning or intent behind the phrase, but you can define it in any way that suits you.
Lizah Beauty (xolizahbeauty), a TikTok content creator, posted the first viral “clean makeup” video—but she didn't invent the term. In it, she says: “You know those girls who always look clean?Their skin is always radiant, their lips are often glossy, and they never seem to wear too much makeup? Several months later, the clean girl aesthetic reached its peak with more than 11 million views.
Why is it called “clean”?
The movement has drawn criticism, and rightly so. The phrase “clean girl” can feel exclusionary—as if there is a “dirty” counterpart to it: If you prefer heavier coverage or a full face beat then you are somehow less clean than those who opt for lighter makeup looks.
The fact that the promotional videos feature users with naturally clear, hydrated skin—they may only be using a thin layer of tinted moisturizer because they don't typically have breakouts or hyperpigmentation to cover up. There’s nothing wrong with having a few rough spots on your face or being a little red in the cheeks. It doesn't mean you're dirty—it just means that you have skin like everyone else!
TIn addition to being concerned about an unrealistic standard of beauty, many critics have also pointed out that most so-called “clean girl” videos are made by thin, white women—which implies that only they can truly appreciate this new trend.
This couldn't be more false, especially because Latina women have been wearing gold hoops and slicked-back hair for ages without nearly the same commercial recognition. “We've been doing our hair like this all the time,” user Lupita (@guada.lupita) says in a TikTok video about her own style—a look popular with other Latinas as well
Ironic, isn't it? The people who labeled us ‘dirty' when we didn’t have our hair in neat little styles now call the same hairstyles “clean.” In response to the popularity of these standards, Latina women have taken ownership of them and created their own popular hashtag: #latinagirlaesthetic. Meanwhile, other counter-movements—led by those who rightfully refuse to adhere to these impossible prerequisites—have emerged as well.
For example, the hashtag #cleanmakeupforblackgirls has been viewed over 1 million times, and many videos depict what “clean girl look” looks like for those with acne-prone skin. The bottom line? Anyone can rock the clean girl aesthetic, regardless of skin tone, body type or budget—and it's important to give credit where credit is due.
How to get the look.
We will focus on makeup here they jump into the full look which includes a slicked-back hairstyle and some chic accessories (gold hoops, baseball cap).
1. Strategically place concealer.
Use your favorite concealer or foundation to strategically cover up areas that need a little extra help looking their best, like the inner corners of your eyes and nose, chin, forehead and right beneath your brow bone. Using a damp beauty sponge, apply the product to any blemishes that you would like to cover up and blend it upward toward your hairline—this technique will lift your face while avoiding the need for heavy contouring.
2. Groom your brows.
Brush your brows up and apart with a clear or tinted gel, making sure to comb the tails diagonally for more lift. If you have thicker, coarser, curlier hairs that tend not stay in place—try something like waxing (for stronger hold).
3. Set concealer with powder.
To help keep your concealer in place and prevent it from sinking into fine lines, gently dab setting powder onto areas where you want to highlight: under the eyes, around the nose or on laugh lines. It's best to dip a makeup brush (like a beauty blender) into some of the powder so that you don't overload those tiny pours with product!
4. Curl and coat lashes.
Lash-curling is a great way to open up the eyes, making them appear bright and wide even without any mascara. Just swipe on some clear mascara beforehand if you want extra hold!
Then choose a mascara that won't give you raccoon eyes and will stay on despite your tears. A tapered, cone-shaped wand can help you reach those stubborn outer lash corners without globbing product onto them.
5. Use cream or liquid blush.
Creamy blushes are perfect for getting the most oomph out of your blush. Melt it onto your cheeks and blend upward to get a lift, like you were sculpting an angel's cheekbones!
I like to use Exa Color Corrector in Red-Orange as a liquid blush to achieve the trendy ‘sunburn' look.
“I sweep a few dots onto my cheekbones and nose, then blend in by patting with my fingertips.”
6. Follow with a creamy highlighter.
Next, grab a creamy highlighter and dab onto the tops of your cheeks and/or along the bridge of your nose. If you want to keep this look very minimal, skip using shimmer—you'll instantly shine like an angel!
7. Line your lips and finish with a gloss.
With your ring finger, smudge the liner inward and upward to create a diffused look. It's like you've just been kissed! Finally, top off the look with a tinted lip gloss. Make sure it's free of glitter! Your lips will look fuller and more luscious.
Best Products to Achieve this Look
Bright and Blur With The Concealer Of The Future
Hydrabeam is a face-filtering concealer that enhances skin and brightens your complexion. It's packed with powerhouse ingredients like Squalane, Glycerin, Cucumber extract and Tomato—all clinically tested to hydrate while covering blemishes just enough! It's a lightweight gel formula that blurs, brightens, and leaves skin looking luminous.
Expressionist Brow Gel
This Product Is: a conditioning eyebrow gel that thickens, tames, and fills in your eyebrows for a naturally fuller-looking finish
Good For: all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal
Why We Love It: Expressionist Brow Gel instantly thickens, tames, and fills in your eyebrows for a fuller-looking finish. It features a micro-precision brush, designed to help you effortlessly tame and groom your brows. The creamy wax-based formula is infused with plant-powered ingredients to condition brow hairs, hold them in place.
Vital Pressed Skincare Powder
This product is: a supercharged skincare actives micro-milled into setting powder form.
Good for: all Skin Types
Product Description: Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Powder is a micro-milled powder that does more than just set. Ultra-sheer and feathery-light, this powder instantly smooths pores, evens tone, sweeps away shine. A Skin Defense Shield Complex™ made with vitamin C and probiotics shields from free radicals while protecting from blue light. Over time, pressed-in actives help to control sebum and refine skin texture. Works like makeup, acts like skincare, for the ultimate ‘how-is-my-skin-this-good’ effect. Clean, Talc-Free, Silicone-free.
Eyes That TOK – Lash Enhancing Mascara
This Product Is: a lash enhancing mascara with a silicone wand
Good For: all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal
Why We Love It: TOK Beauty Eyes That TOK Lash Enhancing Mascara gives your lashes volume and length while helping to condition and strengthen your natural lashes. This plant-based formula is made with horsetail plant which works to strengthen lashes, pea protein which is known to help prevent breakage, and bayberry wax which gives it a water-resistant hold. This everyday mascara has a silicone wand that combs through every lash, leaving them looking long and full.
RMS Lip2Cheek
This Product Is: a multi-tasking, hydrating and blendable cream color for lips and cheeks
Good for: all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal
Why We Love It: RMS Lip2cheek is a unique formula that hydrates while providing buildable color to enhance both lips and cheeks. Formulated with buriti oil, shea butter and cocoa butter, this hydrating balm nourishes while adding a hint of sheer color. The colors have concentrated pigment so a little goes a long way to create a light tint or more intensely colored look.
High Fidelity Balancing Color Corrector
This Product Is: an easy-to-blend tint that evens every skin tone, brightens under-eye circles, plus neutralizes dark spots and hyperpigmentation on all complexions.
Good For: all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal
Why We Love It: Exa High Fidelity Balancing Color Correctors are formulated to undetectably even and refine without overloading your skin. Marshmallow root, rice bran, and licorice enhance brightness, while potent amino acids and antioxidants protect and hydrate. To strike a better balance, Kaolin absorbs excess oil without causing dryness — so these color correctors won't crack, crease, or stand out under foundation.
Maya Chia The Highlight of the Day
This Product Is: a highlighter for checks, face, and decolletage
Good For: all skin types including sensitive skin and blemish-prone skin
Why We Love It: Maya Chia The Highlight of the Day uses the highest quality natural, organic and wild crafted ingredients from conscious growers from around the world. This clean highlighter will leave your skin glowing and radiant.
Hotliner
Sculpted. Plumped. Hot.
Clean, comfy, smooth retractable lip liner powered by Hyaluronic Acid glides on to softly contour and amplify lips without drying.
ShineOn Lip Jelly
This Product Is: a non-sticky lipgloss with the comfort of a balm
Good For: all skin and lip types, especially sensitive, dry and chapped lips
Why We Love It: Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly is a moisturizing lip gloss and treatment for dry and dehydrated lips. This clean gloss contains a unique combination of 5 natural oils to protect and sooth lips.
Our takeaway.
Essentially, the clean girl aesthetic is just another name for a simple makeup look. It's by no means “new,” but thanks to TikTok and other social media platforms—we've seen it capture the attention of millions of users within recent months.
The look may still be around in the coming years, but it's not “trendy” or ephemeral; instead, its staying power is rooted in classic style.
