How to Achieve the Clean Girl Aesthetic
Many trends sometimes very abruptly come and go; but now with the emergence of the TikTok app, the “clean girl aesthetic” has come to stay. The clean girl aesthetic is your “woke up flawless” minimalist look.
You might think all it takes to achieve this look is to hop in the shower, towel dry, and you’re set to go. Oh no! It’s a bit more complicated than that.
It encompasses much more, such as your makeup, glowing and dewy skin, fluffy brows, hairstyle, and bold gold jewelry. Your home decoration and lifestyle are not left out when achieving the clean girl aesthetic. In short, the clean girl aesthetic is a makeup look, fashion, and lifestyle inspiration.
The name is pretty elusive, as it gives this particular image, but you can define it however you please, and just about anyone can achieve this look if they want to. Even non-binary individuals are welcome to participate.
What is the Clean Girl Aesthetic?
It is a seemingly effortless look. It encompasses a slicked-back bun, natural fluffy feathered brows, light no-makeup makeup face, glowing and dewy skin, simple & classy fashion staples, and a perfect scent to match.
Just think of a girl with super fresh skin, slicked hair with well-laid edges, and glossy lips.
History of the Clean Girl Aesthetic
When the phrase “clean girl aesthetic” is seen or mentioned, the faces that pop up in mind are your typical light/white skin affluent girl, the likes of Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, and Bella Hadid. But this trend goes beyond appearances making the rounds on social media.
Although it may seem that this is just a new trend, it has been around way longer than it is presently being portrayed. Slicked-back hair and bold gold hoop earrings have been the everyday fashion among BIPOC women, primarily black and Latina women.
The only difference is that when the blacks and Latinas did it, they were considered “dirty” and” ghetto.” And now that a selected group of light-skinned women have claimed the look, it has become a trend on social media, especially TikTok.
It is not to say that the look is exclusively for BIPOC women, but most people still remember being bullied in high school for the same look a few white women are currently trending for.
Problematic Parts of the Clean Girl Aesthetic
As seemingly harmless as this trend may be, it may have created a problematic situation. Referring to a girl as “clean” directly translates to the fact that there must also be “dirty girls,” and whoever doesn’t fit into the definition of this “clean girl” automatically is dirty. It punishes those who don’t exactly suit the narrative.
This trend puts thin, white, affluent women in the forefront – whose videos portray naturally clear and hydrated skin and who don’t need anything to mask acne or hyperpigmentation and use a tinted moisturizer.
However, this is not true! This trend lacks diversity and representation, as it alienates BIPOC, fat women, and women with disabilities. It demonizes wearing a face full of makeup and having acne-prone skin, body hair, or even natural hair.
The trend promotes white privilege and the expectation of a perfect woman who is always working on herself and has a perfect life. It shows societal expectations of what the ideal woman is like or what she should be.
Also, the “girl” added to the phrase does not give room for inclusivity. This limits participation in this trend, especially the non-binary folks who may not feel welcome to participate.
Hashtags such as #CleanMakeupForBlackGirls, #CleanGirlLookForThoseWithAcneProneSkin, and #LatinaGirlAesthetic have emerged to support diversity and promote other communities on social media.
To curb the negative effects this clean girl trend might have on future generations, hashtags involving women of color and non-binary persons are now making the rounds on social media to make everyone feel more welcome.
How to Achieve the Clean Girl Aesthetic
This task goes way beyond facial appearances. The clean girl look ranges from a glowing face to your hairstyle, choice of clothes, perfumes, jewelry, and lifestyle choices. Even your home décor is not left out.
You can have textured skin or acne breakouts and still achieve the clean girl look. Concerns about your skin do not make you “less clean.” Anyone can achieve the clean girl aesthetic, no matter the color or texture of your skin, body type, or budget.
The Clean Girl Makeup
Simplicity is key when it comes to a clean girl look. There’s no need to add a bunch of colorful hues, just the basic and neutral tones would do. Prepping up for this look is easy and fuss-free. Your natural beauty will glow with just a few strokes from your make-up brushes. Check your make-up stash and follow our tips below.
Eyebrows
Fluffy, feathered eyebrows are essential to achieve this look because the eyebrows frame the face and give it a definite shape. With a tinted gel, brush your brows upward and diagonally for a better lift. A brow wax renders a stronger hold if you have curlier and thicker brows.
Concealer
Apply a lightweight or dewy concealer or foundation on the areas of your face you want to brighten or conceal. Specific areas may include the center of your chin, the corner of the mouth, the sides of your nose, the inner edges of your eyelids, underneath your brow bone, or even any breakout you want to hide.
Using a damp beauty sponge or blending brush, blend upwards. This technique will lift your face without applying contour and create a glass-like skin effect.
Setting face
Use your setting powder to set the look and keep your makeup in place. It is used especially on areas where your concealer or foundation might crease, like areas under your eyes, around your nose, and along laugh lines. Gently dab a considerable amount of setting powder into these areas.
The beauty blender is better pressed onto the skin than swiping it because the latter might cause your makeup to smudge.
Lashes
As makeup artists agree, curling the lashes opens the eye, making them appear brighter, even without putting on mascara. You can also choose to apply mascara on your lashes after curling them.
Choose a smudge and clump-free mascara. And, to get the stubborn outer lash corners, choose one with a cone-shaped end to reach it without a smudge.
Blush
A liquid blush or a creamy brush is perfect for this. Use it on top of your cheekbone and blend upwards for more lift. You can blend the blush with a beauty sponge, brush, or even your fingertips.
Highlight
Also, grab a creamy highlighter and press on to specific areas. That is, on top of your cheekbones and your nose bridge.
Lips
Line your lips with a soft-colored liner to achieve plumper, moisturized, and natural-looking lips. For a plumper pout, accentuate your Cupid’s bow area.
To create a blended look, smudge the liner inwards and upwards with a fingertip. Apply your tinted lip gloss to finish it off. You can also add sans glitter to your lips.
Experts have reviewed some recommended makeup products listed below.
- Saie Hydrabeam Concealer
- Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skin Care Powder
- Well People Expressionist Brown Gel
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
- Maya Chia the Highlight of the Day
- Kosas Hotliner
- Exa High Fidelity Balancing Color Corrector
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Complexion Booster
- TOWER28 Shine on Lip Jelly
- RMS Beauty Lip2cheek
- TOK Beauty Eyes That TOK Lash Enhancing Mascara
The Clean Girl Hair
The “clean girl” hair-do is quite an easy yet seemingly classy hairstyle. This hairstyle is a bun or a ponytail slicked to the back, with no hair out of place. You may deliberately let some front pieces free or an up-do with perfectly styled bangs to frame your face.
We’ve also seen girlies with curly hair achieve this look, so do what works best for you and your hair. You can also style your edges with an edge control or a hair wax to prevent your baby hair from falling out of place.
Some recommended hair products are as follows.
- Innhai No Fly Zone Pomade. Especially recommended for thick and curly hairs. It gives the ultimate hold and control.
- Andrew Fitzsimons Touch Soft Hold Hairspray. It has a lustrous scent and holds the hair down firmly. It is both luxurious and affordable.
- Goody Ouchless Elastic Hair Ties. Gives a pretty strong hold for your slicked-back bun or ponytail look.
The Clean Girl Scent
How you smell is very vital to achieving the clean girl aesthetic. Your scent is essential to this natural, fresh and effortless look. You would rather not walk into a room wearing heavy perfume scents, nor do you want questioning eyes in your direction when you walk past.
However, the exact scent depends on your personal preference. While some women like a floral scent, others want a warm and vanilla scent. Some smells that would wow people around you, from trusted recommendations:
- Chanel Chance Eau Tender Eau De Parfum comes in a 50ml bottle and costs about $90. A classic and elegant scent, smelling like fresh jasmine and vibrant orange.
- Prada Les Infusions Iris Eau de Parfum is exceptional and smells like citrus, mandarin, and cedar wood.
- Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath Eau de Toilette comes in a 30ml bottle and costs about $76.
- Rosie Jane Rosie Eau da Parfum.
The peculiarity of these scents is the irresistible blends of florals that will have you smelling good all day like you just got out of the shower. They also come in nice bottles, giving off the clean girl vibe.
The Clean Girl Lifestyle
The lifestyle encompasses morning routines that involve waking early, morning workouts, yoga sessions, having a hot cup of coffee or fruit shakes, and taking a long shower before looking through closet staples for appropriate clothing for the day.
The Clean Girl Styling
With simple closet staples, achieving the clean girl style is easy. Simple blue jeans and a white or black tank top, matching yoga sets, or biker shorts with an oversized t-shirt and Nike sneakers.
Add your gold jewelry, maybe some gold hoops and a matching necklace with a small bag, and you’re good to go!
The Clean Girl Home Décor
Your home can also reflect this clean girl aesthetic! Neutral tones, minimalistic, sleek, and functional home appliances or decorations are the theme for this look and can be easily accomplished.
Fashion Tips on How to Achieve the Clean Girl Look
Achieving the clean girl look is easy and can be done in a jiffy. While it may consume you some time in managing this look, it won’t cost you anything. Just go through your wardrobe and look for sets of outfits and accessories to complete this look. There’s no need to shell out your bucks by following these easy tips and tricks.
Balance sporty outfits with preppy outfits.
Consider luxe leisure outfits like a white ribbed tank top and cardigan on either Bermuda shorts or khaki pleated pants, or an oversized white shirt buttoned down with black biker shorts.
Simplicity can be sexy.
A simple and sexy silhouette, like a wrap or slip dress, is a good way to achieve the “clean girl” look for an outing. You can experiment with non-neutral colors by trying out uncomplicated patterns.
Don’t underestimate matching sets.
The “clean girl” outfit screams convenience and simplicity, which is what matching sets are about. From matching athleisure sets to matching sweatsuits and two-piece suits, styling matching sets is easy.
Oversized blazers are a must.
Whether you’re pulling off the clean girl aesthetic, these model-off-duty outfits are essential. You can also pull this off with something structured but oversized.
Bring along a nice pair of sunglasses.
You can easily achieve that cool-girl vibe with a versatile pair of sunglasses. And though the clean girl aesthetic doesn’t require many accessories, sunnies are essential.
The power of neutral colors.
Regarding color palettes for the “clean girl” outfits, neutrals like black, tan, brown, white, and so on are the way to go. Wild patterns and vibrant color palettes don’t fit the clean girl aesthetic.
Gold jewelry is a go!
When adding accessories, chunky gold hoops or a few layered chains can give your clean girl look an instant glow.
Finally, it’s essential to minimize embellishments and opt for straight-leg over tight fits.
Conclusion
The “clean girl aesthetic” is an often contended trend that has been around for decades among Black and Latina women. And now, some women have had enough and are beginning to bombard the “clean girl” tag.
Altogether, the beauty world needs to be where everyone feels welcome regardless of body type and skin color. Therefore, we should be more intentional about the trends we choose to jump in.
