Since 2016, beauty trends have come a long way since the full glam makeup look was at its prime around the world. Now, in 2023 we have moved in a different direction, where the clean girl aesthetic is one of the most trendy. Although beauty trends tend to be short lived and switch every few months, the clean girl aesthetic has remained a popular trend since 2021. The aesthetic is embodied by media stars such as Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and the Hadid sisters.
But what is the clean girl aesthetic and why is it so popular?
The clean girl aesthetic is a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle trend that focuses on looking both elegant and classy, but keeping it minimal and effortless. People who enact this aesthetic in their lives focus on becoming the best version of themselves by doing things such as keeping a healthy lifestyle, eating balanced meals, and staying in shape through some form of workout, most notably Pilates. In regards to enacting the aesthetic through your choice of makeup, clean girls tend to wear a little amount of makeup in order to keep their look natural. Furthermore, regarding their fashion, their clothes are mostly simple but put together. Jeans and leggings are a clean girl staple.
How does one achieve the look?
Achieving the look is not very hard and can be achieved by anyone. Your hair plays a prominent part in attaining the aesthetic. Clean girls slick back their hair with either hair gel or mousse into a low ponytail, simple bun, or use a claw clip to put it up. Products to help achieve this would be the Vo5 mousse or Eco style gel. The makeup and skincare routine is also an important part in being a clean girl. For the base, the skin is prepped with a moisturizer, the CeraVe moisturizer works great, or another great option is using a skin tint. For example, the Fenty Beauty, The Rare beauty, and the ILILA skin tints all give amazing results. A popular combination is the drunk elephant moisturizer mixed with the drunk elephant bronzing drops, which gives a glowy look. Next would be concealer, which is applied under the eyes, forehead, nose, and any spots on your face. Concealer should only be used lightly and blended upwards to achieve a naturally lifted face. The Kosas concealer or the Maybelline instant anti-age eraser concealer are highly recommended. Next are the eyebrows, known as soap brows. You will need brow soap and a disposable mascara brush. West Barn Co and Anastasia Beverly Hills sell a good brow soap. Your brows should be brushed upwards and diagonally to give a naturally lifted look, while the tail should also be lifted. Then blush, blush sticks, liquid blush, or cream blush are preferred over a powder blush, because they give more of a natural look. For blush, Rare beauty has great liquid and cream blush, while Milk and Pixi have great blush sticks. Lastly, the lashes are curled and mascara and lip gloss are applied. To make sure the makeup stays on throughout the day use a setting spray, the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless setting spray is loved by many and stays on throughout the whole day. For their outfits there is not much to be said, they keep it simple and put together. High-waisted, wide-legged jeans or a skirt, along with a simple t-shirt, long-sleeve, or sweater. A Blazer can be added or any kind of oversized jacket, as well as sunglasses. Aritzia and Zara are common places to shop for clean girl aesthetic clothes. Clean girls are often seen with shoulder or tote bags. As for the jewelry, they wear very simple and small pieces such as small gold hoop earrings or layer golden necklaces.
The clean girl aesthetic works great for many people, like busy mothers or students, due to the fact that it does not take very long to get ready and follows a realistic and healthy lifestyle that is achievable. The outfits can be styled up and down and always look put together. Overall I find this aesthetic very refreshing and nice, because it finds a way to be healthy, put together with not all too much effort.