Want to know the ins and outs of the 'Clean Girl Aesthetic'—the beauty phenomenon currently sweeping TikTok? Here's your full guide to the trend, from all the viral items to buy to an explainer of the viral aesthetic itself.
TikTok is our go-to for all things beauty hacks and trends but lately, a number of supposed 'aesthetics' have been taking over our For You pages, from the Matilda Djerf-esque scandi-girl vibe to the Balletcore and vanilla-girl aesthetic—but none more so than that of the clean-girl.
While you might think to achieve this trend you need to immediately hop into the shower, it’s actually much more complex. It encompasses everything from minimal no-makeup-makeup to your home decor. Hailey Bieber's 'glazed donut' nails have even seemingly become the unofficial clean girl manicure.
Videos bearing the hashtag ‘clean girl’ have now gnarred millions of likes and views and right now everyone seems completely enamored with the look and lifestyle. There's even a whole list of must-have products that will supposedly help you embody the vibe, including the viral Maison Margiela Bubble Bath fragrance, which is on sale at Sephora and pretty much everything from Glossier—especially the cult favorite Balm Dot Coms.
So, what are the clean-girl staples and what exactly does this trend, in general, entail?
@_annettelam ♬ big girls dont cry slowed - xxtristanxo
What is the 'clean girl aesthetic'?
To really sum up this trend, just think of that girl (everyone knows at least one) whose skin looks super fresh, never has a hair out of place, she exclusively drinks matcha and chai lattes and seems like she has her life totally together.
It has many facets, including morning routines, clothes and even dreamy perfumes—especially when it comes to soft, floral perfumes. As far as we can tell, the aesthetic was inspired by the likes of Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber, who definitely seem to embody all the elements. If you're looking for a real example of the vibe, just peruse Hailey's skincare routine—that's a clean-girl regime if ever we saw one.
Where to shop the 'clean girl' staples
While we'll break down the many intricacies of this aesthetic, from the makeup to the style, we know many of you will likely want a fast-track to the fun part—the products!
Here's where to shop all the clean-girl-approved products making the rounds on TikTok...
- Makeup: shop Clean Girl essential brands like Charlotte Tilbury and Drunk Elephant at Sephora
- Fragrance: Find scents like Chanel and Maison Margiela at Selfridges, go to perfumes for an aspiring clean girl
- Skincare: For uber-glowing skin, shop Elemis, The Ordinary and Caudalie at Look Fantastic
- Hair: Shop Quai and Olaplex at Amazon for some great savings on your way to soft, luscious locks
- Body: Treat yourself to Summer Friday lotions and shimmery body oils at Space NK
- Clothes: Peruse Zara's collection of minimal tee's, cream knits and stylish loungewear
How to smell like a 'clean girl'
Yep, how you smell is also a vital step to embodying your inner 'clean girl' As we know, the trend is all about fresh, effortless and natural—which also translates to your scent.
You don't necessarily want people to smell you when you walk into a room (so stay about from perfumes with heavy notes of musk) but you do want to leave an impression when you flick your hair or pass someone by—the sort of smell that leaves them thinking "wow, they smell so...clean."
There are two standout scents that we've spotted throughout our 'clean-girl' research, the first being Replica's Bubble Bath Eau De Toilette.
- View at Sephora in the US
- View at Look Fantastic in the UK |
was £102now £92 (save £10)
Maison Margiela recommends a few ways to apply your Replica fragrances: (and they apply to all perfumes) If you want your scent to stay all day, spray some after showering or bathing and before you get dressed, as damp skin locks in scent. Or apply it onto your pulse points (located on your wrists and neck) for a more seductive effect.
How to do ‘clean girl’ makeup
@aliciabreuer0 ♬ original sound - xolizahbeauty
Before we totally overwhelm you, let's break it down and start with the beauty. The clean girl look is very minimal, it involves glowy makeup and a killer skincare routine.
It’s all about having a dewy minimal skin base, a sunkissed blush look, glassy-looking lips and feathered eyebrows.
@mollerina_ ♬ spice girls x doja cat x adam wright - Adam Wright
@yhkayla ♬ original sound - 3
The key products that seem to appear over and over again in the makeup tutorials include the likes of the viral Dior lip oil, Rare Beauty blush and the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter—though TikTokers have now dubbed the e.l.f halo glow as the ultimate Flawless Filter dupe.
How to do ‘clean girl’ hair
The go-to hair look for said ‘clean girls’ appears to be very similar to the Bella Hadid bun—which is basically a slicked-back bun, with no hair left out of place.
Or an updo involving a pretty claw clip, with your curtain bangs perfectly quaffed, or some deliberate tendrils left loose to frame your face.
The ‘clean girl aesthetic’ lifestyle
The ‘clean girl’ lifestyle is very similar to the ‘That girl’ trend—the individuals who embody this trend do morning workouts, hair masks religiously and have pretty coffee table books that are never out of place.
The morning routine TikToks involve waking up early and doing a yoga sesh, before pouring yourself a foamy matcha, having a slow shower and then adorning yourself with your faves from your capsule wardrobe and covering yourself in gold jewelry. Before you then complete your ‘clean girl makeup routine.’
@bellaprocida ♬ original sound - coleman
While we’re convinced that a lot of us might struggle to achieve this every day, there are definitely some takeaways that anyone who loves the aesthetic can incorporate into their lives. From trying a more minimal makeup routine to doing a pretty slick bun and maybe—if you’re feeling extra—getting up at 7am on a Saturday.
-
I am blush *obsessed* and this easy multi-use pick always gets me complimentsAs a self-proclaimed blush connoisseur, I swear by ILIA's cheek and lip stick and hopefully, when my work is done, you will too.
-
Emma Chamberlain just debuted the ultimate sexy chic updo—and the wispy look is perfect for fallIf you've been looking for a new, signature hair look for fall, Emma Chamberlain may have just come *through* for you...
-
I am blush *obsessed* and this easy multi-use pick always gets me compliments
As a self-proclaimed blush connoisseur, I swear by ILIA's cheek and lip stick and hopefully, when my work is done, you will too.
-
What our beauty-obsessed editors are buying during the Ulta Fall HaulThe Ulta Fall Haul beauty sale gets you up to 40% off makeup, skincare, hair tools and more—but not for long! Here's what we're adding to our carts ASAP
-
Sex Education's Mimi Keene uses these 3 beauty heroes to achieve her everyday glowy makeup lookThe Queen B of Moordale High has let slip her go-to makeup products for super glowy skin...
-
Hailey Bieber swears by this $5 lip liner for her cool-girl pout—and it's *actually* in stockLooking for a new signature lip look? Why not take cues from Hailey Bieber herself, with the help of her go-to $5 lip liner...
-
This understated makeup look gives major Quiet Luxury vibes—and everyone's wearing it this seasonThis M.A.C-approved look is the 'Quiet Luxury' elevation to natural makeup—here's how to rock it...
-
These lip masks work and feel *a lot* like the cult Laneige staple—but for more than $10 lessWant the intense hydration of the cult lip treatment without the $24 price tag? These Laneige lip mask dupes are *IT*
-
These Dior lip oil dupes deliver a *very* similar glass-like sheen, minus the designer price tagIt's chapped lip season, so we're nabbing these budget-friendly and super nourishing Dior lip oil dupes...
-
Missing Glossier's discontinued Cherry Balm Dot Com? These delish alternatives will fill the voidGlossier's Cherry Balm Dot Com might be gone but these equally berry-tinted balms will make sure it's never forgotten
