Though usually associated with Hailey Bieber and/or Bella Hadid the ‘clean girl aesthetic’ began with black women and other women of colour years before it became a viral TikTok trend. Back then this simple and effortless look was called tacky, dirty and a bunch of other derogatory terms simply because it was largely linked to black and Latina women. Today, the trend is the ‘in-look’. It is what many women are striving to achieve and is everywhere on social media. So what exactly is this ‘Clean Girl’aesthetic?
What Is The Clean Girl Aesthetic?
Picture that girl- She has clear, pretty dewy skin that has almost no makeup on it. Her hair is slicked back and packed in a ponytail. She looks ridiculously gorgeous but also like she put almost no effort into how she looks. She also always seems like she has her entire life together. Like nothing is even slightly out of place.
Clean Girl Makeup
This makeup is very minimal. It is the definition of simplicity and the main aim is to keep a dewy look. It genuinely doesn’t matter how much makeup you use, as long as it appears natural and glowy. If you’re trying to achieve this look it’s best you have a killer skincare routine. Use as much foundation as you wish but make sure the finished look is mainly natural. The best foundations that can help you achieve this look are hydrating foundations and/or BB creams. Apply light blush on the apples of your cheeks and bronzer on your cheekbones, jaws, hairline, temples, and the bridge of your nose. This helps with the whole dewy finish. Next, comb out your eyebrows and fill in whatever needs to be filled, curl your lashes with mascara or put in those natural-looking faux lashes and finish off with a nice glossy lip.
Clean Girl Hair
The Clean Girl Hair consists of a middle part that’s slicked to the back in a tight bun. Sometimes you could leave some strands out at the front. Do what you like and what you feel suits you best. To achieve this look you’ll need; strong hair ties, really strong hair gel, a hair brush and some spray gel. For women with curly hair, achieving that slick bun is a bit harder, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. We’ve been doing it long before this trend came along. All you need to do is find the right gel for your hair type, apply the right amount of pressure and you’re good to go.
Clean Girl Styling
Just like the Clean Girl makeup and hair, this is largely simplistic. All you need are jeans and either a crop top, body suit or tank top, whatever works best for you. Pair it with a jacket(if it suits the occasion and weather), some gold hoops(like the ones black women wore and were called tacky but now the world worships ), and a gold necklace.
Smell Like A Clean Girl
Just like everything else associated with the Clean Girl Aesthetic, you’re looking for a natural scent. Something floral or fruity. You don’t need a specific scent. Honestly, it’s your preference that matters here. What’s important is the subtlety of it. You’re not looking for a scent that draws attention to you the moment you step into a room. You’re looking for a scent that lingers when you walk past someone or flick your hair from one side to the other.
Clean Girl Aesthetic Lifestyle
The Clean Girl lifestyle is largely a ‘that’ girl lifestyle. The girls that get up at the crack of dawn, do a little yoga that leads to a more intense workout, or not. They follow this up with some coffee or tea, then a shower that they take their time with followed by Clean Girl clothes, jewellery, makeup and hair. This lifestyle is largely unsustainable for a lot of women out there but for those who love the aesthetic, they can take up one or two life hacks and incorporate them into their lives.