The clean girl makeup trend has taken over social media feeds everywhere, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon.
This fresh-faced, dewy look celebrates natural beauty while adding just the right amount of glow and polish.
If you're tired of full-coverage foundation and heavy contouring, this effortless aesthetic might be exactly what you're looking for.
Let's break down everything you need to know about achieving this must-try look.
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What is clean girl makeup?
The clean girl makeup look is all about enhancing your natural features rather than masking them.
Think glowing, hydrated skin, fluffy brows, flushed cheeks, and glossy lips.
It's the makeup equivalent of "I woke up like this" – polished yet effortless, put-together but never overdone.
This aesthetic sits at the intersection of minimalism and radiance. While the name might suggest it's only for those blessed with perfect skin, that's absolutely not the case.
The clean girl makeup trend is actually about celebrating your natural beauty, whatever that looks like.
It's about strategically using makeup to enhance rather than cover, creating a fresh-faced glow that looks like you're naturally luminous.
The clean girl aesthetic makeup is part of a broader lifestyle trend that embraces slicked-back buns, gold hoops, and a generally polished appearance.
It's been popularized by celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and countless TikTok creators who've made the dewy, minimal look their signature.
Clean girl makeup products: The essentials for your toolkit
Creating the perfect clean girl makeup look doesn't require dozens of products.
In fact, it's quite the opposite – this aesthetic celebrates doing more with less. Here are the essential products you'll need to get started:
Skincare-first base products
- Hydrating primer: Creates the perfect canvas for that dewy finish
- Lightweight concealer: For targeted coverage rather than all-over foundation
- Liquid or cream blush: For that natural flush that looks like it's coming from within
- Cream bronzer: To add warmth and dimension without harsh lines
Feature enhancers
- Clear or tinted brow gel: For those fluffy, feathered brows
- Lengthening mascara: Nothing too dramatic – just enough to define the lashes
- Lip liner: In a shade close to your natural lip color
- Lip gloss or balm: For that juicy, hydrated finish
Glow boosters
- Liquid highlighter: For strategic placement where the light naturally hits
- Setting spray: To lock everything in while maintaining that dewy finish
Remember, the clean girl makeup look isn't about using tons of products.
Instead, focus on choosing multi-tasking items that enhance your natural features without looking heavy or cakey.
Clean girl makeup steps: A simple routine for that effortless glow
Achieving the clean girl look is all about technique and placement rather than piling on product.
Follow these simple steps to create your own version of this trending aesthetic:
1. Prep with skincare
Start with well-moisturized skin. Apply your favorite moisturizer and SPF, allowing them to fully absorb before moving on to makeup.
2. Prime for dewiness
Apply a hydrating, illuminating primer to create that lit-from-within glow that's essential to the clean girl makeup look.
Focus on the high points of your face where light naturally hits.
3. Conceal strategically
Instead of full-coverage foundation, use concealer only where needed. Apply to under-eyes, around the nose, and on any blemishes or areas of discoloration.
Blend with a damp sponge for a seamless finish that still lets your skin texture show through.
4. Add a natural flush
Apply cream or liquid blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward your temples.
For an extra natural look, add a touch of blush across the bridge of your nose to mimic a sun-kissed flush.
Cream formulas work best for that seamless, skin-like finish.
5. Warm up with bronzer
Apply cream bronzer around the perimeter of your face, focusing on the temples, hairline, and under the cheekbones.
Remember, we're going for a subtle warmth, not a sculpted contour.
6. Fluff up those brows
Brush brows upward with a clear or tinted brow gel for that perfectly undone, feathery look.
The goal is defined yet natural-looking brows that frame your face without looking too "done."
7. Keep eyes simple
The clean girl makeup look doesn't require elaborate eyeshadow. Instead, curl your lashes and apply a lengthening mascara.
If you want a bit more definition, apply a neutral shadow to your lids and a touch of the same bronzer you used on your face in the crease.
8. Define and gloss lips
Line your lips with a pencil that matches your natural lip color, then top with a clear or lightly tinted gloss for that juicy finish.
The goal is enhanced natural lips, not an obvious lipstick look.
9. Highlight strategically
Apply liquid highlighter to the high points of your face – the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your cupid's bow, and the inner corners of your eyes.
Remember, we want a natural glow, not a metallic shine.
10. Set with a dewy finish
Finish with a hydrating setting spray to lock everything in place while maintaining that fresh, dewy finish that's the hallmark of the clean girl makeup trend.
How to do clean girl makeup for different skin types
One of the best things about the clean girl makeup look is that it can be customized for any skin type.
Here's how to adapt the routine based on your needs:
For oily skin
- Use a mattifying primer in your T-zone while keeping a hydrating primer on the high points
- Set concealer with a light dusting of translucent powder
- Opt for powder blush and bronzer instead of cream formulas
- Focus highlight only on the high points of the cheekbones and cupid's bow
For dry skin
- Layer hydrating products before makeup
- Choose cream and liquid formulas for all color products
- Skip powder entirely
- Reapply gloss and face mist throughout the day for added dewiness
For combination skin
- Use different primers for different areas of your face
- Set only the areas that tend to get oily
- Use cream products on drier areas and powder on oilier zones
For textured skin
- Focus on skincare first
- Apply products in thin layers
- Use a pressing motion rather than dragging when applying concealer
- Embrace your natural texture – the clean girl look isn't about perfection
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Clean girl makeup looks: Variations on the trending aesthetic
While the core elements of clean girl makeup remain consistent, there are several popular variations that put their own spin on the trend:
The off-duty model
This ultra-minimal version features barely-there concealer, cream blush, glossy lids, and tinted lip balm.
It's perfect for weekend brunch or casual coffee dates.
The elevated clean girl
A slightly more polished take, this version adds a touch of definition with a soft brown eyeliner, subtle highlight, and a more defined lip.
Great for the office or dinner dates.
The summer clean girl
This sun-kissed variation leans into warmth with extra freckles (whether natural or added), bronzer across the nose, and peachy tones on cheeks and lips.
The winter clean girl
A cooler-toned adaptation featuring rosy cheeks, a touch of pink on the nose, and a more hydrating base for those dry winter months.
Clean girl makeup 101: Tips and tricks for perfecting the look
Even with the right products, achieving that perfect clean girl vibe can take some practice.
Here are some pro tips to help you master the aesthetic:
- Less is more: Start with minimal product and build slowly. It's easier to add more than to take away excess.
- Blend, blend, blend: Seamless application is key to the clean girl look. Take your time blending edges for that no-makeup makeup effect.
- Embrace your natural features: This trend is about enhancement, not transformation. Work with your natural face shape, features, and skin tone.
- Layer strategically: Apply cream products before powders, and use powders sparingly if at all.
- Consider your undertones: Choose blush and bronzer shades that complement your natural coloring for the most authentic look.
- Hydration is key: Keep a face mist on hand to refresh throughout the day and maintain that dewy finish.
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Perfect your clean girl makeup with Facetune
Want to experiment with the clean girl makeup trend before committing?
Facetune offers various ways to test and perfect this aesthetic:
In the Facetune app, head to the Makeup Editor where you can adjust individual elements like blush, highlight, and lip gloss separately.
Perfect for finding your ideal clean girl balance.
This allows you to experiment with different intensities of each product until you find your perfect combination.
If you're looking for inspiration, check out the Discover feed where you can browse complete looks in categories like "Natural," "Glossy," "Dewy," and "No Makeup".
All perfect references for the clean girl aesthetic.
Browse through these curated options to find a variation of the clean girl look that appeals to you.
For a quick transformation, visit the "Looks" section under Makeup where you can apply one-tap full looks like Natural, Soft Glam, Glossy, or Glow.
This is perfect for testing how the overall clean girl aesthetic might suit you without having to adjust individual elements.
You can also explore the "Face" section in the editor to experiment with presets like Smooth, Matte, Dewy, or Freckles – all key components of different clean girl makeup variations.
Add a touch of dewiness or some natural-looking freckles to enhance your clean girl vibe.
With Facetune's versatile editing options, you can perfect your clean girl makeup look virtually before recreating it with real products, or create the perfect reference photo to show your makeup artist.
Clean girl makeup tutorial: Putting it all together
The clean girl makeup trend may seem simple, but achieving that perfect balance of minimal yet polished can take some practice.
Here's a step-by-step clean girl makeup tutorial to help you get started:
- Start fresh: Begin with cleansed, moisturized skin. Apply your skincare and let it fully absorb.
- Prime strategically: Apply an illuminating primer to the high points of your face and a pore-blurring option in your T-zone.
- Conceal with purpose: Use concealer only where needed, applying with a light hand and blending with a damp sponge.
- Add dimension: Apply cream bronzer around the perimeter of your face and under the cheekbones, using circular motions to blend.
- Create a natural flush: Smile and apply cream blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upward toward your temples. Add a touch to the bridge of your nose for a sun-kissed effect.
- Define your brows: Brush brow hairs upward using a clear or tinted gel, focusing on creating a feathery, fluffy look.
- Keep eyes simple: Curl your lashes and apply a coat of lengthening mascara. Add a touch of bronzer to your crease if desired.
- Perfect your pout: Line your lips with a neutral pencil close to your natural lip color, then top with a hydrating gloss.
- Highlight subtly: Apply liquid highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid's bow. Blend well for a natural glow.
- Set with intention: Mist your face with a dewy setting spray to lock everything in place while maintaining that fresh-faced glow.
The clean girl makeup trend is all about embracing your natural beauty and enhancing it with just the right amount of product.
By focusing on glowing skin, subtle color, and strategic placement, you can achieve this effortlessly polished look regardless of your skin type or tone.
Remember, the most authentic clean girl look is one that celebrates your unique features rather than trying to change them.
Whether you're new to makeup or looking to simplify your routine, the clean girl aesthetic offers a refreshing approach that's both accessible and beautiful.
Give it a try – your skin (and your morning routine) will thank you!
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