Alia Bhatt‘s recent appearance at her children’s book launch garnered attention not just for the vibrant floral dress, but also for her stunning makeup that perfectly embodied the “clean girl” aesthetic. This minimalistic yet radiant approach to makeup is gaining immense popularity amongst celebrities and beauty enthusiasts alike, becoming a top trend for this summer season.
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What is Clean Girl Makeup?
Clean girl makeup prioritizes a natural, dewy finish that enhances your natural features without appearing overly made up. It’s all about achieving a healthy, fresh-faced look that exudes effortless beauty. Here are the key elements:
Hydrated, Glowing Skin: This forms the foundation of the clean girl look. Invest in a hydrating moisturizer or a lightweight, dewy foundation that evens out your skin tone without looking cakey. A touch of illuminating liquid or cream highlighter on your cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid’s bow further enhances the glow. Popular drugstore options for dewy foundations include Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation and L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation. For high-end options, consider Dior Backstage Face and Body Glow Foundation or Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Light Hydrating Foundation.
Minimalist Eyeshadow: Opt for soft, neutral eyeshadow shades like peach, beige, or rose gold. A single wash of color or a gradient blend on the eyelids adds subtle definition, while keeping the focus on the natural beauty of your eyes. Palettes like Urban Decay Naked Palette or Too Faced Born This Way Natural Eyes Eyeshadow Palette offer a great selection of these shades.
Feathery Brows: Ditch the heavily sculpted brows! Clean girl makeup embraces a natural, fluffy brow look. Brush your brows upwards with a clear or tinted brow gel to enhance their shape and create a lifted appearance. Drugstore favorites include Maybelline Brow Precise Micro Pencil and NYX Professional Makeup Tinted Brow Mascara, while high-end options include Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil and Glossier Boy Brow.
Flushed Cheeks: A touch of blush adds a healthy flush of color to your cheeks. Opt for cream or liquid blushes in soft pink, peach, or coral shades for a natural, dewy finish. Apply the blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards towards your temples. Cream blushes like Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek and Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush offer a dewy finish, while powder blushes like NARS Orgasm Blush and Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Blush are also popular choices.
Mauve Lips: Mauve lipsticks are a major trend this summer and pair perfectly with the clean girl aesthetic. Choose a mauve shade that complements your skin tone for a soft, romantic touch. You can also use a tinted lip balm for a hint of color and added hydration. Popular drugstore options include Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick in ‘Heroine’ and Milani Color Statement Lipstick in ‘Matte Beloved’. For high-end choices, consider MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour in ‘Devoted to Chili’ or Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in ‘Uncensored’.
Defined Lashes (Optional): While clean girl makeup emphasizes a natural look, a touch of mascara can add definition to your lashes. Opt for a volumizing or lengthening mascara in brown or black, depending on your preference. Apply just one or two coats, focusing on the top lashes for a subtle yet impactful look. Popular mascaras for this look include L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara and Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
Summer Trends with the Clean Girl Aesthetic
This summer, the clean girl makeup trend is incorporating pops of color while staying true to its minimalistic core. Here’s how you can adapt it to the season:
Pastel Eyeshadow: Play with pastel eyeshadow palettes in lavender, baby blue, or mint green for a soft, summery touch. Create a monochromatic look by using the same pastel shade on your eyelids and cheeks. Brands like ColourPop and Huda Beauty offer a wide variety of pastel eyeshadow palettes.
Bronzer for a Sun-Kissed Glow: Add a touch of bronzer to your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline for a subtle, sun-kissed look. Opt for a matte bronzer for a more natural finish. Popular bronzers include Fenty Beauty Sun Stunna Bronzer and Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer.
Glossy Lips: Take your clean girl makeup to the next level with a glossy lip. A clear or sheer lip gloss adds a touch of shine and dimension to your lips, perfect for warm summer days. Drugstore favorites include NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss and Maybelline Lifter Gloss, while high-end options include Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb and Tower 28 Shine On Lip Jelly.
