Picture it: You are up late scrolling on TikTok, and your FYP is flooded with makeup trends, hacks, and products you can’t afford. It’s a constant showdown: shaved eyebrows vs. pencil brows, lipstick vs. lip stains, 2020s minimalist vs. 2000s maximalist—and now, the #CleanGirl vs. #MessyGirl makeup aesthetics. It’s time to stop chasing every microtrend and start picking up tips you will actually use. Trends fade, but finding new ways to level up your makeup routine never goes out of style!
If you’re familiar with the lifestyle side of TikTok, chances are you’ve seen the #CleanGirlAesthetic on your for you page. The trend exploded in January of 2022 and remains a trending hashtag with 400.6K posts. It inspires minimalist fashion, clean eating, and natural makeup looks. Clean girl makeup is the opposite of the full-coverage matte looks that were popular in 2016. Instead, bushy brows, dewy skin, natural tones, and brands like Glossier define the chic simplicity of the clean girl aesthetic.
On the other end of the TikTok makeup spectrum is the newer #MessyGirl makeup trend. The hashtag has 19.5K posts and features countless subcategories, including indie sleaze, 90s party girl, and messy French girl. However, this article will mainly focus on the popular grunge adaptations of the trend. These looks draw inspiration from TV shows like Skins UK and music artists like Tove Lo and Kesha. This alternative messy girl look emphasizes an experimental, cool-girl vibe. It features bold lip colors and dark, smudgy eye makeup while maintaining a natural base.
Read on to learn all about these trends with insights from Pilar DeMann, co-founder of the minimalist beauty brand Pilar BLLaC, known for creating natural looks by focusing on Brows, Lashes, Lips, and Cheeks!
Clean Girl vs. Messy Girl: Their Common Ground
Clean girl makeup emphasizes minimalism and natural tones, while messy girl makeup embraces bold eyes and lips. Despite their differences, both trends focus on a natural, true-to-skin base.
Natural base coverage allows everyone’s unique features to be highlighted without aiming for an unrealistic, photoshopped look. Both #CleanGirl and #MessyGirl makeup trends move away from heavy foundations, opting for tinted moisturizers, light concealers, and liquid products for a fresh, natural finish.
“I hope that these latest trends encourage young people (and all age people) to embrace their individual and unique beauty, realizing that while makeup is super fun and can be played with, the best thing is our natural selves. I would LOVE to see less foundation and heavy contouring, especially on young people! I think being happy and celebrating our uniqueness helps people in all aspects of life.”
– Pilar DeMann
These trends directly reflect social movements such as anti-photoshop and body positivity, promoting natural beauty and rejecting rigid standards. Global brands such as Dove continue to support this shift towards inclusive, clean beauty.
The Ultimate Guide to #CleanGirl Makeup:
To achieve the clean girl makeup look, focus on your skin! Start with a solid skincare routine, then build your makeup regime. A good primer and color corrector are essential, followed by a light foundation or BB cream for a fresh, dewy base. Then, add a touch of cream contour and blush for a soft glow. Finish off with tinted brow gel, a swipe of mascara, and eyeshadow that complements your skin tone.
My makeup routine improved dramatically when I switched to Elf Cosmetics’ cream contour wand instead of powder contour. It helped my base look smoother and less cakey. Simple swaps like this can make a huge difference!
Now, if you’re dealing with skin conditions such as rosacea or acne, getting that natural base might feel impossible. But remember, the trick is to work with your skin, not against it:
“The more makeup you wear on your skin, the more your skin suffocates… I think the key is to find a sheer enough foundation that has a color correcting ingredient, like a CC cream or a BB cream (or both – Bare Minerals makes a great one) lightly and sparingly stipple on the areas that are red…Wash your brushes frequently. Wash your makeup off as soon as you are able and let your skin breathe.
-Pilar DeMann
Make sure to select products that won’t irritate your skin! For personalized recommendations, consider consulting your dermatologist.
How to (Effortlessly) Achieve #MessyGirl Makeup:
For messy girl makeup, start with a clean girl base routine: primer, BB cream and/or concealer, contour – the works. For both aesthetics, pick and choose what you believe complements your features the most. Not a fan of contour? No problem – go for a cream blush instead. Makeup is all about personal expression!
However, this time, focus on building up the eyes or lips. The goal is to create that “morning-after” look like you just rolled out of bed after a night out. A classic smoky eye or smudged eyeliner is always a great choice:
“It’s super fun to do a dark eye and a dark lip. But, I rarely do these two together. I usually go for a dark lip and dark nail with a neutral face and eye. Or the opposite, a great, dark eye with a neutral face and lip. Try one or the other and see which one speaks to you. If you like both, then you have more to play with. Line lips first for a good base.”
-Pilar DeMann
A Final Note:
Trends may be temporary, but they always cycle back. Just recently, we’ve witnessed the resurgence of 90s and early 2000s fashion and makeup trends. Even if full-coverage matte makeup makes an unfortunate comeback, embracing our natural features through the #CleanGirl aesthetic will provide timeless inspiration. At the same time, having fun and being bold with products inspired by the #MessyGirl aesthetic will add creativity to your look. And remember, before diving into any trends, take a moment to reflect on what you genuinely enjoy!