Larena Tannert is a journalism junior and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
Welcome to “Girl Talk,” your new go-to column for navigating all things friendship, beauty, wellness, and everything in between. Whether we’re diving into skincare routines, unpacking the messy parts of relationships, exploring coffee culture or figuring out how to feel put-together when life feels chaotic, this is your space for real conversations about the things that matter to us. Let’s figure it all out together.
The “clean girl” aesthetic is having a moment, and honestly? I’m obsessed. It’s all about enhancing what you already have rather than covering it up. Think dewy skin, flushed cheeks and that effortless glow that looks like you just came back from a walk (even if you just rolled out of bed). It’s empowering to feel confident in your own skin without hiding behind layers of makeup.
The secret to nailing this look isn’t about makeup; it’s about skincare first. Start with a hydrating base of toner, moisturizer and SPF. Clear, hydrated skin is the foundation of feeling beautiful without needing heavy coverage. Starting with a hydrating routine creates that natural glow that no amount of makeup can replicate.
But let’s be real: when this trend first exploded, it came with its own set of pressures. The “effortless” look started requiring expensive skincare routines, multiple products, and sometimes even more time than a traditional makeup routine. Women felt pressured to have naturally perfect skin, and the irony wasn’t lost on anyone; a look meant to be easy became another impossible standard.
That’s not what the clean girl aesthetic was supposed to be about, though. When it became trendy, it got twisted into something performative. But strip away the Instagram aesthetics and influencer marketing, and the underlying concept is actually liberating: you don’t need to transform yourself to feel beautiful.
Here’s what makes this look empowering when you approach it authentically: you’re choosing to enhance rather than hide. For years, we’ve been told that good makeup means full coverage, contouring and layers upon layers of product. The clean girl aesthetic, in its truest form, flips that narrative completely.
Ditch foundation and opt for a sheer skin tint, like Supergoop or Glossier, that lets your real skin breathe. Use a lightweight concealer only where you need it. Finish with cream blush on the high points of your cheeks, and suddenly you’ve created a look that feels authentically you.
Keep everything minimal: some lip balm, brushed-up brows with a bit of gel, and maybe draw some fake freckles around your nose if you want. The goal is simple, natural and lightweight, and actually quick.
The key is remembering that “clean girl” shouldn’t mean “perfect girl.” Your skin doesn’t need to be flawless. You don’t need a ten-step routine or luxury products. The point is working with what you have, not achieving some airbrushed ideal. Some days that means just SPF and lip balm. Other days it’s a bit of concealer and blush. Both are valid.
What I love most about this approach is its ease when you don’t let it become complicated. There’s no pressure to spend half an hour perfecting your base or worrying if your contour looks blended. You can roll out of bed, do a quick five-minute routine and still feel confident walking into class. It’s made me realize that I don’t need a full face to feel beautiful, and that’s been unexpectedly empowering.
This isn’t about adhering to another beauty standard; it’s about working with what you have and feeling confident in your own skin. The “clean girl” look, at its core, celebrates the idea that you don’t need to transform yourself to be beautiful. Sometimes a little glow is all you need.
