The ‘Clean Girl’ beauty aesthetic that has seemingly taken over all of our social media feeds may just prove to be far from fleeting. One only needs to consider the raft of exciting collaborations on the beauty horizons that fit neatly under the Clean Girl umbrella for proof. Case in point? Think Y2K poster girl Olivia Rodrigo’s recent headline-grabbing appointment as the first celebrity ambassador of Glossier, the beauty brand which has become largely synonymous with Clean Girl beauty thanks to their minimal make-up essentials mantra. Not to mention the upcoming drop of ‘glazed doughnut skin’ pioneer herself Hailey Bieber’s skincare line, Rhode.
So, how to get in on this defining look? After reading up on how to nail the Clean Girl make-up regimen step by step here, see below for Vogue Singapore’s round-up of the Clean Girl beauty essentials to stash away in your arsenal, as favoured by many of the leading ladies of this beauty wave themselves.
The best of beauty that can be called fit for a Clean Girl is all about natural enhancement and clarity, in the most literal sense. We’re talking clear and clean beauty essentials, from colourless mascara to no-tint brow gels (yes, really!), alongside a host of other beauty shelf staples that serve to enhance your natural features and bring out your innate glow. Read on for our guide:
Hydrating Toner
Paramount to the clean girl look is a lit-from-within glow—a lustrous sheen with bouncy, fresh skin. While highlighters may help us to achieve added layers of shine, a gleaming complexion starts with skincare. As essential a step as any, you’ll want to reach for a hard-working toner to minimise pores and remove excess pollutants to ensure your glow. Targeted toners hone in on different benefits such as exfoliating and brightening, but key to the glow is a boost of hydration. Hailey Bieber is a fan of Environ Skin Essentia’s toners as shown off via TikTok, however this is only one of many moistening toner options out there.
@haileybieber quick everyday vibe ✨ skin prep using Environ, @rhode skin @EltaMD Skin Care ✨ makeup using @ABH Cosmetics @Dior Makeup @makeupforever + rhode
♬ Bright and Positive Hip Hop 3 minutes (background music) – MPmedia
Vitamin C Serum
Thankfully, many a beauty buzzword within the realm of skincare is proving to have just as much substance as style. Alongside the likes of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and retinol, vitamin C holds its own as a super-ingredient to achieve luminous skin. Benefits of this natural antioxidant include reducing redness, evening the skin tone, and fighting inflammation which results in reduced appearances of ageing and pigmentation. An easy way to get your concentrated fix of vitamin C for a citrus-fresh face is a powerful serum.
Lash Curler
Voluminous lashes that spring to the skies may be a mainstay within the trending beauty game, but the clean girl look does err more towards the side of simple and natural lash looks. Embrace the Clean Girl penchant for enhancing your natural assets and experiment with a lash curler to instantly open up your peepers and add an easy dose of glamour. While you’re at it, try the simple tool together with a clear mascara to see a subtle yet impactful volume injection.
Clear Brow Gel
While on the subject of all things clear, extend the impact of Clean Girl eye make-up by bringing the translucence up to your brows. Though the likes of a tinted brow gel, matte powder and soft pencil are just as tried and true for a Clean Girl beauty look, a clear gel is an ideal option when a more low-maintenance look can cut it. While free from tint, it’ll help to keep your brows in place for maximum polish. However, it’ll also double up as a setting agent when you do opt for coloured brow make-up by helping to lock the shades in place. Nifty!
In a 2021 Vogue Beauty Secrets tutorial, Olivia Rodrigo took to her own brows with the Glossier Boy Brow which grooms brows in either a subtle tint or clear. Thankfully, there’s many a similar shaping brow gel on the market to try.
Sheer Blush
Clean Girl beauty is all about healthy-looking skin, and what better picture of vitality than a thorough flush? Even a couple of layers of your favourite sheer blush in a shade that complements your natural skin tone—be it more towards rosy, coral, amber or else—is enough to provide a sweeping, sculpting effect that gently illuminates the face. A hint of boosted vibrancy makes all the difference.
Lip Liner
Here’s the case for lip liner’s spot as a Clean Girl beauty essential, alongside the decidedly more obvious clear gloss and balm. Lip liner is ideal for enhancing your lips’ natural pigment, popped around the outside of your lips for fine definition. Of course, choosing a shade that’s only slightly deeper than your natural lip colour will avoid any harshness and provide a just-bitten boldness.
