You’ve seen it, we’ve all seen it. The influencer with flawless skin, an ethereal glow, and barely-there makeup. Her cheeks have the faintest flush, and you’re wondering: is that highlighter, or is her skin just that dewy? She has the look; the clean-girl aesthetic that has been taking the social media world by storm for the last couple of years.
And you ask, how can I look like that?
It’s not impossible, but it comes with some caveats that should be considered before embarking on a glass-skin journey.
The Truth
The easiest way to pull off glass skin with virtually zero pores is a good camera filter. Most of those close-ups that give you the illusion of perfect skin are nothing more than filtered and retouched images of people who have imperfect skin just like us. In fact, even smartphones these days have built-in filters in selfie mode.
I’m not saying glass skin isn’t possible. But we should adjust our expectations and realize most of what we see on social media and in beauty advertisements is not real. And while perfect skin isn’t possible, clean, dewy skin that shines to the heavens – well, that’s another story. And that’s the first step to the “clean girl” aesthetic.
Hydrate, Don’t Hide
Great skin care is the basis for clean, glowing skin. I don’t mean perfecting a 10-step regimen or visiting your local esthetician twice a month. I mean a good cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin barrier, and the best moisturizer for your particular skin needs. These two items are non-negotiable for healthy skin, even for those few people who are naturally blessed with a nearly perfect complexion. Beyond that, needs vary greatly from one individual to the next, and so should their skincare regimens.
Even if, like me, you have less-than-perfect skin, you can still achieve the clean-girl look with some well-placed products.
Build a Dewy Base
The trick to looking healthy is looking hydrated. To do this, we want to start with a dewy base. My long-time favorite was Saie Slip Tint, which I eventually replaced with the Lauren Brooke Luminous Tinted SPF. Both of these products diffuse and even out the complexion with a subtle glow.
Attached to a matte foundation? No worries. There are a couple of tricks you can do to ramp up that shine and plump the skin. Moisturized skin will automatically look healthier and cleaner, so make sure you’re using a good moisturizer (sensing a theme here?) You can even use a facial oil under your makeup to make it look extra hydrated (but beware, this can clog pores if your skin is acne-prone). If using a liquid foundation, mix it with a glow oil, an illuminating primer, or a liquid highlighter, like the Maya Chia Highlight of the Day. And top off your look with a little extra highlighter on the cheekbones, the inner corner of your eyes, your cupid’s bow, and the tip of your nose.
Plump Those Cheeks
Plump, juicy cheeks are a sign of youth, and youthfulness is one facet of the “clean girl” aesthetic that is attainable regardless of skin type. The secret? A blurring, dewy blush. My all-time favorite blushes for this were the Saie Dew Blush and the Merit Flush Balm, but since those are in the cleanish category, I’ve swapped them out for some cleaner options. I’m currently enjoying the Lauren Brooke Botanical sticks since they have a little shine, and I also use the Piper Blue Lip and Cheek to create my go-to look with a little highlighter underneath to make them glow.
Remember how I said you can add highlighter to your foundation if it’s too matte? The same can be done with blush. You can either mix your highlighter and blush, or layer them – highlighter first, blush second, and a little extra highlighter on top. This can even be done with powder.
Clean-Girl Eyes: Keep it Soft
When it comes to eye makeup, you don’t want it to look heavy. Bright, dreamy, fresh – these are the words you want to keep in mind for that clean girl aesthetic. Take it easy on the eyeliner – or skip it altogether – and opt for neutral colors. A swipe of a light-colored taupe or caramel brown all over the lid is sufficient for adding some depth and definition. Or you can just use your bronzer to define the crease and call it day. If you want to wear eyeliner, keep it simple and keep it tight. Consider tightlining your lashes to make them look naturally fuller. Add a little mascara and you’re done!
Pro tip: I add a highlight shade or concealer on the outer corners of my eye and blend it upward toward my hairline to add some dimension and brightness without my signature winged liner.
Less is More
Caking on a full face of high coverage foundation is the antithesis of a clean girl aesthetic. The whole point is to look healthy, clean, and refreshed, like you just finished an invigorating Pilates class or had a facial. Choose products that are lower coverage, blurring, and neutralizing. Tinted moisturizers are good for this, and you can always spot conceal with your favorite concealer to cover blemishes if needed.
For a smoother application, use color correctors after your skincare, before you add base makeup. Peach is great at neutralizing dark spots and undereye circles. Yellow cancels out blue and can double as a highlight shade. Green softens redness if you struggle with rosacea or acne and want to cover it effectively. Doing this will give you a more even base for better coverage and allow you to use less foundation or tinted moisturizer.
Final Thoughts: Real Expectations, Real Confidence
Even with these tips, know that for most of us, perfect skin is not achievable. Skin is a living, breathing organ, and as we get older, it begins to show a little wear and tear. That’s ok. The best thing you can do is be comfortable in your skin. Use makeup to celebrate it and express yourself – not as a shield to hide your insecurities. And don’t compare your skin to a filtered image you see on Instagram. Chances are it’s not even real, but you – you are real. And you’re beautiful just the way you are.
