How to Master the Clean Girl Makeup Look

The ‘no-makeup’ makeup look has had a rebrand in the last few years, taking on the title of ‘clean girl’ makeup. While we’ll always hold space for full glam and artistry levels of makeup, we also love a laidback approach that embraces natural-looking skin using minimal products.

 

The clean girl makeup look continues to dominate social media feeds and is showing no signs of slowing down. So, how can you achieve this fresh-faced radiant glow? In this step-by-step guide, the makeup virtuosos at Maybelline have put together their top tips on how to do clean girl makeup with a few ride-or-die products.

What is the clean girl makeup look?

Let’s make one thing clear: clean girl makeup isn’t just for people with perfectly clear skin – everyone can recreate this look.

This makeup trend celebrates natural beauty and all skin tones and textures, enhancing your features and boosting radiance with a few strategic products. Clean girl makeup looks are pared-back versions of daily makeup routines that focus on dewy skin, light coverage, subtle colour and a pop of shine. This relaxed technique is also perfect for people who are short on time, want to let their skin breathe, or prefer less makeup overall.

 

Step-by-step clean girl makeup routine

A clean girl makeup routine has a few differences from the types of products and application methods you might use for a full glam look. Clean girl makeup relies on six simple steps:

• Start with a hydrating primer for a luminous base

• Use concealer for coverage instead of foundation

• Apply brow gel to keep the brows looking soft

• Add liquid blush and bronzer to warm up the complexion

• Line the lips for subtle definition

• Finish with a swipe of lip gloss for natural-looking shine

To help you learn how to do clean girl makeup, we’re going to dive into each stage and product below.

1. Use a face primer

Clean girl makeup starts with a hydrated base to promote radiance. Once you have applied your skincare and SPF, you can go in with a primer to lay the groundwork for your lit-from-within glow. Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Primer is going to give your makeup something to grip onto, while gently illuminating and smoothing the skin. This dewy primer is also formulated with vitamin E to boost hydration and SPF20 to give your skin extra protection from UV rays.

2. Strategically apply concealer

The aim of clean girl makeup is to magnify, rather than mask, your natural features – we want skin that looks like real skin. With this in mind, your arsenal of clean girl makeup products would be incomplete without your secret weapon – concealer! We’re only going for light coverage here, so you can apply concealer where you see fit. This might be under the eyes to conceal dark circles, across the forehead and chin, or onto any other areas where you have redness or discolouration.

We recommend a creamy concealer that won’t mattify the skin like Maybelline’s hero concealer Instant Age Rewind® Eraser, which blurs imperfections while keeping the skin looking refreshed and radiant. Use a light touch when concealing and gently blend with your finger or a damp beauty sponge. We’re aiming for a dewy finish, so only conceal as needed and embrace skin texture!

3. Add natural flush

Now that you’ve built up some natural coverage, it’s time to warm up the complexion to add dimension to your clean girl makeup aesthetic. This trend is all about amping up your glow, so we recommend liquid or cream formulas to give you a dewier finish. Apply your Sunkisser Multi-Use Liquid Blush ‘Sol Search’ to the apples of your cheeks and gently blend up towards the temples for a subtle, natural flush. Next, apply Sunkisser Multi-Use Liquid Blush ‘Midnight Shimmer’, focusing on the hairline, temples and just under the cheekbones. The goal is warmth over sculpting, so less is more!

4. Fluff up your brows

When it comes to clean girl brows, the goal is to make them look fluffy and defined. We want to create a feathered look while keeping brows in place. To achieve this, you can use a long-lasting clear brow gel like Maybelline’s Super Lock Brow Glue. This non-sticky formula is flake- and transfer-resistant to give your brows a powerful – yet lightweight – hold. To apply, brush your brow hairs using light upward and outward motions. This provides a laminated effect that amplifies the clean girl makeup aesthetic.

5. Outline the lips

Since we’re going for a ‘no-makeup’ makeup look, reach for a nude lip liner that closely matches your natural lip colour. This is going to help define your lip shape without looking as bold as a traditional lipstick. Lip liner also prevents lip gloss from feathering or smudging, so you can maintain your clean girl makeup look for longer. Take your Lifter Liner and start by defining the cupid’s bow. Then shade in the corners, before finishing the rest of the lip outline.

6. Finish with lip gloss

Lip gloss is tailormade for clean girl makeup looks because the subtle shimmer builds on your natural lip colour while making your lips appear fuller. If you opted to skip lip liner, simply apply Lifter Gloss Hydrating Lip Gloss 'Pearl' to your bare lips for an alluring shimmer. Alternatively, if you lined your lips with a shade close to your natural lip colour, you can create a soft gradient effect by pairing with Lifter Gloss Hydrating Lip Gloss ‘Ice’. The Maybelline Lifter Gloss collection is enriched with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to support plump, hydrated skin – perfect for that clean girl aesthetic.

 

 

Clean girl makeup is ideal for daily wear, but if you want to go bolder during special occasions, discover how to do red lipstick makeup looks.