Discover the messy girl aesthetic, a challenge to the clean look – 01/25/2024 – Balance

Everything that 2023’s beauty had that was minimalist and clean seems to be falling apart at the beginning of 2024. The “clean girl” aesthetic, meticulously calculated to look like there was no product on the skin —the famous health face—, leaves the scene and gives space to the trend known on the networks as “messy girl”, marked by a night out look.

They are young, skinny women, who appear in photos with dirty, messy hair — a counterpoint to the tight, wet-looking buns of the “clean girls” — as well as smudged makeup, eyes full of dark shadows and melted mascara. It’s even worth a scenic cigarette in your hands.

According to Carmela Vecchione, strategist at the trend forecasting company Box1824, it is a trend that rescues and re-reads the grunge of the 1990s. “A poorly finished aesthetic, the hangover vibe of someone who puts party after party together”, she says.

Names such as French-American actress Lily-Rose Depp and singer Olivia Rodrigo, responsible for a renaissance of rock among younger people, are some of the representatives of this style.

The character Venetia, from the film “Saltburn”, is also a reference for those looking for this aesthetic. In the film, a story that takes place during a university break in the countryside of England, the girl goes from party to hangover like someone going to a bakery, and lives with a cigarette in her hands — even at breakfast. Bleached blonde hair, with dark roots showing and heavy eye makeup accompany even the most idyllic scenes in the plot.

Carol Zaia, makeup artist at Sephora, says that Courtney Love, leader of the band Hole, widow of Kurt Cobain and 1990s grunge princess, is also a reference for women looking for this look. She also mentions the twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and the model Kate Moss, who was one of the precursors of the style that became known as “heroin chic” and praised the extreme thinness associated with drug use.

In comparison, the universe of “clean girls” of yesteryear, reigned by models Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid, is full of neutral colors, tidy hair and gelled hairstyles, light makeup focused on perfect skin (which doesn’t mean a small amount). Beauty is marked by contouring done with bronzer, concealer and blush. In addition, the aesthetic sells cleanliness, hygiene and health, with green juices, clothes in light fabrics, tailoring cuts and even some sports pieces here and there. The idea is to show that life is in place.

Zaia and Vecchione say that, despite the rise of the more laid-back look of “messy girls”, those who identify with a more minimalist look should remain in this field. “The clean girl remains firm now as her ‘faithful followers’, who identify with the aesthetic beyond fad,” says Vecchione.

For Zaia, the “messy girls” look presents more freedom compared to the “cleaner” look, something that may be attractive to some people. “The clean girl aesthetic demands an excessive perfection that is difficult — and even a little boring — to carry every day. For people who have a normal day-to-day life, leaving home early for work, using public transport and returning alone At night, it’s very difficult to maintain this perfect makeup, hair and look.”