The concept of trends and aesthetics has recently taken social media by storm, and the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” is no exception. Most trends hit the media with a bang and slowly fade out after several months, but the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” has continued strong since its appearance in 2022. This aesthetic sells an image of perfection with its slicked-back buns, glowing skin, minimalist outfits, and no-makeup makeup looks. It is a picture of effortless beauty, but its message is not quite as beautiful. Here are five ways that the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” is a damaging ideology.
1. It’s Racist
The clean girl aesthetic has recently gained enormous traction and popularity from social media users globally, but it didn’t always receive such attention. The aesthetic is rooted in Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Hispanic cultures. Aspects such as the slicked-back bun, natural brows, glossy lips, and gold hoop earrings are all physical attributes seen on women of color throughout history. These features have been seen in the media for centuries, yet have gone without recognition until seen on white women. Not only does the clean girl aesthetic fail to give credit to the cultures it originated from, but the creators gaining popularity from the aesthetic seem to be predominantly white.
2. It’s Part of A Consumerist Culture
From the chunky gold earrings to the shiny skin products, the clean girl aesthetic is rooted in consumerist culture. The clean-girl slicked-backed bun tutorial is meant to be viewed and recreated. Creators of the trend have used their platforms to promote and gain endorsements for products that may or may not truly work. Consumerist culture convinces media users that they need products to obtain beauty, happiness, and general well-being. The products promoted through the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” follow a similar pattern, convincing consumers that if they buy specific products, they too can look like an effortlessly perfect model.
3. It’s Fatphobic.
To search the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” on any social media platform means to be greeted with various pictures of beautiful women. Although these photos and videos vary in many aspects, a commonality they hold is a representation of thinner women. The word “fat” has been used as an insult in Western Culture for centuries, aiding the idea that larger people cannot fit into a mold of traditional beauty. Many creators, influencers, and observers of the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” believe this adds to that narrative, opening a new perspective to the trend that it may not only be about glossy hair and rosy cheeks but pointy collar bones, thigh gaps, and other unrealistic body expectations.
4. It Fortifies The Stigmatization of Acne
A significant aspect of the clean girl aesthetic is glassy, glowy, clear skin. Neutral sparkling makeup looks find themselves a significant attribute of the aesthetic, all laid onto a pimple-free canvas. The expectation and desirability of acne-free skin is impossible and aids a stigma around acne that it is due to a lack of sanitary ability. Similar to the fatphobic aspect of the trend, a search of #cleangirl on any platform will not produce images of women with natural skin. A primary characteristic of the clean girl aesthetic is looking effortlessly natural when real, natural skin is not shown within the trend.
5. It Promotes Unrealistic Beauty Standards
Can they have it all? Every clean girl media icon seems to. A perfect wardrobe, toned body, laminated eyebrows, glassy skin, manicured nails, pearly teeth, you name it. If you’re looking for a way to knock down your confidence, a quick search for #cleangirlaesthetic can feel like the perfect thing. The truth is that behind every clean girl photo is a natural and flawed woman, but that can be difficult to understand while scrolling through countless pictures of perfection. The “Clean Girl Aesthetic” not only promotes the unhealthy desire for perfection but also falsely communicates that it is easily obtainable.
Conclusion
The “Clean Girl Aesthetic” represents numerous unrealistic and diminishing concepts. Although the trend can seem like a harmless approach to effortless beauty, it means more to those who don’t fit into its traditional mold. The trend not only devalues the importance of many cultures but also sets unrealistic beauty expectations for women on an international scale. The “Clean Girl Aesthetic” is a prominent example of the media deceiving consumers into believing in an unattainable ideal of perfection.