The Rise of the “Tired Girl” Aesthetic
This summer, the “tired girl makeup” look exploded online, thanks in no small part to the Season 2 promo tour of Netflix’s hit series Wednesday. Channeling her iconic on-screen persona, Jenna Ortega served up one mesmerizing look after another, each laced with just the right dose of gothic glam.
Her signature makeup is one for the books: a pale complexion, dark (almost dramatic) under-eyes, delightfully messy mascara, sculpted cheeks, and a deep wine-stained lip—basically, the carefully crafted look of someone who hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in ages (and looks fantastic anyway).
Breaking Up With Perfection
“Tired girl makeup” is shaking things up by offering a stark contrast to the ever-popular ‘clean girl’ aesthetic that’s taken over Instagram, championed by the likes of Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner. Instead of striving for luminous, porcelain perfection and looking freshly awakened at all times, the tired girl trend flips the script, making peace with what used to be “flaws.”
“It’s not just about the makeup; it’s part of a bigger movement,” says Nirvana Jalalvand, who headed up Jenna Ortega’s beauty looks for Wednesday Season 2, speaking to CNN. “Even how people post on Instagram has changed—with photo dumps and blurry images. We’re all tired of perfectionism and that overly polished look. This messy, imperfect aesthetic is reacting to the whole clean girl thing.”
Authenticity Over Airbrushing
The tired girl vibe beats to the rhythm of authenticity. As Kim Brown, makeup artist and beauty director at Glass Magazine, tells CNN:
“It’s a celebration of authenticity. The tired girl look has attitude and real personality. It’s bold and cool.”
This embrace of imperfection hasn’t just captivated Jenna Ortega. Actress Lily-Rose Depp, model-musician Gabbriette, and influencers Emma Chamberlain, Danielle Marcan, and Lara Violetta are all on board the movement, flying proudly in the face of clean girl flawlessness.
“It completely upends what we’ve always been told is ‘pretty,’” says makeup artist Alexa Persico to WWD. “For ages, it was all about brightness, perfection, and looking bright-eyed. This look owns the dark circles, the smeared eyeliner, the tired vibe—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful in its own way. It’s makeup that shows your mood, not just your outfit.”
How to Nail the Tired Girl Look
Want to try the trend? Here’s your playbook:
- Pick a sheer foundation that’s a bit paler than your natural skin tone.
- Let your dark circles show—finally!—or even amp them up with a touch of red or purple eyeshadow.
- Apply eyeliner and smudge it intentionally, as if you’ve been wearing it since yesterday (we won’t judge).
- Finish with a “lived-in” blush—that post-all-nighter flush—and go for gloss or a lipstick that gives your lips that bitten look.
The bottom line? The tired girl makeup trend is less about hiding and more about flaunting what life (and maybe a few late nights) have given you. Because sometimes, the coolest look is the one that’s a little messy, totally authentic, and unapologetically you.
Jack Mercer is a writer with a passion for American culture and everyday style. After spending years exploring the country’s hidden gems and fashion scenes, he found his voice sharing stories that celebrate the authentic spirit of modern America. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him hunting for vintage denim or enjoying a good bourbon on his front porch.
