Remember when slicked-back buns, glass-like skin and barely-there makeup were everywhere? The clean girl aesthetic—though not without controversy—had its moment. But lately, a new look has taken over TikTok, and it’s a little more undone and, frankly, more fun. Enter: the tired girl makeup trend.

Meet the expert

Drita Paljevic is the head makeup artist at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. She has been a part of TEAM KEVYN since 2008, bringing with her more than 20 years of beauty experience. Her expertise also extends from the runways of NYFW to TV and films to exclusive weddings worldwide.

What Is Tired Girl Make-Up?

Think of tired girl makeup as the messy little sister of clean girl beauty. While clean girl glam leaned fresh, dewy and pristine (think Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner), tired girl makeup pulls inspiration from moodier, edgier stars like Jenna Ortega, Lily-Rose Depp and Emma Chamberlain.

“The tired girl aesthetic is all about embracing a messy, effortless look,” says Paljevic. “Moody and perfect for fall, this look is all about dark smoky lids and smudged eyeliner, sculpted cheeks, natural skin, and emphasized dark under-eye circles.” Basically, it’s the “I-stayed-out-too-late” look, but elevated.

Why Is It Trending?

Ever feel like you’re sick and tired of pretending you’re not so sick and tired? Because no concealer in the world can hide the fact that you barely clocked in five hours of sleep last night (work, politics, family…it’s exhausting!). Well, that’s where the tired girl make-up look comes in.

“Gen Z is over perfection and craving authenticity, and just generally tired from experiencing multiple once-in-a-lifetime events and having to navigate one of the toughest job markets in decades (to name a few),” explains Paljevic. “This trend accentuates ‘imperfections’ like dark under-eye circles or smudged eyeliner. It has also become even more popular because Jenna Ortega has sported ‘tired girl’ makeup in her recent Wednesday Addams premiere looks.”

In other words, rather than fighting fatigue, we’re leaning into it—and making it chic.

How to Do Tired Girl Make-Up at Home

If you want to pull off the “I-haven’t-slept-in-days” look at home, here’s how Paljevic recommends going about it:

1. Top your lips with a light gloss to keep the focus on your eyes.
2. For your base, mix your foundation with your favorite moisturizer for a luminous, skin-like finish.
3. Apply a dark eyeshadow across your lids (she recommends The Individual Eyeshadow in Cacao), and bring it into the inner and outer crease with a fluffy brush. Add definition around the lash and waterline with an eyeliner, smudging it out during application to create a moody, lived-in effect. Finish the eyes with your favorite mascara on both top and bottom lashes.
4. Apply a cream to powder bronzer or contour to the hollows of the cheeks and top of the forehead to create a natural sculpted look.

One Last Thing…

“Don’t try too hard to make this look perfect!” advises Paljevic. “What makes this ‘tired girl’ aesthetic work is the effortless messiness of it, looking like you’re running on just a few hours of sleep.”

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