Is the clean girl aesthetic dead? The rise of the tired girl (but only in makeup)

The “ trend is taking over TikToktired girl”: the Gen Z look that embraces a deliberately tired aesthetic, featuring faux dark circles, smudged eyeliner, and a soft-goth palette reminiscent of Wednesday Addams, complete with tutorials on how to recreate it.
With Halloween approaching, it almost feels like the “tired girl” has returned, axe in hand, to grab the “clean girl” by her impeccable bun and bury her along with her strictly detox Stanley cup.

But what do these two trends really represent? What do they tell us about the relationship between beauty, self-esteem, and self-care? And what is the role of aesthetic medicine in all of this?
At BTX Bar, we pay attention to trends—not to follow them blindly, but to try to decipher the aesthetics, needs, desires, and the behaviors that follow.

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In this article, we want to explain why, behind every makeup look—whether tired or glass-skin smooth—there is, first and foremost, healthy skin, aeffective skincare and a focus on customized aesthetic medical treatments aimed not at chasing external standards, but at achieving the best version of yourself.

The “clean girl” trend: perfection and uniformity

The “clean girl aesthetic” phenomenon can be defined as a minimalist aesthetic, a look that is seemingly “fresh-faced” but expertly orchestrated: glowing, healthy skin, light makeup, lip gloss, neutral palettes, and hair that is either straight or styled with simplicity. It is often associated with a “healthy” lifestyle, involving diet, constant hydration, and Pilates sessions. 

According to an analysis by Newsweek, this look has dominated for years among Gen Z girls, who grew up on social media with their cameras in selfie mode, as a symbol of control, health, and an aspiration toward quiet luxury. 

Behind the apparent spontaneity of this trend lies a significant investment—in skincare, time, money, and lifestyle. But the "clean girl" model promotes an ideal of flawless beauty that can eventually feel too demanding, uniform, and unrealistic.

The "tired girl" rebellion: between aesthetics and intentional imperfection

The new "tired girl" trend flips the narrative: visible dark circles, pale skin, muted lips, and smudged eyeliner as if you’ve just come home from a night out.

Dark circles are sexy! And for those who don't have them, TikTok tutorials are booming, explaining all the steps to achieve a "tired girl makeup" look with faux dark circles.
Because the goal isn't to look unkempt, but rather to turn exhaustion into an aesthetic statement. The new icons are: Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams, the signature dark circles of Billie Eilish, or the bags proudly displayed in the style of Kristen Stewart. 

Gen Z grew up under the constant scrutiny of camera lenses and social media judgment, and now they are reclaiming their right to be tired, to be imperfect, and to embrace aesthetic "smudges." Even if it means drawing on fake dark circles to highlight their uniqueness.

Skincare and aesthetic medicine: the foundation before the makeup

The "clean girl" and the "tired girl" are more than just trends: they represent two aesthetic, cultural, and psychological responses—opposite yet complementary—to beauty in the age of social media.
But at the center remains taking care of your skin, regardless of slicked-back buns or faux dark circles.
Because makeup offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities if you have a base of healthy, toned skin with an even texture.

The first rule of good skincare is, of course,hydration. You know how a baby's skin looks? At that age, their body is made up of nearly 80% water, which drops to 65% in adulthood and continues to decrease as we age. 

A healthy lifestyle (with a careful diet and proper hydration) remains an excellent protective factor for your overall health and your skin in particular, along with consistent cleansing to remove pollutants and creams with SPF 50 sunscreen all year round. A separate chapter should be dedicated to the factors of stress, which sometimes interfere with our sleep-wake cycle, also affecting our skin and facial expression throughout the day.

In aesthetic medicine, however, there are treatments pro-aging such as biostimulation that, through microinjections into the dermis, introduce biorevitalizing substances such as:

• Free hyaluronic acid to improve deep skin hydration, such as Skinvive
• Calcium hydroxylapatite, a collagen stimulator
• Polylactic acid, to improve tone, firmness, and elasticity
• Vitamins, amino acids, and peptides, essential nutrients for fibroblasts
• Chemical peels, for skin renewal
• Diluted botulinum toxin, not only for its classic effect on dynamic wrinkles, but also in combination with hydrating substances to refine texture and reduce sebum production
• Fractional and Q-switched lasers, for discoloration, enlarged pores, and signs of aging

These substances and procedures stimulate fibroblasts to reactivate the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for keeping skin young and firm. At BTX Bar, we suggest: whatever aesthetic you choose, aesthetic medicine is not makeup but a natural enhancer, an ally for your skin.

And what about dark circles? Discover our targeted treatments

It is one thing to use your face as a canvas to evoke a “tired girl” look, but eliminating fatigue or signs of aging under the eyes has always been the forbidden dream of every living being, especially after 30. 

At BTX Bar, we offer targeted hyaluronic acid-based treatments to achieve different results depending on the characteristics and morphology of each face.

Our targeted treatments for under-eye bags and dark circles are:

Bye Bye Bags a non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid with draining and decongestant properties, effective not only for brightening dark circles but also for effectively and lastingly reducing under-eye bags and crow's feet. 

Eye espresso shot is a hyaluronic acid-based treatment designed to hydrate and brighten the skin while reducing expression lines. It works through biorevitalization, stimulating collagen and elastin production for firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

Goodbye Panda eyes is an innovative filler, also based on hyaluronic acid with added lidocaine. It comes as a particularly soft gel that is injected subcutaneously, specifically developed to fill in fine lines that appear primarily around the mouth and eyes.

The role of the aesthetic doctor: personalization and safety

Whatever trend inspires you, our advice is to trust the hands of an honest aesthetic doctor who can analyze your actual needs and, if necessary, plan a customized protocol. Here are some key points:

• Medical skin assessment: dermal density, presence of imperfections, and clinical history.
  
• Choice of treatments: biorevitalization, light fillers, preventive Botox, or soft to deep-action peels for more mature skin.
  
• Treating the skin as a living organnot just surface-level makeup.
  
• Ensuring safety: health and hygiene protocols tailored to each individual, approved products, and expertise.
  

At the BTX Bar, we practice a tailored approach, where the aesthetic result is guaranteed, but above all, aimed at restoring a healthy and authentic look.

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