There’s a new wave in beauty, and it’s gloriously imperfect. The “tired girl makeup” trend, seen everywhere from late-night red carpets to this generation’s cool It-girls like Billie Eilish, celebrates softness, moodiness, and makeup that looks slightly worn-in rather than freshly painted. It’s the opposite of over-polished glam: think smudged eyeliner, creased skin tint, blurred lips, and an air of effortless nonchalance that’s more romantic than fatigued.
This look isn’t about pretending you got eight hours of sleep. It’s about ditching the pressure to appear flawless and embracing the natural quirks that make your face interesting. Here’s how to master the aesthetic, from skin to eyes to lips, along with product picks to make it beautifully low-effort.
Skin: Real, Dewy, and Softly Imperfect
The base of tired girl makeup is skin that looks like skin. Not full-coverage, not matte, not airbrushed. Instead, it’s hydrated, sheer, and subtly textured, the kind of complexion that looks lived-in, like it’s been through a long day in the prettiest way possible.
How to Get the Look
Start with a skin tint rather than a traditional foundation, something sheer and fluid that lets texture, tone, and movement remain visible. The goal isn’t to erase the skin, but to even it just enough that it still looks like skin. Under the eyes, resist the urge to over-correct. A touch of natural creasing adds character and softness, the kind of lived-in realism that reads effortless rather than overdone.
Glow should be intentional, not everywhere. Place it strategically along the high points—the temples, the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose—where light naturally hits and enhances structure. Keep the rest of the complexion quiet. Powder only where it’s absolutely necessary, allowing the skin to retain its natural finish and flexibility. In editorial terms, this look succeeds because it edits wisely: minimal product, maximum impact, and an ease that feels modern and believable.
Instead of hiding signs of life—fine lines, faint shadows, a bit of unevenness—the tired girl aesthetic lets them breathe. The result is quietly cinematic.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream — full-coverage foundation, hydrating and anti-aging serum, and SPF 50+ sunscreen all in one!
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream
Saie Glowy Super Gel — adds dewy radiance without sparkle.
Saie Glowy Super Gel
Eyes: Smudged, Soft, and Unapologetically Lived-In
The eyes are the star of tired girl makeup. They’re hazy, undone, and touchably imperfect, like you rubbed them once but somehow made it fashion. A little moody. A little mysterious. A lot cool.
This is where someone like Emma Chamberlain often leans in: soft shadow, smudged liner, no hard edges. It’s effortless in the most intentional way.
How to Get the Look
Swap sharp black liner for brown or charcoal to soften the eye and immediately modernize the look. These shades define without dominating, creating depth that feels intentional rather than severe. Apply the liner directly at the lash line, then smudge it gently with your fingers or a small brush. The blur is key—it diffuses structure just enough to feel undone, as if the makeup has settled into you rather than sitting on top of the skin.
Finish with a single wash of shadow in taupe, mauve, or a neutral bronze, swept lightly across the lid to add dimension without distraction. This isn’t about layering or precision; it’s about tone and balance. Keep mascara soft and flexible—nothing too thick, spiky, or overbuilt. Lashes should frame the eye, not compete with it. IThe effect is subtle definition with depth: polished, lived-in, and quietly compelling.
And here’s the best part: dark circles are not the enemy. Many people actually accentuate them for this look. That natural muted pigment under the eyes? It adds depth, softness, and mood. You don't have to correct what already gives your face character.
For those with natural under-eye shadows, this trend is basically a love letter.
Charlotte Tilbury Rock ’N’ Kohl in Barbarella Brown — creamy and perfect for smudging.
Charlotte Tilbury Rock ’N’ Kohl in Barbarella Brown
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara — lightweight definition for a fluttery, lived-in finish.
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
Lips: Blurred, Bitten, and Comfortable
Tired girl lips echo the vibe of the whole look—they’re soft around the edges, like you applied them hours ago and let the day (or a latte) soften the finish. No harsh lines, no precise shaping, just a comfortable, diffused tint.
How to Get the Look
Choose lip tints or soft matte balms that melt into the lips rather than sitting on top of them. The finish should feel weightless and intimate—more stain than statement. Apply with your fingertips, pressing the color in instead of swiping it on. This method creates a hazy, diffused effect that feels intentional yet effortless, as though the color belongs to the lips rather than being painted onto them.
Skip liner entirely and blur the edges with a clean finger, allowing the shape to remain soft and slightly imperfect. Precision isn’t the goal here; mood is. Stick to deeper, nuanced tones—berry, rose, muted nude, soft brick—that add richness without overpowering the face. This kind of lip reads modern and emotive: understated, tactile, and quietly expressive.
Lily-Rose Depp often wears something similar: pouty, blurred, slightly undone. It's effortless and incredibly flattering.
Peripera Ink Velvet Tint — the ultimate blurred-lip formula.
Peripera Ink Velvet Tint
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