The current transient TikTok fashion focus: projecting a tired appearance
The "Tired Girl" makeup trend, a deliberate fashion statement embracing the appearance of exhaustion, has gained popularity among Gen Z. This aesthetic, characterized by pale skin, dark circles, smudged eyes, bruised lips, and muted tones, rejects the polished perfection of earlier beauty standards in favour of calculated imperfection as a symbol of authenticity and emotional survival in an era dominated by hustle culture and burnout.
Origins of the Tired Girl Look
The roots of the "Tired Girl" trend can be traced back to the early 1990s when Fiona Han, a member of the Australian alt-rock band Def Fx, deliberately enhanced a tired, grungy appearance in her makeup for music videos. This precursor to today's style paved the way for the trend's resurgence and mainstream attention, particularly through actress Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series.
Ortega's makeup, created by Tara McDonald for season one, aimed for a polished but natural look using minimal products. The illusion of naturally flushed lips, almost like they've been gently bitten, was key, as was the darker circles around her eyes that stood out more due to her lighter foundation. For season two, Nirvana Jalalvand continued this approach, with Wednesday's nonchalance about her appearance serving as the antithesis to traditional, polished, fresh-faced beauty ideals.
The Cultural Significance of Tired Girl
The "Tired Girl" trend acts as a counterpoint to previous dominant beauty trends such as the vibrant pink “Barbiecore” or the “clean girl” look characterized by minimalistic, glowing skin. Instead, it reflects Generation Z's embrace of vulnerability, fatigue, and the realities of mental and emotional strain as fashionable and relatable, challenging norms about what is considered beautiful or desirable in makeup.
This trend is not to be confused with goth, grunge fashion, or South Korea’s aegyo-sal makeup trend. It is, however, reminiscent of Korean “hangover makeup” influences and carries a distinctive Tim Burton energy, prominently featured in both seasons of Wednesday.
Influencers and Celebrities Embracing the Trend
Celebrities like Jenna Ortega, the modern poster girl for the "Tired Girl" makeup trend, and actors Lily Rose-Depp and Gabbriette, as well as model Gabbriette, have embraced this aesthetic. Influencers such as Emma Chamberlain, Danielle Marcan, and Lara Violetta have also shown their support for the trend.
The Tired Girl Trend in the Context of Core Aesthetics
The "Tired Girl" look is part of the transient "core" phenomenon, a term used to describe niche internet aesthetics. While it may not have roots as deep as trends like grunge, its impact on Gen Z culture and the beauty industry is undeniable.
In summary, the "Tired Girl" trend is both a nostalgic nod to 90s grunge and Korean “hangover makeup” influences and a contemporary cultural movement that transforms visible exhaustion into a powerful statement of identity and emotional resilience.
[1] Dan Hastings-Narayanin, deputy foresight editor at The Future Laboratory, views Gen Z's embrace of the Tired Girl trend as a return to vulnerability and relatability amid "relentless pressures" faced by young people.
[2] Kim Brown, makeup artist and beauty director at Glass magazine, stated that the "Tired Girl" look has an edge and personality, being tough and cool.
[3] Dan Hastings-Narayanin stated that grunge grew from anti-establishment values, music scenes, and community solidarity.
[4] "Tired Girl" makeup is now a TikTok category, with numerous tutorials on achieving the sleep-deprived look. Some popular videos have gained over 300,000 views.
[5] Kylie Jenner's attendance at the 2024 CFDA Awards marks a departure from the "clean girl" aesthetic, a fresh-faced look popularized by Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Kendall Jenner.
- The "Tired Girl" trend in fashion-and-beauty, which reflects Generation Z's embrace of vulnerability and emotional survival, is challenging traditional beauty ideals, as demonstrated by its counterpoint to trends like the vibrant pink "Barbiecore" or the "clean girl" look.
- The "Tired Girl" trend, with its origins traceable to the early 1990s, is also a part of the transient "core" phenomenon in lifestyle, as it transforms visible exhaustion into a powerful statement of identity and emotional resilience, much like how grunge did from anti-establishment values.
