TikTok’s vanilla girl trend is the cosy beauty vibe we need in 2023
Another day, another trending Tiktok aesthetic. Last year, it was all about Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut era, where Y2K reigned supreme (see: the comeback of frosted makeup) and full-glam makeup made its comeback. In 2023, the vibe is all about cosy minimalism in the form of the #vanillagirl aesthetic.
With 412 million views (and counting), #vanillagirl is shaping up to be our favourite beauty trend yet. And not just because it favours comfort over glam. Frankly, we’re here for the end of the unattainable #cleangirl aesthetic - and vanilla girl seems to be signalling just that.
So what actually is a vanilla girl?
Think of “vanilla girl” as a more wholesome clean girl aesthetic. Where clean girl beauty favours slicked hair and glass skin alongside Y2K trends, #vanillagirl thrives on cosy, lived-in looks - the ultimate done-but-undone vibe. Essentially, “vanilla girl” is simply another name for Scandi style.
The vanilla girl has a meticulously maintained blowout, often paired with ‘70s-inspired bangs or fastened into an effortless updo with a claw clip. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips glossed. Her cheeks are flushed and spotted with freckles. Her skin has a blurred, cloud-like finish. And she smells like, well, vanilla.
@matildadjerf
A typical vanilla girl’s wardrobe consists of chunky knits, airy linen pants and creamy neutral tones. And, of course, uggs are her go-to shoes. Look to Scandi it-girl Matilda Djerf for more vanilla girl inspo (or your old Pinterest boards…).
Unfortunately for us Aussies (and anyone else in the southern hemisphere…) we seem to be in the wrong season to enter our peak vanilla girl era. But thankfully autumn is right around the corner. And these are the vanilla girl beauty essentials you’ll need to create a cosy (but chic) aesthetic to see you through the cooler months…
@karunwen
Vanilla girl beauty essentials
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Vanilla Beige
This tinted lip balm is the perfect balance of shine and hydration. The buttery gloss helps to repair dry, damaged lips and has the most gorgeous caramel hue that complements every skin tone.
$35 at MECCA
Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting and Smoothing Powder
For an IRL filter, we can’t go past Kosas’ viral powder. Beloved by Hailey Bieber herself, this pressed powder delivers a dreamy cloud skin finish to keep excess oils at bay all day long.
$51 at MECCA
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint Foundation
This skin tint delivers the perfect ‘your skin but better’ coverage. It has a glowy finish that doesn’t make you look oily (a rare feat) and glides onto your skin like silk for a flawlessly sheer veil.
$49 at Sephora
Schwarzkopf got2b glued 4 brows and edges
Vanilla girl beauty is all about soft, fluffy brows and this drugstore beauty staple will give you an instant brow lamination. Once it’s dried down, not a single hair will move out of place (trust us, we’ve tried it!) so long-lasting feathered brows are guaranteed.
$17.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
You’ve no doubt seen the hype around this Rare Beauty blush on TikTok, so all we’ll say is this: a little goes a LONG way…
$39 at Sephora
Two Tone Rectangle Hair Claw
Cosy beauty calls for low-fuss updos and a claw clip will deliver just that. And if you’ve got thick hair, don’t worry - this hair claw will keep every strand in place.
$12.95 at Sportsgirl
Billie Eilish Eilish EDP
You’ll understand the hype around this TikTok-approved fragrance after just one spritz. It features notes of vanilla (obviously), cacao and musk and will leave you smelling like cake batter all day and night. Delicious.
$96 at The ICONIC
ghd Rise Volumising Hot Brush
Not great with a DIY blow-out? The faux-out (our new fave hair hack) is where it’s at and ghd’s hot brush will be your saving grace. Simply let your hair dry to about 80 per cent then go in with this hot brush to smooth the roots and add a Farrah Fawcett flick to the ends.
$232 at Oz Hair & Beauty
Main image: @stxph.h
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Georgia Nelson is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty & Social Editor and resident Euphoria obsessee. You'll find her hard at work putting the latest TikTok beauty trends to the test or perfecting her skin care routine. Her latest obsession? Nailing the glazed donut aesthetic (move over, Hailey Bieber).
