Embracing Exhaustion: Gen Z’s ‘Tired Girl’ Makeup Trend Celebrates Imperfections as a Rebellious Statement Against Beauty Standards

The emergence of a new beauty trend, dubbed “Tired Girl,” is gaining traction among Gen Z individuals, championing a once-unappealing look of fatigue. This latest fad celebrates the unconventional allure of appearing sleep-deprived, challenging traditional beauty standards that have long emphasized fresh and alert appearances.

Historically, cosmetic products such as concealer, eye cream, and corrector sticks have been designed to mask signs of tiredness. However, Tired Girl beauty advocates for embracing imperfections traditionally concealed. In a recent interview with CNN, makeup artist Kim Brown described the trend as “a celebration of realness,” emphasizing its edgy and rebellious essence.

The popular Netflix series Wednesday, featuring Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, serves as a modern emblem for this trend. Ortega’s portrayal in both seasons showcases her character’s signature shadowed under-eyes and pale complexion, a look she recreated on the red carpet for the show’s premiere in London. Reminiscent of earlier references like Angelina Jolie in “Girl Interrupted” or a youthful Natalie Portman in “Leon,” contemporary proponents of this makeup style include Lily Rose-Depp, Gabbriette (model and musician), Emma Chamberlain, Danielle Marcan, and Lara Violetta.

On TikTok, the Tired Girl makeup category is rapidly expanding, with tutorials demonstrating how to achieve the weary appearance, some of which have garnered over 300,000 views as of late July. Violetta, who creates a “moldy makeup” aesthetic by smudging dark eye shadow under her eyes, commented on the trend, stating that “eye bags are so chic because you actually have to work for them.”

While distinct from goth and South Korea’s viral aegyo-sal makeup trends, Tired Girl shares similarities with grunge fashion, popularized by Courtney Love in the ’90s. However, unlike grunge, which was rooted in anti-establishment values and music scenes, Tired Girl is part of the transient “core” phenomenon, a term used to describe niche internet aesthetics such as cottagecore or Barbiecore.

Dan Hastings-Narayanin, deputy foresight editor at The Future Laboratory, explained that Tired Girl’s appeal lies in its ability to quickly convey one’s personality and mood. However, he cautioned that the trend is fleeting, commodified, and poised for replacement by the next viral moment.

The distinctive Tim Burton energy of Tired Girl is evident in Wednesday’s makeup, making it an apt choice for both seasons of the show. Hair and makeup artist Tara McDonald, who created Ortega’s look in season one, aimed to achieve a polished but natural appearance using minimal products and emphasizing Ortega’s unique features. This resulted in the darker circles around her eyes standing out more than usual, as she opted not to conceal her natural under-eye area with makeup.

The message behind Wednesday’s makeup is clear: she prioritizes solving mysteries over primping. Nirvana Jalalvand, responsible for Ortega’s beauty look in season two, underscored this point, stating that “Wednesday’s nonchalance about her appearance serves as the antithesis to traditional, polished, fresh-faced beauty ideals.”

This trend departs notably from the clean girl aesthetic, which has been popularized by Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Kendall Jenner over the last few years. As Jalavland noted, “even the way people post their Instagram photos now has shifted with photo dumps and blurry images.” This shift away from perfectionism reflects a growing desire for authenticity and relatability amidst the pressures of academic, financial, and professional obligations that Gen Z individuals face.

According to Hastings-Narayanin, the embrace of Tired Girl by Gen Z represents a return to vulnerability and relatability in response to “relentless pressures” such as managing academics, student debt, and navigating a fragile job market while striving for personal goals like saving the planet. Flaunting vulnerability and dark humor becomes a coping mechanism that proclaims, “I am exhausted and uncertain about my future, and I will laugh through the gloom.”

Applying Tired Girl makeup requires minimal effort and does not necessitate professional skills or intricate tools. As makeup artist Tara McDonald noted, “most people can do this makeup” and achieve the look without the need for makeup brushes. Despite its fleeting nature, the allure of Tired Girl beauty may resonate with Gen Z individuals seeking an authentic and relatable aesthetic in a world that often prioritizes perfection.