The ‘vanilla girl’: Who is she and how is she taking over TikTok?

She is the latest figure taking over the for-you-pages of many TikTok users, but what does it mean to be a ‘vanilla girl’?

Five years ago, many would have taken being called ‘vanilla’ as an insult, an innuendo for being considered basic or boring. However, the ‘vanilla girl’ is anything but. Stemming from the infamous clean girl aesthetic which took over the later part of 2022, the vanilla girl is putting a new spin on being effortlessly put together.

Think soft pink blushes, nourishing lip oils and dewy skin which glows at golden hour. Using makeup to accentuate natural beauty instead of to create striking, bold looks. Gold and pink tones are opted for over silvers or blues. Similar to the ‘make-up-no-make-up’ look of the clean girl, but slightly different.

There is less of a focus on perfection, and more on simplicity and freshness. The vanilla girl doesn't want you to trick you into thinking this is how she woke up in the morning, but rather promotes a stripped-back, relaxed persona. She is more effortlessly undone, when compared to the 'slick back' clean girl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4IIISen2zg

Bronzer is chosen over contour, to make the face warmer rather than more defined. A dusting of highlighter may be used to add a subtle sparkle and a simple clear gloss, a timeless make-up bag staple, is used to accentuate the lips. Faux freckles are also making a resurgence in this trend, as they help create a cutesy, loveable vibe.

When it comes to hair, strands are scooped back into claw clips or swept into messy buns that aren’t too messy to the point where it looks like you didn’t try. When left down, it is flowy and loosely waved. The ever so slight curl is used to frame the face in a way that oozes softness and has a slightly flirty hint.

We appear to be in an age of rebranding everyday simplicity into viral trends. Along with the ‘vanilla girl’ comes trends such as ‘glazed doughnut nails’ (neutral nails with a shimmery sheen) and ‘balletcore’ (wearing ballet flats and knitted cardigans). All go hand in hand with one another.

Whilst not exactly ground-breaking, the ‘vanilla girl’ is the latest way of packaging luxe minimalism into a shiny new trend, and with the internet fully getting on board. It’s safe to say she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Edited by Imogen Bowlt