The Clean Girl Era is Dead

Rhode glazing milk paired with Glossier Futuredew, followed by a private pilates session on my new Lululemon yoga mat. A refreshing beverage in the form of a matcha latte (oat milk and ceremonial grade, naturally), and an açaí bowl topped with chia seeds, blueberries, and a drizzle of manuka honey with antimicrobial benefits.

One of the reasons why the clean girl aesthetic was so coveted was because it made effort appear effortless. The clean girl did not merely sell a ‘lifestyle,’ she sold a new definition of luxury, one of controlled perfection. However, ironically, achieving this ‘effortless’ look was anything but effortless. It demanded time, money, discipline and access to the very best resources of wellness and self-care.

Moreover, the aesthetic was criticised for catering to an exceptionally narrow demographic, predominantly young, white, upper-middle-class women. This lifestyle of effortless perfection became a status symbol in itself. Luxury was no longer simply about your assets, but how perfectly you appeared to live, and the effortless image you cultivated.

"What is true luxury? Has the definition changed?"

If luxury is the ability to afford the perfect lifestyle, then the ultimate luxury is having the freedom not to pursue it at all. Perhaps this is where the clean girl’s definition of luxury may be challenged. The highest form of luxury is not achieving a certain ‘aesthetic,’ nor is it conforming to trends, rather, true luxury is the freedom of choice.

For prestigious cultural icons such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Michael Jackson, Johnny Depp, and David Bowie, to name a few, the rules are quite simply non-existent. This is hardly a modern phenomenon.

Historically, it has been observed that many important monarchs and figures refused to conform to societal norms as an exhibition of power and authority surpassing the ‘rules’ of society. Elizabeth I, Princess Diana, Alexander the Great and Louis XIV are amongst those whose cultural influence allowed them to shape conventions of their time.

"Recent trends marking a shift away from the clean girl aesthetic."

It may be argued that this is purely a matter of personal interpretation. However, in 2026, beauty and fashion have began moving conspicuously away from the clean girl’s constrained minimalism. Vogue even described this year’s eye-makeup direction as a shift from minimalism towards “expressive maximalism” in Makeup Trends to Know in 2026. Here are a few recent trends, making the departure from the clean girl rather difficult to ignore.

Powder-Blue Eyeshadow

Versatile, striking, and icy. Contrary to the “your skin but better” philosophy defining the clean girl aesthetic, blue eyeshadow symbolises rebellion, femininity and an unapologetic craving for attention. At the Paris Premiere of The Odyssey in July 2026, Zendaya sported a soft, almost ethereal frosty blue eye. The same look was emulated by Jennifer Lopez the next day at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Smoking

From Holly Golightly leaning out of the open window of her five-storey brownstone, sending delicate spirals of smoke into the New York air to Princess Margaret draped in mink furs, a cigarette holder languidly poised between porcelain fingers, the act of smoking a cigarette transcends its practical function. It becomes a fashion accessory, a status indicator, a symbol of glamour, sophistication, and perhaps, the most coveted of all, an elusive air of nonchalance.

I must confess, I was never a smoker until I attended university. Something about it screams Lily-Rose Depp chic, or, at least, that’s what I’d like to imagine squatting in Jimmy’s smoking area.

90s Blowouts

Victoria Secret supermodels mastered the perfect blowout, cascading face-framing layers, gravity-defying volume, complete with a luxurious sheen, screaming runway glamour and high fashion. After years of slicked-back buns, even Hailey Bieber, the patron saint of the clean girl era, embraced the fuller silhouette at Coachella.

Red Lipstick

Smear it on mirrors, the collar of your boyfriend’s shirt, the rim of a wine glass, the back of an envelope, the possibilities are endless. An art form in itself, I might add.

Maximalist Jewellery

If you’re a Durham student, you’ll likely have undergone immense suffering during the clean girl’s ‘minimalist jewellery’ trend, popularised by Hailey Bieber, sporting just a singular pair of gold hoops. How blasé. You can now empty your drawers of Bella Christie and Bijoux De Mimi and layer up. Etalie Culverwell recommends pairing a chunky piece (like a cross, initial or heart pendant), with a more dainty piece. The best part? Mixing metals is the height of cool girl.

This article discusses the historical and cinematic aesthetic of smoking for cultural analysis. Castle & Cloister does not promote or condone smoking, which carries severe health risks, including cancer and heart disease.

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