Why Is TikTok So Obsessed With the “Clear” Magnificence Look? Actually, I am Over It

I am not on TikTok for the wonder tendencies – stunning, coming from somebody who writes about magnificence for a dwelling, I do know. I am actually simply there for the memes and a break from Instagram’s unwavering, manufactured perfection. However all over the place I flip (er, scroll), I am met with movies of “clear” magnificence tutorials that reek of that very same unattainable perfection. Not “clear” as in clear substances, clear as within the appears to be like themselves, which normally encompass glossy, slicked-back hair, pores and skin that glows sufficient to blind passersby, and very minimal make-up involving sheer complexion merchandise, light-weight mascara, and a bit little bit of tinted lip balm. 

When you search #cleanlook on the app, you will discover a whole bunch of movies, largely tutorials, accumulating greater than 22 million views. You too can discover the clear look on nearly each A-list mannequin nowadays. It appears to be the off-duty hair and make-up of selection for Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, and the like. This is the half the place you get mad at me: It bores me to fucking demise. 

There’s nothing unsuitable in any respect with preserving make-up and hairstyling minimal, so if that is your recreation, you do you (hell, I do it on a regular basis). It is the truth that the web is so, so entranced particularly with the “clear look” that units me off. As a result of, y’all, it is actually a repackaged model of no-makeup make-up, and that shit has been round without end. There’s nothing new or revolutionary taking place right here.

As soon as I had that realization, all of it clicked: Individuals aren’t actually demanding clean-look tutorials as a result of they do not perceive how slicked-back hair works or that tinted sunscreen exists. It is as a result of the first individuals who go viral or are recognized for emulating the clear look have straight or wavy hair, clear pores and skin, naturally full brows, and are — you guessed it — younger, white (or light-skinned), skinny, and conventionally enticing.