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The “clean girl aesthetic” has taken over Tiktok over the past few years. This trend is all about creating a clean look, with slick backs, light makeup, simple jewelry, clean rooms, and a simple morning routine. This “look” is designed to appear soft, perfect, and completely put together. These videos often use soft audios, and the clips are made to look aesthetic.  

A big part of the trend is how calm and easy everything seems. Basic tasks like making your bed in the morning, or making a cup of coffee look peaceful and almost cinematic. Creators will film themselves being productive and wiping down counters or organizing their makeup or skincare. When you see this on your feed, it seems like you could easily do the same, which is why the aesthetic spreads so quickly. 

Why these videos became so popular 

These videos are usually an influencer waking up early, drinking lemon water, doing a pilates workout, and doing a long skincare routine with expensive products. The whole video looks perfect; perfect lighting, calm music, and no mess to be seen. 

People enjoy watching these videos because they are relaxing to watch. Influencers make simple tasks, like washing your face or making a matcha latte, look beautiful. They also give viewers hope that their mornings could look like this. However, at the same time, these videos can make viewers compare themselves to these influencers and their lives. 

In the article, The Trap of the Tiktok ‘Day in the Life’, written by Jenny Hotchkiss explains how easy it is to fall into the habit of copying things we see online. She talks about how she tried to copy the habits she saw on Tiktok, like journaling and reading more, but eventually the routine “felt disingenuous” because it wasn’t unique to her life. This shows how trends like clean girl aesthetic can inspire people, but can also create pressure to copy someone else’s life. 

Why do people enjoy these videos? 

The main reason people seem to enjoy these videos is because they create a certain mood. The bright lighting, simple outfits, healthy food, and calming music all make the day look peaceful and quiet. It feels comforting to watch, which is why people enjoy watching. 

At the same time, in the blog Why We Love a “Day in The Life,” written by Ashely Johanson points out that these videos can be a source of real inspiration. She believes that these videos can encourage people to do new things, like healthy recipes or self care routines. Johanson also writes that the creative editing creators will do is a way to express themselves, turning their daily lives into something beautiful and meaningful. 

The Pressure Behind the Trend 

A lot of people don’t realize the work that is put into editing these videos to make them look perfect. Before filming, creators will clean their rooms and fix the lighting. Very few creators will show the real parts of their life, like running late, stress, and mess.

Because of this, these videos create a false reality of what a “good” day should look like. People might start to think that their day isn’t “good enough” unless it looks perfect. Over time, how your day looks becomes more important than how it actually feels. 

The Impact of the Trend 

The “clean girl aesthetic” has both positive and negative effects on people. On the positive side, it can be a source of motivation, encouraging people to take care of themselves, clean their room, try new healthy habits, or clean their room. 

On the negative side, it can make people feel badly about their lifestyles. Our lives aren’t supposed to always be perfect. It’s normal to be rushed, stressed, have bad days, and messy rooms. When trends like this only show the nice aesthetic parts, people might feel like they aren’t doing enough. 

Overall, the “clean girl aesthetic” shows how social media can turn everyday life into a competition. It can inspire people, but at the same it can also make them feel like their real life isn’t enough. 

Works cited:

Hotchkiss, Jenny. “The Trap of the TikTok ‘Day in the Life.’” The Heights, 1 Oct. 2023, https://bcheights.com/209048/opinions/the-trap-of-the-tiktok-day-in-the-life/

Johanson, Ashley. “Why We Love a ‘Day in My Life’.” SWATCH by AMDA, 26 Nov. 2024, www.swatchbyamda.com/blog/why-we-love-a-day-in-my-life