Beauty's Biggest Trend Shifts Away From 'Clean Girl' Look

The 'drama queen' aesthetic is taking over, marked by bold, expressive makeup and hairstyles.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The 'clean girl' beauty trend defined by no-makeup makeup and a 'pulled-together' look is being replaced by a more dramatic, expressive 'drama queen' aesthetic. Runway shows this season featured smudged eyeliner, metallic eyeshadows, long nails, and tousled, windswept hairstyles, signaling a shift towards bolder, more individualistic beauty choices. Experts say people are ready to have fun with their looks again after the clean girl trend dominated social media.

Why it matters

The rise of the 'drama queen' aesthetic reflects a cultural shift towards finding beauty and glamour in the messy, mundane, and analog aspects of life. It's a raw, authentic response to the highly curated, online-driven clean girl trend that was popularized by celebrities. Beauty is being used as a form of self-expression and individuality rather than conformity.

The details

Runway shows this season featured exaggerated beauty looks that moved away from the clean girl aesthetic. Knitwear designer Gabe Gordon was inspired by controversial figure skater Tonya Harding, showcasing smudged makeup and textured hair. Brands like Kim Shui, Cult Gaia, LaQuan Smith, and Sandy Liang featured dramatic elements like long nails, metallic eyeshadows, smeared lips, and tousled bedhead styles. Experts say the drama queen look is a blend of gritty punk and boho-chic sensibilities, marked by a sense of adventure, messiness, and sensuality.

  • Starting in spring/summer 2023, the clean-girl look began to fade and evolve into a 'too cool to care' vibe.
  • This fall/winter 2026 runway season has seen the clean girl aesthetic pronounced 'dead' and replaced by the 'drama queen' look.

The players

Gabe Gordon

A New York-based knitwear designer whose label draws inspiration from personal stories of love, grief, and intimacy.

Davey Matthew

A hairstylist who agrees the clean-girl era is moving out of the spotlight.

Romero Jennings

The global director of makeup at M.A.C, who says people are ready to have fun again with richer color, glossy textures, and graphic liner.

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What they’re saying

“Beauty today feels less about perfection and more about point of view; smudges, color, texture.”

— Gabe Gordon, Knitwear Designer (ELLE)

“There will always be a time and a place for a clean-girl aesthetic, but it doesn't have to be the only trend.”

— Davey Matthew, Hairstylist (ELLE)

“People are ready to have fun again and are leaning toward richer color, glossy textures, graphic liner, and looks that feel more individual than uniform.”

— Romero Jennings, Global Director of Makeup, M.A.C (ELLE)

What’s next

The drama queen aesthetic is expected to continue gaining prominence in the beauty and fashion industries, as people seek more expressive and individualistic ways to present themselves.

The takeaway

The shift from the clean girl to the drama queen aesthetic reflects a cultural desire for more raw, authentic, and adventurous forms of self-expression through beauty. This move away from perfection and uniformity signals an exciting new era in the beauty landscape.