The Strawberry Girl Aesthetic Is The Latest Food-Inspired Look To Try
In a season dominated by food-themed beauty looks, berries have been a popular source of inspiration lately. First, there was the Tomato Girl look and now, we have the Strawberry Girl aesthetic making a buzz on social media. From the glam, bronzed allure of the latte makeup trend, femme folks have been gravitating toward the softer, more feminine styles of these berry-themed trends as summer begins to wind down.
At first glance, there doesn't seem to be much difference between the Tomato Girl and Strawberry Girl. Both have blushing cheeks on an otherwise barely-there look as their main draw, calling to mind the natural effect of spending some time outdoors either gardening, foraging, or picnicking. However, while both overlap in their use of red, the Tomato Girl's berry palette leans more toward oranges whereas the Strawberry Girl veers more in the direction of pinks. True to the fruit that inspired it, it's more sweet than sultry, more girly than femme fatale.
This is reflected in its makeup look. Makeup artist Saffron Hughes told Pop Sugar, "The trend focuses on enhancing natural features with pink hues, giving the face a fresh and healthy appearance." You can even add a dusting of faux freckles if you feel so inclined. See Hailey Bieber's Instagram beauty post that pretty much launched this trend. Style-wise, Glamour noted elements of balletcore and the coquette look in its use of soft pinks, with a touch of cottagecore's rustic charm, too.
Find a complementary pink tone for your complexion
The Strawberry Girl aesthetic works on any skin tone, provided you find that perfect pink for your skin. Makeup artist Saffron Hughes advised Pop Sugar to determine your skin's undertone first: If you spot blue or purple veins on your wrists, cool, blue-based pinks like bubblegum and raspberry shades look great on you. Green veins mean choosing a warmer, yellow-based tone like coral or fuchsia. "For individuals with deep skin tones, holding a white sheet of paper to your face can help identify any undertones," she added.
In terms of the type of product you can use, a cream blush works better for this look than powder, thanks to its dewier finish. However, for color that stays with you the whole day, a cheek stain would last longer than cream blush while still maintaining that natural-looking flush.
Complementing the aesthetic's pinkened cheeks are natural brows, juicy pink lips, and a couple of swipes of mascara on the lashes. The effect is soft, wholesome, and romantic — the epitome of being in the pink of health.
How to do the Strawberry Girl makeup
Once you've found your perfect pink blush, putting on your Strawberry Girl look is easy. Prep the skin with moisturizer, then apply a lightweight foundation to create that no-makeup makeup base. Hughes's tip to Pop Sugar is to go with a BB or CC cream, blending it with a damp beauty sponge. Follow this with your pink blush applied on the apples of your cheeks, the top of your forehead, and across your nose bridge. Much like the technique suggested by makeup artists for putting on a Tomato Girl look, start light in applying color then build up on it as you blend along the way to create that noticeable ruddiness. Your blush can also double as eyeshadow, but apply it only on specific areas so your eyes don't look infected. "Concentrate the color around the eye, and steer clear of the waterline and lower inner eye," Hughes advised.
Cop Hailey Bieber's Strawberry Girl look, too, and draw a dusting of faux freckles if you don't have any. According to Charlotte Tilbury, a brown lip liner works for creating natural-looking ones. Draw them scattered across the bridge of your nose and your cheeks with the pressure depending on how visible you want them. Press each dot lightly with the pad of your ring finger for a diffused effect.
Finish with swipes of berry lip tint to deepen the natural color of your lips. Top with gloss for a juicy shine.
Pull off the complete look
As pretty as the Strawberry Girl makeup already is, you might feel like taking the look a notch further by adopting the whole aesthetic into your wardrobe. No worries if you didn't get to buy the Strawberry Dress during its peak in popularity in 2020. Go for a pink gingham print and look ready to go on a garden picnic. Red and pink floral and fruity prints on blouses and dresses also fit right in, especially when accessorized with ribbons and ruffles.
For your hairstyle, romantic-looking plaits and buns complement the Strawberry Girl's feminine appeal. Combine the two into a slightly mussed-up crown braid with soft tendrils framing your face. If you want a less fussy style, leave your hair down in soft waves, maybe accessorized with a cloth headband.
The Strawberry Girl aesthetic is so popular, that it's even an inspiration for interiors. Ideal Home cited singer Lily Allen's Brooklyn place as an example of how its elements can spruce up a space: Aside from the pinks and reds on the upholstery, the curtains, and the wallpapers, pastel greens and brown gingham add a homey feel to the rooms. Interior stylist Alex Stubbs told the publication, "The [Strawberry Girl] aesthetic embraces a harmonious blend of coordinating tonal color palettes, incorporating gentle, pastel pinks alongside vibrant fruity reds that infuse a sense of playfulness into the look." Indeed, it feels like an appropriate last hurrah before the season starts to turn into a cooler, moodier one.