How to Nail the ‘Tired Girl’ Trend

We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors.
How to Nail the ‘Tired Girl’ Trend featured image
Neil Mockford/FilmMagic/ Getty Images

With the second half of Wednesday season 2 out now on Netflix, we’re being blessed with incredible press tour looks from every cast member, including star Jenna Ortega. With her gothic aesthetic and bold makeup choices, it’s no surprise to see the “tired girl” trend back in full force. Thankfully, you don’t actually need sleep deprivation to get this look yourself.

Tired Girl, Not Exhausted Girl

We’ve seen tired eyes pop up before online, especially on TikTok, where the trend has really taken off. But Jenna Ortega’s recent press tour looks seem to have brought back the trend in full force. Ortega brings a more grunge, emo aesthetic to the look, with dark, smudgy liner and often a darker lip pairing.

According to New York makeup artist, Natalie Dresher, the key to making this look work is the balance between tired eyes and clean, fresh skin. Hooded eyes and smudgy eyeliner aren’t the only hallmarks of looking tired—you’ll want to make sure you’ve addressed dull skin before going for this aesthetic. “Making sure your face makeup is clean and polished will make the tired girl look effective, not actually tired tired,” Dresher explains.

To create balance, you may want to lean toward fresh-faced looks that prioritize subtle glow. “To achieve the luminous look, I like to use a glowy primer as the base and then add a sheer liquid foundation,” says makeup artist Carmindy Kathyrn Bowyer.

It’s All About the Eyes

tired girl Unsplash by Vicky Hladynets
Unsplash by Vicky Hladynets

“The tired girl trend is really eye-heavy,” explains Dresher. “So, you want to make the eyes dark and smudgey, while still looking effortless and clean. To accomplish that, you’ll lightly smudge your eyeliner without dragging it too far away from the eye. You want a soft, diffused look.”

To really drive home the “tired” part of this trend, you’ll actually want to create under-eye bags. So instead of looking for color-correction and concealer for this area, you’ll accentuate that discoloration.

“Reach for a multi-use cream blush or a red-toned cream shadow and apply just under the lower lash line to create that just-woke-up, bleary effect,” Dresher says. “Use the same tones on the upper lid to create balance. You can even very lightly line under the eye to create the impression of an eye bag if you want to go that far.”

But the trend is about looking tired—not exhausted. Make sure your lashes are curled, long and visible iso that you don’t look actually tired.” Dresher says. “This helps open up your eyes and creates a more polished overall look.”

Products to Nail the Tired Girl Look

1 / 8

Tarte smolderEYES Shadow Liner ($26)

“This shadow liner is perfect for smudged, effortless liner that isn’t thin and precise,” says Dresher. Choose from 11 shades of this clay-infused liner and use the built-in smudger to create your ideal tired girl look.

tired girl Tarte smolderEYES Shadow Liner
2 / 8

Stila Stay All Day® Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner ($23)

This gel liner is built for smudging, creating a diffused, smoky look and then setting in place for a long-wear, waterproof finish.

tired girl Stila Stay All Day® Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner ($23)
3 / 8

NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye Pencil ($27)

In matte and satin finishes, these application pencils allow for a quick eye shadow look or a more precise eyeliner. Get the shadowy, tired-eyed look with this safe-for-your-waterline pencil.

tired girl NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye Pencil
4 / 8

Laura Geller Kajal Longwear Eyeliner ($24)

Get the best of a smokey eye and a liner with this vitamin E- and caffeine-infused eyeliner. The creamy formula allows for an easy smudged look that stays in place when dry.

TIRED GIRL Laura Geller Kajal Longwear Eyeliner ($24)
5 / 8

Buxom Lash Xtension Lift Mascara ($28)

Dresher recommends this mascara to get separated and defined lashes with serious volume.

tired girl Buxom Lash Xtension Lift Mascara
6 / 8

Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara ($15)

Get unbelievable extension and definition with comfortable, easy removal with this shea butter-infused tubing mascara.

milani highly rated tubing mascara
7 / 8

NARS The Multiple Soft Blur Blush Stick for Cheeks, Eyes and Lips in Fling ($40)

The pinkish-rouge of Fling is the perfect way to top off this trend, and is safe for use around the eyes. Create a harmonious, blurred look by  swiping this multi-stick under the eyes and on your lips!

Nars multi stick
8 / 8

Jillian Dempsey Lid Tint Ruby ($28)

This true red cream eye shadow will give you major tired-girl payoff with just a touch of product. Perfect for creating that just-woke-up look, this shade delivers satiny, fully pigmented color with just a swipe.

jillian dempsey

Related Posts

Find a Doctor

Find a NewBeauty "Top Beauty Doctor" Near you

NewBeauty cover with reflection

Give the Gift of Luxury

NewBeauty uses cookies for various reasons, including to analyze and improve its content and advertising. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for more about how we use this data. By continuing to use this site, you agree to these policies.