A new makeup trend dubbed 'tired girl' is gaining traction on UK TikTok, but critics argue it glamorises burnout. The look, which involves faux dark circles and red pigment under the eyes, has been adopted by celebrities such as Lily-Rose Depp and Jenna Ortega. Tutorials for the style have amassed over 300,000 views on the platform.
While some embrace the trend as a way to normalise tiredness, others question its timing. Data from the STADA Health Report 2025 reveals that 56% of women aged 18 to 24 in the UK have experienced burnout, the highest rate in Europe. The trend has sparked debate about whether it trivialises genuine exhaustion.
Social media reactions have been mixed. One TikTok user commented, 'This is what my makeup always looks like because my dark circles can't be covered,' while another said, 'The look of the university student has become fashionable.' However, critics argue that the trend's 12-step routine is far from authentic tiredness.
The 'tired girl' aesthetic follows other viral trends like 'clean girl' and 'strawberry girl', but its focus on under-eye bags has divided opinion. As burnout rates rise among young women, the trend raises questions about the line between fashion and glorifying exhaustion.
