In this era of soft, natural glam, one beauty trend has sweetly taken center stage: the strawberry makeup look. Especially on TikTok, it’s impossible to scroll without stumbling upon the now-iconic aesthetic—soft, flushed cheeks, glossy lips, and a radiant, just-bitten glow. With its delicate sheen and effortless charm, the strawberry makeup look has BeautyTok in a full-on chokehold.
Of course, we have Hailey Bieber to thank for planting the seed. What started as a single soft-glam selfie has since ripened into a full-fledged beauty aesthetic. Today, it’s more than just a fleeting trend. It’s a viral moment turned seasonal staple. Think sun-kissed innocence with a touch of off-duty model cool.
What Exactly is the Strawberry Makeup Look?
Photo: @alissajanay/Instagram
Picture the clean girl aesthetic, but kissed with a touch of rosiness. The strawberry makeup look gives your face that perfect, just-flushed finish, adding color without overwhelming your features. It’s the kind of beauty that feels barely there, almost as if you’re not wearing makeup at all.
But don’t be fooled. Behind that airy, light, and seemingly effortless glow is some serious technique. The magic lies in the layers. Think blush, intentionally built up for a sun-warmed flush, paired with dewy bronzer and a swipe of glossy lips. When you think strawberry makeup, think strategic softness: equal parts fresh, feminine, and flawlessly composed.
The Hailey Bieber Effect
Hailey Bieber, ever the savvy businesswoman and creative director of her beauty brand, Rhodedidn’t just post a TikTok—she sparked a movement. After sharing her now-iconic strawberry makeup routine, BeautyTok followed suit, with influencers everywhere recreating the sun-kissed look of the season.
From her Rhode Skin lip tints to the carefully placed creamy blush, Hailey’s approach captured more than just attention. It tapped into a universal craving for beauty that feels both playful and polished, nostalgic yet undeniably modern.
Here’s How To Get the Strawberry Makeup Look
Unlike more sculpted and contoured trends, the strawberry makeup look embraces a softer, more natural finish that feels refreshingly accessible. It’s all about juicy color, radiant skin, and that effortless sun-kissed charm—no makeup artist required. Whether you’re reaching for high-end beauty staples or drugstore gems, this look is easily within reach. And with the right steps, you’ll end up with a clean, dewy face beat that’s perfect for summer.
Step 1: Prep Your Skin for a Dewy Finish
As with any great makeup look, it all begins with skincare. Hydration is key to achieving that coveted glazed finish. Start with a hydrating primer, serum, or moisturizer to create a fresh, luminous base. Reach for products that promote dewiness—think Rhode’s Glazing Milk or the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer. The goal? Skin that looks plump, smooth, and well-loved.
Shop Rhode Glazing Milk here and e.l.f Power Grip Primer here
Step 2: Apply a Lightweight Base
Next, keep your base breathable. Opt for a skin tint, BB cream, or lightweight foundation that lets your natural skin peek through. Look for formulas with a radiant or satin finish to maintain that fresh-faced, sun-warmed effect. This step is less about coverage and more about enhancing your natural glow.
Step 3: Add a Flushed, Berry-Toned Blush
Here lies the heart of the strawberry look. Choose a cream or liquid blush in berry, red, or cranberry tones and apply it generously. Sweep it across the apples of your cheeks and bridge of your nose to mimic the kind of flush you’d get after a sunny day in the fields. The effect should feel youthful, cheerful, and just a little bit romantic.
Step 4: Dot on Faux Freckles (Optional)
Add a playful touch with faux freckles. Use a brow pencil, eyeliner, or a dedicated freckle pen like Freck OG to scatter tiny dots across your cheeks and nose. Tap lightly with your finger to blur them out. The trick here is imperfection. Freckles are naturally uneven, so don’t overthink it.
Step 5: Keep the Eyes Soft and Subtle
Eyes should stay understated to let your blush and lips shine. Skip dramatic shadows and instead go for a wash of neutral shimmer or soft matte tones. A single coat of mascara or a few wispy lashes will add just the right amount of definition without stealing the spotlight.
Step 6: Glossy, Red-Tinted Lips
To tie the whole look together, finish with a juicy lip. Use a berry- or red-tinted lip balm, gloss, or oil to create that fresh-picked stain. Layer for added shine and depth. It should look effortless, not overdone.
Step 7: Highlight for a Natural Glow
Lastly, amplify the glow with a cream or liquid highlighter on the high points of your face—cheekbones, brow bones, the tip of your nose, and cupid’s bow. This final step catches the light in all the right ways, giving your skin a naturally radiant finish. Less is more here. The aim is to enhance, not overpower.
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Why You Should Choose the Hailey Bieber Strawberry Makeup Look This Summer
The strawberry makeup look is the perfect evolution of the clean girl aesthetic—only this time, it adds a playful flush that feels like sunshine in blush form. It’s fresh, breezy, and tailor-made for summer days. Picture that just-back-from-a-picnic glow: natural, radiant, and impossibly pretty.
Best of all? It’s delightfully low-maintenance. No need for an elaborate glam routine or a dozen brushes, just a swipe of berry-toned blush, a dab of gloss, and you’re good to glow. Because if soft glam is the main course, strawberry makeup is the sweet, dewy dessert.
Featured image: Getty Images
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