Have you ever wondered if you are a “pretty girl” or a “pretty boy” and what that really means?
In a slightly controversial TikTok beauty trend, people are explaining the difference between the two viral terms, along with which celebrities fall into each category.
Many young women, like content creator Sienna Zárate, posted about how they felt pretty girl and never attract the attention of men, while others explain how to glam accordingly.
Croatian creator Mirta Miler showed her 18.3 million TikTok followers the difference by doing ‘pretty girl’ makeup on one hand and ‘pretty boy’ on the other, defining it as the male versus female gaze.
Mirta explained the differences like this: “What is attractive to men versus what is attractive to women?” before showing off her glamorous routine in two different ways.
Many young women, like content creator Sienna Zarate, posted about feeling like they were pretty girls and not getting attention from men.
‘Guys always say: “I like natural girls.” For them, natural girls mean at least a medium coverage foundation,’ Mirta explained, demonstrating it on her own face. To the left of her face it showed what “pretty boy” makeup was and to the right of her what “pretty girl” meant.
‘Guys always say: “I like natural girls.” For them, natural girls mean at least a medium coverage foundation,” Mirta explained.
She said that “the male gaze is about looking like you have no flaws but also like you’re not wearing a lot of makeup,” while doing makeup for the “female gaze is about falling in love with imperfections.”
When applying makeup for the male gaze, she enhanced her soft feminine features and focused on becoming the ‘angelic girl next door’ by putting on fake freckles and fluffy, airy eyebrows on the left.
For the pretty girl, she made sure to create a light, breathable, skin-level foundation, and thin, lifted brows with dewy skin.
In the second part of videoshe put on soft, dreamy glitter eye makeup for the boy’s pretty aesthetic, and for the girly look she did a smoky eye.
Content creator Axandra, who has 1.7 million followers and makes “girly” videos, discussed some of the differences between what makes a pretty girl and what makes a boy pretty.
Alxandra said, “Girls with bangs, just pretty girls. I feel like men don’t care about bangs,” which would put Taylor Swift firmly in the pretty girl category.
She also believes that having short hair is “a pretty girl”, because men are “obsessed with long hair”, which makes the Sydney Sweeney boy pretty.
Women weighed in on what they thought “pretty girl” meant and whether they cared
Alxandra said: ‘Girls with bangs – just pretty girls – I feel like men don’t care about bangs’ while explaining the differences in the viral trend
As part of Alxandra’s description, the red lips and dramatic eye makeup, as seen on Taylor Swift, are also pretty girls.
Sydney Sweeney is an example of a pretty boy, as she wears full coverage makeup and rarely opts for over-the-top glam or anything overly dramatic.
According to Axandra, pretty women also do playful eyeliner and opt for bold and bright makeup looks in general, while pretty women do the bare minimum when it comes to glamor and don’t experiment.
Commenters had a lot to say about the differences and whether people should care what men had to think about their haircuts and makeup routines.
A woman chimed in: “And style your hair however you want…most men like individuality, unless you’re looking to date guys.”
Another explained: “A good example of a pretty girl for me would be Alexa Chung.”
Someone else clarified: ‘Anyone can appreciate a pretty boy, but a pretty girl is something only women appreciate. “Like a flirt,” in reference to the hyperfeminine trend full of bows.
Megan Fox is an example of a pretty boy, as she has long hair and what appears to be minimal makeup, despite having full coverage foundation.
One TikTok commenter explained, “A good example of a pretty girl for me would be Alexa Chung,” since she has short hair and doesn’t wear makeup for the male gaze.
Actress and creator Donny Jackson He made his own TikTok giving his opinion on the trend that is sweeping TikTok.
Donnie shared, “Unpopular opinion, but that whole are you a pretty girl or are you a pretty boy thing is absolutely stupid.”
“This generation’s obsession with beauty is so terrible.”
She added in her caption: “Did they forget that people have personalities or am I crazy?”
Despite the controversy, many people are weighing in on who they think is a pretty boy or girl and how they think they can change their glamorous appearance to embrace fashion.