How to Get the Girl Next Door Look

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett

Last Updated: March 18, 2023 References

The girl-next-door is the cute, fun, and drama-free girl who used to be "one of the guys," but now the guys find her desirable. She’s got a natural sweetness about her that’s evident when she walks into the room. If you want to achieve the girl-next-door look, apply your makeup conservatively, wear clothes that are both casual and attractive, and give your hair a soft, loose curl.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Girl-Next-Door Makeup

1
Even out your skin tone with a light coat of foundation. The purpose of foundation is to cover up any discolored areas so that they blend in with the rest of your face. Focus on accomplishing this goal while applying a powder or an airy liquid foundation, and be conservative with the amount you use.
- Make sure to blend well with a makeup brush or sponge.
- The goal is to look natural, so avoid applying foundation in a thick, cakey way.^{[1]
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2
Manicure your brows. Since you’re going for a more subtle look, aim to tame your eyebrows instead of giving them a dramatic, dark shape. Simply fill in your brows lightly where necessary and use a brush to create a nice manicured arch.

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3
Apply one light coat of mascara. Instead of plumping up your lashes, just give them a quick coat of mascara to provide a touch of contrast.^{[2]
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Research source} Using mascara conservatively will give you a nice middle ground between over-dramatic and bare.
- Opt for brown mascara or just a lash tint to create an even more subtle and soft contrast.^{[3]
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4
Apply a little blush to the apples of your cheeks. Get a soft pink or peach blush that looks very natural in color. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks as you smile by making circular motions with a blush brush.^{[4]
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Research source} Then, take a clean makeup brush and blend the blush into the rest of your face in order to achieve a naturally soft, sweet look.
5
Bring some radiance to your face with highlighter. Use a small, soft brush and apply a couple swipes of highlighter to the bridge of your nose, the peaks of your cheekbones, your cupid’s bow, and just underneath your eyebrows. Be sure to blend these highlighted areas into the rest of your face with a clean, fluffy makeup brush. Highlighter will give your face an attractive, bright shimmer.
6
Use a creamy lipstick that’s close to your natural lip color. It’s best to go with a subtle and soft pink lipstick that blends well with your lips in order to achieve the girl-next-door look. Using your finger, apply the lipstick more heavily towards the center of your lips and more subtly towards the outside edges.^{[5]
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- Try to stay away from any matte lipsticks or bright or dark colors because they’ll look intense and unnatural.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Wearing Girl-Next-Door Clothes

1
Pair a sexy top with a cardigan. Take a fitted low-cut shirt from club to coffee shop by throwing a loose-fitting cardigan overtop. This clothing combination creates a girl-next-door balance that’s both casual and sensual.^{[6]
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2
Wear a little versatile gold necklace. Lose the flashy, chunky, glitzy jewelry and instead go with a simple piece that fits with just about everything you wear. Wearing a subtle piece of jewelry makes you look much more laid back while still adding a pretty accessory to your outfit.^{[7]
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3
Wear a soft, warm-colored dress. Soft, warm colors such as baby pink or canary yellow are sure to make you look sweet and cute. Wear this to an evening get-together in the summertime.^{[8]
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4
Wear a chunky sweater with sneakers and jeans. In the winter time, go for a cute and cozy vibe by pairing your favorite fitted jeans with a pair of Chuck Taylors and a big comfy sweater.
- Throw on a headband to add some sweetness to this outfit.^{[9]
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5
Stick with simple, comfortable accessories. The girl-next-door style is sweet, simple and comfortable, so your accessories should reflect that as well. Try wearing a pair of white Keds and a solid-colored scarf while carrying a plain brown leather handbag. Stay away from intensely high heels, designer items, and busy colors or patterns.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Doing Your Hair

1
Wash and condition your hair. Wash oily hair everyday but only wash non-oily hair every other day. Use conditioner after shampoo and give dry hair some extra moisture by using a leave-in conditioner. Use a deep conditioner once or twice a month.
2
Dry your hair. You’ll need to make sure that your hair is completely dry before you begin styling it. If you have some time, you can towel dry your hair or just let it air dry. Blow your hair dry with a hair dryer if you’re in a rush.
3
Put heat protectant spray on your hair. Before using any heat-producing hair tools, such as curling irons, ensure hair healthiness by using a protectant spray.^{[11]
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Research source} Divide your hair into small sections and spray the protectant on each section one at a time while holding the spray bottle about 6 inches (15cm) away from your hair. Then, give it about 5 minutes to dry.^{[12]
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4
Use a straightener to give yourself soft, loose curls. Clamp your straightener down on a small chunk of your hair about a third of the way down the strand. While keeping it clamped on the hair, rotate the straightener all the way around once so that the strand wraps around the straightener. Then, loosen the clamp very slightly while pulling the straightener downward until the strand of hair is free. Repeat this process on all of your hair and you’ll have a soft, attractive, effortless-looking hairstyle.^{[13]
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5
Gently run your hands through your curls. After curling all of your hair, carefully run your hands through your soft curls for about 10-15 seconds to make your hair looks a little more natural.^{[14]
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Research source} Don’t be too aggressive or extensive with this or you may make your hair straight or frizzy.
6
Use hairspray to make sure the curls hold. Once your hair is the way you want it to look, hold a can of hairspray nearly a foot away from your head (30cm) and keep it constantly in motion as you quickly coat your hair.^{[15]
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Research source} Using hairspray will help your curls stay in tact all day long.^{[16]
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7
Twist and clip a piece of hair out of your face. Take a small piece of your hair that’s on your hairline and near your part. Twist it, pull it towards the back half of your head, and secure it away from your face with a couple bobby pins or a clip for an extra cute final touch.^{[17]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What does the girl next door look mean?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

It's that sort of traditional, laid-back look that's all about keeping things simple and sleek. It's kind of associated with a suburban, preppy ethos too.
Question

What does every girl-next-door wardrobe need?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

The key capsule closet pieces are absolutely essential. Black pants, a trendy trench coat, skinny jeans, leggings, a simple rollneck, and a white top. Keep things simple, classic, and clean. Avoid the busy and bold prints, and stay away from crazy colors.
Question

Do you need to be close to boys to be a girl next door?

Community Answer

Typically, a girl next door can get along well with guys because she's laid back, casual and easy going. If you want to be viewed as the girl-next-door, try hanging out with some potential guy friends and acting this way around them.

Warnings

Having the girl-next-door look and the girl-next door personality are two different things. If you want to actually be the girl-next-door, you many also have to make some adjustments to your attitude. Be sweet, low-key, and friendly to fit the girl-next door personality as well.

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