What's The Vanilla Girl Aesthetic? Here’s How To Achieve The Popular Winter Look
We all saw the “Clean Girl” aesthetic take over social media during the spring and summer, due to its laidback requirements and warm weather outfits. But during the cold seasons, you may be looking for something a little different.
Allow me to introduce the “Vanilla Girl” aesthetic (if it's not already on your FYP). The Vanilla Girl is the coastal grandmother’s winter bestie, and creates the perfect style guide for the winter season. Soft, warm, and feminine – if we were to use the 3 Word Method on this aesthetic, those are the words we would pick. The emphasis is on cozy, and choosing neutral, vanilla-like shades for outfits, décor, and well, Insta feeds.
The Vanilla Girl aesthetic is elegant due to its simplicity. Basic colors put together to create adorable outfits, simple makeup that highlights natural beauty, and choosing pieces that give you the warm and fuzzy feeling. And no, you don’t have to be a blonde white girl to master this look!
Simple, not flashy, warm and comforting. Basically the human equivalent of baking cookies in the oven. Wondering how to achieve this look? Here are our recommendations for a Vanilla Girl winter!
Evie's product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Beauty
The best part of this aesthetic is that the beauty tips and items are fairly minimal. For the face, the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi drops mixed with moisturizer will give you the perfect glowy base for your makeup. A soft pink blush is also a key aspect of the natural look, so this Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in “Bliss” is perfect. The Summer Fridays “Vanilla” or “Vanilla Beige” lip balm is also a must-have with its aesthetic packaging, moisturizing formula, and vanilla scent. Add a little mascara and a delicate eyeliner wing, and you’re good to go.
In line with the vanilla theme, a vanilla scent is essential. Perfect for cozy winter days, the Juliette Has a Gun Vanilla Vibes is a great scent and the bottle is super pretty. And if you’ve been looking for some nail inspo heading into the winter season, a French tip is a classic for a reason. Vanilla Girls have clean, classic nails!
Hair
Say goodbye to slick, straight hair. The vanilla girl aesthetic features a soft blowout and curtain bangs. If you don’t have the tools to create this look, the Dyson Airwrap is pricey, but does the job well. Or use a blow dry brush to create the look, like this one from Drybar and a pack of hair rollers. A hair oil, like the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil, will leave your hair soft and shiny, and it smells amazing. Plus, it's the prettiest little bottle to sit on your vanity.
Style
When it comes to clothing and accessories, neutral colors are the name of the game. Because it’s the winter season, comfy is a top priority, but the pieces need to be feminine too. A beige sweater is a must-have, so pick up this one from Free People. The UGG Ultra Minis are popular this season as well, and they’re the perfect Vanilla Girl footwear. Create outfits that are built on cream and beige tones, and play with cozy fabrics, like knits. Keep it classic and simple!
Another great piece, which you’ve probably seen all over Instagram, is a pair of cream, ribbed lounge pants. You can pair these with sweaters and Uggs, or a matching top and socks for staying home. Cozy, cute, and feminine, these lounge pants are a must-have for a Vanilla Girl. And while you’re at home, a pair of satin pajamas is another great option for the soft and warm aesthetic.
When it comes to accessories, gold jewelry is a great finishing touch to those warm, neutral tones. A simple pair of huggie earrings, like these ones from Gorjana, will add a subtle elegance to your whole look. A beige tote bag is another great accessory for the winter!
Home Décor
The key fabrics for Vanilla Girls are silk and knitted materials, and this goes for your home as well. Soft, silky pieces are essentials for this aesthetic, and they will help guide you to create a room that is comforting and cute. Satin pillowcases are a great way to start, as they leave your hair refreshed after a night of sleep. Cream bedding is also an easy way to add the Vanilla Girl aesthetic to your room. So effortless and cozy!
Vanilla scented candles are an obvious choice, but choose candles that are also aesthetically pleasing. This Voluspa Santal Vanille glass jar candle is a stunning piece of home décor that smells exactly how you want it to.
Closing Thoughts
If the Vanilla Girl aesthetic is for you, lean into it this winter season! Soft, warm, and feminine is a great way to style just about anything this winter.
Don’t miss anything! Sign up for our weekly newsletter and get curated content weekly!