TikTok's Gen Zers Say "Island Girl Beauty" Is Here to Stay

Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear’s own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.

TikTok wouldn’t be TikTok without introducing a multitude of beauty trends drawn from nostalgic aesthetics, and members of Gen Z (the first generation to grow up with the constant presence of social media) are the prime audience for it. While I think many of us who also belong to the beauty community have a love-hate relationship with the speed at which these aesthetic-led beauty trends come our way, their presence indicates an innate appreciation for imagery we can relate to. I don’t always understand the roots of these trends, but it’s no question to me why they’re so appealing: they let us live out different versions of ourselves using generally accessible beauty finds.

The “island girl beauty” trend, for example, doesn’t rely on one particular product, but rather leans into the idea of streamlining beauty routines while enhancing natural features. The thousands of tutorials posted under the #islandgirlmakeup alone include skincare-forward beauty essentials at noteworthy drugstore and luxury price points that deliver the same dewy look. The trend also encapsulates many other micro trends we’ve seen over the past couple of months, from the tropical pink shades of the “guava girl” to the more subdued “toasty glam” makeup trend.

The Skin

Natural, sun-kissed, and protected from the harsh UV rays. Before setting foot on the beach, the island girl applies her sunscreen generously and tops it off with a shimmering body oil that catches the light. When she returns home, leaving her sandy flip-flops and beach bag at the door, she’ll hop into the shower for a tropical everything shower followed by self-tanner with a natural-looking finish.

Island-girl skin is all about keeping your complexion healthy, glowing, and protected from environmental aggressors and UV damage. While the majority of the trend’s beauty tutorials focus on how to achieve an effortlessly chic beachy look, what would we be without our skincare? Whether you’re braving the day in nothing but a bikini and a floral print sarong or prefer Levi’s cutoffs and a floaty blouse, you’ll want to make sure you’re protecting your skin with sunscreen and other skin and bodycare must-haves. The salty waves, sea air, and high temperatures will have nothing against your skin that’s prepped for anything (including some ultra-glowy makeup).

Shop the Trend

Supergoop!

Glow Gloss SPF 40 Lip Balm in Strawberry Spritz

You may recognize this brand’s packaging from its viral sunscreens, but did you know that they also make an ultra-glossy lip gloss that can combat UV rays and offer a shiny, glossy finish? This nonsticky and ultra-hydrating Glow Gloss SPF Lip Balm offers high shine and sun protection with a formula enriched with nourishing shea butter and a peptide complex. I already have it in Vanilla Soft Serve shade, but I may have to snag Strawberry Spritz, which is the perfect sheer coral tint color for island-girl looks.

Sol de Janeiro

Bom Dia Bright Jet Set

I’m planning on jetting to a tropical island in a month, and will be packing this bodycare set in my carry-on. It features three best-selling products belonging to Sol De Janeiro’s brightening Bom Dia line. This set makes layering all my tropical fragrances easy. You can cleanse and fortify the skin using the salicylic acid–infused Bom Dia Bright Body Wash before moisturizing with the vitamin C–rich Bom Dia Bright Body Cream. Then, for a big finish, spritz yourself with the warm, sultry scent of Cheirosa 40 Perfume Mist (a blend of black amber, plum, and vanilla woods).

Vacation

Shimmer Oil SPF 30

Another product I spotted in multiple island-girl tutorials has been Vacation’s Shimmer Oil SPF 30. It combines a pearlescent glaze and reflective gold flecks. This body oil uses a nourishing blend of naturally derived oils to leave your skin feeling silky smooth with a dash of SPF 30 for sun protection. It’s also beautifully scented with the brand’s award-winning scent. So, not only will your skin look like it’s always sun-kissed, but you can also count on it to be protected while smelling delectable.

Good Weather Skin

The One Daily Sun Cream SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen

Since being introduced to this mineral sunscreen a few months ago, I’m convinced that all the other mineral sunscreens I’ve tried throughout my career that left my skin looking ashy weren’t thoroughly tested on deep skin tones like mine. Good Weather Skin’s The One Daily Sun Cream has become a nonnegotiable in my skincare routine because it leaves my face looking dewy and fresh with no white cast, and uses skin-loving ingredients in its formula like hydrating squalane, nourishing seabuckthorn oil, and texture-improving niacinamide. It’s also a bonus that its chic packaging looks especially chic when tucked into a beach bag.

Lux Unfiltered

N°12 Bronzing Face Drops

Adding these self-tanning face drops into your beauty routine is the quickest way to achieve the look of skin that’s glowing from the inside out. Lux Unfiltered’s buildable self-tanning serum adds a boost of natural-looking color using a formula filled with hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid, soothing passion fruit oil, and pomegranate extract to keep your skin texture smooth. It’s also simple to use: The more drops you apply to the skin, the deeper the tan you’ll have.

St. Tropez

Self-Tan Whipped Crème Mousse

For an even, sun-kissed body, consider picking up this lotion-to-mouse self-tanning product. Its formula features niacinamide, vitamin E, echinacea, and a high molecular weight in hyaluronic acid to promote an even skin tone while helping to protect it from environmental damage, reducing the look of redness, and hydrating the skin. For best results, make sure to exfoliate and moisturize the skin first, and then use a mitt for streak-free application. Eight hours is recommended for an immediate tint, and reapplication after 24 hours for a deep tan.

The Makeup

Warm, vibrant, and breathable. After prepping her skin for a day spent sun-bathing and dipping into the ocean waves, she selects makeup products that will play up her natural features while adding some special touches. She starts by grooming her brows before moving on to a light-coverage bronzing concentrate over the high points of her face and blush across the cheeks and nose bridge. The finishing touch? Highlighter and a couple of swipes of guava-colored lip gloss.

One of my favorite things about this particular TikTok-driven trend is that it incorporates the basics of summer skincare (such as protecting your skin from UV ray damage by focusing beauty routines around sunscreen use) with elements of a sun-kissed appearance. One thing every TikTok island-girl beauty routine can agree upon is the use of ample skin prep ahead of the makeup application, and prioritizing makeup products that will leave all complexions bronzed and warmed to perfection. While there are a number of base makeup products that are worth praising, it’s no surprise that several are balm and cream formulas.