Why Swedish and Dutch Girl Beauty Is the Real Secret (And How To Make It Your Own)
Somewhere between a freshly-baked stroopwafel and a sea of bikes, it hit me: The real European beauty secret isn’t Parisian—it’s Nordic and Dutch. Last year, wandering Utrecht’s canals while visiting my partner’s family, I was lowkey obsessed: the women looked next-level put-together, in a way that felt both casual and intentional. It wasn’t about smoky liner or eight-step lips. It was how they existed—confident, unbothered, and fresh-faced, always. And this resonated - the feeling of standing tall, holding your shoulders back, wearing neon pink instead of black, and being you.
What Sets Dutch/Swedish Beauty Apart?
The Weather-Proof Base: Humidity, rain, wind? These girls’ skin thrives. That means barrier creams, non-cakey tints, and light hand with powder.
Less is More, Actually: Makeup is for enhancement, not transformation. It’s a swipe, not a mask.
Skin Health Is the Main Character: Think: fermented skincare, ample SPF, hearty moisturizers, and regular facials—Sweden’s tradition of the bastu (sauna) is serious skin business.
Brow Game: Strong, brushed-up, and never overdone. I actually had my brows tweezed when in Haarlem, Netherlands, last year - and for once didn’t feel anxiety about leaving the salon with two tiny lines over my nervous eyeballs. They stayed bushy and fresh, and as is the case with a good sesh, actually made my eyebrows look fuller.
Effortless Hair: I’ve noticed that their hair is rarely heat-styled—think messy buns, simple braids, and lived-in waves. A nice little stamp of approval to sleep in a little longer, if you ask me.
5 At-Home Swedish/Dutch Girl Moves
Upgrade Your Moisturizer
Look for ceramides, squalane, and vitamins. A good skin barrier is the best base.Tints & Creams > Powder & Paint
Use cream blush, brow gel, and a slick of tinted SPF. Done.Nail the Air-Dry Instead of fighting frizz, embrace what you’ve got with nourishing leave-ins and hair oils. The older I get, the more I realize we were given what we’ve got for a reason.
Healthy Habits > Heavy Coverage Regular movement (even bike rides!), excitement for fresh air, lots of water and herbal tea.
Confidence Is the Ultimate Secret Own your quirks—I loved how girls in Amsterdam worked a bike helmet, a trench, and glowing skin and called it a look. Be seen, be soft, be you.
Bottom Line: French girl beauty will always be a moment, but there’s something magical about the Nordic and Dutch approach: sturdy, glowy, and unfussy. Ironically, it’s more inspiring because it’s less about performance, and more about truly living in your skin.
The low-down on milky toners
Going under the skin on all things beauty
Let’s get one thing out of the way: Milky toners are not just another pretty shelfie—they’re the sweet spot between a facial mist and a moisturizer, and they’re having a moment for good reason. If you’ve ever caught yourself lost in the hazy glow of Hailey Bieber’s Rhode routine or drifted off on #KBeauty TikTok, you know: milky toners are the hydrating, nourishing hit your bathroom lineup didn’t know it needed.
How Did We Get Here? (Origins + Iconic Moments)
While clear toners have been around since forever (seriously: think vintage Witch Hazel and astringent pads galore), milky toners are their softer, chiller descendants. The concept? Borrowed from Korean skincare, where the moisturizing “first essence” step has always looked, well, a little milky. Creamy toners became a gateway for Western brands intrigued by the idea that your toner could add something to your skin—not just strip away.
The trend hit peak visibility with K-Beauty all-stars (like Klairs’ Supple Preparation Unscented Toner), then went viral as minimalist beauty brands (Rhode, Ilia, The Ordinary) released their own pastel-perfect versions.
What Do Milky Toners Actually Do?
Classic astringents and clarifying toners are typically about resetting pH and sweeping away excess oil. Milky toners? Their vibe is nourishing and hydrating. Thanks to ingredients like ceramides, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and oat extract, these formulas are often packed with barrier-support and prep skin for anything you put on after.
Milky toners do three major things:
Hydrate skin with humectants and emollients (think: a drink for your face).
Soothe with calming botanicals or anti-inflammatories (ideal post-cleanse).
Prime the skin to boost everything in your routine, from actives to moisturizers.
Format + Viscosity: Why Some Are Watery, Some Are “Milkshake”
Milky toners span the texture spectrum:
Watery milks (like Ilia’s The Base Face Milk) sink in fast and disappear, making them ideal for stacking or daytime use.
Emulsified toners (like Rhode’s Glazing Milk) are thicker, offering that “glazed donut” finish and extra cushion.
Misty milks (hello, Rhode Glazing Mist!) bridge between an essence and a finishing spritz, perfect for over-makeup hydration.
How To Choose: Find Your Match by Skin Type, Age, and Goals
Oily/Combo Skin: Go for a lighter, watery formula (The Ordinary’s Soothing & Barrier Support Serum/Toner or Ilia’s milky toner) to hydrate without heaviness.
Dry/Dehydrated Skin: Look for richer, emulsion-style milky toners—Rhode’s Glazing Milk is the reigning queen, layered under a cream for maximum juiciness.
Sensitive/Rosy Skin: Seek out barrier-repair versions with ceramides and oat (Klairs Supple Preparation, or K-beauty like Round Lab’s Dokdo Toner).
Mature Skin: Prioritize formulas with peptides, antioxidants, or fermented ingredients (Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer is a cult K-beauty pick).
The Milky All-Stars: Editor Faves
Rhode Glazing Milk: Insta-viral for a reason. Think: dewy, barrier-fortifying, with a light, creamy feel.
Rhode Glazing Mist: Like a cloud you spritz—extra gentle and keeps makeup looking fresh.
Ilia The Base Face Milk: Light but nourishing, with niacinamide and squalane—dreamy for daytime layering.
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Toner: Wallet-friendly, all about barrier health with Oat, Ceramide, and Panthenol.
Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer: The OG milky toner, straight from Seoul, legend for a reason.
Round Lab Dokdo Toner (Korea): Ultra-soothing, mineral-rich, lots of K-beauty fans for its gentle hydration.
How To Use: Your Routine, Upgraded
Step 1: Cleanse as usual.
Step 2: Splash or pat your milky toner on damp skin. No cotton pad required; hands > everything.
Step 3: Layer serums, moisturizer, and SPF (or whatever’s next in your stack).
Bonus: Use a misty milk throughout the day for a reset or under makeup for a creamy, supple base.
Bottom line: Milky toners are the skincare world’s answer to “having it all”—hydration, barrier love, and a little glow, without the drama of heavy layering. Find your formula, and get ready for main character skin.