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.
