The “rich mom” trend — a style that showcases the classic, understated aesthetic of a certain class of wealthy women — shows no signs of slowing down. This minimalist look embodies quiet luxury: Think sleek button-downs, tailored trousers and crisp linen dresses. Despite the dumb name, I’m drawn to rich-mom clothes for their simplicity, effortlessness and versatility — they work at almost any age and for most any event.
As a beauty editor, I’ve been thinking about the rich-mom trend in terms of makeup, skin care and hair care too. The truth is, most middle-aged moms like me are no longer experimenting with bold makeup and out-there trends. We want streamlined, foolproof routines that can quickly make us look pulled together. Fortunately, rich-mom beauty is particularly good for this stage of life because it involves easy, dewy skin, neutral makeup and one-step hair — but the really great thing about this look is that it works no matter what your age.
Below, I’ve identified the top rich-mom beauty trends and the products you can use to achieve them. I’ve also included affordable alternatives you can swap in to replicate the results, because let’s be real: The goal is to look as expensive and chic as a rich mom without spending like one.
Quick Overview
Trend #1: Dewy rich-mom skin
Meghan Markle’s skin literally glows, and so can yours. (Getty)
Let’s be honest: Most truly rich moms are doing a lot more to their faces than slathering on a cream. Still, you don’t need a seven-figure bank account or a 21-step skin-care regimen to achieve a dewy glow. Ample sleep, regular water consumption, a healthy diet and consistent use of quality hydrating skin-care products will go a long way toward making your skin look effortlessly lit from within. Here are two products that will help your skin look like a million bucks, both of which are favored by American royalty (and well-known rich mom) Meghan Markle.
Amazon
Amazon
Trend #2: Rich-mom ‘no-makeup makeup’
Rich-mom makeup is all about glossy, neutral lips, sleek lashes and barely-there blush, as seen on Emily Ratajkowski. (Getty)
The strategy with this look is simple: sophisticated, subtle makeup that’s not too “done” and lets your natural beauty shine through. That means lightly rosy cheeks, plumped-up neutral lips and lashes that appear long, dark and sleek.
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Merit
Merit’s formula is especially good for women over 40, whose skin and hair tend to be drier, as it contains nourishing ingredients like olive oil and vitamin B5. As the name suggests, it goes on clean and it stays put — no flaking, smudging or clumping.
Amazon
Trend #3: Easy rich-mom hair
Gisele Bündchen’s on-the-go hair is easy and effortless. (Getty)
The look here is all in the cut: a simple bob, or razor-cut layers for an effect that seems effortless but leaves you in control. It’s created with a single high-quality product — and certainly without hours of styling.
Amazon
Amazon
