Gothic makeup has been a defining element of the goth subculture since its inception. With its dark and bold aesthetic, goth makeup helps you express a mysterious, edgy, and often rebellious persona. But if you're new to the goth scene or just trying to get that perfect gothic makeup look, the idea of dark lips, striking eyes, and pale skin can seem daunting.
Fear not! With the right techniques, tools, and products, you can create stunning goth makeup looks that turn heads. According to a recent study, the search for "Goth Makeup" has risen by 150% in the last year—clearly, it's time for you to dive in!
This guide breaks down everything a newbie needs to know, whether you're looking for a full goth makeup tutorial or dark makeup ideas to get started. We'll recommend some must-have products from VogueBeautify and cover the essential steps to mastering this iconic look.
What is Goth Makeup?
Goth makeup is more than just dark lipstick and eyeliner. It’s an art form that uses contrasting tones and bold features to create an otherworldly, dramatic appearance. At its core, goth makeup emphasizes three key elements: a pale complexion, dark eyes, and striking lips. But there are many variations within the goth aesthetic, allowing you to experiment with different looks while still keeping the essence of goth fashion.
Step-by-Step Goth Makeup Tutorial for Beginners
1. The Base: Pale and Flawless Skin
Achieving that classic pale goth look starts with your foundation. The trick is to choose a foundation that's 1-2 shades lighter than your natural skin tone for that striking, almost porcelain effect. Avoid overdoing it, though—you want to look pale, not chalky.
How to Apply:
- Start with a good primer to ensure your makeup lasts throughout the day.
- Use a high-coverage foundation to create a flawless base. Apply with a beauty blender or brush for even coverage.
- Set your foundation with a translucent powder. This will help you achieve that smooth, matte finish typical of goth makeup.
Product Recommendation: Check out VogueBeautify’s clean beauty foundation collection to find a high-quality product that suits your skin tone.
2. Dramatic Eyes: The Soul of Goth Makeup
The eyes are the centerpiece of any goth makeup look. Dark eyeshadow, smudged liner, and heavy mascara will create the bold, moody eyes typical of gothic makeup.
How to Apply:
- Eyeshadow: Start with a dark base, like deep purple or black. Blend it into your eyelid and along your crease for depth. If you want to create a more intense look, try layering different dark shades.
- Eyeliner: A sharp winged liner or a smudged smoky look works well. You can line both your upper and lower lashes with a black pencil for a bolder effect.
- Mascara & Lashes: Finish with several coats of volumizing mascara or opt for false lashes to intensify the look.
Dark Makeup Ideas: Experiment with different dark shades like charcoal, maroon, or navy. Adding a pop of metallic silver in the corners of your eyes can also elevate the look.
Product Recommendation: VogueBeautify’s eyeliner collection offers options for both liquid and pencil liners, perfect for any look you're going for.
3. Bold Lips: Vampy and Alluring
No goth makeup look is complete without bold, dark lips. Whether you go for black, deep red, or dark purple, the lips are essential to completing the goth aesthetic.
How to Apply:
- Begin by exfoliating your lips to ensure a smooth application.
- Apply a matching lip liner to prevent feathering.
- Use a lipstick or liquid lip in a dark, vampy shade like black, burgundy, or plum.
- To make the color last longer, blot your lips with tissue and reapply a second layer.
Product Recommendation: For a range of rich, dark lip colors, check out VogueBeautify’s lipstick collection.
Gothic Makeup Looks for Different Occasions
1. Daytime Goth Makeup
You don't always have to go all-out for everyday gothic looks. A more subtle, toned-down version can still be impactful:
- Use lighter shades of gray or purple on your eyes.
- Pair your eye makeup with a deep red or plum lipstick instead of black.
2. Night-Out Goth Makeup
For a night out, you can go bold with heavy contouring, intense eyes, and matte black lips. Focus on creating sharp, exaggerated lines for maximum drama. This is when false lashes, shimmer, and darker shades come into play.
Switch to Clean Makeup: Why It's Important
When applying heavy makeup, especially goth looks that require a lot of layers and intensity, it's essential to use clean beauty products that are gentle on your skin. Many traditional makeup brands contain harmful chemicals that can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Switching to clean beauty not only protects your skin but also helps reduce your exposure to toxins. The great news? You don't have to compromise on quality. Clean beauty products from brands like VogueBeautify provide excellent pigment and coverage, without the harsh chemicals.
Essential Products for Your Goth Makeup Kit
Ready to build your goth makeup kit? Here’s a list of must-have items:
Foundation: Pale or porcelain shades for that ghostly, flawless complexion.
- Shop Foundations at VogueBeautify
Eyeliner: Black liquid or pencil for sharp, defined lines.
- Explore Eyeliner Options
Eyeshadow Palette: Dark shades like black, gray, purple, and deep reds.
- Check Out Eyeshadow Palettes
Lipstick: Deep vampy tones like black, burgundy, and dark purples.
- Find Your Perfect Lip Shade
Common Mistakes in Goth Makeup and How to Avoid Them
Overdoing the Pale Look
One of the most common mistakes in goth makeup is going too light with your foundation. While the pale look is a signature element of goth makeup, choosing a foundation that’s several shades too light can make your complexion appear chalky or unnatural. Instead, aim for a shade that complements your skin tone while still giving you that paler appearance. You want to achieve a subtle, ghostly glow, not an overly whitewashed effect unless you are intentionally aiming for an extreme look, such as a theatrical or costume-inspired goth style.
Harsh, Unblended Lines
While goth makeup is known for its dramatic, bold lines, there's a fine line between bold and harsh. Unblended eyeshadows, eyeliners, or contour lines can make your look appear overly severe or messy. Blending is key to creating a smooth, professional finish. For eyeshadow, especially when working with dark tones like black or deep purples, use a blending brush to soften the edges. Similarly, if you’re contouring your face, ensure that there are no sharp streaks—blended contours will give you more definition while still maintaining the dark, gothic aesthetic.
Not Setting Your Makeup Properly
Goth makeup often involves multiple layers of heavier products like foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and bold lipsticks. Without proper setting, your makeup can easily smudge or fade throughout the day, leaving you with a less polished look. To avoid this, always finish your makeup routine by setting everything with a good translucent powder or setting spray. This step will lock your makeup in place, ensuring that it lasts all day without the need for constant touch-ups. Setting your makeup is especially important if you're wearing dark or bold shades, as smudges or creases can be more noticeable with goth makeup.
Summery:
Goth makeup focuses on bold, dark features like pale skin, striking eyes, and bold lips. It's an essential element of the goth subculture.
Foundation:
- Use a foundation 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone.
- Apply primer, foundation, and set with translucent powder for a flawless, pale base.
- Product recommendation: VogueBeautify’s Foundation Collection.
Eyes:
- Use dark eyeshadows like black, deep purple, or gray.
- Line upper and lower lashes with black eyeliner for dramatic eyes.
- Add volumizing mascara or false lashes for intensity.
- Product recommendation: VogueBeautify’s Eyeliner Collection.
Lips:
- Opt for bold lip colors like black, deep red, or dark purple.
- Apply lip liner and lipstick for a long-lasting finish.
- Product recommendation: VogueBeautify’s Lipstick Collection.
Different Gothic Looks:
- Daytime Goth: Subtle with lighter shades of gray or purple.
- Night-Out Goth: Bold with heavy contouring, dark shades, and false lashes.
Switch to Clean Beauty:
- Clean makeup products are healthier and safer for the skin, offering high-quality performance without harmful chemicals.
- Product recommendation: VogueBeautify’s Clean Makeup Collection.
FAQs
Can I wear goth makeup daily?
Absolutely! You can adjust your goth makeup for a more subtle or bold look, depending on the occasion.
What foundation shade should I choose for goth makeup?
Pick a shade 1-2 tones lighter than your natural skin color for that iconic pale complexion.
Do I need specific products for goth makeup?
Not necessarily, but dark eyeshadows, eyeliners, and bold lipsticks are must-haves.
Can I use clean beauty products for goth makeup?
Yes! Clean beauty products from VogueBeautify offer high pigment and performance without the harmful chemicals.
How can I make my goth makeup last longer?
Use a primer before applying makeup and set everything with a translucent powder to lock your look in place.
What are some common mistakes when applying goth makeup?
Overdoing the pale foundation, harsh unblended lines, and not setting makeup properly are common mistakes.
Can I mix colors into my goth makeup look?
Yes! You can experiment with dark shades like maroon, navy, or deep purple for variety while keeping the gothic theme.
Is goth makeup suitable for different skin tones?
Absolutely! Goth makeup can be adapted for all skin tones by choosing appropriate shades for foundation and dark features.
Should I contour with goth makeup?
Yes, contouring adds depth and dimension to your face. Use darker shades to create sharp, dramatic angles.
What products should be in my goth makeup kit?
Your goth makeup kit should include foundation, eyeliner, dark eyeshadow, bold lipsticks, and translucent powder for a flawless look.
Conclusion: Create Your Signature Goth Look
Goth makeup is an expressive art form, perfect for those looking to make a bold statement. Whether you're just starting or refining your goth makeup style, the key is in practice, experimentation, and finding the right products.
Ready to embrace the gothic aesthetic? Switch to clean makeup, shop the collection, and create a goth look that's uniquely you!Unleash your inner goth with bold makeup! Shop our Gothic collection now!