Isn’t it wonderful how you don’t have to stress about getting your makeup perfectly flawless and clean every time now that you’re free to embrace your messy girl era?
Messy doesn’t have to be ‘disgusting’ or ‘ugly’.
You can walk out of that bathroom stall, with your mascara running, and with a smudge of lipstick on your cheek, still look like you stepped off a makeup tutorial reel.
There’s a certain charm in the carefree attitude of grunge makeup.
Messy grunge makeup is all about making whatever makeup mishaps you find yourself in work for you. Sort of like controlled chaos.
The smudged eyeliner is so in, and so is the slightly overdrawn lips.
A rebellion against the polished, the perfect, and the pristine.
That makes one of the best things about messy grunge makeup how incredibly forgiving it is. Running late? No problem. A quick swipe of eyeliner, a dab of lipstick, and a tousle of your hair, and you’re good to go.
But, let’s explore a few ideas.
Grunge Makeup Low Down
Grunge makeup is a style that emerged in the early 1990s, closely tied to the grunge music scene. It’s characterized by its effortlessly cool and edgy vibe, often giving off a “just-rolled-out-of-bed” look.
What grunge makeup intends to achieve is simply the natural acceptance of a raw and unrefined aesthetic, breaking away from, as mentioned, the polished perfection typically seen in mainstream beauty trends.
The focus is on creating a look that feels natural yet rebellious, blurring the lines between beauty and a DGAF attitude.
Key elements usually feature a laid-back, slightly messy base, giving the skin a fresh look without being too heavy on the makeup.
Dark, smudged eyeliner plays a significant role in the whole grunge makeup look, often paired with shadowy hues that evoke the moody ambiance of grunge music. Lips may vary from bold, dark colors like deep reds or purples to more understated, worn-in shades that look like they’ve been kissed away after a long night.
It’s the nonchalance.
Think messy buns, tousled hair, and hints of vintage wear with a preference for chokers, layered necklaces, and oversized flannels tossed over the shoulders.
Ultimately, grunge makeup isn’t just about how you look—it’s an expression of identity, a nod to the music and lifestyle that shaped a generation.
Okay…okay…ideas already!
1. “I Woke Up Like This” Smudged Liner
Step 1: Start with your usual barely-there foundation. We’re not aiming for perfection, just enough to convince others you made some effort.
Step 2: Use a black kohl pencil to line your upper and lower lash lines. Don’t bother with precision; perfection is overrated.
Step 3: Now, take a finger (yes, your finger) and smudge the liner. Make it messy, like you’ve had a long night—and an even longer morning.
Step 4: Apply mascara with the same disregard for order, letting it clump and smear just a tad.
Step 5: Finish with a barely-there lip balm, because who needs the drama on your lips when your eyes are doing all the talking?
2. “Rockstar’s Girlfriend” Faded Red Lips
Step 1: Apply a deep red lipstick, but don’t bother with lip liner. We’re not aiming for a runway-ready pout.
Step 2: Now, grab a tissue and blot the lipstick until it looks like it’s been on for hours—or days.
Step 3: Smudge the edges with a cotton swab or your finger. Perfection is so mainstream.
Step 4: Skip the gloss, because shiny lips would just ruin the whole vibe.
Step 5: Pair with barely-there eye makeup. Maybe some leftover mascara from yesterday, if you’re feeling fancy.
3. “Just Survived a Mosh Pit” Grungy Eye
Step 1: Start with a dark, matte eyeshadow (black, brown, or even a deep burgundy). Slap it onto your eyelids without worrying about blending.
Step 2: Using a pencil brush, drag the shadow down under your eyes. You’re going for “I haven’t slept” rather than “I’m a makeup artist.”
Step 3: Add some eyeliner to your waterline, then immediately smudge it out with your fingers. It should look like it’s been there for a while.
Step 4: Finish with mascara that’s seen better days. Let it clump for that lived-in effect.
Step 5: Keep the rest of your face neutral. Or don’t. Who cares?
4. “Cigarette Smoke and Whiskey” Brown-Orange Smokey Eye
Step 1: Grab a rusty orange eyeshadow and apply it all over your lids. Don’t worry about precision—this isn’t your wedding day.
Step 2: Blend the edges with a burnt brown shadow, but not too well. We’re aiming for “just smudged enough.”
Step 3: Drag the orange shadow under your lower lash line. You should look like you’ve been up all night in a smoky bar.
Step 4: Finish with a hint of gold shimmer on the center of your lids, because even grunge needs a little glam.
Step 5: Pair with a nude lip, or just skip lipstick altogether. No one’s looking at your mouth, anyway.
5. “Lipstick Smudge” Post-Makeout Mouth
Step 1: Start with a bold lipstick—something dark and moody, like plum or deep red. Apply it as you usually would, full coverage.
Step 2: Now comes the fun part: take a tissue and lightly smudge the lipstick all over your lips and just beyond the lip line. Think post-passionate-kiss vibes.
Step 3: Pat the smudged edges with your fingers to make it look even more worn-in.
Step 4: If you want to go all out, add a touch of gloss to the center of your lips—just enough to make it look like things got heated.
Step 5: Skip the blush; your lips are the star here.
6. “Crying at 3 AM” Tear-Streaked Mascara
Step 1: Start by applying your usual mascara—several coats, so it’s nice and thick.
Step 2: Now, take a damp cotton swab and drag it down from your lower lashes, creating the illusion of tear streaks. No need to be too neat; messiness is the goal.
Step 3: Lightly tap the swab under your eyes to create a slightly smudged effect, like you’ve been crying (but in a sexy way).
Step 4: Apply a bit of clear lip gloss to your lips, so you look like you’ve been crying in the rain—or the shower, perhaps.
Step 5: Don’t bother with blush or contour; this look is all about that raw, emotional vibe.
7. “Overcooked Grunge” Charred Eyeshadow
Step 1: Apply a black cream eyeshadow to your lids, extending it well beyond the crease. We’re going for that “I tried, but not really” look.
Step 2: Smudge the edges with a brush or your fingers. The more uneven, the better.
Step 3: Take a metallic silver or charcoal eyeshadow and dab it in the center of your lids for a hint of dimension.
Step 4: Line your lower lash line with the same black cream shadow, then smudge it out as if you’ve been wearing it for days.
Step 5: Finish with a nude or pale lip, but don’t bother reapplying if it wears off.
8. “Smeared Lipstick & Coffee Stains” Morning After Lips
Step 1: Start with a deep, vampy lipstick—something that says “I’ve been out all night.”
Step 2: Apply it generously, then blot it off with a tissue until it looks like a stain.
Step 3: Now, take your finger and smear the lipstick just beyond your natural lip line. No precision needed.
Step 4: Add a touch of clear gloss to the center of your lips, but only if you feel like it. Gloss is optional, unlike your exhaustion.
Step 5: Pair with smudged eyeliner and dark circles under your eyes. Bonus points if you add an actual coffee stain somewhere on your outfit.
9. “Gothic Fairy” Faded Dark Eyes
Step 1: Apply a deep, dark eyeshadow (think black, navy, or dark plum) all over your lids. Don’t worry about making it even.
Step 2: Smudge the edges with a lighter color, like a gray or taupe, but keep it messy.
Step 3: Line your waterline with a black pencil, then smudge it out with your finger.
Step 4: Apply mascara, but don’t be too careful. Clumpy lashes add to the gothic vibe.
Step 5: Finish with a barely-there lip color, or just a dab of clear balm. This look is all about the eyes—everything else is an afterthought.
10. “I’m With the Band” Slept-In Smokey Eye
Step 1: Start by applying a deep black or brown eyeshadow to your lids. Blend it out to the crease, but don’t worry about making it perfect.
Step 2: Drag the same shadow under your lower lash line, smudging it out for a lived-in look.
Step 3: Apply eyeliner to your waterline, then smudge it out with a cotton swab or your fingers. The messier, the better.
Step 4: Finish with mascara, focusing on the outer lashes to give a slightly winged effect—again, no need for precision.
Step 5: Pair with nude lips, or just go with your natural lip color. After all, you’ve got more important things to worry about than reapplying lipstick.
11. “Dusty Rose” Barely-There Blush
Step 1: Start with a neutral, slightly dusty rose blush. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks, but don’t blend it out too much. We’re going for a subtle hint of color, not a full-on flush.
Step 2: Take whatever’s left on your brush and sweep it across your nose and forehead. We’re aiming for that “I’ve been out in the cold” look, but with less effort.
Step 3: Use a soft, pale pink or nude lipstick, applied with your finger for a more natural, worn-in effect.
Step 4: Skip the eye makeup altogether, or just go with a touch of mascara if you must.
Step 5: Finish with a clear or lightly tinted gloss on your lips—nothing too shiny, just enough to look like you didn’t totally neglect them.
12. “Smudged to Perfection” Under-Eye Shadow
Step 1: Start by applying a dark eyeshadow (black, navy, or deep purple) under your lower lash line. Don’t worry about making it even.
Step 2: Smudge the shadow out with a brush or your finger, extending it slightly downward for that perfect grunge look.
Step 3: Add a touch of the same shadow to your upper lids, blending it out into a barely-there haze.
Step 4: Apply mascara, focusing on your lower lashes for extra emphasis.
Step 5: Keep the lips natural with just a hint of balm, or go bold with a dark, smudged lip. The choice is yours—but don’t think too hard about it.
13. “Rusty Lids” Earthy Grunge
Step 1: Start with a warm, rusty brown eyeshadow. Apply it all over your lids, blending it out slightly beyond the crease.
Step 2: Drag the same shadow under your lower lash line, smudging it out for that messy, lived-in look.
Step 3: Add a touch of copper or gold to the center of your lids for a bit of dimension. Just a touch, though—don’t go overboard.
Step 4: Line your waterline with a brown pencil, then smudge it out with your finger.
Step 5: Finish with a nude or brown-toned lip, applied haphazardly. Grunge isn’t about looking perfect, after all.
