20 Soft Grunge Makeup Ideas—From Smoky Eyes to Bitten Lips
Fall’s biggest trend.
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If edgier makeup looks are what you’re after, consider yourself in good company. Soft grunge makeup keeps popping up from the runways to red carpets, and searches for “clean grunge makeup” are up 652% on Pinterest. Whether you want to pump up your eyes or draw all the attention to your lips, this trend allows you to create contrast in a chic way. From glossy smoky eyes to a subtle bitten red lip, there are endless ways to incorporate punk-inspired glam into your routine. Ahead, we’ve rounded up 20 soft grunge looks that put the moody yet glamorous, makeup on full display.
Defined Brown Lip
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Let your inner punk rock girl come out with bleached eyebrows and the perfect ’90s deep brown lip. This look uses mascara and liner that are in the same colorway as the lipstick to create a monochromatic feel but so much cooler and edgier, to boot.
Classic Soft Grunge
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Whether you’re walking the red carpet or just want to try something different, Cynthia Erivo proves that soft grunge makeup is suitable for any occasion—even the most important ones. With smoked-out eyes in deep black and grey tones and dark lips, you’ll make a subtle yet memorable statement.
Black and Purple Ombre
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From the glossy grey eyes to the vamp lip, this makeup look brings the drama in full force. Once you’ve applied your eyeshadow, top it off with a clear eyelid gloss that gives that extra touch of patent leather shine.
Abstract Eyeliner
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Yara Shahidi’s face card never declines, and this abstract liner certainly fits the bill when discussing soft grunge and punk makeup looks. Use your creativity to create negative space on your eyelid. Start by drawing lines in the center of the crease and around the outer and inner rims of the eyes. Finish with your favorite thickening and volumizing mascara to tie it all together.
Smoky Green Shadow
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Switch up your eyeliner shades to something other than traditional colors like black and brown. Here, a deep hunter green was blended out into a wing shape. Paired with bleached brows and bitten lips, this final look shows that punk rock makeup can be colorful and fun.
Black Diamond Accents
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The next time you’re in the mood to recreate soft grunge, accentuate your eyes with something sparkly. These black diamond accents placed above the lids are equal parts creative and rocker chic. This look is one of our favorites, paired with shimmering shadow and a bold red lip.
Sharp Wings
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When you want to recreate a soft grunge makeup look, morph your bold eyeliner into a sharp-winged shape. The eyeliner stays the main focus while the rest of the makeup is natural, with glossy lips and light rose-toned blush.
Dramatic Eyes, Bitten Lips
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Make a statement with your soft grunge makeup look by wearing an intense, smoky eye and pair it with a glossy bitten lip color stain. The look still makes an impact while remaining perfectly balanced. To create a bitten lip look, first, apply a lip stain and let it settle before following up with your gloss of choice.
Soft Smoky Eye
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Black liner, bleached brows, glossy lips, what more could you ask for? This look emulates punk and soft grunge makeup in the best way and is suitable to wear from day to night. When applying liner to the inner rims of the eyes, use a gel formula that glides on smoothly. If a little liner smudges, you’re fine, as the more smudged and lived-in this punk makeup looks, the better.
Soft Edgy Glam
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When it comes to punk and grunge makeup, the edgier, the better. Here, Dove Cameron proves that sharp winged eyeliner is suitable for any occasion when wanting to step up your makeup game. Use an angled eyeliner brush to drag the liner outward into the wing shape and blend the edges with the angle of the brush until they are straight. If you need more help, you can apply a piece of tape to the outer edges of the eyes and trace along it for a perfect line every time.
Sophisticated Soft Grunge
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If you want to lean into the soft grunge makeup trend but need it to be slightly more sophisticated, this glam is for you. Here, actress Whitney Peak is a stunning example of how you can merge the two and still make the trend. Applying smoky shadows on the lid and blending more earth-toned browns in the crease helps to lessen the deep black tones ever so slightly. This is a great neutralizing trick when you want your shadow to look less dark.
Rockin’ Metallic
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Metallic textures in eyeshadows add a bit of fun to a smoky eye, especially when paired with a subtle pop of color. To recreate this look, apply a metallic hue to your lids and blend it out in the crease using a fluffy brush. Then go back in to apply your highlighter accent in the inner corners of the eyes as the finishing touch.
Piercing Liner
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Draw all the attention to your eyes with a deep, black kohl eyeliner applied all around your waterline, as seen here on Jenna Ortega. For this look, opting for waterproof eyeliner formulas can help promote the longevity of liner wear and prevent smudging.
Classic Punk
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Classics never die, and liquid winged eyeliner has been on trend for decades. To accentuate your soft grunge makeup, extend the wing out slightly longer than that of a traditional wing to make more of an impact. Then, pair it with blush and lip colors of your choosing. We love the soft pink tones here on Camilla Cabello.
Bitten Flush
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An elevated, monochromatic flush on the eyes, cheeks, and lips, has just the right amount of bite to it to be considered punk rock. Above, Halsey touts a red, rosy hue that can be worn all season long. However, the darker line edging the lips with the brighter, cherry center is a statement all in itself.
Eyes That Cut
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You don’t have to completely revamp your typical glam routine to take part in this trend. By adding one distinct factor, like an extended winged liner, you can give a nod to soft grunge without straying far from your comfort zone. Simply, exaggerate the wing as much as you want, extending it out much longer than you normally would, and use a waterproof black eyeliner to fill in the waterline.
Statement Eyes
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Not-so-traditional eyeliner and eyeshadow looks are fun to create and fit right into the category of punk rock and soft grunge. This abstract eyeliner shows that different shapes can accentuate your features in the best way. With a matte brown lipliner defining the lips and soft brown gloss applied on the inside, this shows how contrast elevates your makeup look into a work of art in seconds.
Outside The Lines
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This look makes us want to think outside the lines. The way the black eyeliner and lipliner work together to create something next-level dramatic yet wearable is impressive. To recreate this intriguing lip look, outline your lips with a thin, black lip pencil and fill in the center with a clear gloss.
Cool Toned
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Bleached brows, matte brown lips, and a black liner can instantly give off a cool girl, punk rock vibe. The more liner and mascara you apply, the better. Get your eyes as grungy looking as possible to create contrast for your bleached eyebrows and the rest of your makeup look.
Neon Punk
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Who said soft grunge makeup could only include black and grey hues? Take your punk rock makeup look to the next level by wearing neon makeup that is packed with pigment and creates visual interest. From neon purple, to red, pink, and green, this look has left us speechless, and for good reason.
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