The 90s grunge makeup trend is back, and it’s all about looking bold, a little messy, and totally cool.
Inspired by the music and style of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, this makeup look is raw, rebellious, and not about perfection.
Top magazines like Vogue, Marie Claire, and L’Oréal Paris have been buzzing about how to rock this style today. Here’s a simple guide to nailing the ’90s grunge makeup look, based on what the experts are saying.
What Is 90s Grunge Makeup?
Grunge makeup comes from the 90s music scene in Seattle, where bands wore casual, layered clothes like plaid flannel shirts and ripped jeans. The makeup was just as laid-back but made a statement. It’s all about dark, smudged eyeliner, smoky eyes, matte skin, and deep, bold lips. Think Courtney Love’s smudgy black liner or Gwen Stefani’s dark lipstick. Today, the look is softer and more modern but keeps that edgy, “I didn’t try too hard” vibe.
Grunge is about being “perfectly imperfect.” It’s not about clean lines or flawless skin—it’s messy, lived-in, and full of attitude. Think “cool-girl” style with smudgy shadows and glossy lips for balance that it mixes classic 90s elements with today’s products for a fresh take.
Key Elements of Grunge Makeup
Here’s what you need to create the grunge look, based on tips from top magazines:
1. Matte Skin for a No-Shine Base
Grunge makeup starts with matte skin. In the 90s, dewy, glowy skin wasn’t the vibe—matte was king. Using a matte primer (like the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer) and full-coverage foundation (like the Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Liquid Foundation) to keep shine away. Skip the highlighter and blush for a natural, slightly pale look.
2. Smoky, Smudged Eyes
The heart of grunge makeup is the eyes—dark, smoky, and a little messy. Think smudgy shadows that look like you’ve been out all night. “smudgy eyeliner” as a must for the 90s grunge makeup look; try smoked out, cool-toned shadows like gray, taupe, or black for depth.
How to Do It:
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Use a black or dark brown eyeliner pencil and scribble it close to your lash line. Don’t worry about being neat!
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Smudge the liner with a brush or your finger for a soft, messy look.
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Sweep a cool-toned eyeshadow across your lids. Blend it into the crease with a matte taupe or black for a smoky effect.
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Add lots of mascara (like L’Oreal Voluminous Original mascara) for bold, spiky lashes.
3. Dark, Bold Lips
Grunge lips are all about deep, moody colors like brick red, burgundy, or even black. Lime Crime says dark lips were a staple for 90s icons like Courtney Love and Drew Barrymore. Fashion Weekly notes that lip liner was huge—often darker than the lipstick for a defined look. Today, you can go matte or add a glossy finish for a modern twist.
RELATED READING: HOW TO DO A DARK LIP THE RIGHT WAY!
4. Thin or Natural Brows
In the 90s, skinny brows were everywhere, but you don’t have to overpluck to get the look. Illamasqua suggests shaping brows slightly thinner for authenticity without going too far. As someone who lived through the 90s thin eyebrow trend – I suggest keeping your natural brows!
RELATED READING: 20 Eyeshadow Hacks For Beginners
Modern Twists on Grunge Makeup
Today’s grunge makeup isn’t exactly like the 90s version. Magazines point out ways to make it wearable for now:
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Glowy Skin: Swap matte skin for a radiant base or light skin tint for a fresher look.
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Softer Lips: Instead of heavy brick lipstick, try a glossy nude or cool-toned brown.
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Shimmery Eyes: Add a touch of shimmer (like a gunmetal gray shadow) to lighten the smoky eye.
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Bold Accents: Rhinestones or graphic liner can add a fun, modern spin, inspired by Gwen Stefani.
