How to Do Gothic Makeup
Gothic makeup is more than lots of whiteface and oodles of black eyeliner. These days, depending on the type of Goth you are, there are a variety of makeup looks to try. As the Gothic scene becomes more diverse and full of varied influences, Gothic beauty also changes.
To achieve a polished Gothic look, try any one of several faces and find the one that works best. Feel free to change parts of it to suit your own individual tastes, but remember to keep it sultry and sexy.
Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Facial cleanser
- Facial moisturizer
- Eye cream
- Matte foundation
- Makeup brush kit
- Two or three eyeshadows
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- False lashes (optional)
- Eyelash glue (optional)
- Scissors (optional)
- Blush
- Lipliner pencil
- Lipstick
Instructions
-
-
1
Start with a clean, moisturized face. A clean slate is best for makeup application, since oil accumulation can cause makeup to slip off the face and vanish. Remember to apply eye cream if the eye area is prone to dryness.
-
2
Apply a matte foundation to the face, preferably one with a medium level of coverage. Unlike the popular "dewy" finish, Gothic makeup favors a smooth, polished appearance. Use concealer if there are any blemishes or discolored areas.
-
-
3
Use eye makeup to create mood and give personality. For the conventional Goth face, darker shades like brown and black are great for the crease and lid area. However, the advent of cybergothic and Gothic raver (Graver) fashion has also seen the rise of super-bright colors like red, yellow and green. For a retro burlesque face, use skin tones with brown or mauve in the crease.
-
4
Apply eyeliner. Heavily lined eyes are one of the benchmarks of Gothic fashion, so don't be scared to go heavy. Black liquid eyeliner is long-lasting and creates a strong line. Kohl pencils, on the other hand, are easier for the novice to apply and blend. Powder eyeliner is also attractive. Line both the lower and upper lid.
-
5
Use a thickening and lengthening mascara, or apply fake lashes. For those with thick natural lashes, one coat is plenty. If your natural lashes are thin, use two coats. For fake lashes, look for a pair that's on the dramatic side, and trim down fake lashes if they're too long. To apply false lashes, use a waterproof glue along the lashline and take your time. Apply a coat of mascara to blend the natural and fake hairs together.
-
6
Pat a sparing amount of blush on the cheeks, but don't use too much. In the Gothic scene, the aesthetic favors a Victorian, sunless pallor, not a happy flush. Leave the red coloring for the lips.
-
7
Use a liberal amount of lipstick to color the lips. Favorite colors are red, purple and brown. Stay away from sweet colors like pale pink and fuschia. Gothic lips are sensual and striking, rather than cute. Matte or glossy lipstick is fine. To prolong the life and sharpness of your lips color, line and fill the lips with lipliner pencil before applying color.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Get creative with your eyeliner colors. There are lots of companies that make brightly hued liner colors, so give them a try. Colored mascara is also interesting, but can be hard to see in a dark club environment.
After makeup application, add little extras to make your look more special. Small rhinestones and bindis can look very striking with a corset and skirt outfit. Alternately, use black eyeliner to draw small designs at the center of the forehead or the corners of the eyes.
Goths with a fair complexion can use white foundation if they wish. However, this look is largely regarded as dated for all but the most old-fashioned Victorian style Goths. For best results, stick to a foundation that matches your skin tone, or one that's a shade lighter.
References
- Photo Credit androgynous goth image by TA Craft Photography from Fotolia.com
