Grunge makeup is back. Or at least, a version of it. Think smudged eyeliner, dark and moody lips, a little dirt under the nails (okay, maybe just visually), and the attitude of “I rolled out of bed and let this happen.” As fall 2025 settles in, this aesthetic is resurging not just in fashion circles but all over Pinterest, TikTok, and beauty editorials.
What “Grunge Makeup” Looks Like in 2025
Four or five years ago, grunge meant dark lipstick, heavy shadow, fuzzy roots, sometimes a general unkempt vibe. Now it’s gotten a makeover “Clean Grunge” or “Soft Grunge” are the versions we’re seeing, blending the raw edge with a bit of polish. The eyes often get the messy treatment: smudged eyeliner (especially under the water line or lower lash), smoky browns, maybe a touch of charcoal or black. But the skin itself is fresher, luminous or dewy rather than chalky, flushed rather than matte. Lips are darker, bold, usually with a blurred edge instead of being perfectly neat.
Some celebs and influencers are leaning in heavily: the “tired makeup” look (red under-eye, smudgy liner, the appearance that you’ve maybe pulled an all-nighter) is also overlapping with it. Jenna Ortega, Billie Eilish, Lily-Rose Depp are names being mentioned.
What Makes It Memeable (and Sometimes Absurd)
With trends, the absurd often follows close behind. The grunge look is no exception:
- Eyeliner smudged so badly it looks like you spilled coffee or, yes, missed the bus and just gave up.
- Dark lipstick bleeding over edges. Dark shadow under eyes that looks less “edgy and haunted” and more “I didn’t wash last night.”
- Fashion that tries so hard to look nonchalant. When perfect undone is still clearly styled, it starts to look like a costume.
Memes are having fun: “when your eyeliner gives up at the first wind gust,” “the face you make walking outside after shoving your head out the door to catch the bus in the rain,” etc. These jokes point out how the search for authenticity or “realness” in makeup often gets filtered, curated, and staged.
How to Pull It Off Without Looking Like You Overslept
If you want in on the trend but don’t want to look like you literally missed your alarm, here are some tips:
- Smudge, don’t drag. Use a soft pencil or liner and smudge it with a brush for a gradient, not harsh edges.
- Let the skin glow. Use lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer. A bit of highlighter or dew helps balance out the heaviness around the eyes or lips.
- Lips with forgiving edges. Dark lips are great, but go with a lip stain or gloss so imperfections seem intentional.
- Fix what matters. Lips and eyes can be messy by design, but dirty hair or chipped nails — leave those to actual mess days.
Is America Ready for Grunge Makeup 2.0?
There’s a tension here: people say they want “real” and “authentic” beauty, but society still rewards polish, perfection, and “camera-ready.” The grunge comeback seems like a response to that: a rebellion against filters, airbrushing, over-perfect brows. But even grunge isn’t immune to curation: lighting, filters, styling — everything is still styled.
So yes, society sort of is ready. Especially younger people, beauty communities, those tired of perfection. But there’s also pushback: looks carried too far often draw criticism (“you look tired,” “when did you spill your coffee?” etc.).
Grunge makeup in 2025 is messy in purpose, not accident. It’s a mix of edge + polish, embracing imperfection while still clipping the nails and washing the face. The meme universe will keep the jokes coming, but there’s beauty in the chaos. Maybe missing the bus once looks stylish, as long as you didn’t actually miss the meeting.
Photo Credit: Grunge Fashion (eziogutzemberg/adobestock)
