Don’t we all love it when a once-adored trend paves its way back into everyone’s life? What makes it even better is when these trends get a contemporary spin, perfectly fitting into the current scenario. One such ‘90s makeup trend that seems to be making everyone reach out for their darkest and smokiest hues is indie-grunge, aka the elevated sleaze look. Think makeup that is intentionally kept looking somewhat undone, with a focus on achieving a naturally imperfect appearance. Smudged eyeliner, smoky eyes, and a "lived-in" lip colour are common elements.
If you were remotely around in the 90s, we’re sure the description definitely triggers some memories. And thanks to shows like The Idol, it is clear that grunge makeup is making a stronger comeback. The elevated sleaze grungy trend seamlessly comes together to fake that unkempt, messy, and undone effect—one would deem it as ‘intentionally unruly’. With the slept-in hair, sweaty skin, and smudged eyes, we’re finally moving away from looks that fit the ‘aesthetic’ mould. But how does this overdone, loud ‘90s makeup trend squeeze into today’s day and age of minimalism?
The 2023 Revival
The answer is simple—it’s adapted. While the grunginess of this trend is definitely retained, the 2023 version of the elevated sleaze makeup makes way for more subtlety rather than in-your-face makeup looks. This version focuses on one element and plays it up as much as one can. When working with grunge, you can play around with your base and opt for either a bare matte look or a full-coverage dewy finish. The dewy finish actually adds that unkempt, sweaty element that the makeup trend calls for.
Here are a few ways in which you can incorporate the ‘90s elevated sleaze makeup trend in your daily affairs without looking like an absolute mess.
#1 - Eyes
Remember the much-loved smokey-eye palette that’s been collecting dust in the corner of your cabinet? It’s time to put it to work. When incorporating the grunge makeup trend, it’s kind of hard not to revive the classic smokey eye. You can do this by using a charcoal grey and black matte eyeshadow or simply a smudged kohl or kajal. The idea is to go beyond the blocks, have fun with shapes, and smoke out the lines to create that messy aesthetic. Another way to amp up this look is to add a hint of glitter in a hue of your choice to give it that slight glam touch. You can also top up your kohled eyes with a clear eye gloss or balm for that elevated effect.
Want to go the extra mile? Tap into your inner Kate Moss and opt for the chunkiest mascara possible. Keep the rest of your skin basic, and go in with a clear gloss or nude matte lipstick to balance out the rest of the look.
#2 - Lips
While the elevated sleaze makeup trend in 2023 is all about the eyes, that doesn’t mean we’re giving up on the pout. If you want to shift focus from the usual, we’d recommend diving lip-first into the classic bold hues—think oxblood, deep reds, purples, and blacks. Imagine you were in a ‘90s rock band video and go with that vibe. Again when your lips are doing the talking, you might want to keep the rest of your face and eyes as minimal as possible. At most, we’d recommend pairing it with a classic smokey eye or heavily kohl-rimmed eyes and nothing more.
Why Now?
With the onset of many Y2K trends repeating themselves, it’s hardly surprising that grunge has made its comeback in 2023. While back then, the ‘trend’ wasn’t quite intentional (considering it was inspired by the rock n roll/punk / emo-goth era), it’s a refreshing revival, especially when minimalism has been at the forefront ever since the pandemic. The messy, smudged-eye, morning-after hair and makeup look pave the way for a more experimental outlook towards makeup—which is a great distraction from the no makeup, clean girl vibe we’ve been channelling for a while.
Cover Image: Instagram/@juliafox
