Amid a rush of strong cosmetic trends, the gentle grunge makeup style provides an alternative for people who aren’t quite ready to go all in. This design could serve as a fantastic bridge between the early 2020s and the new slate of 2026.
By the end of 2025, beauty experts predicted that an age of softer appearances would come to an end, with stronger looks expected in 2026. This contains darker makeup looks such as grunge, vampy romantic, and more. With the support of an unyielding community, these trends have transitioned from a small subculture to the mainstream, with stars such as Gabriette and Jenna Ortega taking them to the red carpet. (Or, in Alysa Liu’s case, an ice rink.)
But if you aren’t acclimated to grunge makeup yet, you’re in luck. Because creativity has no bounds, we’ve already seen numerous variations on the look, including soft grunge makeup. It’s the ideal compromise for people who want a little edge but aren’t quite ready for the effort.
It all comes down to striking the right balance. So, you can use pale pink lipstick to even out a heavy eyeliner or dark lipstick to add color to a plain eye look. Maintain your current level of comfort while incorporating new experiences.
Do you need some ideas? Take a look at the newest red carpets. At first glance, you may miss it, but a closer examination reveals gentle grunge makeup on a lot of celebrities. If you need inspiration, look no further.
