How to Do Gothic Makeup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Gothic makeup is known for its dramatic, high-contrast aesthetic and offers a wide range of styles, from Victorian elegance to punk rebellion. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating different gothic looks with detailed instructions to help you master each style.

How To Do Traditional Gothic Makeup

Traditional goth makeup combines pale skin, dark lips, and intense eye makeup for a classic, high-contrast look.

1. Begin with a pale or white foundation to create a flawless, porcelain base. Apply evenly and blend well, setting with translucent powder for a matte finish.
2. Define the lips using a bold black lipstick to create the classic gothic focal point.
3. Finish the eyes with a sharp, winged eyeliner look. Use a liquid liner to create precise wings, or blend it along the lash line for a smoky effect.

How To Do Victorian Gothic Makeup

Victorian Gothic is inspired by the elegance of the 19th century, with a focus on rich colours and vintage flair.

1. Apply a pale foundation, blending well, then set it with a light powder to create a smooth, matte base that reflects Victorian-era makeup.
2. Choose a deep red or burgundy lipstick and apply to the lips for a romantic, historical look.
3. Use dark eye shadow shades like plum or grey to create a smoky eye. Blend the shadow on the lid and into the crease, then finish with a thin line of eyeliner close to the lash line.

How To Do Cyber Gothic Makeup

Cyber goth adds a futuristic twist to goth style, often featuring neon colours and UV-reactive makeup.

1. Start with your regular foundation, adding highlighter to key points like the cheekbones and nose to enhance your features under UV light.
2. Choose a neon eye dust pigment in a bold colour like green or pink. Apply it to the eyelids and blend outwards for an intense, vibrant look.
3. Apply black eyeliner to the upper and lower lash lines for contrast, and add glitter gel along the cheekbones or around the eyes for an edgy, futuristic finish.

How To Do Romantic Gothic Makeup

Romantic goth is softer and more ethereal, influenced by medieval and Renaissance aesthetics.

1. Use a foundation one to two shades lighter than your skin tone to create a soft, pale complexion. Add a subtle blush in a light rose or peach for a natural glow.
2. Apply a muted lip colour, such as mauve or dusty rose, for a soft, romantic effect.
3. Choose eyeshadows in soft, smoky shades like taupe or lavender. Blend to create a gentle smoky eye, adding depth to the eyes without overpowering the look.

How To Do Punk Gothic Makeup

Punk goth is all about rebellion, combining goth and punk aesthetics with bold, edgy features.

1. Apply your regular foundation, blending well to keep the look natural.
2. Smudge a kohl eyeliner heavily around your eyes for a rebellious, punk-inspired effect. Add bright-coloured or black eyeshadow for a grungy touch.
3. Complete the look with dark lipstick, like black or deep purple, and finish with black nail polish for a full punk aesthetic.

How To Do Vampire Gothic Makeup

Vampire goth takes inspiration from vampire lore, emphasizing dark, seductive tones with a touch of mystery.

1. Apply a pale foundation to create an ethereal, almost ghostly base.
2. Use deep purple or black eyeshadow on the eyelids, blending out to create a smoky effect. Add a hint of red shadow under the eyes for a haunting look.
3. Apply blood-red or deep maroon lipstick for a seductive, vampiric finish.

How To Do Pastel Gothic Makeup 

Pastel goth is a playful blend of gothic and pastel colours, creating a soft yet edgy look.

1. Start with a pale foundation, adding a subtle blush to create a soft, fresh complexion.
2. You can also go for a pastel shade of hair colour.
3. Use pastel eyeshadows like lavender, baby blue, or mint on the eyelids, blending outwards for a soft look.
4. Finish with a pastel lip shade, like soft pink or lavender. Use white eyeliner on the lower lash line for a bright, wide-eyed effect.

How To Do Glam Gothic Makeup

Glam goth combines gothic darkness with glitzy, eye-catching elements, like metallic and glitter.

1. Begin with a full-coverage foundation, adding contour to define your features.
2. Apply metallic or glitter eyeshadow in shades like silver or deep purple for a dramatic, glamorous effect.
3. Complete the look with bold metallic or dark lipstick, and add winged eyeliner for a high-impact finish.

How To Do Casual Gothic Makeup

Casual goth is a toned-down version of gothic makeup, perfect for everyday wear.

1. Use a foundation that matches your natural skin tone for a subtle base.
2. Apply neutral eyeshadows in shades like grey or taupe for a simple, wearable smoky eye.
3. Finish with a matte lipstick in dark plum or berry to add a hint of goth without going overboard.

Final Tips for All Gothic Makeup Styles

• Start each look with a white or pale foundation to create contrast.
• Use dark lip colours, especially black or deep reds, as a focal point for classic gothic style.
• Don’t skip eyeliner; whether winged or smudged, it adds definition to your eyes and enhances the overall look.

Embrace Your Style with Stargazer

Gothic makeup is about individuality, mystery, and expression. Mix and match styles or add your own twist to create a look that’s entirely unique to you!