The Evolution of Gothic Makeup and Fashion: A Journey with Stargazer

Goth makeup and fashion is more than just a style; it's a statement, a culture, and a form of expression that has evolved significantly over the decades. Since its emergence, gothic fashion has influenced countless subcultures and continues to captivate with its dark allure and timeless appeal. Stargazer has been there every step of the way, supplying the tools needed to create the iconic looks that define this enduring trend.

The Birth of Gothic Fashion

Gothic fashion traces its origins back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, a time when punk rock was at its peak, and the world was ready for something new. The gothic movement was born from the underground music scene, heavily influenced by post-punk bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, and The Cure. These bands embraced a darker aesthetic, both in their music and their appearance, which quickly caught on among fans.

Stargazer began its journey in 1979 in the heart of this movement, at the Kings Road Market in London. We catered to the rebellious and unconventional spirits of the time, offering unusual makeup products that resonated with the emerging gothic culture. From black lipstick and neon makeup to black nail polish and white foundation, our products became essential tools for those looking to express their dark, mysterious side.

The Evolution of Gothic Fashion

As gothic fashion grew, it began to diversify, giving rise to several distinctive substyles. Each of these styles shares common elements but also brings its own unique twist to the gothic aesthetic.

1. Traditional Gothic

Traditional gothic fashion, also known simply as goth, is the most recognizable form of the style. It features a monochromatic palette, primarily black, with accents of deep reds and purples. The look is often characterized by flowing black clothing, corsets, lace, and velvet. Heavy, dark makeup, pale skin, and black lipstick are signature elements. 

Essential Products for the Look

• Black Lipstick: A must-have for achieving the classic goth look. Stargazer’s black lipstick provides a bold, dramatic finish that complements the dark attire.
• White Foundation: This white foundation helps create the pale, almost ethereal complexion that contrasts beautifully with dark makeup and clothing.
• Liquid Eyeliner: To achieve the dramatic, bold eye makeup synonymous with goth, a liquid eyeliner is essential. Stargazer’s liquid eyeliner offers precise application for sharp, defined lines.

2. Victorian Gothic

Victorian Gothic fashion is inspired by the elegance of the Victorian era, incorporating historical fashion elements such as high collars, ruffled blouses, long skirts, and waistcoats. Victorian Gothic is often adorned with intricate lace, cameo brooches, and antique jewelry. The makeup is more refined, with a focus on pale skin, dark eyes, and deep red or black lips.

Essential Products for the Look:

• Deep Red Lipstick: For a touch of Victorian romance, a deep red lipstick adds a historical feel to the makeup. Stargazer’s rich red lipstick provide that perfect touch of elegance.
• Pressed Powder Foundation: To achieve a smooth, porcelain finish, use a pressed powder foundation to set your white base and add to the historical aesthetic.
• Eye Shadow Palette: A palette with dark, muted tones like plum, grey, or black eyeshadow can help create the smoky, mysterious eyes that are a hallmark of Victorian Gothic makeup.

3. Cyber Gothic

A modern and futuristic take on gothic fashion, Cyber Gothic blends the dark, mysterious elements of traditional goth with vibrant neon colours, synthetic fabrics, and cyberpunk influences. This style often features goggles, platform boots, and UV-reactive accessories. Makeup in this style is bold, with bright neon eyeshadows and striking black accents.

Essential Products for the Look:

• Neon Eyeshadows: Bright, bold neon colours are essential for Cyber Gothic. Stargazer’s neon eye dust pigments are UV-reactive, making them perfect for the high-tech, futuristic aesthetic.
• Black Eyeliner: A strong black eyeliner is key to defining the eyes and creating dramatic, futuristic lines that complement the neon colours.

4. Romantic Gothic

Romantic Gothic is a softer, more ethereal version of traditional goth. It draws inspiration from medieval and Renaissance fashion, with flowing dresses, bell sleeves, and floral motifs. The makeup in this style is subtle yet haunting, with a focus on soft, smoky eyes and muted lip colours. 

Essential Products for the Look:

• Soft Eye Shadow: A palette with soft, smoky shades like grey, mauve, and earth tones will help create the gentle, romantic eyes typical of this style.
• Natural Lipstick Shades: Instead of bold black or red, opt for muted tones like dusty rose or soft brown for the lips. Stargazer’s range of matte lipstick shades offers a variety of options.
• Blush: A soft, natural blusher adds a touch of warmth to the cheeks, complementing the ethereal, dreamlike quality of Romantic Gothic fashion.

5. Punk Gothic

Punk Gothic, also known as Deathrock, is a blend of punk and goth aesthetics. It features torn clothing, leather jackets, fishnets, and spiked accessories. Makeup is bold, with heavy eyeliner, dark lips, and often, dramatic hairstyles like mohawks or teased hair.

Essential Products for the Look:

• Black Nail Polish: A staple of punk gothic fashion, black nail polish adds a rebellious edge to the overall look. Stargazer’s long-lasting formula ensures your nails stay bold and dark.
• Kohl Eyeliner: Heavy eyeliner is a defining feature of this style. Stargazer’s kohl eyeliner pencil provides an intense, smudged look that’s perfect for achieving that punk aesthetic.
• Bright Hair Dye: To complete the look, consider adding vibrant hair dye. Stargazer offers a range of bold semi permanent hair dyes that are perfect for adding a splash of punk to your gothic style.

6. Vampire Gothic

Vampire Gothic is inspired by the dark allure of vampire legends, combining elements of traditional goth with a romantic, yet sinister, twist. This style often features velvet cloaks, high collars, lace, and fangs as accessories. The makeup focuses on pale skin, dark red or black lips, and dramatic, blood-red eyeshadow.

Essential Products for the Look:

• Deep Red Lipstick: A rich, blood-red lipstick is key to achieving the seductive and sinister look of a vampire goth.
• Vampire Blood Gel: Add a few drops of Stargazer’s fake vampire blood to create a realistic, fresh-from-the-hunt appearance.
• White Foundation: A pale, flawless complexion is essential for capturing the undead vibe, making white foundation a must-have.

7. Pastel Gothic

Pastel Gothic is a playful, more colourful twist on traditional goth. It incorporates soft pastel colours, like pinks, purples, and blues, into the typically dark and brooding gothic aesthetic. Pastel goths often mix delicate, feminine elements like bows and lace with more hardcore gothic features like spikes and skulls.

Essential Products for the Look:

• Pastel Hair Dye: Stargazer’s range of pastel hair dyes is perfect for creating the soft, dreamy look associated with pastel goths.
• Pastel Eyeshadows: A palette of pastel eyeshadows helps to achieve the delicate, whimsical eye makeup typical of this style.
• White Eyeliner: Use white eyeliner to create bright, wide-eyed looks that contrast with the darker, gothic elements of the style.

8. Glam Gothic

Glam Gothic combines the darkness of gothic fashion with the sparkle and glitz of glam rock. This style features luxurious fabrics like velvet and leather, combined with sequins, glitter, and bold metallics. Makeup is dramatic and glamorous, with smoky eyes, bold lips, and plenty of shimmer.

Essential Products for the Look:

• Glitter Eyeshadows: Stargazer’s glitter eye dust pigment add a touch of sparkle to your look, perfect for achieving that glamorous edge.
• Metallic Lipstick: Bold, metallic lips are a defining feature of glam gothic fashion. Stargazer’s metallic lipstick range offers vibrant shades with a glossy finish.
• Liquid Eyeliner: To create dramatic, winged eyeliner looks that are essential for glam gothic makeup, a high-quality cake eyeliner is a must.

9. Casual Gothic

Casual Gothic is a more understate d, everyday version of gothic fashion. It incorporates gothic elements like black clothing, minimalistic makeup, and simple accessories, but in a way that’s more practical and less dramatic for daily wear.

Essential Products for the Look:

• Matte Lipstick: A matte black or deep plum lipstick adds a touch of goth to a more casual outfit without being too over-the-top.
• Black Mascara: Simple yet effective, black mascara enhances the eyes without requiring elaborate makeup, perfect for a casual gothic look.
• Neutral Eyeshadows: A palette with neutral tones like taupe, grey, and black allows for subtle eye makeup that’s still true to the gothic aesthetic.

The Growth and Influence of Gothic Fashion

Over the years, gothic fashion has grown from an underground movement to a global phenomenon, influencing everything from high fashion to mainstream culture.