Hi, everyone! I’ve already posted a step-by-step makeup tutorial on a similar eye look, but the previous pictures didn't turn out great. So, I decided to redo the whole Gothic makeup for you! This time, the pictures of my eye makeup turned out brighter, and I hope you find them useful. When I was younger, a black-and-white smoky eye was part of my everyday makeup routine.
I know it sounds a bit strange, but it was hard to imagine my face without dramatic eyeliner and black matte eyeshadow on my crease. If you're a fan of smoky eyes, here is a thorough step-by-step tutorial to help you recreate this look.
Step-by-Step Gothic Eye Look
1. First, we need to prep and map out our eye shape. Make sure to use a good eyeshadow primer so this heavy look doesn't crease! To make the black eyeshadow appear super dark and pigmented, apply a creamy black eye pencil (like the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean) to the inner third, outer third, and the crease of your eye, leaving the very center of the eyelid completely empty for that halo effect.
2. With the help of a firm, synthetic brush (a flat concealer brush or the Morphe M167 works great here), gently blend out the edges of the pencil. Please check out my Beginner's Brush Guide if you need a bit more help with the choice. You want a soft fade, not harsh lines, to act as a base.
3. Now it's time to set the pencil base with a highly pigmented, matte black eyeshadow—something like MAC Carbon or Melt Cosmetics Dark Matter is perfect. Gently pat the shadow over the pencil base to lock it in, and don't forget to blend out the outer edges with a clean, fluffy blending brush so it fades seamlessly toward your brow bone!
4. Apply a shimmery silver or white eyeshadow (the ColourPop Super Shock Shadows or Urban Decay Moondust shadows are incredible for catching the light) to the empty center of the eyelid. Make sure to softly blend the edges where the shimmer meets the black. You can always go back and reapply a little more black eyeshadow to the corners for an even darker, more dramatic look.
5. Create a beautiful, sharp cat eyeliner on the upper and lower lash lines. A reliable waterproof liquid liner, like the NYX Epic Ink Liner or KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner, will give you the sharpest wing that won't smudge or bleed throughout the night.
6. To finish up our Gothic makeup, pop on some dramatic false lashes (like Ardell Wispies or your favorite bold pair) and line the lower waterline with a waterproof black gel pencil to pull it all together. If you want your look to be even more interesting, you can tap some cosmetic silver glitter into the center of your lid or right on the inner eye corners. And that's it for this smokey eye makeup look!
And the lips?
For the lips, I highly suggest using a classic, bold matte lipstick or, if you aren't afraid to experiment, going for a really dark, vampy color! A long-wearing liquid lipstick like KVD Beauty Everlasting Hyperlight (in a deep plum or true black) or Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink will give you a budge-proof, totally Gothic pout that lasts all night.
Final Thoughts..
I know this makeup look feels a bit too much and hard to do, but I promise you it is super easy to do! Mastering a gothic eye look doesn't require hours of blending or a dozen different palettes. With these foundational steps, you have a striking, dark base ready to be customized to your personal aesthetic.
Whether you prefer a smudged, lived-in grunge finish or sharp, graphic lines, the defining element of gothic makeup is unapologetic self-expression. Grab your favorite style of eyeliner, experiment with adding metallic silver or broad burgundy accents, and make the look entirely your own.
