Makeup trends have been all over the board this year. From demure looks to dolled up to grungy, it’s safe to say that creative expression via makeup is back. While moody makeup for fall is a no-brainer, the dark feminine makeup trend embraces vamp like no other. The core of the look is all about deep colors and rich tones, like smoke, onyx, burgundy and plum. Together they create an alluring sultry style that goes against the barely there, fresh face makeup looks that have been so popular.
On TikTok, views for dark feminine makeup continue to spike, especially moving into fall. “The season is a big reason why we’re seeing an uptick in this trend,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray. It oozes power in a sultry way and has an enchantment that’s hard to ignore, and according to Gray, the trend is right on time for fall. “The colors alone are perfect for the season, and people are ready to have fun with their makeup again,” she says. Keep reading to learn how to recreate the trend and shop everything you need to make it your own.
Featured experts
- Emily Gray is a celebrity makeup artist
- Sean Harris is a celebrity makeup artist
What is dark feminine makeup?
While the name of this trend may be new, the look is a reincarnation of several era-defining makeup styles. “The trend is an ode to the ‘90s with highly feminine and bold elements—think dark eye makeup with defined lips and contour,” says celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris. He explains that today’s trend pays homage to the iconic era by bringing back the deep, bold tones from that time.
Still, it’s hard to exclude the sultry looks from the 2010s. In one video, makeup artist and TikTok creator Lila speaks on how the makeup from the female protagonists of TV series like Gossip Girl, Scandal, and Vampire Diaries had a striking sexiness that also managed to be soft and subtle.
“Dark feminine makeup gives a sexy, vampy energy,” says Gray. The pro explains that though most people immediately think strictly of eyes and lips, the trend applies to a full-face look. “Black eyeliner around the eyes with a smokey effect, wine-colored lipstick, and flushed cheeks are all elements of dark feminine makeup,” she says.
How to do dark feminine makeup
To nail this look, Gray stresses the importance of getting in tune with the overall vibe of the trend. “Think dark, sexy and powerful,” she says. To embrace this fully, she recommends drawing focus to the eyes. “Elongate the shape of your eyes by using a smokey eye to create a slight winged effect. With the eyeshadow, you want to make sure that it’s present but doesn’t completely cover your entire lid,” she says. Your brows should also highlight your eyes, so opt for a shaped arch over a fluffy natural look.
Dark plums and wine-colored reds are often used in dark feminine makeup, even on the cheeks. However, the intense shades are used more to bring subtlety to the look, similar to a red blush. Instead of applying a splotch of color to the apples, take a small amount of a plum or wine shade and apply it in the hollows of the cheekbones to add just a hint of color. The lips are where you can really get creative. “Try experimenting with a bolder shade and really play up the vibrancy of the color,” says Harris.
Products to get the dark feminine makeup look
