In 2025, beauty has taken a darker, moodier turn, and everyone from TikTok creators to red carpet icons seems to be leaning into it. The aesthetic in question? Modern goth. What once lived solely in underground subcultures has now evolved into a refined, fashion-forward look that balances darkness with softness. It’s the aesthetic moment of the year, merging rebellion with romance in a way that feels distinctly of our time.
What Exactly Is Modern Goth?
Cousin of the baby goth trend, modern goth is the 2025 evolution of gothic beauty, a reimagining of the dramatic, inky aesthetic that defined the ‘80s and ‘90s. Instead of full black ensembles, heavy eyeliner, and deathly pale skin, this new iteration introduces balance. Think: dewy complexions paired with smoky, diffused eyes, or glossy lips in deep plum instead of matte black. It’s mysterious without being harsh, edgy without losing its elegance.
Celebrities have helped catapult modern goth into the mainstream. Gabbriette embodies the look with her porcelain skin, dark liner, and lived-in lipstick. Jenna Ortega, the reigning queen of Gen Z gothic thanks to her Wednesday role, continues to evolve the style with grungy yet elevated red carpet appearances. Actress Sophie Thatcher brings a cinematic softness to the trend, often pairing sultry eye makeup with a natural glow that keeps things grounded and modern. Together, they’ve turned gothic beauty from niche to aspirational.
Unlike traditional goth, which often prioritized stark contrasts and theatricality, modern goth embraces imperfection and texture. A smudged liner is welcome; a touch of warmth in the skin tone doesn’t ruin the mood. The palette still leans dark—charcoal, oxblood, aubergine, bruised rose—but with subtler transitions and fresh finishes. It’s the gothic mood filtered through contemporary sensibilities: romantic, wearable, and achingly cool.
How to Get the Modern Goth Look
1. Skin: Luminous, Not Lifeless
Traditional goth makeup often called for a ghostly, matte complexion. Modern goth flips that script, favoring skin that looks alive, dewy, and slightly undone. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s a balance between polished and real. Start with a luminous base, then build dimension with soft contouring. Skip heavy powder and instead opt for a light dusting only where you need it.
To maintain that moody undertone, consider using foundations that lean neutral or slightly cool-toned. A hint of silvery highlighter on the high points of the face—cheekbones, bridge of the nose, inner corners of the eyes—adds an ethereal touch without veering glittery.
Product Picks:
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation – Offers buildable coverage with a naturally radiant finish that never looks flat.
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
SHEGLAM Glow Bloom Liquid Waterproof Highlighter Cream Highlighter – A highlighter that adds an otherworldly sheen perfect for the moody aesthetic.
SHEGLAM Glow Bloom Liquid Waterproof Highlighter Long Lasting Cream Highlighter
2. Eyes: Smudged, Sultry, and Unapologetically Dark
The eyes are where the modern goth look truly comes alive. Think smoldering liner, soft diffusion, and a slightly slept-in feel. The new rule? Nothing too precise. Start with a creamy black or deep brown pencil and trace along the upper and lower lash lines, then blur it with a small brush or even your fingertip. Layer on a cool-toned eyeshadow such as charcoal, burgundy, or smoky plum, focusing on the outer corners for that hollowed, mysterious depth.
Finish with clumpy mascara or a few individual lashes for undone drama. If you’re feeling bold, a wash of metallic silver or dark green shimmer across the lid adds a fresh twist that keeps the look modern, not costume-y. The overall effect should feel like you’ve spent the night at an underground show, but in the chicest possible way.
Product Picks:
LAURA GELLER Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Smoky – Ultra-blendable and long-lasting, perfect for creating that soft, smoked-out effect.
LAURA GELLER Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Smoky
COVERGIRL Eye Enhancer, Sweet Plum, Eyeshadow Trio – A mix of shimmery and matte plum shades that are ideal for crafting a rich, dimensional goth eye.
COVERGIRL Eye Enhancer, Sweet Plum, Eyeshadow Trio
3. Lips: Smudged, Stained, and Sensual
Forget the harsh matte blacks of the early 2000s. Deep wines, vampy reds, and bruised berries dominate the palette, but the key is texture. Opt for a satin or glossy finish, or blur the edges of a dark lip stain for that effortless, lived-in effect.
For an everyday take, try a sheer tint or oil in a moody shade like black cherry or blood rose. On nights out, go bolder: layer a matte lipstick in oxblood with a dab of gloss in the center of the lips to add dimension. Modern goth lips are less “perfectly painted” and more “perfectly undone.”
Product Picks:
Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil in Mahogany – Adds a vampy tint with a high-shine finish that feels both fresh and gothic.
Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil in Mahogany
Fenty Beauty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Bread Winn’r – A rich, deep burgundy with a plush, velvety texture that stays put without drying.
Fenty Beauty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Bread Winn’r
The Allure of the Modern Goth Mood
At its core, modern goth makeup is about embracing duality: beauty and decay, softness and strength, romance and rebellion. It’s an aesthetic that reflects the cultural moment, where individuality reigns, and dark doesn’t mean dismal.
Whether you go full smoky-eyed siren or just add a whisper of plum to your lips, this trend invites experimentation and self-expression. It’s proof that even in a world obsessed with “clean girl” minimalism, there will always be space for a little darkness—and a lot of style.
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