There are a few basic tips I can share with you.  This will help get you on your way.  Of course keep in mind there are varying degrees of Goth, and Goth makeup is a very personal expression.  You can easily start here and you will naturally find your way.  The key ton any makeup, especially Goth, is practice and precision.  (Trust me I am a certified Makeup artist and Esthetician).

 Gothic Make Up Tips

White Face – Alright, I agree these ultra pale faces have their place and many Goths I know cannot tear themselves away from this tradition. I have, on my travels found my own style that does not have the painted white face. (I actually enjoy tanning, weird huh?  I guess I fit in with the “Vampire Beach Babes.”)

For those who love a pale face, and don’t want to look like a mime, I suggest buying really pale foundation, or adding some white face makeup to your moisturizer to get a pale look.  You need to start with a goof base, cleansed and moisturized skin, and always continue your pale look down your neck.  It is quite funny looking when your neck doesn’t match your face.  The best place to buy face makeup if you are going pale, is a theatre or costume makeup store.  It may be a bit of investment, but high quality makeup lasts longer and looks better.

I have a solution for not over powdering.  There is a translucent (white) powder made by many makeup companies  (yes you can find it at the drugstore), it is used as a blotting powder to absorb oil.  It is very important to only use what you need.  It looks terrible to have a cakey, flaking, white face.

If you are like me and don’t care so much for the ultra pale face, I use a foundation a little bit too light as well as a lighter powder.  I just blend really well, and obviously skip the blush.  For a lighter feel, use a pale tinted moisturizer, or add some foundation to your moisturizer, apply, then follow with powder. Make sure your face is smooth and even.

Eye Liner – If you are not very experienced with using eye liner, I suggest you start with pencil and practice and then work your way up to liquid liner.  If you are using pencil, buy a good quality, waterproof liner.  Avoid automatic pencils, they are a waste of money and don’t last long.  Line around your eye and smudge with a q-tip and you can also extend into a cat eye.  You can also line the margins of your eye, (that is the inside part).  The smudging helps to make an imperfect line smooth.

*Just remember you need eye makeup remover when you want to wash your face.  It helps lift waterproof makeup and keep you blemish free.  Also, don’t go to bed without taking your makeup off, it’s terrible on your skin.  (That’s the Esthetician in me).

Liquid liner, creates a more defined line, and can allow you to go thicker.  Again make sure it is waterproof, along with your mascara, or you look really droopy by the end of the day.

Experiment with grays, purples, blacks, reds and charcoals.  Mix and match, and find your own unique style.  I love doing black and any of the above-mentioned colors, and I add a double line under my eyes.  So if I was wearing black and red, I put black as my main color, red shadow just above that, and then blend with a light color under my brows.  On the bottom lid I put my black line first and then really tight underneath that line, I will add a thin red line.  

And just so you know, bats, spiders, webs and black tears are really cheesey and should be avoided.

Lipstick – blood reds, plums, blacks and blues are the most popular.  But that doesn’t mean you have to stick with only those.  I use a variety of lipstick colors.  One of my friends even pulls off hot pink, Goth style, (think Jennifer Tilly in Bride of Chucky).

Lip brushes are very good for doing dark lips and getting neat and clean lines.  Putting a small amount of powder overtop of your lipstick will help it last longer.

Extra Tips

Play with different types of false lashes, colored mascara etc.  

Thin, sculpted brows are really important.  If you are whole hearted, many Goth’s will shave their brows so that only the upward arch remains and they pencil in the rest.  You must always keep your brows tweezed, waxed or groomed impeccably, otherwise it can look really stupid.  I have friends who have completely taken off their brows and have had them tattooed on.

But as I said, if you want to keep your brows, just keep them thin and groomed, and you can go over them with black eyebrow powder.  Many companies such as Benefit, make eyebrow wax, which keeps brows in place all day.

If you want to share your Goth makeup tips on this page, email me and include your name.