It’s October and Goth season – when we transition our closets and reach for leather, velvet, and cashmere items, and swap out our makeup palettes for darker hues – has officially begun. To those with the image of clunky boots, excessive eyeliner, and cobweb arm warmers, Goth remains a taboo aesthetic, an easy punchline as the fad least likely for a glam renaissance.
Except that goth and its influences – the vamp, religious iconography, Victorian mourning attire, and BDSM – are anything but a flash in the pan negation of elevated style. A preference for all black clothing, dark-red lipstick, and pointy patent leather boots is rarely absent during winter fashion week. It’s a style that Lady Gaga, in her creative ties with Issie Blow and Alexander McQueen, has owned for decades until Jenna Ortega’s recent ascension.
After inheriting the role of Wednesday Adams, perhaps the most mainstream portrayal of Goth aesthetics, as the lead in the Netflix’s “Wednesday” spinoff from indie It Girl Christina Ricci, Ortega has made the look all her own on camera and the red carpet. The dark lip and bleached brows Ortega wore at the Emmy Awards and the “Wednesday” press tour designate her as the reigning princess of “Goth Glam.”
Bleached brows and a dark lip seem to contradict makeup basics and the near orthodox rule that well-defined brows are needed to anchor facial contours and frame the eyes, an imbalance only made more extreme by a bold, well-defined, deep red lip. Yet, somehow it works. It’s a look that’s both softly romantic and dramatically elegant.
For tips on achieving this look, and a followup to Celeb Makeup Inspo – Nail Sabrina Carpenter’s Sex Kitten Glam With Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, I consulted with professional makeup artists who specialize in glam makeup and brows: Drita Paljevic, Head Makeup Artist at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty and Amanda Rustin, female founder of Amanda Rustmann Signature Brow Products.
Glossy Oxblood Lip Q&A with Drita Paljevic
1. Is the “Goth Glam” makeup we see on Jenna Ortega just the latest fad?
Bleached brows and oxblood lips are not just a trend, but a bold statement that has stood the test of time. This kind of transformative beauty is exactly what Kevyn Aucoin championed throughout his career, and we’re proud to see it making a powerful return. In fact, Kevyn Aucoin Beauty was one of the first brands to introduce an ‘oxblood’ shade to the market with our iconic ‘Bloodroses‘ lipstick. Jenna took this cult-classic vampy lip and elevated it even further with bleached brows, creating a striking, high-fashion look.
2. What’s the best way to achieve Jenna Ortega’s signature glossy oxblood lip look?
Dark, glossy lips, a nod to vampy romance is equal parts moody and modern. For the perfect dark lip combo, blend out the Velvet Lip Paint in ‘Striking’ all over the lips, and line the edges with the Unforgettable Lip Definer in ‘Pure,’ a rich dark brown that will help the lip color blend to that amazing ‘oxblood’ shade. Top it off with a generous swipe of Celestial Lip Gloss ($38) in “Cary” for a vinyl finish that catches the light and makes the look pop.
Bleached Brow Q&A with Amanda Rustmann
1. What is the first bit of advice for those interested in bleached brows?
Proceed with caution. Bleached brows are definitely having a moment – but my best advice is to go to a professional who really knows their stuff. This is one of those trends where expertise matters. Bleaching can be harsh on brow follicles, so it’s best left to a specialist, with aftercare being just as important. Keeping brows hydrated and looking natural makes all the difference.
2. What cheats or hacks do you recommend for the bleached brow look without committing to and paying for a professional color appointment?
A little concealer brushed through the brows can create a similar lightened effect in minutes.
3. What are other ways to snatch facial contour without brows to define angles and bone structure?
To elevate the look further – whether bleached, barely there, or just softened – my newly launched Amanda Rustmann Airplane Mode Highlighter Duo, a double-ended pencil with both matte and shimmer finishes, Use it to highlight the brow bone, or even as a subtle foundation alternative around the brows to make them appear lighter and more lifted.” Available in Highlands Highlighter (for lighter skin tones) and Newport Nude (for deeper tones), it’s a versatile way to spotlight this trend without the full chemical commitment.
Whether looking for a new fall look, a special event face beat, the goth glam of glossy oxblood lips and bleached brows can be achieved to telescope vampy romance or edgy luxury with just a few products in a modern makeup arsenal.
