The 30-Second Lived-In Liner Makes A Comeback
The 30-Second Lived-In Liner Makes A Comeback
Messy and greased-up eye makeup — in shades of inky blacks and browns — was all over the recent runways. The message: Grunge is glam now.
At Helmut Lang’s show, eyes were heavily ringed in black and espresso for an effect that was well-worn and weathered. The sooty eye look was also spotted at Jason Wu and Versace’s presentation, where makeup was enhanced with punk-inspired and thick black wings finished with a slick shine on the eyes. Meanwhile, at Alice & Olivia, gel-based kohl liner was topped off with layers of sparkly black eyeshadow.
New Eyeliner Devotees
The carefree kohl look has taken over our FYPs too, all thanks to Saltburn-lovers on the internet. Social media users are obsessed with indie sleaze makeup spotted on Venetia Catton, played by Alison Oliver in the Noughties period film. As a result, 1990s-inspired makeup has garnered over 100 million views on TikTok. The smudged-liner makeup has been seen on current It-girls as well. From actor Zoë Kravitz for the recent campaign of Black Opium by YSL to Deepika Padukone for the recent promotions of Fighter (2024), this beauty look has become a go-to for celebrities looking to make a statement — without trying too hard.
More Than Meets the Eye
The key to creating this look is to start by lining your lower and upper lash lines with a long-lasting, pigment-rich and smooth kohl. Kate Moss offers the perfect example of the unintentional, messy swipe. Next, close your eyes and use a finger to blend the colour in an upward motion. Add finishing touches with a generous coating of mascara and your favourite lip gloss. The best part? You don’t need to be a cat-eye master to ace it. Let the liner take a life of its own.
Words by Drishti Vij