Trendsetting celebrities like Jenna Ortega have been leading the charge, bringing these moody, relaxed looks straight into the mainstream.
Image: Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP
The minimal clean-girl aesthetic is officially taking a backseat in 2026 as soft grunge makeup looks step into the spotlight.
If you have been scrolling through social media or paying attention to the beauty world, you have probably noticed a massive shift happening.
We are waving goodbye to the era of ultra-perfected, barely-there routines and warmly welcoming makeup with a lot more edge and attitude.
For fashion and beauty enthusiasts, this sudden pivot might feel like a shock, but industry experts say it was completely inevitable.
After years of the fresh-faced looks that dominated the early 2020s, people are craving a beauty style that feels a bit more rebellious and expressive.
Soft grunge is the perfect bridge between the minimalist trends of the past and the darker, vampy looks predicted for the future, offering a fun alternative to the pressure of looking absolutely flawless.
If we look back at beauty history, grunge makeup originally defined the 1990s.
Back then, the ultimate goal was to look like you had just woken up after an epic party, having slept in your black kohl eyeliner for three days straight.
Charli XCX embraces the soft grunge look.
Image: Phillip Faraone / Getty Images via AFP
While we love the nostalgia, the 2026 version has been completely reimagined to be highly wearable and modern.
Instead of looking excessively gothic, flat, or heavy, today's "soft grunge" beautifully blends the best of both worlds.
You only need to look at recent red carpets to see the trend in action.
Trendsetting celebrities like Jenna Ortega, Miley Cyrus and Charli XCX have been leading the charge, bringing these moody, relaxed looks straight into the mainstream.
So, how do you get the look today without feeling like you are wearing a costume? The secret is all about balance.
Miley Cyrus often opts for the grunge look on the red carpet.
Image: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
The foundation of a modern grunge look is skin that looks authentic and hydrated rather than masked in a heavy matte foundation.
Beauty professionals emphasise prepping the skin with top-tier skincare to build a natural glow from within.
You want to let your freckles and natural skin texture shine through by using a lightweight skin tint.
This fresh, luminous skin creates a gorgeous, intentional contrast against a dramatic smoky eye.
Soft grunge lives and breathes in the eye makeup. Put down the sharp liquid liner and pick up a creamy kohl pencil.
You want to line your waterlines and gently smudge the edges with your fingertips to create a smoky, worn-in effect.
Pair this smudged liner with a soft metallic one and done eyeshadow to add instant depth and dimension without looking overly polished.
Finish with a mascara that adds volume and darkness while keeping your lashes touchable and slightly undone.
For your lips, you have a few fun options. If you go heavy on the messy eyeliner, try balancing it out with a pale neutral or soft pink lipstick.
On the other hand, if you want your lips to make the statement, try reaching for deep browns, deep pinks, or moody true reds.
To keep dark lips feeling fresh and modern for 2026, look for hydrating, glossy formulas that reflect light rather than applying flat matte shades.
Whether you want to dive fully into the trend or just subtly swap out your clear lip gloss for a pale grey-toned neutral, soft grunge is all about having fun and relaxing your routine.
It is finally time to let things get a little messy.