Goth Makeup: 18 Dark Looks, Step by Step for Beginners

Goth makeup is the most expressive category in beauty — it ranges from soft romantic goth to full vampire drama, and every look in between. This guide walks you through 18 goth makeup looks with simple step-by-step instructions. For more beauty direction, our how to find your personal style guide is a great companion read.

Classic Goth Makeup Looks

These three looks are the foundation of goth beauty. They are the looks every goth beginner starts with.

1. The Pale Base and Black Lip

A pale foundation base, sharp black eyeliner, and a matte black lip. This is the most iconic goth makeup look — it works on every face shape. For more beauty inspiration, our natural hairstyles guide has ideas that pair perfectly.

Want to keep exploring the trend? These clown makeup are well worth saving for later.

Steps: Apply pale foundation two shades lighter than your skin. Line eyes with black liquid liner. Finish with matte black lipstick.

2. The Smoky Eye and Nude Lip

A heavy black smoky eye with a nude or pale pink lip. This goth makeup look is the most wearable — it works for everyday, not just Halloween. For more on paired looks, our elegant nails guide is a great companion read.

Steps: Apply black eyeshadow across the lid. Blend upward into the crease. Finish with a nude lip and pale foundation.

3. The Spider Lashes and Pale Skin

Pale foundation, clumpy spider lashes, and a nude lip. This goth makeup look is the most 90s-inspired — it is what every goth icon wore in the 90s. For more on this look, our autumn outfits guide has ideas for the full vibe.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Layer mascara heavily to create clumpy spider lashes. Finish with a nude lip.

Vampire Goth Makeup Looks

These three looks lean into the vampire side of goth beauty. They are perfect for Halloween and costume parties.

4. The Classic Vampire

Pale foundation, red lips, sharp eyeliner, and a small trickle of fake blood from the lip. This is the most iconic vampire goth makeup look — it is what every Dracula bride has worn. For more on this look, our classy red nails guide is a great companion read.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Line eyes with black liner. Finish with red lipstick and a small trickle of fake blood.

5. The Blood Tears Vampire

Pale foundation, black smoky eye, red lips, and red tears drawn down from the eyes. This goth makeup look is the most dramatic on the list — it photographs beautifully. For more on dramatic looks, our nail polish colors guide has polish ideas.

If this style speaks to you, you’ll find even more to love in these brown eyes makeup.

Steps: Apply pale foundation and black smoky eye. Draw red lines down from the eyes with red eyeliner. Finish with red lips.

6. The Modern Vampire

Pale foundation, soft brown smoky eye, berry lips, and subtle fangs. This goth makeup look is the most modern vampire look — it is half glam, half vampire. For more on modern looks, our how to look expensive on a budget guide has tips.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Create a soft brown smoky eye. Finish with berry lipstick and subtle fangs.

Romantic Goth Makeup Looks

These three looks lean into the soft, romantic side of goth beauty. They are perfect for everyday wear.

7. The Soft Romantic Goth

Pale foundation, soft burgundy smoky eye, berry lips, and flushed cheeks. This goth makeup look is the most romantic on the list — it is half goth, half romantic. For more on romantic looks, our Christmas Eve dress ideas guide has tips.

You might also love these christmas makeup guide — they carry the same vibe in a fresh way.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Create a soft burgundy smoky eye. Finish with berry lipstick and flushed cheeks.

8. The Victorian Goth

Pale foundation, soft gray smoky eye, dark berry lips, and a small beauty mark. This goth makeup look is the most Victorian — it is what every 1800s gothic heroine wore. For more on this look, our fall outfits for women guide has ideas.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Create a soft gray smoky eye. Finish with dark berry lips and a small beauty mark.

9. The Lace Veil Goth

Pale foundation, black lace veil over the eyes, soft black eyeliner, and dark lips. This goth makeup look is the most photogenic — it photographs beautifully. For more on photogenic looks, our fall capsule wardrobe guide has ideas.

There’s plenty more where this came from — browse these fall makeup looks for your next look.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Add soft black eyeliner. Finish with dark lips and a black lace veil over the eyes.

Cyber Goth Makeup Looks

These three looks lean into the futuristic, cyber side of goth beauty. They are perfect for raves and costume parties.

10. The Neon Cyber Goth

Black foundation, neon UV eyeshadow, black lips, and neon accents. This goth makeup look is the boldest on the list — it pops under blacklight. For more on bold looks, our wardrobe essentials guide has ideas.

Steps: Apply black or dark foundation. Add neon UV eyeshadow. Finish with black lips and neon accents.

11. The Industrial Goth

Pale foundation, heavy black eyeliner, silver accents, and dark gray lips. This goth makeup look is the most industrial — it is half machine, half goth. For more on this look, our winter hair care routine guide has tips for the full vibe.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Add heavy black eyeliner and silver accents. Finish with dark gray lips.

12. The Glitter Goth

Pale foundation, black smoky eye with glitter, dark lips, and glitter accents on the cheeks. This goth makeup look is the most fun — it is half goth, half festival. For more on fun looks, our casual outfits for women guide has ideas.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Create a black smoky eye with glitter. Finish with dark lips and glitter on the cheeks.

Pastel Goth Makeup Looks

These three looks lean into the pastel side of goth beauty. They are perfect for women who want goth without going full dark.

13. The Pastel Creepy Goth

Pale foundation, pastel pink smoky eye, black lips, and pastel accents. This goth makeup look is the most unexpected — it is half cute, half creepy. For more on unexpected looks, our capsule wardrobe guide has ideas.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Create a pastel pink smoky eye. Finish with black lips and pastel accents.

14. The Unicorn Goth

Pale foundation, pastel unicorn horns drawn on the forehead, pastel eyeshadow, and dark lips. This goth makeup look is the most whimsical — it is half unicorn, half goth. For more on whimsical looks, our how to find your personal style guide has tips.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Add pastel eyeshadow. Draw unicorn horns on the forehead. Finish with dark lips.

15. The Kawaii Goth

Pale foundation, pastel blue eyeshadow, fake eyelashes, and dark berry lips. This goth makeup look is the cutest — it is half kawaii, half goth. For more on cute looks, our old money outfits guide has principles that apply.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Add pastel blue eyeshadow and fake eyelashes. Finish with dark berry lips.

Modern Goth Makeup Looks

These three looks put a contemporary spin on classic goth beauty. They are the versions you will see on Instagram.

16. The Graphic Liner Goth

Pale foundation, graphic black eyeliner shapes, and a nude lip. This goth makeup look is the most modern — it is half editorial, half goth. For more on modern looks, our work outfits for women guide has polished ideas.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Create graphic black eyeliner shapes. Finish with a nude lip.

17. The Minimal Goth

Pale foundation, a single black eyeliner line, and a dark lip. This goth makeup look is the most minimal — it proves that goth can be understated. For more on minimal looks, our best hair care routine for damaged hair guide has principles that apply.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Add a single black eyeliner line. Finish with a dark lip.

18. The Grunge Goth

Pale foundation, smudged black eyeliner, dark berry lip, and messy hair. This goth makeup look is the most 90s — it is what every 90s goth icon wore. For more on 90s looks, our nail care routine guide has principles that apply.

Steps: Apply pale foundation. Smudge black eyeliner around the eyes. Finish with a dark berry lip and messy hair.

What Makes Goth Makeup So Photogenic

Goth makeup works because it transforms the face into a canvas. The best looks use a pale base, bold dark features, and a refusal to look polished. Once you master these principles, you can create any goth makeup look. For more on building a coordinated look, our travel capsule wardrobe guide has helpful tips.

For more inspiration in the same spirit, take a look at these aesthetic makeup before you decide.

For fresh ideas every day, follow Daily Juggar on Pinterest and Facebook.

Goth Makeup FAQ

How do you do goth makeup? Start with a pale foundation base, then add bold dark features — black eyeliner, dark lips, smoky eyes. Use cream or liquid products for the bold features, and set with translucent powder. For more inspiration, our how to find your personal style guide is worth a read.

What do I need for goth makeup? The essentials are pale foundation, black eyeliner, black or dark lipstick, black eyeshadow, and translucent powder. For vampire looks, add fake blood. For cyber looks, add neon UV eyeshadow. For more on essentials, our nail polish colors guide has polish ideas that pair perfectly.

How long does goth makeup last? With proper setting, goth makeup lasts 8 to 10 hours. Set cream and liquid products with translucent powder, and finish with a setting spray. Avoid touching your face, which will smear the bold features. For more on longevity, our casual outfits for women guide has tips that apply.

Is goth makeup hard to remove? No — dark makeup dissolves with makeup remover or cleansing oil. Apply the remover, massage gently, and wipe with a cotton pad. Follow with cleanser and moisturizer. For more on removal, our best hair care routine for damaged hair guide has principles that apply.

Can I wear goth makeup every day? Yes — the soft romantic goth, the smoky eye and nude lip, and the minimal goth are all wearable for everyday. Skip the full pale foundation and fake blood for everyday, and focus on dark lips and smoky eyes. For more on everyday looks, our work outfits for women guide has polished ideas.

Ready to Try Your Goth Look

Goth makeup is not just for Halloween — it is an art form that lets you transform your face into a canvas. Whether you go classic pale and black lip or full vampire drama, the key is bold features and a confident attitude. Happy painting, and may your goth looks turn heads everywhere.