Goth Makeup for Beginners: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Goth makeup looks dramatic, but the basics are easier than you'd think. You need a handful of products, a bit of practice and the willingness to wipe it off and try again. This guide takes you from your first eyeliner pencil to a full night-out look.

Your goth makeup starter kit

You don't need a huge collection. Start with these:

Black kohl pencil: soft, smudgy and forgiving. Your best friend.
Black liquid or gel liner: for sharp wings once you're ready.
Matte black eyeshadow: for smoky eyes and setting your pencil liner.
A dark-toned eyeshadow like plum, burgundy or deep gray to blend the edges.
Mascara: black, obviously.
Dark lipstick: black, oxblood, deep plum or vampy red.
Lip liner in a matching shade.
Foundation or concealer that matches your real skin tone.
Setting powder or spray so it survives the dance floor.
Micellar water and cotton pads for fixing mistakes.

Drugstore products are completely fine. Plenty of people swear by cheap kohl pencils over pricey ones.

Step 1: Prep your skin

Goth makeup isn't about looking ghostly unless you want to. Use a foundation or concealer that matches your own skin. Some people like to go a shade lighter for a classic look, but it isn't a rule, and goth makeup looks great on every skin tone.

A light primer on your eyelids helps shadow and liner stay put.

Step 2: The easy smoky eye

This is the best first look because mistakes just look like part of it.

Draw black kohl pencil along your upper lash line. Don't worry about neatness.
Smudge it upward with your finger or a small brush.
Pat matte black shadow over the pencil to set it.
Blend the edges with your plum or gray shadow so there's no harsh line.
Run the pencil along your lower lash line and smudge it softly.
Finish with two coats of mascara.

Done. That's a proper goth eye, and it works for a show, a club or a casual Tuesday.

Step 3: Winged eyeliner

Once you're comfy with pencil, try a wing.

Look straight into the mirror and imagine a line from the outer corner of your eye toward the end of your eyebrow.
Draw a short flick along that line with liquid liner.
Connect the tip of the flick back to your lash line, then fill it in.
Line the rest of your upper lid, thin near the inner corner and thicker toward the wing.

Beginner hack: use a strip of tape as a stencil. Also, it's fine if your wings don't match perfectly. Nobody is standing that close.

Step 4: Dark lips

A dark lip makes even a simple outfit look goth.

Exfoliate and moisturize your lips first. Dark colors show every dry patch.
Line your lips with a matching liner, then fill them in with it too.
Apply lipstick in thin layers with a brush for clean edges.
Blot with a tissue, add one more layer, then dust on a tiny bit of translucent powder.
Clean up the edges with a little concealer on a flat brush.

Tip: if pure black feels like too much, start with a deep berry or oxblood. It reads goth without the commitment.

Step 5: Brows and contour

Brows can be sharp and arched, thin and dramatic, or just your natural brows filled in. All of them are valid. For contour, a light gray-toned shade under the cheekbones gives the classic sharp goth look. Keep it soft at first and build up.

Goth makeup looks to try

Everyday goth

Smudged pencil, mascara and a tinted dark lip balm. Easy for work or school.

Trad goth

Big, dramatic eyes that sweep out toward the temples, sharp brows, bold contour and black lips. Inspired by the 1980s post-punk scene. Very fun for a goth club night. Want to know where this look comes from? Read about the types of goth.

Romantic goth

Burgundy and plum shadow, soft wings, a deep red lip. Pairs perfectly with lace and velvet.

Soft goth

Brown-black smoky eyes, lots of lashes and a mauve or plum lip. Great if you want something subtle.

Graphic goth

Floating liner, dots, small stars or spiderweb details near the eyes. Play around, it's makeup, not a tattoo.

Tips that save your night

Do your eyes first. Then clean up any shadow fallout before foundation.
Set everything. A bit of powder and setting spray helps makeup last through a crowded gig.
Carry a touch-up kit. Pencil, lipstick and a cotton bud fit in any pocket.
Take it off properly. Use an oil cleanser or micellar water for black liner and lipstick. Sleeping in it is how you end up with sore eyes.
Practice on a night in. Put on a playlist and try three different looks. It's honestly relaxing.

Common beginner mistakes

Starting with liquid liner. It's unforgiving. Pencil first, liquid later.
Skipping the blend. Harsh shadow edges are the difference between "smoky" and "smudged by accident". Blend with a clean brush.
Too much foundation. A heavy base under dramatic eyes can look cakey. Go light on the skin and let the eyes do the talking.
Forgetting the brows. Big eyes with very faint brows can look unfinished. Fill them in, even a little.
Bad lighting. Do your makeup facing a window or a bright lamp, not under a dim ceiling light. What looks subtle in the dark can look very different in daylight.

Makeup is for everyone

Eyeliner has been a goth staple for every gender since the start of the scene. If you're a guy trying it for the first time, a smudged pencil line is the easiest win, and our alt fashion for guys post has more ideas.

Put it all together

Pair your new look with an outfit from our goth outfit ideas, and if you've got a date coming up, check what to wear on a goth date. Once you've nailed a look you love, take a photo in good light and make it your profile pic on Alt Chat. It's the kind of place where people actually compliment a good wing.

FAQ

What do I need for basic goth makeup?

A black eyeliner (pencil and liquid if you can), black or dark eyeshadow, mascara and a dark lipstick will cover most looks. Add a setting spray or powder to make it last.

Do you need pale skin for goth makeup?

No. Goth makeup works on every skin tone. Use a foundation that matches your own skin and focus the drama on eyes and lips.

How do I stop black lipstick from smudging?

Line your lips first, apply thin layers, blot between them and finish with a little translucent powder. Liquid matte formulas also stay put much longer than creamy ones.

Can guys wear goth makeup?

Of course. Eyeliner has been part of goth style for every gender since the early days of the scene. Start with a smudged pencil line, it's the easiest look to pull off.