Not sure where you fit among today’s dominant beauty trends? Meet the Romantic Vamp. This is not just a makeup trend but a wider aesthetic movement gaining momentum on Pinterest, where searches for terms like “gothic nails,” “vampire hairstyle” and “vampire beauty” have surged by tens of percent.
Why is this happening right now? It could be the anxiety about what is happening in the world and the sense that global conflict is always around the corner, pushing a desire for immortality. It could be nostalgia for Twilight, which will mark 25 years in less than two years, alongside series like True Blood and The Vampire Diaries. Or it may simply be another trend reacting against the long dominance of the clean girl aesthetic.
So how does it actually look?
As noted, this look is neither fully gothic nor fully clean, which means you need to choose one focal area of the face to go vampy while keeping everything else neutral. Here are some effective ways to achieve the vampire-inspired look:
- Combine eyeshadows in burgundy, dark brown or purple with “concealer lips” (lips lightly muted with concealer).
- Apply clean grey eyeshadow and pair it with burgundy or wine-colored lips.
- Use foundation or powder a shade lighter than your skin tone to create a paler complexion. Emphasize the jawline and cheekbones for a sharper, more vampiric effect.
- Combine bold eyeliner with dark lips.
Keep in mind: since the focus is placed on one facial feature while the rest remains minimal, it is important for the skin to look healthy and well-nourished. Apply a good primer before makeup for a glow and use under-eye patches to refresh the area.
