The 1990s Raw Sensibility Returns: The Revival and Modern Interpretation of Grunge Makeup
The ‘grunge’ style that swept the 90s is back, now evolving from music to a major beauty trend. This natural, tough, and rebellious grunge makeup is resonating with the global youth, capturing a significant market share. In this article, we delve into everything from the roots of grunge makeup to modern styling tips, highlighting key points.
The Beginning and Current State of the Grunge Makeup Craze
In 2025, Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ music video exceeded 2 billion views on YouTube—an intriguing fact considering it outshone many new, stylish songs. It signals a resurgence of the era’s music and emotions connecting with today’s feelings.
“We live in a time of disorder. Massive social change, unstable politics, and fear about the future are overwhelming us. Grunge is the music that expresses these emotions most honestly.”
– Donna Gaines, Sociologist and Journalist
The emotion of grunge is manifesting again in fashion and beauty. According to Pinterest, searches for ‘clean grunge makeup’ surged by 652% in the latter half of 2025, while ‘natural grunge makeup’ rose by 368%. The search for ‘asymmetric pixie cut,’ which embodied the peak atmosphere, also climbed by 724%, reaffirming the revival of grunge in style.
90s Sensibility into Modern Beauty Looks
The grunge makeup that’s currently catching our eye is centered around the ‘clean grunge’ style, a modern adaptation of its past essence. Grunge, born as a counter to the excessive glamour of the 80s, always prioritized emotions and identity over styling.
Eugene Souleiman reflects on the grunge era.
“Traveling with Corinne Day and Naomi Campbell in a mini-bus, prepping with products from just one backpack. The setup was simple, yet the style was never ordinary.”
What he emphasizes is a look that’s ‘natural but with sharp attitude.’ Though it appears as if it hadn’t been styled for weeks, the hairstyle is calculated, and he offers simple tips. Mixing leave-in conditioner with water and applying it along the scalp lends a texture as if you’ve been dancing all night long. If short on time, a texturizing spray will suffice.
Skin: Vivid, Lips: Bold
The key to the grunge look lies in a ‘no touch’ skin appearance, while making a bold statement with the lips. Dick Page, noted for his work as a representative grunge makeup artist, said:
“One brown-red lip crayon is enough. You just whip it out of your pocket and swipe it on, neither lights nor mirrors needed.”
He suggests blending lip products with balm or cream for a soft texture. He avoids promoting brands, yet describes his unique ways like purchasing specific old products on eBay for personal reasons. The message is that grunge is makeup for oneself, not for others.
Eye makeup can evoke the mood of the 90s with dark, smudgy lines and also connect to sophisticated style choices through color selection. Techniques like adding gray or teal tones to the waterline or using a fine pencil to accentuate the area around the eyes can be utilized.
Ways to Create Your Own Grunge
There’s no right answer for grunge makeup; it’s about blending seemingly unrefined naturalness with rebellious points. Accompanying your own color is fine, but the essential part is to come across as intentionally unstyled.
“What’s important is that nothing should look perfect or overly worked.”
– Dick Page, Makeup Artist
Elements that might seem like trivial mistakes, such as smudged lines or an unrefined mattified lip, are not detriments in grunge style. In fact, that nonchalance represents its identity.
Extending Beyond Makeup to Overall Style
The current grunge style is expanding beyond backstage to the streets and on social media. Images of Kate Moss from The Face magazine, embodying raw yet not empty beauty looks, continue to inspire.
Eugene Souleiman and Dick Page, the creators of this style, emphasize ‘less is more’ where presence is amplified by stripping down, not just in makeup but in overall styling. Following their direction, today’s grunge makeup is not merely a recreation of the past but is being reinterpreted with a contemporary aesthetic.
3 Points to Remember When Creating Your Own Grunge
- Express skin vibrantly without contouring.
- Make bold lips the solo highlight, using brown-red shades.
- Hair needn’t be impeccable. Rough and free textures enhance completeness.
Grunge makeup is more about the spirit than the technique. In this current uncertain and sensitive era, it once again proves its worth as an honest expression of style.
Conclusion
The resurgence of grunge makeup is more than a fashion trend; it’s a subtle reflection of the emotional currents of the era. Though appearing unkempt, each element intentionally expresses the candid message of the younger generation navigating tumultuous times. Through this, makeup is becoming a language of attitude once again.
Through constant innovation and creative usage methods in the cosmetics field, ` continues to be favored by offering practical beauty solutions to consumers.
