So long, clean girl: Chill, rebellious and purposefully imperfect, this grungy style is effortlessly cool and ready for its resurgence. Think early 2010s-inspired moody makeup, bedhead hair and low maintenance nails. All that’s left? Hit play on Wheatus.
Seeing Smoke
The key to a signature grunge smoky eye? Layering your shadows. “Start with a warm-toned nude blended into the crease, then add deep brown,” says makeup artist Rose Siard. Smudge the darker shade into the inner and outer corners of your lids and along your lower lashes, then blend black shadow along your upper lash line. “Fallout is inevitable, so I always do eyes first,” Siard reveals. Clean up any unwanted shadow with a makeup wipe, then brighten under your eyes with concealer and add bronzer to your cheeks.
Try: Rose and Ben Beauty E29 Blending Crease Brush, $28, roseandbenbeauty.com. Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette, $69, sephora.com
Getting Lippie
A moody pout, glowy skin and a coat of mascara give low effort for major payoff. First, exfoliate and hydrate your lips, advises makeup artist Nick Lujan. Next, use a liner that’s close to your natural lip color to shape and prime your pout. Apply a deep shade of lipstick starting at your cupid’s bow, working your way toward the corners and keeping the line of your lips smooth and sharp. “Set your work with translucent powder to lock in the color,” says Lujan. Swipe on some mascara to complete the look.
Try: L.A. Colors Lipliner Pencil in Sienna, $2, amazon.com. Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipstick in Fearless, $10, target.com
Rough and Tousle
Wake up and skip the hairbrush…but make it edgy. For curls, spritz second-day strands with a mixture of water and leave-in conditioner, then scrunch to bring back definition, says curly hair expert Deisy Alfaro. Wavy hair? Flip your head upside down, hit the roots with dry shampoo, then use a texturizing cream to shape a few pieces. For straight hair, spritz dry shampoo at the roots to add volume, then finish by using a small curling iron to bend a couple of face-framing strands for that naturally undone look.
Try: Dae Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder, $30, sephora.com. Dippity-Do Girls With Curls De-Frizz Curl-Boost Spray, $9, amazon.com
Crimp Your Style
Yes, crimping is cool again, but the key is to style just a few sections to maintain an undone vibe. “Prep with heat protectant, then let hair dry completely,” says Maxine Salon creative director Amy Abramite. To keep it modern (and not ’80s glam rock), start clamping down on your hair with your crimping iron at eye or cheekbone level so your roots lay flat. Keep the iron horizontal as you work down for even texture all the way to your ends.
Try: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Crimping Iron, $48, target.com. SGX NYC Blaze Leave-In Heat Protection and Primer, $10, target.com
Moody Mani
Bold yet oh-so easy. Start with a rounded nail shape, push back cuticles and apply a base coat. Pick your fall hue—we love plum, deep brown or burgundy. “Use thin, even layers of polish, allowing each coat to dry fully,” says nail artist Erica De Los Santos. Seal the look with a matte or glossy top coat. Feeling extra? Add tiny rhinestones with lash glue for a smidge of sparkle.
Try: Essie Salon-Quality Vegan Nail Polish in Wicked, $10, walgreens.com. Olive & June The Matte Top Coat Long Lasting Polish, $9, oliveandjune.com
Hey, girl! Just to let you know, this originally ran in our October/November 2025 Issue. Read our print mag for *free* today when you click HERE!
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