Amid a wave of bold beauty trends, the soft grunge makeup style offers an alternative to those who aren’t ready to go all in just yet. This look can be the perfect bridge between early 2020s looks and 2026’s fresh slate.

By the end of 2025, we saw beauty experts call it the end of an era of softer looks while anticipating stronger looks for 2026. That includes darker makeup styles like grunge, vampy romantic, and more. Backed by an unwavering community, these styles have gone from niche subculture to re-enter the mainstream again, with stars like Gabriette and Jenna Ortega bringing it to red carpets. (Or, in Alysa Liu’s case, the ice rink.)

But if you’re not used to grunge makeup quite yet, you’re in luck. Creativity is endless, so we’ve already seen plenty of adaptations of the look, including soft grunge makeup. It’s the perfect in-between for those who want a bit of edge but maybe aren’t ready for the works yet.

Think of it like trying something step by step. Before you go full speed ahead with smoky eyes, thick, messy eyeliner, brown blush, and dark lipstick, try just a few elements. For example, when wearing your go-to pink blush and mascara, swap your clear gloss for a pale neutral, maybe one that even feels like it’s almost gray.

It’s all about balance. So, you can level a thick eyeliner with a pale pink lipstick or bring some color to a simple eye look with dark lipstick. Maintain what you’ve been comfortable with, and incorporate what you’ve been wanting to try.

Need some ideas? Take a look at the latest red carpets. At a glance you might miss it, but if you take a closer look, you’ll spot soft grunge makeup on a number of celebs. If you’re in need of inspiration, look no further.