In the 2010s, ‘IT girl’ status belonged to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Their blonde boho waves were scrunched and crunched to perfection, their bronzed skin was a masterclass in the perfect sunlit sheen, and on their lips ‘a little something’ in the form of a sheer, subtle wash of gloss. But it was the eyes that truly defined the look. Teen girls the world over (myself included) sat cross-legged in front of the mirror, tongues poking in concentration and sweeping haughty rings of kohl around their eyes. The brief? The instantly recognisable grunge-meets-glam aesthetic that became the Olsens’ signature.
And Millennials assemble, because according to a viral thread on Reddit this particular beauty trend has come into focus this season – the return of heavy eye make-up. The discussion is wide-ranging, but the consensus is clear. As one user put it, ‘Runways showed a lot of grungy, heavy eye make-up. This will trickle down. For the average person it won’t be as intensely alternative, but for sure more smoke on lash lines, mascara, and cool tones. Less “woke up looking fresh” vibes, more “woke up in yesterday’s eyeliner’ energy.” And they’re not wrong. On the runway at Gucci, Prada and Burberry, models appeared with sooty, kohl-rimmed eyes that felt incredibly Olsen twin coded. At Prada, the look was sculptural yet smudged, while Burberry favoured a ’90s-inspired wash along the waterline. Skin was left bright and fresh, with eyes very much the focus of each look.
And Redditors, unsurprisingly, are expressing their thrill – ‘I am so excited about this,’ typed one. ”90s grunge and 2010s MK Olsen vibes – elite, honestly.’ The comment was met with swathes of supportive ‘thumbs up’ in agreement. Celebrity make-up artist and Grazia beauty panellist Lan Nguyen-Grealis believes the return of grunge is less about rejecting the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic and more about evolving it. ‘The shift comes down to a desire for something that feels effortless yet lived-in. The appeal in the Olsen’s look is that it moves easily from day to night without feeling overworked. Kohl-based eyes fit that brief perfectly – they’re quick to apply, easy to smudge and adaptable.’
Rather than disappearing entirely, then, Grealis suggests that the clean girl look (which has reigned supreme over the past few years) is simply ‘being rebalanced’. ‘The fresh groomed skin still plays a role, but it’s now paired with a more expressive eye. The result is something that feels understated yet impactful – especially as the shades tend to sit in neutral territory, meaning they work across skin tones while still adding depth.’
To recreate that Olsen-inspired eye, Nguyen-Grealis recommends starting with a kohl pencil. ‘Line the lash line or waterline, then gently smudge the pigment into the lashes to soften it. Build the intensity gradually, concentrating the colour close to the lash line so it frames the eyes without overwhelming them. If you want a slight lift at the outer corners, use a cotton bud or a soft, square eyeshadow brush to diffuse the edge into a subtle wing – keeping everything hazy and avoid any harsh lines.’
While classic smoky black will always have its place, she suggests branching out into softer tones. ‘Browns, greys and taupes can create the same depth with a more wearable finish, while a generous coat of mascara adds definition and enhances the overall grungy feel. For extra dimensions, layering shades works particularly well. Start with a brown kohl as a base, then add black on top, blending with a small, soft brush to keep the shape close and tapered along the lash line.’
Consider us twinning with the Olsen’s this season.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA UK.
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