Move over, girl next door–it’s time for the bad girl to shine. Tiktok has been the catalyst for many viral looks from the strawberry girl to latte makeup, and now there’s a new trend in town—enter: the unapproachable makeup. The unapproachable makeup trend finds itself as a refreshing deviation from the usual makeup trends that embody the gentle and delicate soft girl energy that we so often see from the likes of Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez and Jennie from Blackpink. Instead, this look is all about channelling your dark feminine energy while keeping unwanted attention at bay.
Garnering over 94.4 million views on TikTok with influencers all over the world recreating the seductive look with their own unique flair, the alluring makeup trend rose to prominence thanks to the likes of Lily Rose Depp, Alexa Demie and Lori Harvey.
@hayleybuix Finally learned how to do the unapproachable make up #makeuptransformation #unapproachablemakeup ♬ samsinclairfx on instagram – Sam Sinclair
Unapproachable makeup is all about being bold, and there’s no better way to embody this than a smokey eyeshadow. You’ll also want to scare away the mere mortals with a flawless base and cheekbones sculpted by the gods themselves.
There are many different variations of unapproachable makeup out there that accommodate different features so don’t worry if you’re at a loss. Below, we’re outlined the basic steps so you can follow along.
Smooth and Chiselled
Begin by selecting your favourite high-coverage foundation to achieve a smooth and even complexion. When it comes to concealers, less is more. Apply only the bare minimum to avoid a bright appearance. To complete your base, finish it off with translucent powder. This will blur any imperfections, mattify wherever needed, and create a soft-focus effect.
A cream contour is the perfect choice to give yourself a subtle yet powerful face lift. Focus on contouring on your jawline and cheekbones. This will help to define and sculpt your face, to create more natural shadows and depth. Don’t forget to apply a bit on your temples to warm up the face and create a cohesive, harmonious effect. And remember, blending is key! Always blend upwards to avoid harsh lines and create a seamless transition from your contour to your natural skin tone.
To achieve a lifted look, apply your blush on the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, and even your temples. This will help to create a beautiful, chiselled effect. It’s important to avoid applying blush on the apples of your cheeks, as this can make you look more friendly and approachable.
To take your look to the next level, highlighter is your secret weapon. Apply it with precision to the tip of your nose and the high point of your eyebrow to ensure a snatched look.
Estee Lauder, Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 Foundation
KVD Beauty, Good Apple Full-Coverage Transfer-Proof Vegan Serum Foundation
Fenty Beauty, Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
ONE/SIZE, Ultimate Setting Powder
Charlotte Tilbury, Airbrush Flawless Finish Refillable
Givenchy, Prisme Libre Loose Powder
Rare Beauty, Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick
Fenty Beauty, Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick
Patrick Ta, Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo
Eyes Don’t Lie
When it comes to unapproachable makeup, the eyes are the key to your success. The smokey eye is the go-to look–to create this look, start by applying a mid-tone eyeshadow for a subtle smokey base. Then, using a gel liner, create a winged line and make sure to go along the lash line, coating and depositing colour between the lashes. Don’t forget to smoke it out with an eyeshadow brush before it sets.
To take it to the next level, layer a darker-toned shadow over the liner, blending halfway up the lid and softly on the lower lash line, smudging it out with your fingers for a smokier finish. And to complete the look, you can choose to layer a graphic liner or a witchy liner, depending on your mood.
To achieve the witchy liner look, start by using a pencil or gel eyeliner to draw a thin line along your upper lash line. Next, smudge it with a brush or cotton swab for a softer, smoky effect. Extend the line beyond the outer corner to create a wing and connect it to the upper lash line. Finally, fill in the triangle shape with smudged eyeliner. For a more intense look, you can also apply smudged eyeliner along your lower lash line. With this technique, you’ll create a look that is both bewitching and captivating.
For the graphic liner, it’s best to go with a dark, preferably black, liner to create a striking contrast. To add an extra layer of depth to your eye makeup, consider experimenting with a simple double liner situation. For instance, you can try a 60s-inspired mod liner variation, which involves a clean and sharp line that extends just above the crease and extending it out to join the wing liner.
Don’t forget to give your eyebrows the attention they deserve. Brush them upwards to create a voluminous effect that adds depth and dimension to your face. Creating a subtle arch will provide a tight, elongated appearance that makes your eyes pop. Finish off the look with some mascara and/or false lashes to accentuate your eyes.
Chanel, Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow
Dior, Diorshow 24H* Stylo
Chanel, Stylo Yeux Waterproof
ONE/SIZE, Point Made Liquid Eyeliner Pen
Yves Saint Laurent, Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof
Kiss and Tell
It’s essential to remember that balance is key. Since your eyes will be the centre of attention, you should go easy on the lips. A subtle lip liner in a brown hue paired with a gloss that accentuates your natural lip colour will elevate the look.
Charlotte Tilbury, Lip Cheat Lip Liner
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Lip Luminizer + Plumper
This story originally appeared on GRAZIA Singapore.