Gothic Makeup
Goth is an attitude
The Gothic culture is built and based really upon one rule, and that is an attitude of individuality which expresses who you really are rather than what you want people to think you are.
So that of course generates a lot of creativity and individuality within the subculture, which makes it impossible to define.
That's the same with Goth makeup, which is more about your attitude than about the actual way you want to define your look through makeup.
Just like Goth wannabees who attempt to outwardly look like a Goth through wearing similar clothes, accessories and makeup, they can be spotted a mile away because you can't fake it.
Gothic Clothing and Fashion
- Gothic Hairstyles
Similar to the Gothic lifestyle, it's almost impossible to describe or present hairstyles that you could definitely say was Goth. It seems like the overall Gothic fashion, makeup and hairstyle together gives you the entire Gothic fashion picture and. - Gothic Halloween Costumes
Whether you practice the Gothic lifestyle or not, Halloween lends itself to great costumes that fit in really nice with the focus of the fun day. There are any number of Gothic Halloween costume designs you can choose from, including the typical... - Fascination with Gothic Clothing and Gothic Fashion
A look at the variety of gothic fashion choices among those choosing the lifestyle or enjoying the look. - Gothic Shoes and Boots
While Gothic shoes and boots come in a number of styles, one word would describe the vast majority of them - whether men's or women's - and that's 'elevation.' There are different colors incorporated into many goth boots and shoes as well, but,...
Goth makeup attributes
Does that mean there's no rules whatsoever with Goth makeup? In theory yes, but in practicality, like the Goth subculture, there are identifiable practices which at least point to a person as presenting themselves as Goth.
Like in all Gothic practices, there are a lot of exceptions to the flexible rules, but like shoes, trench coats, corsets and other accessories Goths wear or use, there are a number of them the majority of Goth culture uses, so you can get a pretty accurate idea of who they are and what they're saying through what they wear and the makeup they use.
We'll show some exceptions here, so you can see the rules are very flexible and just barely predictable.
Outrageous Gothic Makeup
This person below, which seems to be a guy, evidently really likes the color blue. I understand the desire to express yourself and everything, but this just doesn't look good to me. Although admittedly I'm not into guys wearing makeup, and that is one strike against this makeup job.
But even putting that aside, it's not that well done, and has the look of a messy clown than anything else.
Gothic Face Painting
- Gothic Makeup and Face Painting
An interesting part of looking into the various looks associated with Gothic makeup, is that what some would consider face painting, adherents of the lifestyle would think of as the normal look they use makeup to create. In other words, there are...
Dark Gothic eye makeup and blond hair
I would probably appreciate this makeup job below if the woman was really a Goth, but it seems she's a model that makeup artists tried hard to give the look. But when you know what real Goths look like, you can usually identify those that aren't.
I could be wrong, but I don't think she's a real Goth, but the eye shadow part is a lot of fun, and her stern look attempts to mimic Goths who don't like to smile in order to impress someone.
Gothic Rings
- Fantastic Gothic Rings
Gothic rings come in an enormous variety, from those designed for the finger, thumb rings, and armor rings that cover the entire finger. There are also somewhat controversial slave rings, which include a wrist band with a ring or rings extendsion. ..
What most think of Goth makeup
I know there is no such thing as a typical Goth look in any area of the Gothic lifestyle, but there are patterns that can be followed and relied on a prevalent in the subculture, and this Gothic makeup look, and general Gothic look in general, is definitely close to what most people think of when thinking of what a Goth looks like. She does look good without really looking mainstream.
The problem seems to be that so many fashion designers have borrowed from the Goth look and brought it to the mainstream, that this looks too familiar in a way, even though it's very Gothic and looks great.
Typical Goth makeup look
Gothic Black Lipstick
Gothic makeup with strong pink influence
While this woman is obviously a model, the one taking the photo and commenting upon it was a Goth, and she felt this was a true representation of the Goth look and attitude. It definitely is different than most Gothic makeup I've seen.
Interesting Gothic interpretation
Gothic Hats
- Gothic Hats to Kill For
Gothic lifestyles, clothing and interests are fascinating to me, and I always enjoy discovering something else in the genre to write about. This time we'll look at a bunch of fun Gothic hats, which give you an idea of something like darker...
Asian Goths love pale makeup foundation
All Asian Gothic women don't go this route, but a large percentage do, and I think it's similar with them as it is with American and British Gothic women who borrow from the dress of the Victorian age. In this case, it seems the Asian women are borrowing from their Geisha history; at least Japanese Gothics do.
But Asian women aren't the only ones who like pale, and this type of pale isn't the only foundation used for that purpose, as we'll see in the next photo.
I do like the choice and contrast of the red hair against the pale foundation. It looks really good and works well.
Asian Makeup and the Pale Look
Gothic pale blue foundation
Here is a unique pale blue Gothic makeup foundation that is a lot of fun, and you could do all sorts of things with once you have it on. Pretty bold, but I'd like to see what type of Gothic fashion and accessories would go with this.
Pale Blue Gothic Makeup foundation
Gothic Piercings
- Gothic Piercings
Like many things that are Gothic, piercings aren't that different from those getting piercings who aren't Goths. What's different is the overall look which accompanies the piercing. That's the same with Gothic rings, umbrellas, shoes and dresses,...
Another light pale Gothic makeup foundation
This particular pale makeup foundation was included to show how you can take a pale look and do something completely different with it.
You notice the light touch of red in her cheeks in contrast to the bold red in the woman's foundation a couple of pictures above. She also has the spider eye thing going, and in this case it works and doesn't look bad at all.
Gothic Umbrellas or Parasols
- Amazing Gothic Umbrellas
In the Gothic lifestyle there is a propensity to show they'll stick to their beliefs and practices even in difficult situations, including continuing to wear dark colors and heavier material, even in hot weather. That lends itself to including an...
Dark black eylids and pale makeup
I really like this pale makeup foundation because it is done so well, and the dark eyes just stick out at you without being too much. And the subtle pink hair and lightly colored lips make this really work good.
Gothic Wallpaper
- Gothic Wallpaper
Among my favorite art is digital art, and within that genre, one of my favorites is Gothic wallpaper, which in most cases is very captivating and captures terrific moments, scenes and makes strong statements. I guess you could call it more like...
More traditional Goth makeup look
In this final photo, I came back to a more traditional Goth look, although I know many of you Goths reading this wouldn't accept that definition. But I'm talking about how an outsider views the Goth look, as most wouldn't have thought of the pale foundation makeup look as being Goth, even if it is.
So for better or worse, those on the outside looking in think of how this woman looks, and the one near the top of this article. as what a Goth woman looks like.
Goth makeup can't be defined
So if you're not a Goth, you can see how different the use of makeup can be, as well as many other fashions statements they make. The key thing to understand the subculture in general, is to remember that they consider themselves as defining what Goth is on an individual basis. So in essence, Goth is what every individual who has the attitude of a Goth says it is.
In other words, Goth is really undefinable, although, like shown here, there are some basic and fundamental practices many of them partake in, but that's based probably more on the attitude which then expresses itself in similar ways, than a planned out uniformity, which really doesn't exist.
Comments
ACGirl on January 22, 2012:
Um..Mana's a man, a gorgeous man.
Adriana on December 15, 2011:
That's Like Really Wicked id rock some of those LOL
Sarah on October 03, 2011:
NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!
raven myers on June 16, 2011:
Ur web page is awsome it tells u more about goth and their meanings I want to become. One I'm serioce
Ashe on March 02, 2011:
That last picture is not a woman. It's a guy in a visual
Kei Japanese band
Anonymous on January 22, 2011:
To be perfectly frank, I find this article to be utter crap.
I wasn't aware someone died and made you the king and authority on all that is gothic and all that isn't, but this 'style', is much more subjective than you seem to believe.
Czykieta on July 03, 2010:
Just to point out, the last photo's the MALE lead singer from Moi-dix-Mois & Malice mizer
strify on June 22, 2010:
i love the 3 pic and 8 it ssemes soooooooo sad ..love it
Jayne Lancer from West London, UK on January 30, 2010:
Love the photos 5, 6 and 7. Beautiful. 7 reminds me of a silent movie star, 6 of a Warhol creation, and 5 ... I'm still thinking about it, but very nice.
An interesting read too!
Metztlie on January 11, 2010:
ehm... the last picture shows a man and no women.
He's a japanese guy
Free Makeup Samples on January 02, 2010:
Nice post with super pics, love RazorCandy, fantastic makeup.
Tee on November 04, 2009:
Lol first picture caught me by surprise, she looked like the corpse bride from Nightmare before christmas,well,the makeup anyway, lqtm.
awesomeness79 from UK on November 04, 2009:
Great hub with some wicked photos!
JeNelle Marie on September 06, 2009:
Just wanted to confirm that, yes, the girl in the 'blonde hair, black eye makeup' picture was modeling for a fashion shoot. Don't know where you got the picture but I can tell you all about the makeup and the shoot..it's mine.
