Exploring Soft Grunge Makeup & Cool-Toned Beauty

Lately, I’ve been feeling inspired to experiment a little more with my makeup. I’ve always loved a darker aesthetic, and lately, I’ve been drawn to soft grunge: Think cool-toned eyeshadows, muted lips and a slightly edgy look that still feels clean and put together.

I’m not really into the heavily smudged eyeliner look traditionally associated with grunge makeup. Instead, I prefer something a little more subtle and polished, with soft definition around the eyes and colours that give the whole look a slightly 90s feel.

Naturally, I’ve ended up with a few new makeup products to try.

A New Eyeshadow Palette

I’ve been wanting to add a good cool-toned palette to my collection for a while, so I picked up the Morphe Moonstone palette.

I usually gravitate towards brown eyeshadows, but I find it surprisingly difficult to find shades that aren’t too warm or orange. I’m much more drawn to cool browns, taupes and muted shades that create definition without making the eyes look too warm.

I’m excited to experiment with the palette and see what I can create, especially when it comes to soft, smoky eyes that still look relatively clean and understated.

New Lipsticks from MAC

I also picked up two lipsticks from MAC: Fleshpot and Pink Peppermint, along with the Stone lip liner.

I’ve been wanting to experiment more with lip colours that complement my neutral olive skin tone. I tend to be quite particular about undertones, as I find that even a beautiful lipstick can look completely different depending on whether it’s warm or cool-toned.

I’m curious to see how these shades work on their own and paired with the Stone lip liner. I think a muted lip could work really well with cool brown eyeshadow, especially for a slightly darker, 90s-inspired look.

Trying Purple Blush

My final purchase was a purple blush from YSL.

I’ve heard that purple blush can look particularly beautiful on olive skin, so I was curious to try it myself. It’s not a colour I would have necessarily reached for before, but the idea of a cooler, slightly berry-toned flush really appeals to me.

I’m interested to see how it looks against my skin tone and whether it complements the other products I’ve picked up. I think it could be a lovely way to add a little colour while keeping the overall look cool-toned.

Finding My Own Version of Soft Grunge

I’m excited to experiment with these new products and see how they work together. At the moment, I’m drawn to makeup that feels a little darker and more alternative without looking overly dramatic. Something that adds character while still feeling polished.

I think there’s a lot of room to play around with this aesthetic, whether it’s through cool-toned eyeshadow, a muted lip or a blush colour you wouldn’t normally consider.

Have you tried purple blush before, or do you have any favourite products for creating a cool-toned makeup look? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Until next time, ♡