LIP PENCIL IN NIGHTMOTH IS THE KEY TO SOFT GOTH
November 7, 2023 by Cat Quinn
If you managed to squeeze your way through London’s Batcave club in the early 80s, you’d quickly notice a few consistent looks: black backcombed hair, dark straight brows and a sea of ripe, oxblood-coloured lips.
All markers of the Goth subculture – dark hair and makeup – went far beyond trends and represented its wearer’s values and interests, from music and literature to a shared sense of rebellion and melancholy. “Goth didn’t have to be aggressive,” explains Terry Barber, M·A·C, Creative Director of Artistry. “Goth was about a slightly dark romanticism. It was still beautiful, but it had this storybook feel to it.”
Since those early days in London, goth has spread around the globe, splitting off into subcultures like Cyber Goth and Gothabilly, and inspiring countless films and TV characters. Most recently, it’s reinvented itself on screen in the form of Soft Goth: a more casual take on the classic look. This Goth aesthetic is still rooted in the signature deep tones of black, burgundy and brown, but diffused into a blurred finish more in line with the makeup trends of today.
To get the runway-approved look, grab tried-and-true Goth favourites dating back to the 90s such as Lip Pencil in Nightmoth or Eye Shadow in Carbon. Or pick up new Goth go-tos, including the Connect in Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded In Burgundy or M·A·C Locked Kiss Ink 24HR Lipcolour in Carnivore. Use your fingers or a 224S Blending Brush to buff the shades into a soft haze of colour. Then, add a touch of Clear Gloss and a generous amount of attitude. It’s not just a look – it’s a lifestyle.
All markers of the Goth subculture – dark hair and makeup – went far beyond trends and represented its wearer’s values and interests, from music and literature to a shared sense of rebellion and melancholy. “Goth didn’t have to be aggressive,” explains Terry Barber, M·A·C, Creative Director of Artistry. “Goth was about a slightly dark romanticism. It was still beautiful, but it had this storybook feel to it.”
Since those early days in London, goth has spread around the globe, splitting off into subcultures like Cyber Goth and Gothabilly, and inspiring countless films and TV characters. Most recently, it’s reinvented itself on screen in the form of Soft Goth: a more casual take on the classic look. This Goth aesthetic is still rooted in the signature deep tones of black, burgundy and brown, but diffused into a blurred finish more in line with the makeup trends of today.
To get the runway-approved look, grab tried-and-true Goth favourites dating back to the 90s such as Lip Pencil in Nightmoth or Eye Shadow in Carbon. Or pick up new Goth go-tos, including the Connect in Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded In Burgundy or M·A·C Locked Kiss Ink 24HR Lipcolour in Carnivore. Use your fingers or a 224S Blending Brush to buff the shades into a soft haze of colour. Then, add a touch of Clear Gloss and a generous amount of attitude. It’s not just a look – it’s a lifestyle.
Lip Pencil
$19.20
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Eye Shadow
$23.00
A highly pigmented powder that applies evenly and blends well.
Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded in Burgundy
$33.00
A burgundy-toned six-pan eye shadow palette with pigment packed colour in one-swipe for limitless sultry to sophisticated looks.
M·A·C Locked Kiss Ink 24HR Lipcolour
$26.40
A kissproof, transfer-proof and waterproof liquid lipstick with 24 hours of weightless wear and rich matte colour.
224 Synthetic Tapered Blending Brush
$36.00
A tapered brush that sheerly applies and blends eye shadow and is perfect for contouring the creases.
Clear Gloss
$24.00
A colourless gel for creating a polished look on anywhere shine is desired.
BEST SELLER
NEW
From Lip Pencil in Nightmoth to Eye Shadow in Carbon, embrace the trend with shades that have created Goth makeup looks for decades.
TREND TRY-ON TECHNOLOGY
WATCH THE SOFT
GOTH TREND
TUTORIAL
DIRECTLY ON YOU
GOTH TREND
TUTORIAL
DIRECTLY ON YOU
Use our award-winning tool to learn how to
create a romanticized take on Goth makeup
with step-by-step instructions — all virtually
demonstrated directly on your face by a real
M·A·C Artist.
create a romanticized take on Goth makeup
with step-by-step instructions — all virtually
demonstrated directly on your face by a real
M·A·C Artist.
Smoky metallic eyes and a rich burgundy lip colour pair together for the ultimate Soft Goth look.
Whether smudged out or drawn on with precision, Lip Pencil in Nightmoth perfects this trend.
HOW TO GET THE TREND
LOOK 1: Go for a casual spin on goth makeup with shades of black, brick, grey and the iconic Nightmoth lip liner.
- Prep lids with Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base.
- Smudge Eye Kohl in Feline onto lids and along lower lash lines using a 217S Blending Brush.
- Press shade On The Cloud from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite overtop using a 242S Shader Brush.
- Coat lashes with a generous amount of M·A·CStack Mascara.
- Define and fill lips with Lip Pencil in Nightmoth.
Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
$30.00
A shadow primer specially formulated to prolong the look of your eye makeup.
Eye Kohl
$23.00
An eye liner with rich colour and a silky smooth, matte/pearl finish.
217 Synthetic Blending Brush
$30.00
A brush for the shading or blending of powdery or creamy products.
Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Encrypted Kryptonite
$33.00
A smoky-toned six-pan eye shadow palette with pigment packed colour in one-swipe for subtle to dramatic looks.
242 Synthetic Shader Brush
$30.00
A firm brush shaped for the smooth, even application of powder or emollient products.
M·A·CStack Mascara
$28.00
An endlessly buildable, clump-resistant mascara that stacks on infinite layers of volume and length.
Lip Pencil
$19.20
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Use fingertips or a lip brush to smudge out Lip Pencil in Nightmoth for a lived-in look.
Embrace the trend with soft shades from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded In Burgundy.
LOOK 2: Romanticize rebellion with this subtler, smoky take on Goth makeup.
- Prep lids with Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base.
- Tightline waterlines using Eye Kohl in Feline.
- Sweep shade Wanna Chat? from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded In Burgundy onto lids using a 217S Blending Brush, blending up toward creases and along lower lash lines.
- Tap Lip Pencil in Nightmoth onto lips for a stained-lip effect.
Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
$30.00
A shadow primer specially formulated to prolong the look of your eye makeup.
Eye Kohl
$23.00
An eye liner with rich colour and a silky smooth, matte/pearl finish.
Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded in Burgundy
$33.00
A burgundy-toned six-pan eye shadow palette with pigment packed colour in one-swipe for limitless sultry to sophisticated looks.
217 Synthetic Blending Brush
$30.00
A brush for the shading or blending of powdery or creamy products.
Lip Pencil
$19.20
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
The foundation of any good Goth look: Eye Shadow in Carbon.
Glossy lids give this look a modern, grungy edge.
LOOK 3: Redefine goth makeup with a softer, more casual alternative that plays with shades of black, burgundy and grey.
- Prep lids with Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base.
- Colour lids using Eye Shadow in Carbon and a 252S Large Shader Brush, then use a 219S Pencil Brush to blend the shade along lower lash lines.
- Coat lashes with a generous amount of M·A·CStack Mascara.
- Press a small amount of Clear Gloss onto lids for a shiny finish.
- Define and fill lips with M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Smoked Purple.
Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
$30.00
A shadow primer specially formulated to prolong the look of your eye makeup.
Eye Shadow
$23.00
A highly pigmented powder that applies evenly and blends well.
252 Synthetic Large Shader Brush
$34.00
A soft but firm, large paddle brush for shading with powder, cream or liquid products.
219 Synthetic Pencil Brush
$30.00
A pencil-shaped brush that precisely shades lids, eye creases or lash lines.
M·A·CStack Mascara
$28.00
An endlessly buildable, clump-resistant mascara that stacks on infinite layers of volume and length.
Clear Gloss
$24.00
A colourless gel for creating a polished look on anywhere shine is desired.
M·A·CXIMAL SILKY MATTE LIPSTICK
$25.00
A silky matte lipstick that delivers 12 hours of full-coverage colour and eight hours of moisture.
Terry Barber, M·A·C Creative Director of Makeup Artistry, shares his perspective on the Soft Goth makeup trend.
