Finally got my chaotic curator aesthetic to feel more *intentional*: trying a deconstructed '90s grunge eye that’s surprisingly wearable (inspired by an old art school project & a single $8 liner pencil) 🦇

Okay, confession time: I’ve always been fascinated by the dramatic potential of a truly pale makeup base, but also super intimidated by it. My first few attempts ended up looking less 'ethereal Victorian ghost' and more 'accidental mime.' The goal was a literary gothic vibe – think dark romanticism, a touch of melancholia, and definitely not a patchy mess. So, I challenged myself to finally nail a white base that felt intentional and blended, not just... painted on.

Here’s what finally clicked after a fair bit of trial and error:

• Base Layering for that Literary Gothic Pale Canvas:
  • Product: Started with a thin, even layer of NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk ($8.00) as a primer/grabby base all over my face after moisturizer. This isn't "white foundation," but it really helps opaque white products stick without looking dry.
  • Main White: Over that, I lightly stippled Kryolan Aquacolor in 070 White ($14.50) using a damp beauty sponge. The key here was thin layers and stippling, not swiping. Three thin layers achieved the coverage I wanted without looking cakey or textured.
  • Setting: A generous dusting of Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder in Translucent Extra Coverage ($8.00). Yeah, the old-school stuff. It's cheap and it works to lock in cream products and take down any shine.
• Eyes: Smudgy, Deep Drama:
  • Inner Ring: Used ColourPop Créme Gel Liner in Swerve (black) ($7.00) tightlined and then generously smudged around the entire lash line, top and bottom, with a pencil brush.
  • Depth & Softness: Blended a touch of a deep plum shade from the Revolution Re-Loaded Palette in Velvet Rose ($7.00) over the smudged liner, particularly on the outer corners, to give it a softer, more dimensional, almost bruised edge.
  • Brows: Kept them fairly natural but defined with e.l.f. Wow Brow Gel in Deep Brown ($4.00), brushed upwards for a slightly disheveled feel that contrasts with the pale skin.
• Lips: A Blotted Berry Stain:
  • Product: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry ($9.00).
  • Technique: Instead of a crisp line, I dabbed and blotted it on with my finger, focusing the color in the center and letting it diffuse out, then blotted heavily with a tissue. Aiming for that "just drank red wine and forgot about it" look.
• Time Invested: Around 45 minutes from start to finish. A good chunk of that was being patient with the white base layers and letting each one dry slightly.

Now, let's be real. My first try with this exact layering approach? I definitely went too heavy with the Kryolan white first. It looked like I'd dunked my face in paint – totally flat and unnatural. I had to wipe it all off and restart, remembering the 'thin layers' mantra. And that Black Cherry lipstick? I initially tried to go for a super crisp, vampy line, but it just looked too harsh against the stark white base. That's when the idea of a soft, blotted stain came in – a happy accident that completely changed the feel of the look for the better, making it more reverie escapist than just a stark gothic statement. It was a good reminder that sometimes the 'imperfect' approach is actually the perfect one for the aesthetic you're going for.

Experimenting with these kinds of looks is a journey, not a destination. If you're exploring unconventional makeup styles, wrestling with that perfect smudged liner, or just want to connect with fellow alt beauty lovers who appreciate the creative process over flawless perfection, join us at r/AltBeautyHub—we share creative experiments, practical techniques, and honest product reviews for literary gothic, chaotic curator, reverie escapist, functionalist, and '90s alt aesthetics. Come share your trials and triumphs!