In a beauty landscape currently dominated by a very specific, ultra-filled, heavily contoured aesthetic—often dubbed “Mar-a-Lago Face”—a messy, beautiful rebellion is taking over. Instead of chasing the over-tweaked, homogenized look of modern high society, beauty enthusiasts are looking back to the counterculture for inspiration. Specifically, right into the dark, unapologetic attitude of 1990s grunge.

If you are tired of the cookie-cutter look, it is time to embrace the ultimate antidote: the lived-in, smudged, grunge-inspired eye look.

Here is why the grunge eye trend is winning the beauty war and how you can wear it today.

What is “Mar-a-Lago Face”?

The term describes a highly specific, modern aesthetic popularized by certain ultra-wealthy circles. It relies heavily on predictable injectables, over-lined lips, aggressive cheek fillers, and heavy, matte foundation. It is an aesthetic of perfectionism that often ends up looking uniform, frozen, and entirely devoid of personality.

The grunge eye look is the exact opposite. It celebrates imperfection, raw emotion, and effortless cool, leaving the rest of the face minimal while the eyes tell a story.

The Core Elements of the Grunge Eye Look

The 1990s grunge movement was about anti-fashion and effortless rebellion. Think Courtney Love, Winona Ryder, and Kate Moss. The look is instantly recognizable by a few key features:

• Ring the eye: Take a creamy, blendable black or dark brown kohl eyeliner pencil. Generously line your upper lash line, lower lash line, and waterlines. I used MAC Eye Kohl Eyeliner-smolder, 0.05 Ounce – https://amzn.to/4wm76Rs

• The Smudge Continues: Liner and shadow that is intentionally blown out, blurred, and ringed around the entire eye. For this look, I can’t get enough of the Clinique Black Honey Eye Shadow Palette: https://amzn.to/4xF4UWA. (Remember this was a product that came out in the late 70’s, was popular through the 90’s and has made a huge comeback in the past two years with their popular reboot. The lighter shades are versatile for daytime, while leaving plenty of shades to turn you into a smoke show at night!)

• Lived-In Texture: A slightly glossy or sweaty finish foundation, that looks better the longer you wear it. https://amzn.to/4wmr7Y8. It’ll give you that dewy, just come from the gym look, or heading home to your NYC loft, after seeing Green Day at CBGB’s. Users on MakeupAddiction generally share a consensus that the thin, fluid texture blends best when warmed up with your fingers before pressing or buffing into the skin. Shake the bottle well before use due to the runny, ultra-light consistency. It can be layered for slightly more coverage or set lightly with powder if you prefer less shine. This one is great for mature skin too!

• Muted Tones: Over all, use Deep browns, plums, olives, and charcoals instead of bright colors or precise cut-creases.

Why the Grunge Eye Beats Modern Fillers?

1. It Embraces Imperfection, Not Precision

Modern trends try to erase every line and alter the actual shape of your face using filler. The grunge eye look leans into reality. A smudge or a crease isn’t a mistake; it is the entire point. For those of us who were alive in the 90’s, have actual age-related flaws on your face, this is a seriously refreshing make-up trend.

2. It Requires Minimal Effort

The “Mar-a-Lago” look takes hours of baking, contouring, and precise placement, not to mention expensive upkeep (and a good bit of cosmetic surgery). The grunge eye takes five minutes, a single pencil, some smudgy shadow and your fingertips to blend.

3. It Radiates Authentic Confidence!

Heavy face makeup and excessive filler can look like a mask. A raw, smudged smoky eye paired with real skin and a bare lip creates an effortless, low-maintenance vibe that feels incredibly modern and powerful.

How to Get the Look Today

You do not need to look like you slept in a rock club to rock this trend. Here is how to modernize the grunge eye for today:

1. Smudge it out: Before the liner sets, use a dense pencil brush or your ring finger to blur the edges outward and downward. Do not worry about keeping it neat.
2. Add depth: Press a matte espresso, plum, or charcoal eyeshadow directly over the smudged liner to lock it in and add dimension.
3. Deconstruct the mascara: Apply two coats of a defining black mascara. For an extra lived-in feel, lightly press your fingertips against the tips of your wet lashes to slightly clump them.
4. Keep the rest raw: Skip the heavy foundation. Pair your smoky eyes with a lightweight skin tint, brushed-up brows, and a swipe of clear lip balm.

In a world telling you to alter your face structure to fit in, choose to stand out by embracing your edge. So put down the contour palette, pick up the kohl pencil, and let your eyes do all the talking. Your make up will make a bold statement that you are tired of the homogeneity promulgated today. We are a diverse culture. Embrace your imperfections and originality.

May you find the rebel in you!

• Ms. Sassy Pants