The ones that didn’t relate to toasty makeup have found their own niche and it’s dubbed dark feminine. But it’s more than just makeup—the trend that’s flooding the For You page is more about a mindset. Dark feminine is all about power, allure, and not going overboard, but rather matching energy. Visually, it’s a punk-rock look mixed with elegance. Think leather and all black ensembles, but blended seamlessly with gold jewellery and an elegant hairdo.
This extreme shift is another reconfirmation that trends and popular culture have become multidimensional to occupy all the various personalities and individualities that we see across the internet. From a toasty girl that warm, friendly, and possibly bubbly, to the dark feminine woman—sultry, assertive, and mysterious. The rise in popularity of model and singer Gabbriette also adds to the appeal. Ironically enough, Gabbriette has been open online with her bubbly personality, almost wearing her heart on her sleeve. But visually, her looks intimidate and allure people at the same time. Scared but curious. And that’s the main ethos behind being a dark feminine woman—you can’t help but talk to them and would never want to be on their wrong side.
For those old enough to remember, it’s like Tumblr’s edgy 2014 aesthetic all grown up. Instead of fishnets, we’re looking at corsets, and instead of blue ombre hair, we’re looking at raven black. One thing that’s stayed common is the kohl-rimmed eyes.
In fact, most of what characterises the dark feminine visual language is all in the eyes. Lifted and elongated with liner and eyeshadow, it’s basically a ‘siren eye’ but with darker colours. The ‘siren eye’ is just as dramatic and alluring on its own, making it the perfect fit when channelling a no-nonsense attitude. Add to it darker eyeshadow that follows the wing, as well as black kohl lining the waterline, and you get stark eyes that intimidate.
The stark eyes work best with sharp contouring. In fact, the dark feminine look has no place for blush blindness. Bronzers and contour that enhance your sharp features are what project the fierceness and attitude that the dark feminine is all about. And they’re softened with a sultry lip. Think bold yet natural looking, maybe even a little pouty. After all, dark feminine isn’t about scaring people away. The lip is usually just as dark, tying the makeup together. But a nude lip works just as well, spotlighting even more attention to the eyes.
And the final piece to the look, which is a non-negotiable, is confidence. Embodying the dark feminine means being self-assured in yourself and your choices. Holding that within and operating from it is what will project your best feminine and most alluring “dark feminine” self.
