An "Indie Sleaze" Beauty Era Is Coming

Beauty trends, as they stand, are divided. On one end, there's the "clean-girl" aesthetic, which encompasses everything from simple nails to minimalist makeup. On the other, we've got an aesthetic that swings in the the complete opposite direction — and it's called "indie sleaze."

Scroll on TikTok for just a few minutes, and you'll likely come across the term. The phrase is a nod to the Tumblr beauty aesthetics of the late '90s and early '00s, and it's well on its way to returning to mainstream pop culture. "When you think of indie-sleaze makeup, it's all about a '90s grunge, slept-in makeup, and kind of undone eyeliner as the main attraction," makeup artist and content creator Jonet Williamson tells POPSUGAR. "Skin can be super bare or full coverage with little to no contouring."

The look has recently been spotted on celebrities like Ashley Graham, Sydney Sweeney, and Hailey Bieber, all of whom have opted to play up the sexy "bedroom eyes" look the indie-sleaze beauty era is known for. As for why it's trending right now? Attribute it to a pendulum swing. "Indie-sleaze makeup is a nice break away from the perfectly-curated makeup looks that have taken over for most of the year," Williamson says. So if you're over super slick buns, subtle eyeshadow looks, or barely-noticeable nude lips, your time is now.

The indie-sleaze trend may have you reaching for some products that you've neglected for quite some time. "This aesthetic is encompassed by smudged-out black eyeliner; matte eyeshadows in charcoal grays, browns, and blacks; messy glitter; and balmy lips," Williamson says. To get the look, it's as much about technique as the products you use. "For eyes, try using a black kohl pencil and smudging eye brush to fluff out the shape that you're aiming for, starting at the lash line," Williamson says. "Don't be afraid to get a bit messy and create quirky shapes. Also, adding a touch of glitter or balm to the eye is also a cool way to glam it up a bit." For the lips, Williamson recommends using a nude, pink, or berry balm or lip gloss but to skip lip liner to preserve that "intentionally undone" feeling. To bring the look home, brush up your brows and load on the mascara — the clumpier, the better.

If you're looking to get ahead of the trend, some products that Williamson recommends stocking up on include the MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil, SimiHaze Beauty Velvet Blur Matte Lipstick Balm, L'Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara, and Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette. While you don't necessarily have to jump on the indie-sleaze bandwagon, we must say there's something unquestionably sexy about this entire look. So if you're anything like us, your mood board is already prepped and ready to go. If you've yet to start planning for your own indie-sleaze era, get some inspiration for your look ahead.