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Indie Sleaze: Grunge, Untamed, Glossy, 90s Edge

03 November 2025
Indie Sleaze: Grunge, Untamed, Glossy, 90s Edge

If clean girl makeup is about being polished, Indie Sleaze is about throwing the rulebook out of the window. Think: 90s rock club energy, smudged liner, glossy lips, and skin that looks lived-in (but in the best way). This look isn’t about being perfect, it’s all about the attitude.

We used only the products below to build the vibe, so you can copy it exactly without scrolling through 40 TikToks (even though you’ll totally scroll those TikToks anyway).

Brows: Untamed but set

Products:

  • Catrice Super Glue Brow Styling Gel 010 Ultra Hold

This is our first departure from the 90s, let’s never bring back those over tweezed brows! Brush your brow hairs up and out for that undone, “I woke up like this” energy. The gel locks them in place but still lets them look natural, not crunchy. 

💡 Top tip: Comb upwards then slightly sideways at the tail — it keeps brows wild but not chaotic.

Eyes: messy, smudgy, grungy

Products:

  • Essence Camouflage+ Matt Concealer (10 Light Rose) – as lid base
  • Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil (01 Black Fever)
  • Catrice Tiny Treasures Eyeshadow Palette (010 Everyday Essentials)
  • Catrice Space Glam Chrome Eyeshadow (040 Stardust)
  • Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Mascara
  • Kiss Falscara Feathery & Wispy Clear Band Wisps

This is where you start to bring the attitude - it’s all in the eyes!

  • Step one: - prime lids with concealer so the colour clings on.
  • Step two: - run black pencil along your lash line — no need to be neat. Smudge with your fingertip for instant rock-star smoke.
  • Step three: - pat black shadow over the liner to set, then haze it out with brown or grey into the crease.
  • Step four: - press shimmer or metallic shadow all over the lid. Imperfect = perfect.
  • Step five: - load up mascara. We’re talking several coats for chunky, bold lashes.
  • Step six: - pop on a few cluster lashes if you want more fullness without hiding the smoky vibe.

💡 Top tip: Mess it up more than you think. The shimmer disguises mistakes and makes it intentional.

Base: natural, flushed, cool

Products:

  • Catrice Soft Glam Filter Stick (010 Fair Light)
  • Essence Camouflage+ Matt Concealer (10 Light Rose)
  • Catrice Melted Sun Liquid Bronzer (005 Tan Lines)
  • Essence Baby Got Blush Stick (40 Sweets & Roses)
  • Catrice Magic Shine Eraser Gel To Powder
  • Catrice Holiday Skin Bronze & Glow Palette

We’re thinking ‘just left the gig’ vibes here - flushed from dancing!

  • Step one: - apply the filter stick (or any skin tint) for a sheer, glowy base.
  • Step two: - add concealer only where needed to keep your skin looking like skin.
  • Step three: - sweep cool/neutral bronzer around the perimeter of the face for soft sculpt.
  • Step four: - dab cream blusher across cheeks and nose for that just-left-the-gig flush.
  • Step five: - lightly powder only where you’re too shiny, leave some sheen for a “lived-in” look.
  • Step six: - dust powder bronzer over the same areas to set and blur the blush into a natural tone.

💡 Top tip: Don’t mattify everything. Shine on the high points = authentic sleaze.

Lips: smudged & plump

Products:

  • Essence Soft & Precise Lip Pencil (202 My Mind)
  • Essence Hydra Kiss Lip Oil (08 Mocha Glow)

Line your lips with a shade close to your natural tone, but smudge as you go. It fakes fullness without harsh edges. Finish with tinted lip oil for that “just kissed” shine.

💡 Top tip: Tap liner into the centre before gloss — it creates a blurred, bitten look.

Extra Tips

  • Add faux freckles to push the grunge-meets-natural vibe.
  • Don’t stress if your blending looks rough, that’s literally the point!
  • This look comes alive at night, so don’t be shy with shimmer and mascara.

Final thoughts

This was a really fun switch-up from my usual neat, precise style and, honestly? I loved the result. It’s messy, bold, and weirdly flattering. My nephew did say I looked “scary” and like I had “two black eyes” but, for me, that’s another tick in the box for Indie Sleaze approval! You can shop the whole look here, or pick up specific products below!

@welovelashes The brief is Indie Sleaze 🖤 Think grunge, untamed, glossy, 90s edge ⚡️🤘 #indiesleazemakeup #grungemakeup #smokeyeye ♬ did i tell u that i miss u - adore

 

All products used