The hack
Going femme fatale-light with the “villain” makeup trend.
The test
Its moniker suggests we might be going full Halloween here, but fear not, this isn’t a Bride of Chucky vibe. Instead, imagine the sultry look of a Hitchcock starlet, but if she were a reality-TV villain. I’m not fazed by this, being an actual goth. My makeup has been a lot more natural lately – mainly for ease – so I’m keen to know what effect the trend has on me.
There’s no hard and fast rule, but generally speaking you start with defining your brows to be sharp enough to “cut the throats of our enemies”, says influencer Mirter Miller. Add a smudged winged eyeliner known as “siren eyes” – essentially a TikTok homage to Sophia Loren – a full-cover foundation with heavily contoured cheek, a deep blush and a dark red lip.
I did exactly this and it did take an hour, in all honesty, but I was pleasantly surprised at how it made me lean a little into character too. I switched my jeans for a vintage dress and started to waft creepily down the street, rather than stomp along it as I usually do. It’s got me out of a rut and back to my gothic self, and I’m thankful.
The verdict
Fully in. But if this sounds daunting, just dial up one aspect of your makeup. Try a deep red lip and also use a smidgen as blush too, to harmonise the look and embrace your inner Morticia.
