Dubbed “tired makeup,” the latest viral makeup trend embraces reddened under eyes and generous amounts of smudged black eyeliner a la the 90s grunge era. Images of celebrities like Jenna Ortega and Lily-Rose Depp are flooding the FYP with inspiration for the barely-awake makeup look. Other faves like Gabbriette and Billie Eilish are often referenced as well. You may have spotted it on Serena Page and Emma Chamberlain too.
Of course, it’s not just celebrities who are embracing this pseudo-gothic aesthetic. Marie Claire journalist Hannah Baxter noticed the trend appearing more prominently during New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2025 where she says the vibes were “weary chic” with parades of models walking the runways with “their dark circles on full display.”
Below, we break down the origins of the makeup trend and how to recreate it in just a few simple steps.
Origins of Tired Makeup
On TikTok, some users are critiquing “tired makeup” arguing that the style makes being chronically ill look trendy. Booktok star @tomesandtextiles responds to one such video by reading a paragraph from John Green’s novel Everything Is Tuberculosis. She argues that the rise of tuberculosis in the 19th century hugely impacted beauty standards over the next hundred years.
In the excerpt, she reads a portion of a letter from Charlotte Brontë, whose sister Emily was dying of the disease. "Patients with active tuberculosis typically become pale and thin, with rosy cheeks and wide sunken eyes due to the low blood oxygenation and fevers that often accompany the disease.” Green takes this note a step further, amplifying the belief at the time that this illness amplified a woman’s beauty and set the tone for cosmetic standards in both Europe and the U.S.
Fast forward to 2025, today’s trend partly takes influence from Wednesday Addams and Jenna Ortega’s thematic press tour, the siren eye trend spotted on celeb faves like Gabriette and KATSEYE’s Daniela, and the return of alternative styles. “The focus is messy, undone, sleepy eyes,” celebrity makeup artist and Jouer Cosmetics brand ambassador Hannah Jaclyn tells Teen Vogue. “This eye is all about embracing imperfection and creating a moody aesthetic.”
How To Do Tired Makeup
There are two key aspects to recreating the tired makeup trend that don’t require skipping out on much-needed sleep.
Step 1: Prep your undereyes
The first is to prep your undereyes with a red or peach-hued lipstick and blend it outwards (a la Gerard Way in the “Helena” music video). Some creators recommend adding red to the top of your lid as well so that the eye looks more defined.
While you can use your finger to easily blend out the color beneath your undereyes, this might lead to uneven coverage. Instead, opt for a concealer brush or blending sponge to gently dab the makeup. This area of your face is particularly delicate, so be sure not to pull the skin, which can lead to damage over time.
Pro tip: If you want to make this color last all day, add an eyeshadow primer beforehand to prevent creasing and increase longevity.
Step 2: Apply a dark liner
The next part is perhaps the most important: Add a generous amount of black eyeliner to your waterlines and smudge it until you look like “Sk8er Boi” era Avril Lavigne.
“Use a charcoal or darker shade to create a grungy smudged under eye,” Jaclyn says. “Apply this product directly to your lower lash line with a light application and use your finger or a brush to smoke it out creating a weary eyeliner. This eye is all about embracing imperfection and creating a moody aesthetic."
If you want an even more defined tired eye, I’d recommend adding hues of charcoal and gray eyeshadow beneath your waterline. This will help your eye appear more sunken in, a la Wednesday Addams.
Step 3: Add the finishing touches
While not necessary to achieve the tired trend, finishing off the look with a few layers of black mascara and a clear lip gloss pulls the whole thing together. Some creators opt for mauve or purple shades to amplify the “soft goth” aspects of this look. It’s best to avoid bronzers and blush, which can take away from the ghostly aesthetic.
