The Gothic Beauty Arsenal: The Products We Keep Close
A collection of everyday essentials curated with care
By: The Lace Ledger Staff
There comes a point in every makeup journey where the experimentation slows down.
The drawer full of impulse purchases remains, of course, but a smaller collection begins to emerge; the products that consistently make you feel like yourself. The foundation repurchased before it runs out. The eyeliner that never lets you down. The lipstick that somehow ends up in every purse, coat pocket and desk drawer. These are ours favourites to achieve an everyday soft goth look.
Powder Room
A stunning complexion routine is worth its weight in gold. These base favourites create a smooth, luminous foundation that holds its own whether you're aiming for barely-there soft goth or something more dramatic.
Rituel de Fille Creature of Light Full-Face Serum Illuminator, Moonlit Creature for an ethereal, otherwordly glow.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Camo Drops to win the battle against redness.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Hydrating Foundation for consistency in complexion.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blurring & Matte Full Coverage Foundation for a full beat.
Yensa Super Serum Silk Concealer a trusted ally when spot treatment is needed.
It Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Age Waterproof Concealer for when 8h of sleep is the look.
Rituel de Fille Inner Glow Crème Pigment, Intuition creamy, cool-toned blendable contour.
Wander Beauty On-the-Glow Blush and Illuminator dewy blush + highlighter to freshen up your face on-the-go.
Sephora Collection Colorful Blush and Highlighter Glaze budget-friendly buy for the makeup bag.
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray if you like hearing “you’re glowing.”
NYX Professional Makeup Dewy Setting Spray accessibly-priced and high-performing.
Die With Your Boots On Banished Kin On Gothic Pimple Patches because you won’t regret it.
Wanderlust Powder Foundation seriously the best compact you’ll ever buy; goes on matte with no powdery residue on clothes, clean finish.
Batting Practice
Most goth girlies spend years searching for their perfect eyeliner and considerably more money than they'd like to admit along the way. These are the products that survived the audition process.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion holds the rest in place.
Moira Silvermist Palette this is a cool-tone neutral dream, with blendable coverage.
Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette iconic warm-tone basic palette worth investing in.
ColourPop 9-Pan Palette, Of Quartz not to be slept on.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Volumizing Tinted Long-Wearing Brow Gel because the brows matter more than you think.
Moira Micro Tip Liquid Liner with the perfect tip for precision corners and surgically sharp lines, not to mention, budget friendly.
KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner a mainstay that doesn’t budge.
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick for the waterline.
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Sammitery’s fav for a iconic wings.
Gloomie Cherie Graphic Liner (Blue, Green, Purple) for a pop of colour.
Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara with an elite applicator, so no lash is untouched.
Glamnetic Verified Magnetic Cat-Eye Lashes daytime appropriate, use this glue to apply.
Bite Marks
A great lip combo can rescue an otherwise forgettable makeup day. These favourites cover every mood, from office-friendly neutrals to colours that make strangers wonder if you've recently emerged from a crypt.
ILIA Lip Wrap Overnight Mask to lay the groundwork for the day ahead.
Necromancy Cosmetica Naked Witch Lipstick for the super pale "Greige" look.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Velvety-Matte Precision Shaping Lip Liner to tighten up the look.
MAC Powder Kiss Lip + Cheek Mousse dual purpose and gets the job done.
Rituel de Fille Thorn Bite Peptide Plump Crème Lip Oil in Rose Fruit throw this in your bag, not only is the colour gorg, but it’s enriched with peptides, botanicals and organic skincare ingredients.
Rituel de Fille Thorn Bite Peptide Plump Crème Lip Oil in Dark Thorn for the freshly dead look.
KVD Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner in Vampira great partner in crime for your fav high-pigment shade.
Modern Classic Invisible Color Locking Lip Liner to prevent your colour from feathering or bleeding.
Necromancy Cosmetica Lujuria Lipstick their newes cool-toned shade, Black Cherry Red.
Rituel de Fille Enchanted Lip Sheer in Black Locust for buildable dark lip colour with an ominous vibe.
Gloomie Cherie Sombre Black Gloss for a buttery black that doesn’t budge.
Lethal Cosmetics Valak's Vengeance some commotion for the inlay + collab.
Bag of Tricks
A surprising amount can be learned about a person from the contents of their makeup bag. The bags themselves, however, are often just as revealing. These favourites range from playful and spooky to polished enough to leave sitting on a hotel vanity.
The Sketchy Pumpkin Shop Ghost Bat Cosmetic Bag for whimsical spooky.
The Sketchy Pumpkin Crescent Cat Cosmetic Bag for our witchy baddies.
Wicked Misfit Spiderweb Puff Toiletry Bags truly just a must-have.
Beserk Dark Forest Print Makeup Bag cutesy but make it dark.
Beserk Poisonous Plants Makeup Bag to keep your travel companion on their toes.
Ted Baker Blue Midnight Bloom Vanity Case hard-sided and harder to resist.
Quince Italian Leather Travel Cosmetic Case organized elegance.
Leatherology Daily Small Travel Case for those who pledge allegiance to their brushes.
Truly, the best, most reliable beauty recommendations never come from advertisements but instead, from trusted friends, creators, articles and the products that prove themselves over time. Every item on this list has earned its place through regular use, surviving trend cycles, late nights and countless makeup bag cleanouts.
What product has earned mainstay status in your soft goth routine? Tell us in the comments and subscribe to receive our free monthly digital issue delivered straight to your inbox, including a first look at dark feminine style and culture, the opportunity to vote on future stories and previews of upcoming giveaways.
