The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles saw a dramatic shift toward gothic-inspired beauty. Instead of polished perfection, several performers embraced a "coal eyes" aesthetic that prioritized moody, smudged shadows.
Teyana Taylor’s moody blend of black, gray, and blue
Teyana Taylor brought a "brat but make it vogue" energy to the Sunday night red carpet . According to a report from WWD, the performer utilized a ring of black shadow that was blendeed with gray and blue shades along the outer edges of her lids. This dark, heavy application extended up into the brow bone, creating a striking, high-fashion grunge look.
To ensure the focus remained on her eyes,Taylor paired the dramatic shadow with a natural nude lip.. While the "360" performer frequently works with makeup artist Yasmin Istanbouli, the specific artist responsible for this particular look has not yet been confirmed, and WWD has reached out for verification.
Sombr’s smudged liner and Jamie Taylor’s textured curls
Sombr leaned into a raw, unpolished aesthetic by emphasizing texture and intentional smudging. Working with celebrity groomer Jamie Taylor, the artist applied signature black liner well below the bottom lash line. This technique carried the color directly into the eye bags and upward, creating a "tired eyes" effect that felt both modern and rebellious.
The dark , smudged liner was paired with textured curls, adding to the overall grunge-inspired vibe of the performance. This look moves away from the precision of traditional red carpet makeup in favor of something more visceral and lived-in.
Rinna’s charcoal-circled eyes and platinum pixie cut
Reality star Rinna channeled a "modern grunge" vision that played with high-contrast colors and shapes . As reported by WWD, her look featured charcoal shadow dragged in circles around her eyes, casting a dark cloud over her lids and brows. This heavy, circular application was contrasted by her bright, platinum-colored pixie cut.
Despite the striking nature of the look, Rinna has not yet credited the makeup artist who helepd bring this vision to life. The combination of dark, circular shadows and light hair creates a "traitor" aesthetic that is both edgy and avant-garde.
A modern revival of the early 2000s black shadow trend
The heavy, dark eye looks seen at the 2026 MTV VMAs represent a significant revival of the black shadow trend that was popular in the early 2000s. this "coal eyes" aesthetic marks a departure from the minimalist trends of recent years, signaling a move toward more expressive, moody makeup.
Industry experts suggest that these gothic details will likely filter down from the red carpet to everyday street style and club wear this fall. This shift offers a new way for women to experiment with beauty, moving away from "clean" aesthetics toward something more textured and dramatic.
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