Let’s talk about a true makeup goddess: Grimes. Honestly, her look is like if a space alien and an ethereal fairy had a super cool, artsy baby. If you haven’t seen her makeup styles yet, where have you been?! Grimes’ vibe is like next-level, futuristic with a dash of fantasy. It’s got a mix of bold colors, metallic highlights, and a dream-like feel that anyone would want to try out. Her makeup is fun, fearless, and kind of otherworldly—and I’m obsessed.
The best part? YOU can totally recreate her otherworldly glam and make it your own. I’m going to spill all the tea on how to rock her ethereal makeup styles in a way that’s easy, affordable, and perfect for your feed pics or TikTok vids. Let’s get into it 👽✨.
Step 1: Prep Like You’re About to Step into a Sci-Fi Movie
Okay, first things first: skin prep. If you want to pull off a Grimes-style look, you’re gonna need a face that’s radiant and glowy from the base up. Grimes always looks like she just stepped out of the moonlight—with that unreal, haunting glow—so it starts with solid skin prep.
Here’s my super quick guide:
1. Cleanse: You want a smooth, fresh canvas. Go for your fave cleanser that doesn’t dry you out.
2. Moisturize: Think hydration, not oiliness. You wanna glow, but not that kind of glow. Use a light moisturizer that gives your skin a soft glow but doesn’t make you oily.
3. Prime: To make your makeup last all day (or night!), use a primer that helps with that soft, dewy skin we’re aiming for.
Honestly, prepping your skin can be the easiest part of your routine if you find the right products. Feel free to leave out intense primers or hydrators if that’s not your thing—I feel you, sis, we all don’t wanna spend $$$ on skincare. Still, the glow goals start from here!
Step 2: The Foundation—Soft But Cosmic
Grimes is ALL about that luminous, barely-there foundation, which means we’re going for something lightweight. You want to keep your skin breathable and flex with the lighting when you take selfies. We’re talking natural AF with a subtle shimmer that catches the light juuuust right.
Go for a BB cream or a light foundation that’s buildable. A personal fave is anything with a luminous finish (think Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop) ’cause it gives that subtle ethereal glow without being heavy.
Match your foundation to your natural skin tone, then highlight and contour the GALAXY out of it for those Grimes-like vibes.
And listen, we’re not getting cakey here. We’re not living in 2016 anymore 😂. Apply with a damp beauty blender or brush and just blend blended blend. Keep this cosmic and soft, bb—Grimes is always more about textures than perfect beat.
Step 3: Brows That Could Survive in Space
Grimes has this ethereal thing going on, but her brows are always on point. They’re not the sharp Instagram brows you’ve been seeing, though. Hers are softer and more natural. I feel like they almost look “wispy.” Definitely ditch the idea of super-defined brows; Grimes is more about embracing the natural shape. The goal here is to fill in your natural brows lightly—not carve them out for the gods, ya know?
What I recommend:
– Use a brow pencil that’s close to your natural brow color or even a shade lighter.
– Fill in sparse areas using feather-like strokes so the brows look fluffy and soft.
– Avoid going too hard with the edge; keep it more natural and dream-like.
Bonus tip: You could also experiment with colored brows! Sometimes Grimes has these pale, otherworldly-looking brows. You could bleach yours (if you feel adventurous) but even using a white or metallic brow gel is serving that futuristic fairy look. 💅
Step 4: Eye Makeup From Another Dimension
Okay, THIS is where Grimes gets reallll alien princess on us. Eye makeup is probably the most iconic part of her looks. And the best part? She does it in so many different ways that you basically get free rein here. Whether it’s smoky, metallics, or bold color blocks, she’s always experimenting—and I’m here for it.
Smoky-but-Dreamy
So, let’s talk smoky eyes. Grimes’ version isn’t your typical Insta-glam smokey—it’s more like…messy chic 👀. You want depth, but you don’t need it to be neat. Grab your favorite grays, blacks, maybe even some cool-toned blues, and blend those shadows unapologetically. Think smudged, dreamy, and slightly messy. Top it off with a bit of shimmer on the center for that galactic vibe.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a metallic eyeshadow, use a highlighter! Seriously, highlighter is the makeup hack we never deserved but needed.
Product Rec: Check out ColourPop’s Super Shock Shadows—they have this creamy, metallic finish that I swear is straight from outer space.
Neon and Pop Colors? YES!
We’ve seen Grimes rock bold neon colors in a way that kinda looks like an art project on your face (but in a good way). It’s like futuristic warrior vibes—think electric pinks, bright greens, or neon blues. The trick is in blending these neon shades messily, giving it a chaotic yet on-point look. You can go hard on the colors but keep it raw and rebellious.
Don’t forget to take that color along your lower lash line, too! It completes the whole look in a way that feels fierce and unexpected.
Grimes’ looks are often out there, but that’s the fun part—you can let your makeup break all the rules!
TBH, this is where you can really go wild with your makeup routine. The more intense the color, the better.
Step 5: Lashes That Belong in a Fantasy Novel
Short lashes who? Grimes shows up with either minimal lashes, like simple mascara, or with falsies that look like they came straight from a fantasy novel. She’s versatile like that!
If you’re going for the whole “fantasy character” vibe with wispy, natural lashes, apply one light coat of mascara. If you feel like lashes are non-negotiable (yes, drama is always accepted here), then go big or go home 🤩. Consider trying lashes that fan out at the outer corner or even something with a little sparkle (like those magnetic lashes with gems attached? ICON).
Mascara Magic:
If you’re just doing mascara, opt for one that elongates lashes without clumping—hey, we love spider lashes, but that’s not the vibe today. Grimes usually opts for something that keeps her lashes sleek and wispy to match her soft, ethereal look.
Pro Tip: Pop a little mascara on your lower lashes and suddenly, you look like you’re ready to own a spaceship.
Step 6: Cheekbones? Sculpt Them Like a Sculptor’s Dream
Grimes’ makeup wouldn’t be complete without some MAJOR cheekbone action. Okay, by that I don’t mean full-on Kim K contour (again, we’re not bringing 2016 back)—we’re thinking more…chiseled but blended. Like, give-them-cheekbones-for-days but still look like you woke up that way. 😉
Grab your contour (cream or powder) and start sculpting right under the cheekbones, blending upwards as you go. For that ethereal look, blend it, blend it some more, and set it with a light touch of translucent powder so your face still holds some dew.
For extra celestial vibes, you’re gonna want to really highlight those cheekbones with a highlighter that looks kinda wet/meets holographic. Sweep it across the highest parts of your cheeks, down your nose, and on your Cupid’s bow. You’ll serve ‘fairy queen from the future’ realness.
Step 7: Lips That Whisper but Speak Volumes
Alright, Grimes rarely goes heavy on the lips because her eyes are always doing the talking. That doesn’t mean we just throw on chapstick and call it a day though 🤣. Instead, she favors her lips in barely-there tones, like muted nudes or faded colors—but with a touch of gloss! 💄
You can go for a transparent gloss or something that’s slightly tinted. For an even more modern look, try a gloss with glitter for that sparkly, ethereal vibe.
Pro Tip: Apply some highlighter to the center of the lips before adding gloss. It just gives a super pretty reflective glow that reads “cosmic cutie.” ✨
And that’s it, babe. Pretty doable, right? The thing about Grimes-inspired makeup is how freeing it is. You get to explore wild colors and textures but still keep it mysterious and dreamy. Remember, there are no rules, so try your own flair and don’t worry too much about being all polished!
So, if you’re drooling over Grimes’ ethereal makeup styles like the rest of us, try these simple steps and see how you feel! Just channel that mystical energy and transform into your best otherworldly self. 👩🚀🌙
Now go secure that eyeliner and live your sparkliest life! 😘
