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Goth is synonymous with wearing all black, reveling in melancholy, and celebrating the macabre.
Images courtesy of the brands
Its influence has altered the landscape of pop music, fashion, and art.
Almost 50 years later, contemporary goths embody the representation they yearned to see when they were younger.
Chicago-based poet and artistMelissa Castro Almandinas definition of beauty has always been shaped by gothic subculture.
Courtesy of Melissa Castro Almandina
Badass Brujas like me exist, Almandina says, and you should see more of us.
A certain misconception that many people have is that to be goth, you must have fair skin.
But I am here to tell you that there are plenty of darker skinned goths.
Courtesy of Maheen Lemon
For Lemon, cultivating her signature look begins with six essentials staples.
Whether out at a dance night or running errands around town, Lemon considers it her secret weapon.
Another go-to staple for this NYC-based creative isTartes Shape Tape Concealer.
Courtesy of Sandra T.
I have dark circles, thanks to my Pakistani heritage, she explains.
I love using Tartes Shape Tape Concealer in medium.
Lemon also understands the versatility and drama that one can create with eye shadow and a bold eyeliner.
Courtesy of M. Lamar
Plus, it’s possible for you to’t get any more goth than the Kat Von D makeup line.
For eyeliner, Lemons go-to isNYXs Epic Ink liquid liner in black.
It stays put all night and you could make some wicked wings with it too.
Courtesy of Leila Taylor
I think [its] an outward expression of what you feel inside, she explains.
A good lipstick can really make and break a look, she says.
Its counterintuitive to have goth be represented by paleness and whiteness when the mainstream culture does that already.
Courtesy of Bianca Xunise
Plus no one pulls off red and black like [us]… Youve seenLupitalately, [right]?
M. Lamara NYC-based artist, composer, and writerconsiders goth more than just a look.
Its a way of life.
Courtesy of Kiki
For eyeliner, I wearKat Von Ds Graphite Browstruck Dimension Powderand the gel.
To protect his skin from UV damage, Lamar relies onSupergoop Play SPF 50.
As a teenager, I started hanging with both the goth and punk kids, Lamar recalls.
Courtesy ofAmina Cruz Photography
That scene helped me to understand at an early age that beauty was in the abject.
I like the simplicity and severity of all black, she explains.
Although Taylor likes to keep things simple, the one product she cant live without isLabellos moisturizing lip balm.
Courtesy of Dal
Its the best lip balm Ive ever used and Im pretty addicted [to it], she admits.
Its an audacious aesthetic and one that resists definitions of beauty, Taylor says.
Anything that disrupts preconceived notions of blackness is a good thing.
Courtesy of Lina
When it comes to being goth, Xunises biggest goal is to just have fun with it.
For Xunise, finding the right foundation, blushes, and shadows for her skin tone are essential.
Plus, its so important for me to support black-owned businesses, she says.
Its taught me to not take beauty standards so seriously.
Like many goths of color, Kikis connection to goths aesthetics arent singularly white adjacent.
My beauty routine has become ritualistic, she explains.
My eyebrows are a large part of my identity, she explains.
Ive kept them full since my late teen years.
Before that I was made fun of for having thick brows.
I remember my mom taking me to have them waxed when I was 10 after begging her.
Naturally they grow in like a Latinx Vulcan.
If I want to draw on beauty marks and wear neon orange eye shadow, then its goth.
If I want a natural face, thats goth too, and I still feel otherworldly and untouchable.
A form of defiance and self-empowerment, Kikis look is as revolutionary as it is striking.
Pogo Popes iteration of goth is eclectic and bold, a hybrid of traditional goth fashion meets Janet Jackson.
Whatever the occasion, one product thats crucial to Popes beauty routine isNYXs Siren Matte Lipstick.
I absolutely love their shades, but this one especially.
Not only are they easily accessible, but theyre also vegan and cruelty-free.
It proves why diversity is so important.
For her, its a way to tell a story.
Its shown me that there is beauty in the unorthodox, says Dal.
Although Dals definition of beauty is always evolving, theres a few staples that she cant live without.
I dont feel complete without lashes, bold eyes, and highlighter.
Her favorites includeDiamond Bomb by Fenty Beautycombined with a lush palette byPat McGrath, and voluminous lashes.
It was so frustrating, she explains.
Theres much more genuine visibility now [and] it makes me so happy.
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