Wednesday Addams Makeup Is Trending

Everyone’s obsessed with Wednesday on Netflix, so it’s no surprise that Wednesday Addams makeup is trending—especially because the goth glam aesthetic is having such a renaissance as it is.

“It’s funny because I’ve been following this [goth glam trend], and seeing that a lot of the runway shows were goth-inspired,” Wednesday’s makeup and hair designer Tara McDonald tells Glamour. “But this [series] was filming already, we started in August 2021, so it coincided with Wednesday.”

It really is a perfect coincidence (though Wednesday Addams doesn’t believe in those; perhaps her psychic powers are to thank?): Goth girl glamour was all over the 2022 Met Gala red-carpet, and Whimsigoth fashion went viral some months later, while celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian Barker, Megan Fox, Billie Eilish, and Alexa Demie have embraced goth style and glam all year long. And now that “Wednesday Addams makeup” has already gone viral on TikTok—and the liner used to create Jenna Ortega’s signature plum lip keeps selling out as a result—it’s clear that dark and moody beauty is back and here to stay.

This isn’t your mother’s goth glam, however; it’s a more glamorous take on the ’90s-era trend. And that’s exactly what McDonald envisioned for the series’ aesthetic. “In keeping with The Addams Family, Wednesday was always going to be goth, but it was also very important for it not to be too gothic—it was more like a glossy goth,” she says. “I would always describe Morticia as a ‘glossy goth,’ and Wednesday as more of a ‘soft goth.’”

As for what differentiates traditional goth makeup from today’s take on the trend? “Gothic makeup is using dark but soft shades of black or plum around the eyes and lips to give a sinister or mysterious expression to the face,” celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa tells Glamour. “This look is different because it’s still a monochromatic look using those deep shades, but it’s much softer and slightly ethereal. There are also shades of brown on the eyes to add a little bit of warmth to the look.”

Some classic examples of ’90s-era goth glam include Neve Campbell, Winona Ryder, and of course, former Wednesday (and now Ms. Thornill) Christina Ricci. “This was definitely a popular look in the ’90s goth grunge era,” Figueroa adds.

Ready to enter your goth (makeup) phase, or simply looking to cosplay as your favorite Addams girl? Here’s how, according to the pros. “I would start with the eyes and use a combination of a warm brown and a black blended on the top and bottom lash lines. Use the brown first, then blend the black on top towards the base of the lash going upwards slightly towards the crease,” says Figueroa, who suggests the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes palette for this look in particular.

As for complexion? It’s very minimal, so Figueroa suggests using a medium-coverage, buildable foundation like Pür Cosmetics 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer. “I like to apply this foundation with the fingers, and set where needed with a translucent loose or pressed powder. Then, opt for a cool-toned contour for the cheekbones, and use a little of that shade under the eyes for the full Wednesday goth effect.

Next up? Lips. According to McDonald, Ortega wore MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth, mixed with Dr. Pawpaw clear balm, though she notes that it’s now mostly sold out worldwide. If you can’t get your hands on the exact shade, no worries: Simply opt for another dark plum liner like Nars’ Train Bleu or Wet ’n’ Wild’s Plum Together for your goth glam pout. “You can almost draw the pencil on your hand, add a little bit of the Pawpaw to get the consistency like a colored balm, and then just dab it on your lips,” McDonald says.

“We would dab that on your lips and make it really natural, or outline and color in the corners and blend them towards the middle of the lip to give it a slightly ombré effect,” she continues. “Then with the lip brush, add a little bit of Dr. Pawpaw.”

If you prefer Morticia’s “glossier” look, McDonald created it using Tom Ford’s Bruised Plum—which is unfortunately no longer in stock, though Clinique’s infamous Black Honey is a perfect (and moisturizing!) alternative—and warmed it up with Charlotte Tilbury’s Love Liberty. “I also used a Chantecaille gel on her cheeks; the color is called Happy,” she continues. “We would do the makeup, we do the shading, we do the whole gothy look, and then I’d get her to smile and on the apple of her cheeks, I would apply Happy, and it just gave her this beautiful softness.”

Once you’ve finished your base, finish off with a few coats of mascara—the Wednesday cast all wore Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara.

“If somebody is doing makeup at home, either go for the eyes or go for the lips,” concludes McDonald. “Use a nice dark color, add lots of balm, and dab it on your lips. You don’t have to do the outline; just keep it soft. That just bitten look is really, really pretty.”