There are a multitude of ways to describe Emerald Fennell’s black psychological comedy, Saltburn, but if there’s anything the critics can agree on, it is that it brims with unforgettable, disquietingly memorable moments. The Vogue Singapore beauty team is inclined to agree with this sentiment—though it’s safe to say that our interests lie more towards the standout hair and make-up moments spotted throughout the film’s 127-minute long duration. Think along the lines of the striking glint of Jacob Elordi’s eyebrow piercing as he frolics around Oxford’s sprawling campus; Pamela’s bluntly-cut, brow-skimming bangs; and, most notably, Venetia’s kohl-smudged, perfectly worn-in eyeliner that she sports all throughout her time at the family’s country house. The distinctive look is reminiscent of the undone, effortless eye make-up donned by celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan and Kate Moss in the early aughts. Enter: Indie sleaze make-up.
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“This look is pretty popular because all eye shapes tend to suit this look,” explains professional make-up artist, Cheryl Ow. “The emphasis is largely on the bottom lash line instead of the eyelid, so anyone with monolids and hooded lids can pull this off, too.” Indeed, indie sleaze eyeliner holds universal appeal, with its smudged, messy effect making it a breeze to master whether you’re a make-up novice or expert. It should be noted, however, that there are still many points of consideration to be aware of before taking the plunge—such as selecting the right eyeliner formula, being aware of the best ways to add dimension to the look, and more.
Luckily, Vogue Singapore has you covered on this front. Below, a comprehensive rundown of how to score this coveted look. Get to taking notes.
Is there an ideal eyeliner formula for this look?
Kohl, hands down. However, eyeshadow pencils work just as well, provided they are highly-pigmented and harbour a buttery-smooth texture that is easily blended out. “My current favourite is the Nudestix Magnetic Matte Eye Colour,” Ow states. “They are super helpful when I’m creating this look because they are bigger than regular eyeliner pencils, and therefore cover a larger area with each stroke. This, thus, speeds up application time. You can just use your fingers to blend it out after.”
How can you master this look?
Think of indie sleaze make-up as the union of the classic smokey eye and smudged-out eyeliner. “I recommend using a light brown shade as your base colour, and then use a black hue in the waterline,” Ow says. “Then, gently smudge the black as close as possible to the lower lash line into the brown base. The same goes for the eyelid area if you’re planning to go all out. Whatever you do, just make sure you blend it all out thoroughly.”
Will this look hold up in Singapore’s humidity?
The best thing about this look is that smudging and smearing is a large part of the intended effect, so there’s not much to worry about with regard to the make-up appearing lived-in after several hours. Ow, however, does have a tip for anyone looking to ensure your careful amalgamation of shadows doesn’t slide right off your lids. “For extra staying power, apply loose powder and/or matching eyeshadow shades over the blended pencils,” she advises.
