Enough with Y2K, it’s time for Indie Sleaze makeup

Social media are known for reviving trends we thought were long forgotten. We’ve seen it with the Y2K aesthetic, covered in butterflies, rhinestones, and a lot of lip gloss. But the time has finally come to say goodbye to 2000s fashion and make way for a new aesthetic: indie sleaze. A shift that brings with it a more rebellious and carefree look, ready to take its throne with all new energy.

What is indie sleaze

Let’s start by saying that the term indie sleaze was coined by TikToker Mandy Lee to describe the style from 2006 to 2012. This aesthetic is characterized by provocation, disorder, and fun, with clubbing and party culture at its core. This style celebrated a carefree, rebellious, and somewhat decadent attitude, reflecting a world of rule-free nights, loud music, and a deliberately messy look. We can think of it as the antagonist to the clean girl aesthetic.

The it girls of this era were Cory Kennedy, Alexa Chung, Sky Ferreira, and the Olsen twins, who were often captured at the biggest Hollywood parties. The images from these star-studded nights were then shared on "The Cobra Snake", the iconic website by Mark Hunter documenting the most exclusive parties and the liveliest nights on the scene. If you still need a clear image of this aesthetic, the British TV series Skins is the perfect example. Effy Stonem anyone?

How to recreate the indie sleaze look: makeup

As mentioned earlier, indie sleaze is chaotic and rebellious, so forget brushes, it's better to work with your fingers: the messier, the better! For makeup, there are two options. The first, inspired by the 80s, involves a colored lipstick (any color) and eyes with mascara, black eyeliner, and nude eyeshadow. The second, on the other hand, goes for a "post-party" look with black smokey eyes and glittery eyeshadows for a bolder and messier effect. These looks represented a way of challenging the social norms of the time, adding a touch of boldness and individuality. Today, they still evoke clubbing and rave culture, maintaining their meaning of freedom and self-empowerment.

The indie sleaze hair

We’re a bit scared to say it, but the side part is making a comeback. Loved by millennials but hated by Gen Z, the side part was a style symbol during the indie sleaze era, when the idea was to look like you were having so much fun that you didn’t care about how you looked. Bleached and backcombed hair was the look of the moment.