Girls and women who prefer a dark and mysterious look may want to follow some gothic makeup tips to complete their goth ensemble
Characteristics of Goth Makeup

One of the most recognizable aspects of a gothic makeup look is the dark colors. Goth girls would not be caught dead without their black eyeliner. However, there are variations goths can choose depending on personal preference.

Some gothic girls want to be dark all the way, with extremely pale skin, black eye makeup and dark lipstick. On the other hand, some goth beauties go for a softer look; they'll still go heavy on the black eyeliner, but they may wear pink or purple eye shadows and lighter lip colors. Either way, and depending on your preference, you're sure to look stunning. That said, how you wear your makeup will reflect what type of goth you are.

There are no hard-and-fast rules about wearing goth makeup. Wear what makes you feel beautiful, whether you're more of a "vampire" goth or a soft, romantic goth.

Dark Gothic Makeup Tips

For the goth who's more hardcore and mysterious, these makeup tips will allow you to showcase your deep, dark personality:

Focus on the eyes: The eyes may be the window to the soul, and they're definitely one of the biggest areas you'll highlight for your gothic look. You don't have to go for the stereotypical gothic eye, with an incredibly heavy amount of black eyeliner drawn all around the eye, including inside the eyelids. Pencil eyeliner is fine, especially for those women who haven't yet mastered the steady hand technique necessary for perfect application of liquid liner.
Line the upper lids, beginning with a thin line near the inside corner of the eye and making it thicker as you get to the outer corner. Apply a thin line on the bottom eyelid, and follow up with two to three coats of black mascara. Use your fingers or a Q-tip to smudge the liner, if you want a haunted, smoky eye look.

Pale skin: Just because goths are expected to be pale doesn't mean you should artificially lighten your skin with makeup that's not a good match for your complexion. This can give your face an unflattering, ashy tone. Instead, use matte foundations or powders to create a smooth, shine-free canvas, and use colors that match your complexion as closely as possible.
Deep lip colors: Burgundy and black are popular lip colors for goths, but you can also wear a dark red and still fit in. Use a matching lipliner to make sure your deep lipstick stays in place.
Romantic Gothic Makeup

Maybe the softer side of goth appeals to you, and you want your makeup to reflect that. These gothic makeup tips are suitable for the goth woman who prefers a romantic and feminine look:

Lighter eye colors: You'll probably still have a collection of black eyeliner pencils and liquid liner in shades of midnight, but your eyeshadow colors can be pale to deep pinks, sparkling white and various shades of purple, from light lavender to violet.
Creamy skin: If you prefer a dewy look to your skin, don't hide it under heavy foundation. Even out any imperfections with concealer if necessary; follow with a light dusting of loose, translucent powder.
Softer lips: Red lips are always good for goths, but you can also try pale pinks that closely match your natural lip color.
Gothic Appeal

The gothic look, as with other cultural trends, changes with the times. People who are more traditional goths may frown upon the new wave of goths, but it's all in how you feel and what you identify with. If the vampire culture surrounding popular books and films like Twilight call to you, then you may like the darker goth look. However, you can still prefer the softer side of goth makeup and be just as gothic. Even goths can have fun and play around with makeup -- just make sure you always have plenty of black on hand, whether it's eyeliner, lipstick or hair color.