The clean girl look had a good run. Glowy skin, slicked-back hair, a lip you could barely see. Then Kourtney Kardashian posted a set of photos with the caption “bite me,” and the mood flipped. Her lips were deep berry, her hair was big, dark, and wavy, and she wore black lace with a choker. Her sister Khloé left a one-word reply in the comments, and it was an enthusiastic yes.
I’ll say it plainly: this is the first dark makeup look in a while that I’d actually wear to dinner. Here’s how it works.
What Is Vampy Glam?
It’s makeup and hair in dark, rich shades. Wine, plum, and berry on the lips. Deep, full curls. A little drama. It borrows from gothic style, but the new version feels softer and more playful, which is why people call it whimsical goth.
You don’t need a costume. Pick one dark feature, keep everything else clean, and you’re done.
Breaking Down Kourtney’s Makeup Look
The lip is the star. It’s a deep berry that looks close to wine in the photos, and it does most of the work.
Her hair backs it up. The curls are loose and full, with lots of shine, and they frame her face without any extra accessories. The skin stays warm and glowing, so the dark lip and dark hair don’t make her look heavy. That contrast is the whole trick.
How to Get the Deep Berry Lip
Dark lipstick goes patchy fast, so slow down and build it in layers.
- Smooth your lips with a little balm, then blot.
- Outline with a berry or plum liner, drawing just inside your natural lip line.
- Fill in the whole lip with the liner. This gives the color something to grip.
- Press a deep lipstick over it in a similar shade.
- Dab clear or tinted gloss in the center for a fuller look.
- Clean up the edges with a cotton swab.
Shade matters. Cool berry suits fair to medium skin, while warm plum and brown-berry look better on deeper skin. Check the color in daylight, because bathroom lighting lies.
Getting Full, Glossy Dark Curls
Perfect curls aren’t the goal here. Volume and shine are. Blow-dry with a round brush for lift at the roots, then curl in big sections and leave the ends loose. Break the curls apart with your fingers instead of a comb, or they’ll turn into frizz. A light shine spray finishes it. Skip heavy products, since they flatten dark hair.
If your hair isn’t dark, a deep brown gloss or a temporary color spray can get you close for one night.
Keep the Eyes Quiet
When the lips are this dark, the eyes should step back. A coat of mascara and a little brown or black shadow smudged along the lash line is plenty. Skip the wing. Add a touch of blush so your face doesn’t look washed out. This part matters more than the lip shade, honestly, because it decides whether the look feels wearable or like leftovers from a party.
Is This a Halloween Look?
It can be. If you’re still stuck on Halloween costumes, a black lace dress, a choker, and this lip make an easy vampire outfit with almost no shopping. But the makeup doesn’t need the holiday. Skip the fake fangs and the face paint, and the same berry lip and soft waves work for a dinner, a concert, or a wedding reception. Fall is the natural season for it, though it looks just as polished on a regular Tuesday night.
Mistakes That Ruin It
Dark lips, dark eyes, and heavy contour all at once is too much. Choose one. Skipping lip liner is another trap, since dark lipstick bleeds without it. Dry lips and a matte formula crack and look uneven, so go creamy or add gloss. And if your face looks gray after you put the color on, your shade is too cool. Try a warmer plum.
Why It’s Catching On
People are bored of looking the same. A dark lip feels more personal than a neutral one, the shades exist at every price, and it takes about five minutes to try. Kourtney’s photos just gave the trend a clear face.
