Some trends never really die—they wait for the right moment to resurface. And if you’ve been paying attention lately, you’ve probably noticed something both nostalgic and a little surprising: Tumblr Beauty Trends are back.
Yep. Those effortlessly grungy, soft-lit, over-filtered, almost poetic styles that ruled the early 2010s? They’re making a full-blown return—not just on social media feeds, but in fashion campaigns, magazine covers, celebrity looks, and even at exclusive lifestyle events.
And it’s not just a vibe anymore. It’s an aesthetic that’s re-entering our daily routines, influencing everything from eyeliner shapes to lipstick finishes to the way we approach skincare.
So, what exactly does this revival look like—and how can you bring a touch of it into your world without looking like you’re stuck in the past? Let’s break it all down.
What Are Tumblr Beauty Trends?
To explain Tumblr Beauty Trends, you kind of have to feel them.
They weren’t about perfection. Or Polish. Or even “beauty” in the classic sense. These trends were rooted in emotion, storytelling, and self-expression. They celebrated imperfections and aesthetic contradictions: sleepy eyes paired with bold brows, heavy blush with bare lips, dark circles that weren’t concealed on purpose.
And the influence wasn’t just about makeup. It spilled into hair, fashion, photo filters, and even attitudes toward beauty itself.
Why Are Tumblr Beauty Trends Coming Back Now?
Cyclical fashion is nothing new. But this comeback feels… different. More personal.
Why now?
Nostalgia: For Millennials and older Gen Zs, Tumblr was an escape. Reclaiming that feeling is comforting in a chaotic world.
Rebellion: Mainstream beauty has become hyper-curated. Perfect. Clean girl aesthetic, glass skin, filtered faces. Tumblr beauty? It’s messier. More real. And more human.
Accessibility: These looks don’t demand 20 products or a pro makeup kit. Many of them thrive on drugstore finds and natural features.
There’s also the influence of luxury fashion events tapping into nostalgia-driven aesthetics. When a runway model walks out in smudged eyeliner and a faded hoodie that looks like it came from your teenage bedroom, you know the industry is listening.
Defining Elements of Tumblr Beauty Trends
If you’re unsure what qualifies as a “Tumblr” beauty look, here are the key features:
Bold brows (often brushed up, sometimes overgrown)
Smudged eyeliner—think slept-in, not sharp
Pale lips or matte nudes
Heavy blush, placed high and close to the eyes
Freckles, sometimes drawn on
Messy hair, often center-parted and unstyled
Monochromatic tones, especially dusty rose and soft brown
Some might argue that it’s unkempt. But that’s missing the point. Tumblr beauty has never been about being done—it’s about feeling something.
Celebrity Influence: Who’s Leading the Comeback?
You might not notice it at first glance. But scroll through red carpet photos or backstage shots from luxury events around the world, and it becomes clear.
Celebrities embracing Tumblr Beauty Trends include:
Billie Eilish – Her under-eye blush and muted tones are straight out of 2014 Tumblr.
Florence Pugh – Often seen with brushed-up brows, bare lips, and raw skin.
Zendaya – Occasionally blends soft grunge with glam in ways that mirror old Tumblr edits.
Doja Cat – Constantly experiments with looks that feel chaotic, nostalgic, and oddly vulnerable.
Even runway models are walking in tapestry hoodies, undone eyeliner, and pale lipstick—proving this aesthetic is more than a passing phase.
How to Try Tumblr Beauty Trends (Without Feeling Outdated)
Here’s the thing. You don’t need to replicate 2013 exactly. You need to reference it. Draw inspiration, but evolve it to fit today’s standards—and your lifestyle.
1. Smudged Eyeliner, Light Touch
Skip the clean cat eye. Instead, go for something a little messier. Use a pencil or gel liner and smudge it with your finger or a brush for a smoky effect. You want it to feel lived-in.
2. High Blush Placement
Apply blush higher on the cheekbones, close to the undereye area. It creates a soft, sun-kissed, emotionally vulnerable look. Cream blushes work best.
Pair these 10 best fashion tips to keep your overall vibe in harmony.
3. Ditch the Highlighter
Tumblr beauty is matte, not glazed. Leave the shimmer for another trend. Focus on texture instead of glow.
4. Embrace “Imperfections”
This one’s more mindset than makeup. Got dark circles? Let them show. Skin texture? Don’t overcorrect. Drawn-on freckles? Go ahead. The goal is to look like you, just slightly moodier.
5. Low Effort Hair
Leave your hair air-dried. Let it part naturally. Add a claw clip or a faded scrunchie. Perfection is boring.
Related Trends That Align With the Tumblr Comeback
Several beauty movements overlap with this resurgence:
You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty – A title that could’ve been a Tumblr post on its own.
The Role of Social Media in the Revival
While Tumblr’s influence faded for a few years, platforms like TikTok and Pinterest picked up the baton. We’re now seeing compilations like:
“Things I learned from Tumblr in 2014”
“Tumblr girl makeup tutorials”
“How to edit photos like old Tumblr”
These aren’t just throwbacks. They’re how-tos—proof that people are actively trying to reclaim and remix that energy.
Modernizing Tumblr Beauty for Luxury Environments
The idea that Tumblr Beauty Trends are only for moody teens with ukuleles and Doc Martens? Totally outdated.
Today, they’re being adapted into luxury fashion events with real elegance:
Subtler color palettes
Cleaner finishes with the same emotion
Designer accessories layered over thrift-store basics
This tension—between raw and refined—is what makes it so compelling now. It’s something you might see on a rooftop in Paris or at a women’s lifestyle event in New York City.
How Beauty Standards Have Shifted
This revival also reflects shifting values. What’s beautiful isn’t always smooth skin or precise symmetry anymore.
Posts like “What Are the Korean Beauty Standards?” and “How Beauty Standards Affect Mental Health” remind us just how powerful trends can be—not just in appearance, but in shaping self-worth.
The rawness of Tumblr Beauty Trends feels like a response to the overly curated reality we’ve come to normalize.
Best Products to Get the Look
You don’t need a massive haul. A few staples will get you started:
Smudgeable eyeliner (brown or black)
Cream blush in dusty rose or burnt orange
Brow gel
Matte lipstick or tinted balm
Freckle pen (or brown eyeliner used sparingly)
Bonus: most of these can be found at your local drugstore.
Pairing With Fashion & Lifestyle
Tumblr beauty is rarely just about the face. It’s tied into how you dress, how you speak, what you post, even how you spend your downtime.
Want the full effect? Pair your beauty look with:
Vintage band tees
Oversized cardigans
Ripped tights
Tapestry hoodies
Messy notebooks or handwritten poetry (if you’re really committing)
For more inspiration, check out:
🔑 Key Takeaways
Tumblr Beauty Trends prioritize emotion over perfection.
They’re rooted in soft grunge, smudged makeup, and raw self-expression.
The trend aligns with luxury fashion and exclusive lifestyle events in updated forms.
You don’t need expensive tools—just creativity and a mirror.
The trend reflects larger shifts in beauty standards and cultural nostalgia.
Final Thoughts
Honestly? Maybe not forever.
But right now, in this moment, it resonates. It reminds us that beauty doesn’t have to be pristine or expensive or even intentional. It can just be…felt. Expressed. Documented.
Like a half-lit selfie at 2 a.m., or a blurry mirror photo captioned with a Mitski lyric.
Tumblr Beauty Trends permits us to be raw again. That’s something worth holding onto—even as trends shift again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I wear Tumblr Beauty Trends in professional settings?
Yes—with some adjustments. Keep the brows natural and use muted blush. Skip the smudged liner, and opt for soft matte tones.
Q2: Is this trend suitable for all skin tones?
Absolutely. It’s more about technique than color. Just tweak your shades to match your undertone.
Q3: Do I need a Tumblr account to embrace the trend?
Not at all. You need to understand the vibe: soft, emotional, imperfect.
Q4: Where can I find more style tips to pair with this trend?
Explore 15 fashion tips and tricks or the best lifestyle blogs.
Q5: How do I make Tumblr Beauty feel more modern?
Focus on developing better formulas and applying them more precisely. Keep the emotion but elevate the finish.
