Dark Beauty Icons That Every Alternative Girl Loves, Past And Present

What inspires you to wake up everyday and.. be the person that you are? No matter who that person is, we all have a little inspiration. And sometimes, as an alternative girl, you don’t see people who look and dress like you represented very openly in the mainstream media. So when you find someone whose style, whose aesthetic really speaks to you, you grab on for dear life! When you think of the dark beauty icons of the past, a few names may come to mind, and when you think of the dark beauty icons of the present, a few names may also come to mind. We wanted to pay homage to them, all in one place. Keep reading to discover the dark beauty icons that every alternative girl loves, past and present.

know in the comments section below.

Agyness Deyn. She can do no wrong. None. Whether her head is shaved and platinum blond or she has shaggy and short hair, she just like Kelly Osbourne has a certain effortless cool factor about her. She definitely inspired us to rock Doc Martens all year round, and reminded us that they pretty much go with anything.

Lorde. If you even Google "Lorde,” you won’t find her in anything brighter than a deep navy blue, and we love her commitment to aesthetic. Her big, iconic curly mane. A mauve, purple, red, or black lipstick. And whatever she wears never detracts from her uber cool, laid-back personality. Then there’s her eccentric performances. It all just fits!

Rihanna. Rihanna’s style has been described by some as “ghetto goth,” which BET describes as “a modern mash-up of ‘80s and ‘90s urban wear (hoodies, snapbacks and Jordans), '90s grunge (layering and rugged details) and gothic styles (statement accessories, head-to-toe black and subtle shine.” This specific look she wore to the iHeartRadio Music Awards is a perfect example of her brand of ghetto goth.

Kelly Osbourne. Osbourne has really had quite the style evolution from her days on her family’s MTV series to today where she’s one of the most respected voices in fashion. It’s not uncommon to see her with a pop of lavender in her hair, which we’ve really become obsessed with. Anything she wears, whether it’s black plaid or a statement skirt with a print and a low-key top, is instant dark beauty inspo. She has a way of making anything look effortless and cool.

Morticia Adams. Morticia Adams pre-dates our queen Elvira, and you can see that Elvira may have been inspired by her. But this specific iteration of Morticia, played by Anjelica Houston, is one of the most iconic. The subtle smoky eye, an occasional stark red lip (blood red), long red nails, and a floor-length black gown. How can you go wrong?

Rose McGowan. Who can forget McGowan’s truly ICONIC 1988 MTV Video Music Awards dress. “A mid-length gown was constructed of little more than barely tied black threads, revealing her entire backside to the world,” WhoWhatWear said of the garment. Only an alternative girl with real confidence could pull that off. And she continues to amaze us. Even when her look is more reserved, she still manages to be the center of attention.

Beth Ditto. According to Vogue, “Ditto’s longtime love for DIYing thrifted clothes came into play from the moment she began sketching garments” for her clothing line. There is a lush quality to the fabrics she used in her collection, and there’s something lush and glamorous about Beth Ditto in anything she wears. She just keeps our eyes locked on her, you can’t focus on anything else in the room.

Dita von Teese. Von Teese has been a true pioneer in the world of burlesque, as a costume designer, as an actress from time to time, and in the world of fashion. She is a true joy to behold, as anything she wears is visually stunning to the eye and makes you wonder how could she fit into that garment!? She’s another blueprint. No one has come along who could knock Queen Dita off the throne.

Yolandi Vissser. “Baby’s On Fire” was the first visual that illuminated our love for Yolandi’s unique brand of aesthetic. There’s something alternative and dark, but also light, poppy, sugary sweet, and saccharine about some of Visser’s looks in the video. We love this interesting dichotomy, not to mention Visser can also give us a hard look in all black. We’re big fans!

Elvira. Mistress of the Dark, what alternative girl doesn’t know about Cassandra Peterson. That’s why we had to pay homage to our queen, first and foremost. There’s nothing that slays harder than a super deep neckline with a frayed bell sleeve. And that hair! Tell us you aren’t inspired!

Marilyn Manson. What screams icon more than Marilyn Manson. You will not find another like him. Just as Lydia Deetz inspired countless generations of alternative girls to be themselves, Manson did the exact same for many people. People like Young Thug wouldn’t be able to be who they are if it weren’t for risk-takers and tastemakers like Manson. We salute you!

Enid and Rebecca from “Ghost World." “It’s obviously a 1977 original punk rock look…” If you’ve ever found yourself explaining exactly what’s going on with your ensemble, then you can relate to these two! Rebecca’s look is a bit softer, and Enid’s look is a bit more grungy, rough around the edges, takes risks – but these two give us major alternative beauty vibes, and we love them for it!

Siouxsie Sioux. We personally have a soft spot for mid-‘70s punk rock, and how could Siouxsie and the Banshees not be on your aesthetic radar. Annie Potts’ character in “Pretty in Pink” is heavily influenced by Siousxie, as were many future generations of people after her. One-of-a-kind. The blueprint, the original, another can never replace her.

Lydia Deetz. Bustle rightfully points out that before Lydia came along, we alternative girls didn’t really see much representation in mainstream media. That’s why her presence was so important. She wasn’t afraid to be dark, to be strange, to be different. She wasn’t afraid to wear a long-sleeve floor-length gown in the middle of the summer outside. And she inspires us to wear what we like, when we like.

You. From classic beauties like Dita von Teese to more modern interpretations of dark beauty like Rihanna, who was your favorite on this list? Do you think we left anyone out, if so who? We love to hear from you, so let your voice be heard in the comments section below. Who inspires you to be unabashedly.. you!