For a long time, the area below the eyes held an almost fixed place in makeup: it was to be covered. Concealer, powder, and highlighting techniques helped turn dark circles into one of the main features to be disguised. In 2026, however, the logic is beginning to change. The so-called sleepy girl makeup places precisely this area at the center of the look, with soft shadows, reddish tones, and a less precise finish that deliberately suggests a few hours of less sleep.
The movement has gained space on runways and social media and accompanies a broader transformation in beauty, which is moving away from the idea of a completely uniform face. The trend is present in the preparations for Rock in Rio 2026, where colorful eyeliners, silver, and smudged eye looks are also bets for the shows.
For Brazilian makeup artist, photographer, and creative director Carlos Moura, based in London, the proposal is not simply swapping concealer for drawn-on dark circles, but rethinking the way makeup relates to naturalness and personal expression.
