Honestly, the word "grunge" has been dragged through the mud lately. Every time a brand releases a slightly muddy brown, they slap a 90s label on it and call it a day. But when the Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge palette dropped, it actually felt like someone finally got the memo. It isn’t just a pile of depressing greys. It’s a weirdly specific, moody mix of cool tones, purples, and surprisingly wearable "anti-sparkle" textures.
Most people see the big, bold "GRUNGE" lettering on the front and assume it’s only for people who want to look like they haven’t slept since 1994. That's mistake number one.
Why the Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Palette Isn't Just for Emo Kids
You've probably seen the swatches online. They look dark. Heavy. Intimidating. But in person? This thing is actually a closet neutral palette. If you strip away the black gloss and the heavy silvers, you’re left with some of the best mauve and taupe transition shades Huda Kattan has ever put out.
The "pretty" part of the name isn't just marketing fluff. Shades like Brave (a soft mauve) and Beauty Chaos (a dusty lilac) are actually quite delicate. You can wear them to the office without looking like you’re heading to a basement show. It’s that balance that makes it a sleeper hit for people who are bored of the "latte makeup" trend and want something with a bit more soul.
The Weird Glossy Shade Everyone is Scared Of
Let’s talk about Grunge. It’s a black, emollient eye gloss sitting right there in the bottom corner.
Most people look at it and think: "That's going to crease in five seconds."
And, well, if you use it like a traditional shadow, it might. But that’s not really the point. Professional artists like Shonagh Scott have pointed out that this specific texture is meant to be a base or a "messy" topper. It gives that lived-in, slightly greasy look that defines the aesthetic. If you’re a perfectionist who hates creasing, you’ll hate this pan. If you like your makeup to look like it has a story, it’s your best friend.
The Formula Breakdown: The Good, The Bad, and The Chunky
Huda Beauty is known for experimental textures. Sometimes they're amazing, sometimes they're a bit of a nightmare to work with if you're in a rush.
- The Mattes: These are arguably the strongest part of the palette. They are powdery, yes, but they blend like a dream. Unlike some older Huda palettes that could feel a bit stiff, these have a silkiness that makes even the deep shades like Nirvana manageable.
- The Metallics: Strong AF and Maverick are high-intensity foils. They don't just shimmer; they reflect light like a mirror.
- The "Problem" Shades: Rebelle is a chunky, multi-chromatic glitter. It is gorgeous. It is also a fallout disaster if you don't use your fingers. Using a brush with this shade is basically asking for silver speckles on your cheeks for the next three days.
A common complaint from users on Reddit’s r/PaleMUA is that the palette can pull surprisingly warm on certain skin tones. Despite being marketed as "cool-toned," shades like Liberty and Heroine have a distinct peach/burnt orange undertone. If you’re looking for a strictly "dead girl" grey palette, you might find this a bit too lively.
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How to Actually Use It Without Looking Like a Sleep-Deprived Owl
Nailing a smoky eye is hard. We’ve all been there—trying to look sultry and ending up looking like a raccoon that lost a fight. The secret to the Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge palette is the layering order.
Start with Brave all over the lid. It’s the "safety" shade. Then, instead of jumping straight to the black, use Fearless to build a wing shape. The transition from mauve to deep brown-black is what makes the look "pretty" instead of just "grunge."
If you want to use the Grunge gloss, dab it on the center of the lid at the very end. Don't go near the crease. Just a little bit of shine on the mobile lid gives that high-fashion "wet" look without the mess.
Comparisons: Do You Need This if You Have ND Glam?
The Natasha Denona Glam palette is the gold standard for cool tones, but it’s very polite. It’s "wedding guest" cool. The Pretty Grunge palette is "VIP afterparty" cool. The purples in Pretty Grunge are deeper and more "bruised" (in a good way) than the taupes in ND Glam. If you already have 50 shades of taupe, you might find this redundant, but the inclusion of the black cream and the lilac mattes sets it apart.
Actionable Tips for Mastery
If you’ve already picked this up or are staring at it in your cart, keep these three things in mind to get your money's worth:
- Finger Painting is Required: The shimmers in this palette—especially Rebelle and Avant-Garde—perform 50% better when applied with the warmth of a finger. Brushes just don't pick up the foil properly.
- Do Eyes First: This is non-negotiable. The fallout from the darker mattes and the chunky glitters is real. Do your eyes, wipe your cheeks with a makeup remover cloth, and then do your foundation.
- The "Liner" Trick: Use the Grunge gloss as a base for your eyeliner. Apply it with an angled brush, then pack Renegade (the ultra-black metallic) on top. It creates the deepest, most dimensional black line that won't budge.
The Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge palette isn't a "safe" purchase for everyone. It’s for the person who wants their makeup to be a bit more expressive and a bit less "filtered." It requires a bit of learning, but the results are far more interesting than your standard neutral brown look.
Stop treating it like a museum piece. Dig into the dark shades. Smudge the gloss. That's where the magic is.