How to Create the Corporate Grunge Look
BY JENNY JUNG
Corporate grunge meets glam in the debut of our new beauty series — featuring our very own Editor, styled and shot by Auckland’s best.
02 JUN - 2025
Sculpted neutrals, freckles and a beauty look that means business.
Working with photographer Willow Handy and stylist Levi Tan, we created a visual mood that felt like the intersection of corporate grunge and editorial polish. Suits, strong silhouettes and masculine pieces are clearly having a moment right now — I mean, hello? the 2025 Met Gala? Levi wanted to take business attire and style it in a way that felt elevated and unexpected, with a touch of playfulness. The look was inspired by Schiaparelli’s Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear collection, and I wanted the makeup to echo that same spirit: confident, sculpted, a little moody and never trying too hard.
At the heart of it all was none other than our very own Editor, Sophie. I’ve been doing Sophie’s makeup for years, and she’s undoubtedly one of my muses. There’s an unspoken rhythm when working with someone who knows beauty as deeply as she does. Plus, as a Capricorn, she’s not one to throw compliments around, so when she loved the final look, I knew I’d nailed it.
This shoot was also a chance to showcase some of our favourite products of the season in a way that felt personal, elevated and true to the team at Chatty Chums. Here’s exactly how I brought the makeup to life: soft structure, tonal depth and a bit of edge to tie it all together.
M.A.C, Connect in Colour 6X Eyeshadow Palette, Intimate Nudes, $98 NZD.
Camila and Marc Sullivan Wool Blazer and Calone Mini Skirt, Ksubi Cropped Astra LS Shirt Blue Stripe, Rings by Mo&Mel.
BASE
The complexion was all about controlled contrast. I used the Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Foundation, a matte formula that served as a steady anchor for the glowy elements layered on top. Its blurring effect kept the skin looking polished while allowing the accompanying base products to shine through without tipping into oily territory.
To set and enhance, I reached for the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. It's my tried-and-true MUA staple. Its light-diffusing particles play beautifully with studio lighting, creating that soft-focus finish without flattening the face.
For blush, I built a subtle gradient that tied in the whole look. I started with Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk, a nude-toned blush swept across the nose and cheeks to sculpt and warm. Then I layered the HUDA Beauty Blush Filter in Strawberry on the apples of the cheeks to add depth. The blend of earthy camel and soft pinkish red creates a rich, believable warmth that reads effortless on camera.
To finish the complexion, I added a scatter of faux freckles across the nose and cheeks — a detail that softens the overall look and adds a bit of playfulness. I mixed a bit of powder bronzer with setting spray to create a fluid pigment, then flicked it onto the skin using a spoolie for that natural, irregular freckle effect. Once the droplets landed, I gently tapped them in with my fingers to blur and blend — no harsh dots, just a lived-in, sun-kissed finish. It’s one of my favourite ways to bring warmth and realism back into a polished base.
Glossier, Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush, Dusk, $41 NZD.
EYES
The eyes were softly smokey, leaning into warmth with an edge. I used the MAC Intimate Nudes Eye Palette to lay down a camel-toned base, blending it into a diffused halo shape to subtly elongate and lift the eyes. This placement, where a darker shade is used on the inner and outer corners, works especially well on Asian eyes. If you have smaller eyelids, you may have noticed that a super smokey eye can look overwhelming or heavy. The halo shape keeps the drama focused and controlled. Pair your halo eyes with a soft shadowy wing for even more length and subtle drama.
For extra dimension and that wet editorial sparkle, I tapped into Patrick Ta’s Major Dimension Duo in Do You Know Who I Am. It catches the light in the most sophisticated way, adding just enough gleam to make the lids pop without stealing focus.
To finish, I loaded up on mascara — top and bottom. The clumped-up, lived-in lash look helped tie in the grunge element we were after, grounding the shimmer and softness with a bit of grit.
Patrick Ta, Major Dimension Duo, Do You Know Who I Am, $85 NZD.
LIPS
To complement the earthy undertones of the look, I began with Dermaviduals Light Brown Lip Pencil, smudged out with a brush to blur the edges and add fullness. It’s criminally underrated — creamy, pigmented and blends like a dream.
Then I applied Romand’s Dark Coconut as the lipstick base. It’s a deep, reddish brown with a glossy finish. One way to extract more pigment from a lip tint is to wipe off the initial moisturising layer to reveal the true colour underneath, then layer it up for added depth. With two or three coats, you get a richer, more dimensional shade that still feels lightweight on the lips.
To lift and sculpt the lip further, I topped it off with Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Vanilla Beige. The contrast of tones adds dimension without going full ombré, just subtle enough to feel fresh and modern.
Summer Fridays, Lip Butter Balm, Vanilla Beige, $45 NZD.
HAIR
We styled soft waves using the GHD Platinum straightener, then broke them up and defined the texture with Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil. This oil has a reputation for being a bit too heavy for some hair types, but instead of writing it off, I reframed how I used it.
Rather than applying it all over, I used just a small amount to separate individual curls, tame frizz and smooth down the crown. It’s brilliant for refining details in a finished look, especially if you’re working with textured or voluminous hair that needs just a touch of control.
Bread Beauty Supply, Hair Oil Everyday Gloss, $47 NZD.
CONCLUSION
This look was all about the nuances of contrast, texture and tone to create something that felt equal parts undone and elevated. By grounding the makeup in warm neutrals and layering in subtle detail from the glint of shimmer on the lids to the sculpted blush and glossed-up lip — we landed on a beauty moment that feels cool, composed and quietly powerful.
Are you an Auckland creative looking to collaborate on something cool? We’re always looking to create opportunities and expand what the local industry can be. Whether you are a stylist, photographer, videographer, writer, makeup artist or hairstylist — we want to hear from you! Get in touch at hello@chattychums.com!
Photographer: Willow Handy
Stylist: Levi Tan
Makeup: Jenny Jung
Model: Sophie Chung
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