So I was just peacefully scrolling through TikTok when I came across a video that made me wince: It looks like liquid eyeliner might be the latest makeup item to be ditched by Gen Z.
I don’t mean to point fingers, we’re all friends, I just want to clarify the situation a bit… What’s going on?!
The video in question was posted by @lynettehoyle, in which she asked, “Hey young people, tell me, are we still using winged liquid eyeliner? Because I don’t see young people doing it anymore. I’m worried because it’s the only way I can look sexy. Please give me some advice. Thanks a lot,” and she captioned the video, “Calling all girls under 27. Help your mom.”
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To be fair, the comments section was kind, with users breaking the news gently: “Do whatever you want but cat eye is outdated. Straight eyeliner is in but I see more alternative looks with liquid eyeliner,” one person wrote. Another posted, “I’m 27 too and I’m worried cat eye is going out of style because I don’t see anyone younger doing it anymore.”
A black liquid cat eye, in particular, drew criticism. But there seemed to be a lot of agreement on softer brown or pencil eyeliner. “I think winged eyeliner is fine, but it usually looks softer because you apply it with eyeshadow or pencil. Liquid eyeliner is too sharp,” explained one commenter. “I only use brown eyeliner because it makes my eyes look more defined,” agreed another. “If you’re following the trend, I think a soft brown smoky wing is more stylish right now,” a third commented, while another volunteered, “Brown straight wing eyeliner!”
The actual shape also seems to have gotten more bling: “Winged eyeliner never goes out of style, but they suit our eye shapes better now and are smaller. Actual winged eyeliners are also experimenting more with shapes, so maybe try a brown eyeliner,” suggested one poster.
There were also some mini-tutorials: “You have a girly pop look, but I think a soft smoky brown shadow without liquid eyeliner would look great on you,” one user said, while another suggested, “Soften your brows, dab your lashes, eyeliner and glittery eyeshadow, apply some bronze to your lids and a soft brown shadow as eyeliner, slightly blended. Give it a try and see if it works for you.”
One commenter suggested that the younger Gen Z were driving this change, pointing out that “everyone in their 20s wears eyeliner, it’s only teenagers who don’t,” but this was quickly refuted by another who said, “I’m 18 but I’ve been wearing eyeliner since I was like 14 so that’s not true.”
It’s a tense time for millennial makeup. Earlier this month, under-eye concealer was declared “dead” as a whole new generation leans toward a more minimalist aesthetic. To be fair, brown liner does offer a softer, more natural finish. But as a 31-year-old millennial who’s spent the last 18 years honing the smoothest liquid liner around, I can’t afford to lose the only advantage I have. Please, don’t tell me to shy away from the most sophisticated contouring products now, especially as I’m getting older.
