The makeup staple that’s taking a back seat on celebrities’ faces
When Zendaya arrived at The Odyssey’s New York premiere, the full-sized wings protruding from her gown stole the show, but a more subtle detail of her look has grabbed almost as much attention.
The actress’ angelic outfit was enhanced by her luminous makeup look, which included a trend Hollywood can’t get enough of: “ghost lashes”.
Zendaya has jumped aboard the “ghost lashes” beauty trend. AP
Detailing the Euphoria star’s beauty look on Instagram, makeup artist Ernesto Casillas said it was “intentionally minimal” and focused on “glowy skin”.
The products heroed included foundation, concealer, blush and balm, but eye products weren’t listed in Casillas’ post. We can’t say for sure Zendaya didn’t wear mascara at all, but her lashes were low-key – and she’s in good company.
Plenty of stars have been moving away from the bold lash looks we’re so used to seeing, eschewing the dramatic extensions and falsies and letting mascara take a back seat with a lighter application.
Gigi Hadid was among a handful of stars with low-key lashes at the Met Gala this year. Getty
We’ve seen it on red carpets, including the 2026 Met Gala; at various Fashion Week runways over the past two years; and on the social feeds of big names like Hailey Bieber.
It seems the step back from big, thick lash looks has inspired some beauty lovers to take the next step and ditch mascara altogether; a search for ‘no mascara makeup’ yields thousands of results on TikTok.
Last year, Bieber told British Vogue she was “not the biggest mascara girl” and had stopped using it in her daytime makeup routine, initially because she kept forgetting to.
“Then I started realising how much more I liked the way my makeup looked without mascara,” she said, adding she would still curl her lashes but leave them bare.
Hailey Bieber says mascara is no longer in her daytime makeup routine. TikTok/@britishvogue
Over in the States, The Cut has gone so far as to declare a ‘No Mascara Summer’.
“We’re seeing a lot of people dissolving filler and scaling back these overly done, overly enhanced looks. That’s just the way trends work – we snap back from certain extremes,” makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell told the publication.
“I honestly think no-mascara looks are even more feasible for working women, mums, and people who are like, I want to feel fabulous in five seconds.
“So while it has a cool-girl vibe to it, I also think it’s a very functional look.”
Many proponents of ‘ghost lashes’ swear by shifting focus to other parts of their makeup look, whether it’s a bold lip – red lipstick worn with no other makeup has been a trend unto itself on TikTok – or blushed cheek.
Others swear by curling their lashes and using lash serums to help keep them in top condition and even help them grow.
“Sometimes I feel like I don’t even have to wear mascara anymore because it’s made such a difference to the condition of my lashes,” makeup artist Lisa Eldridge has said.
The idea of one less step in our makeup routines when we’re rushing to get out the door is undoubtedly tempting.
Mascara has been a makeup staple for decades, but it’s retreating from the spotlight lately. iStock
However, if the thought of going mascaraless when it’s usually a staple in your routine is more terrifying than appealing, there are ways to dip your toe in without going all the way.
“I usually tell people that if they’re nervous about completely ditching their mascara, start by switching to a brown mascara,” Sewell told The Cut.
“It softens the look, and it might help you get ready to take the plunge.”
