It’s funny—mascara feels like the training wheels of learning how to wear makeup. Almost every girl remembers her first experience with it: carefully holding the wand, convinced the tube might somehow poke you in the eye and cause a lifelong catastrophe. Then, before you know it, you’re a few years older and begging your mom for one swipe of blush or a dot of concealer, officially moving beyond mascara.
Or so you thought. Because no matter how the trend pendulum swings, long lashes have always been considered the foundation of almost every beauty look. Until now. Lately, however, the no-mascara look has quietly been making a comeback.
Why the No Mascara-Trend Is Taking Off
We first started noticing the shift on celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Lorde—who appeared at the 2025 Met Gala without the lengthy, lifted lashes that typically dominate red carpets. Around the same time, the rise of the clean-girl beauty era, championed by faces like Sofia Richie Grainge, had already started pulling us away from the heavy contour and full-glam looks of our 2016 heyday.
And honestly? It’s freeing. Going about your day without a thick, caked lash line feels surprisingly refreshing. Not having to scrub off stubborn black residue at the end of the night? Even better.
Then, a few weeks ago during New York Fashion Week, I started spotting the look everywhere. One particularly fashionable girl stood out to me—she wore no eye makeup at all, and I remember being oddly mesmerized by how polished she looked without it. It made me realize something I’d always quietly suspected: I actually like my eyes better without mascara. On me, mascara has a way of clumping along my lash line in a way that never really felt enhancing.
That unspoken moment of inspiration gave me the confidence to try going a full week without mascara—and now I’m hooked. Judging by what I’m seeing everywhere lately, it seems like the rest of the world might be catching on, too.
How to Try the No-Mascara Look
Want to embrace one of this year’s most talked-about (and admittedly controversial) beauty trends? Same. The good news is that there are a few different ways to approach it.
If you’re not quite ready to give up mascara entirely, you can ease into the look with a lash lift and tint. It gives your lashes shape and definition without the daily swipe of mascara. Some people also opt for subtle faux lashes for a similar effect—enhanced, but still natural-looking. But if you really want to commit to the trend, the easiest way to do it is simple: Do your makeup as usual and skip the mascara. You might be surprised by how polished it can still look.
Another approach is leaning into a softer, more minimal routine overall. The no-mascara look pairs especially well with the “no-makeup makeup” aesthetic—think glowing skin, brushed-up brows, and a little cream blush for color. The key is making the rest of your features feel balanced so the look reads intentional, not unfinished.
The Best Products to Execute the No-Mascara Trend Yourself
Skin
Glowy prep products are the secret to making the no-mascara look feel intentional. Instead of relying on heavier coverage, try a radiance-boosting base like Saie Glowy Super Gel or the ILIA Milk Base to add light, hydration, and dimension. When lashes are bare, luminous skin helps the entire face look fresh, polished, and naturally put together.
Lashes
Even without mascara, a simple lash curl can instantly open up the eyes. This small step creates subtle definition while still maintaining the effortless, minimal feel of the trend.
Brows
Well-groomed brows help frame the face and add structure when you’re skipping mascara. A clear or softly tinted brow gel can lift and define without making the look feel overly done.
Blush
A touch of blush brings life and dimension back into the face. Cream formulas are especially flattering for this look, adding a soft, natural flush that keeps the overall makeup feeling fresh and intentional.
Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer
Tinsley Crisp is a Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl and specializes in reporting on the season’s latest trends and hottest products. As a New York City-based stylist, she’s committed to injecting joy into the art of getting dressed and delivering attainable yet aspirational content to our readers.
