Every day, it seems there’s a new makeup routine or hack trending online, however, the latest craze sees individuals forgo one key product for a more natural look so I had to try it
Despite the countless new beauty trends that seem to emerge each week, I have pretty much managed to maintain the same makeup routine for the past decade. So when the latest beauty craze, ‘no-mascara makeup,’ began taking over my TikTok for you page, I quickly jumped on the bandwagon, drawn in by the routine’s simplicity.
Mascara was invented in the 1830s by Eugene Rimmel, founder of the renowned beauty company Rimmel. It was made by mixing petroleum jelly and coal dust. Since its commercial launch, mascara has become essential to women’s make-up routines. Therefore, skipping this product when doing my beauty routine feels like missing the final touch.
The ‘no mascara makeup’ trend is created by doing precisely what it sounds like: your typical beauty routine without mascara. The trend has also been paired with a bold lip to counteract the softness of the eyes and create a more refined and effortless ‘glam’ look.
Many celebrities have eagerly embraced this viral beauty trend. For instance, Florence Pugh made headlines last year by attending a red carpet-event without wearing mascara. Pugh’s make-up artist, Alex Babsky, shared a photo of her iconic look on Instagram, captioning it: “Super-fresh @florencepugh today (we even left off mascara) for Dune: Part 2 press in Mexico City.”
So, over the weekend, I finally decided to give the trend a go and was pleasantly surprised by the results. I began my make-up routine by applying a tinted moisturiser as my base, followed by concealer to cover up a few blemishes. I finished the look with Clinique’s Black Honey Lip Balm. The entire process took me less than five minutes and left me feeling confident.
Not adding mascara made it seem like I wasn’t wearing any makeup at all. This might not be ideal for everyone, but I really appreciated its simplicity. Additionally, skipping mascara enhanced my skin’s dewy and radiant look, as there was no intense contrast from my eyes.
Beauty Influencer Rach D’Aguanno, @rachellldaguanno, posted a video to TikTok detailing the allure of this trend. In it, she explains, “No mascara make-up doesn’t mean nothing on the face.” She adds, “Whenever I see a girl wearing no mascara and a full face of make-up, one thing that always stands out is that they are either on the paler side or are bronzed up. There is really no in-between.”
Another beauty content creator, Poppy Rawson, @poppyrawson1, reviewed the trend, stating, “This no-mascara bold lip look is going to be an absolute sensation very soon.”
So next time you rush out the door but want to create a quick and naturally beautiful make-up look, try forgoing mascara. You might, too, be pleasantly surprised with the results.