Skipping mascara has become one of the chicest statements in modern makeup, turning ghost lashes into beauty’s latest obsession.
When even the glitziest red carpets start embracing bare lashes, you know a beauty shake-up is underway. At the 2024 Met Gala, style-watchers were stunned to see A-listers like Jennifer Lopez and Riley Keough hit the carpet without a single swipe of mascara. Fast forward to the 2025 Met Gala, and the recently coined “ghost lash” trend was practically its own star. Lorde’s barely-there flutter and Sofia Richie Grainge’s subtle, soft-glam look proved that the no-mascara moment had arrived in full force.
Far from being a fluke, this ghost-lash trend ties into a broader clean beauty movement and the “less is more” approach sweeping makeup right now. There’s a growing desire for authenticity and simplicity in beauty, encouraging people to pare down their routines and let natural features shine. In fact, ever since softer brown mascaras took hold during the pandemic, many have been shifting away from heavy eye looks toward little or no mascara at all. Using fewer products also aligns with a sustainable, skin-first mindset, making the case that a swipe of mascara might be optional when healthy skin and confidence can do the talking.
Of course, nothing propels a beauty trend faster than celebrity endorsement. On Instagram, Hailey Bieber has practically turned bare lashes into her signature look, often posting selfies with nary a mascara in sight. The look has caught on across pop culture too, with BLACKPINK’s Rosé giving it her stamp of approval in a recent appearance and Gen Z stars like Millie Bobby Brown also going mascara-free to refreshing effect. Even enduring glam icons like Jennifer Lopez are trying it out. When the likes of J.Lo feel confident leaving their lashes naked, it’s clear the beauty rules are being rewritten.
Watch on TikTok
Meanwhile, social media has been busy fueling the mascara-free fire. On TikTok, the #FullFaceNoMascara hashtag has amassed over 1.6 million views, with users insisting that going sans mascara “just hits different.” The appeal isn’t just aesthetic, either. Skipping mascara means no midday smudges or flaky fallout to deal with. That everyday practicality makes the trend even easier to love. And when a bare lash is paired with a bold lip or a graphic liner, the effect is unexpectedly balanced.
