Has Gen Z canceled liquid eyeliner? Millennials say it’s the only way to look hot
The cat’s out of the bag: liquid winged eyeliner is outdated.
Despite becoming the hallmark look of Taylor Swift and Adele, the sharp, jet-black swipe of liquid liner has been declared archaic by the likes of Gen Z.
“OK, can one of the young people let me know, are we still doing winged liquid liner? Because I don’t see the young people doing it anymore, and I am concerned because it is the only way that I look hot,” creator Lynette Hoyle said in a recent TikTok video that has since scored 3.8 million views.
In her bid for help from “all girlies 27 and under,” viewers offered advice in the comments, recommending Hoyle try a softer brown eyeshadow or pencil liner to create a subtle wing — which she later admitted was “correct” guidance — while others refused to surrender their own winged liquid liner.
“I only do brown eyeliner, it lifts my eyes,” wrote one user.
“I am also 27 and I fear it is out. I never see anyone wearing it anymore who is younger,” commented another.
“Taylor Swift still wears winged liner so we are good,” argued someone else.
“Wouldn’t recognize myself without my winged liner — bury me in it,” stated another person.
But Arizona-based makeup artist Jackie Alves confirmed Hoyle’s suspicions, saying that the trendsetting generation is now “opting for a softer approach” to eye looks, much to the chagrin of those with permanent, tattooed makeup.
“I’m definitely seeing a move away from the glitz and glam of the 2016 era — bright colors, glitter and cut creases,” she told Newsweek.
“Today’s makeup is all about clean looks and soft shades, with a smoky brown accent replacing the bold liquid liner.”
But the movement for au natural makeup hasn’t just vanquished liquid liner — it’s annihilating eyeshadow and bottom lid liner, too.
Earlier this year, eyeshadow — specifically a smokey eye — was branded as “an old-lady thing,” while one woman’s journey to break her bottom lid eyeliner habit went viral.
“The main difference between Gen Z and Gen Y [millennials] is that the older we get, we tend to settle into a ‘look’ that we like, and can do quickly when kids or work demand more of our time. So Gen Y is still trendy, but not as much as Gen Z,” The Buyer Insider founder Shawna Suckow told Newsweek.
“Winged liner isn’t totally out, but it’s definitely less pronounced.”