Whether you interpret no-makeup makeup as completely foundation-free or envision it more as a softer take on your usual makeup look, it’s hard to deny the appeal of the soft girl trend. And the latest spin-off of the trend—the no-mascara look—proves that the pared-down approach to makeup isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The no-mascara makeup look, as you can probably guess, involves forgoing mascara and accentuating the eyes only with eyeliner and eyeshadow. While skipping mascara may sound strange, especially if you have shorter or fairer lashes, the unexpected approach allows you to play up your eyes without looking too “done.” Ahead, we’ll share everything you need to know about the no-mascara makeup trend and offer tips on defining your eyes without the popular lash-lengthening staple.Why Go Mascara-Free? A no-mascara look may not be for everyone, but it certainly has its perks—especially if you’re looking to simplify your makeup routine. For one, skipping mascara cuts down on the time you’d spend doing your makeup, allowing you to get out the door more quickly. It can also help make maintaining your makeup throughout the day a bit easier, as no mascara, naturally, means no under-eye mascara smudging or flaking. No-mascara makeup is also surprisingly versatile. While natural lashes are an obvious choice for a minimalist makeup routine, doing a makeup look without mascara also gives you room to play around with bold eye makeup styles without feeling over the top.How To Define Your Eyes Without Mascara Mascara is far from being the only makeup product that can be used to emphasize your eyes. If you’re looking to define your eyes while keeping your lashes bare, here’s what we recommend doing.1. Curl your lashes If you have long but straight lashes, simply curling them may be enough to make your eyes look bigger and more open. The trick is to start at the base of your lashes and slowly work your way up to the tip, clamping each section for about five seconds to help prevent your fringe from falling flat.2. Add depth with eyeshadow Making the no-mascara makeup trend work is all about finding other ways of adding subtle depth to your eyes. Opting for soft or neutral shades to shape your eyes is the perfect way to stick to a minimal makeup look while adding definition. To avoid shadow fallout on your lashes, try using a cream eyeshadow to define your eyes. We’re fans of the IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks, available in 12 blendable, creaseproof shades.3. Tightline your eyes Tightlining is an eyeliner technique that can help subtly define your lash line and make your lashes appear fuller. To tightline your eyes, grab a waterproof pencil mascara, such as the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil, and trace your upper and lower waterlines (the thin strip of skin between your lashes and your eyeball). Use a dark brown or black shade for a more sultry look, or opt for an off-white liner to make your eyes appear bigger.4. Brush up your brows Mascara is often used to make the eyes look more awake, but you can get the same effect with a bit of brow gel. Use a clear or tinted brow gel, like the NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler, to brush up your arches and hold them in place—this subtle tweak can help make your eyes appear more open, and in turn, make you look more alert (no mascara needed).
