Gen Z says winged eyeliner is outdated. Let's bffr
It’s only been around for 12,000 years...but okay.
Welcome readers, old and new! Please hit the 💖 above and leave a comment if today’s newsletter speaks to you. Also, I’m keeping it short and sweet (and a bit sassy!) for this week’s topic.
Gen Z strikes again! First, they came for Millennials’ ankle socks. Then, they ragged on skinny jeans. And now, they’re trashing—wait for it—winged eyeliner. Yes, you read that correctly, the timeless look that’s been around for almost 12,000 years.
For the past year, TikTokers (in particular) have debated whether or not the cat-eye is out of style. And while I’m all for change, the idea that winged liner is outdated is silly. For one, the makeup look has transcended gender, social class, culture, and religion for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, for instance, men and women rimmed their eyelids with kohl as a form of protection against “the evil eye,” as well as the harsh sunlight in the desert.
As if that weren’t convincing enough, winged liner has even outlasted certain human races, like the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia. Aside from its historical context, there’s no denying that a dagger-sharp wing is often used as a weapon for power. And for many, especially those in marginalized communities, it’s also a symbol of strength and autonomy. The style is so iconic (like actually, I’m not being hyperbolic) that legends like Nefertiti, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor are known for their feline flicks. It’s ingrained in their image and a trademark of their beauty. So, yeah, winged eyeliner is a makeup mainstay.
So, now that we’ve established winged eyeliner will always be in style (just like red lipstick), let’s get into the most irritating part about it being considered “outdated.” What irks me is that we have to categorize everything into an aesthetic and justify our tastes. Eyeliner is eyeliner. It doesn’t need to fit into these boxes that we’ve labeled as “gothcore,” “indie sleeze,” “clean girl,” and so forth.
It also doesn’t need an explanation. Sometimes, the act of drawing it on is as normal as brushing your teeth. There doesn’t need to be a rhyme or a reason for it. We’ve grown accustomed to breaking down our outfits online, over-analyzing why we wore these shoes over other ones that we don’t even dress up for our own liking because we fear the comment section.
But here’s the thing: When it comes to beauty and fashion, there doesn’t have to be a motive. It should feel intuitive.
We’re not only sifting through trends at record speed, but we’re constantly shown a highly curated algorithm that makes us believe we can only dress or look a certain way. That’s why, instead of using common sense or personal judgment, people are convinced that winged eyeliner is outdated.
Another issue is knowing the difference between an outdated trend vs. it being personal style. For example, thin eyebrows were a product of the 1920s and 1990s, and it has since made a resurgence in pop culture. That’s a trend. But choosing to tweeze your eyebrows to shape them to your desired look, like giving your curved brows an arch, is personal style. And for the record, winged eyeliner isn’t a trend, which is why it’s never going to be outdated or out of style. However, it’s certainly a personal style. You can exaggerate the wing and give it drama like Amy Winehouse did or keep it demure like Ariana Grande. The length, thickness, and shape are up to you.
So, for the love of god, can we please stop trying to categorize everything and leave timeless makeup styles alone?
Some of us with eyes too close together depend on winged eye-liner. Its make-up, it's transformative. Get a hobby, Gen Z.