Typically, the only decision to make when it comes to mascara has been whether to opt for deepest black or softer brown. But now, a delicate alternative shade has been making waves when it comes to lashes. Noticeable but not too dark, it catches the light with an almost hypnotic subtlety, making the eyes look large and bright. It’s officially time to consider gray mascara.
Where did the gray mascara trend start?
A ’90s trend that’s building momentum on TikTok, gray mascara is a trick that’s been used in film and on editorial shoots for decades for its ability to give eyes a soft definition without ever looking harsh or overwhelming.
For makeup artists, gray mascara does everything that darker formulas do—defining the outline of the eye, fanning the lashes and creating the illusion of a lifted, more awake eye. However, unlike black mascara, gray tends to “disappear” into the background, allowing the whites of the eyes to pop, instead.
Who does gray mascara suit?
For fair people (who likely have lighter eyelashes), gray is a revelation: it softens the features by imitating the subtle natural shade of the lashes without weighing down the eyes.
On deep skin tones, the gray adds a pop of contrasting color, lightening the lashes that frame the eye. On medium skin tones, it works in a similar way to a neutral brown, offering almost imperceptible definition. Gray and brown mascaras are particularly well-suited to a “no-makeup” makeup look, if that’s what you’re after.
Gray mascara is especially good at enhancing green and blue eyes, picking up on the undertones to make them look bright and awake.
How to choose the right shade of mascara
- Black: adds drama
- Brown: softens
- gray: highlights
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
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