It’s no secret that beauty trends have turned much more minimalist in recent years. The latest pared-back obsession that took over this summer? Ghost lashes.
As the name implies, ghost lashes are a bare or slightly enhanced eye look centered around your natural lashes. You can skip mascara altogether, apply a lash serum, or at the very least opt for clear mascara. Whatever you choose, the through line is ditching pigmented black or brown mascaras, which is ideal for hot summer temperatures and beach days (goodbye streaks!).
According to Ashunta Sheriff, makeup artist and founder of Ashunta Sheriff Makeup, ghost lashes still draw attention to the eyes despite the lack of product. “Skipping mascara doesn’t mean losing definition, it means redefining beauty in a fresh, effortless way,” says Sheriff. Another way to add extra oopmh? Well-groomed eyebrows. “A full lifted brow creates structure and draws attention to the eyes.”
The trend makes sense, given the declining popularity of eyelash extensions and the shift toward low-maintenance beauty trends in general. From low-maintenance hair colors to barely there manis, effortless beauty is all the rage these days. Is it a recession indicator? Possibly. But ghost lashes have more benefits to offer than just saving money on mascara and extensions. “Your lashes stay healthier since you’re not constantly applying and removing product, which can cause breakage,” says Sheriff.
While many celebs embraced ghost lashes this summer, Zendaya’s viral beauty look from the Odyssey press tour was the final nail in the coffin for mascara this summer—and celebrity makeup artist Sangwon Jeon predicts the trend will extend well into fall.
“I see ghost lashes having real staying power into fall 2026, especially as the appetite for natural, pared-back makeup continues to grow,” says Jeon, whose clients include Lupita Nyong’o and Arden Cho. “Beauty has been moving away from the idea that every feature needs to be perfected or heavily defined, and there’s something very current about leaving the lashes soft and almost untouched. Ghost lashes feel like a natural extension of that shift.”
