Gen Z has cancelled the 'millennial cat eye'. Here's what's replacing it.

Okay, a bit of shush, please. A BITTA SHUSH.

Right now I have eleventy million deadlines. An overflowing inbox. Haven't eaten breakfast. But none of this matters, because Allure recently referred to eyeliner as the 'skinny jeans of makeup' — and I can't stop thinking about it. Like, it's truly rattled me.

Watch: Speaking of eyeliner.. if you're struggling to get the line straight we have a brilliant solution. Post continues below.

Over the past couple of years (ever since our introduction to all things deeply 'cheugy', really), the internet has been heavily debating whether winged eyeliner is out of style and completely uncool — or if it remains a timeless look that will never falter.

And with the death of everything from eyeshadow to foundation, the mere fact that we're having a conversation about whether liquid eyeliner is still cool or not leads me to believe it's probably not cool.

In a recent TikTok, content creator Lynette Hoyle said: "Okay, 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."

And honestly, same.

@lynettehoyle

Calling all girlies 27 and under, help mom out 🥲 #wingedeyeliner #millennialsoftiktok

♬ original sound - Lynette

Someone wrote, "I am also 27 and I fear it is out. I never see anyone wearing it anymore who is younger," commented another.

Yikes.

"Wouldn't recognise myself without my winged liner — bury me in it," said another commenter.

"Taylor Swift still wears winged liner so we are good," said someone else — and honestly, TRUE.

But what if it's not the product but rather the technique that simply needs a refresh?

Someone wrote, "You can do any makeup you like but the cat eye is out, straight liner is in but I mostly see liquid liner with alternative looks."

Yes, straight liner. No cat eye. No flick.

In a recent viral post, New York-based content creator Megan Bowen (@meganbowen__), basically showed how liquid eyeliner looked in 2016 versus how it looks now — and CAN SOMEONE PLS CHECK ON LAUREN CONRAD?

"Nothing wrong with 2016 — I lived, laughed, loved it," she shared.

"The theory is that a lot of women will keep the makeup routine that they did in high school or college. But just like you wouldn't wear the same pair of jeans since high school or college — you've probably outgrown them, and your makeup routine should grow with you."

And yes, please. Do go on...

@meganbowen__

Tutorial is up!! Let’s elevate that liner my friends…it’s time lol #wingedeyeliner #eyeliner #liquidliner #cateyes #makeup #makeuptutorial #blackeyeliner #browneyes #browneyemakeup #millenial #millenialsoftiktok #millenialmakeup

♬ original sound - vicmram

She starts by telling me there's one major difference between these two eyeliner looks — and the secret is all in the application technique.

She goes on to say the eyeliner she's using in this tutorial is NYX, and yes sweetie that's great. But the technique, TELL US ABOUT THE TECHNIQUE.

She said the old way of doing it involves starting with the eyeliner in the middle of our eyelid drawing a sharp line/wing outwards.

Coolcoolcool.

Instead, she applies it from the bottom of her eye and not in the middle like I've been doing for the past 117 years.

"The 2016 of applying eyeliner starts with a thick liner on the top of the eye. And then it quickly does a sharp diagonal 'up'.

Instead, the new version "actually starts with the bottom lash line and continues on a straight, slightly diagonal, to-the-side. So again, not a thick 'up and sharp' diagonal [line]."

Using small strokes, she takes the line to the outside edge of her eye, following that angle "up and away".

The line on her top lash is thinner. Tight-lined. Sleeker, fresher and... cooler?

"Use a little brown liner at the top. Add your mascara — I like waterproof mascara."

But, hang on. Does it really look better?

Immediately, yes.

The actual technique is insanely difficult to explain (what am I, a writer or something?), so take a peek at the video below:

@meganbowen__

Replying to @meganbowen__ simple way to go from 2016 to 2023!! Lmk if you try!! 🥰 #eyeliner #wingedeyeliner #liquidliner #cateyes #makeup #makeuptutorial #blackeyeliner #browneyes #browneyemakeup #millennial #millennialsoftiktok #millenialmakeup

♬ original sound - Megan Bowen

Obviously, everyone has the right to do their makeup as they wish — you do you, yada, yada, yada.

But you gotta admit it. The 2024 version looks a fair bit cleaner. Elongated. Makes your eyes look better.

So, am I ditching my liquid eyeliner? Nah.

Am I changing my eyeliner technique? I think.... yes. Yes, I am.

Whether you prefer a cat eye over 'clean girl' makeup, you wanna stick to the same technique or shake it up — beauty is a 'you do you' space, so go forth and do what makes you happy!

For more from Erin Docherty, follow her on Instagram.

Would you try this eyeliner technique? What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: TikTok/@meganbowen__

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