How To Do "Ghost Lashes," The No-Mascara Trend For Low-Effort Makeup Days

The Internet couldn't stop talking about Zendaya's look at The Odyssey premiere in New York City on July 14. But unlike the usual red carpet beauty moments that go viral for dramatic eyeshadow or ultra-glam lashes, this one stood out for doing the exact opposite.

At first glance, her makeup looked almost effortless. Her skin looked fresh and glowy, her lips had just a hint of color, and her eyes weren't overloaded with products. Fans quickly dubbed it a "barely there makeup" look—a softer take on beauty that focuses on simply enhancing your natural features.

But while everyone was busy talking about the glowing skin, beauty lovers noticed another detail: Zendaya appeared to be wearing little to no mascara at all. And just like that, the Internet became obsessed with ghost lashes.

The ghost lashes trend is essentially the opposite of the bold lash looks we're used to. Instead of chasing fuller lashes, dramatic extensions, or a mascara that does it all, the goal is to let your natural lashes take center stage—or, more accurately, barely be seen. The look is subtle, lifted, and separated, fitting right into the growing shift toward softer, fresh, and effortless makeup.

Zendaya may have pushed ghost lashes into the spotlight, but Alexa Demie gave us an early preview. At the Euphoria Season 3 premiere, fans were quick to notice that she traded her character Maddy Perez's signature glam for understated lashes and a fresh-faced look.

There isn't just one way to do ghost lashes, either. Beauty and makeup content creators have all put their own spin on the trend. Some skip mascara altogether and leave their natural lashes completely untouched, even with a full face of makeup. Others prefer a little bit of grooming using simple tools like a lash curler, clear lash gel, and a lash separator. With these, you simply curl your lashes, then brush them through to keep them lifted and separated without adding noticeable color or volume.

The result is subtle but intentional. Your eyes still look awake and defined, but without the dramatic effect that mascara usually creates.

The entire idea behind barely-there makeup is using fewer products while still looking polished and put together. Instead of full coverage foundations, dramatic contour, and layers of eye makeup, the focus shifts toward healthy-looking skin, natural texture, and subtle color.

Due to popular demand, Zendaya's very own makeup artist Ernesto Casillas later shared how he created the viral look. The routine was refreshingly simple: moisturizer, serum, foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, and your fav lip product.

"The look is very minimal. It's almost no-makeup makeup. But the emphasis was on the sun-kissed look," he explained.

He started by letting moisturizer fully absorb into the skin before applying a foundation-and-serum mix for a lightweight finish. To bring more light to the face, he dabbed a lighter shade of concealer under the eyes, between the brows, and around the nostrils. He then added a bit of bronzer and finished with blush on the cheeks, nose, and above the brows to mimic where the sun would naturally hit.

Most notably, he skipped eye makeup altogether. There was no eyeshadow, no eyeliner, and no mascara. Instead, the focus remained on glowing skin and subtly defined features, allowing Zendaya's natural lashes to blend seamlessly into the overall look.

Judging by the internet's reaction to Zendaya's appearance, the barely-there makeup may be the latest proof that we're moving away from heavy, high-maintenance routines. And ghost lashes might just be the next beauty trend, convincing everyone that sometimes less really is more! 😉