The ‘Old Lady’ Makeup Mistake That Gives Away Your Age, According to Gen Z
You may have plucked your eyebrows so thin in the 1990s that they still haven’t grown back.
But according to TikTokers, this isn’t the old-fashioned beauty trend that reveals your age.
5
5
While today’s youth have rediscovered many styles from the 90s and 00s, they have abandoned a makeup trend that was absolutely necessary 20 years ago.
There are over 90 million posts from Gen Z vs. Millennials on TikTok.
Popular topics of discussion include the style of jeans, the length of socks, and how to tuck in your shirt.
But now teens are fighting over whether EYESHADOW is just for “old ladies.”
Among younger TikTok users, the general consensus is that a modest smokey eye is a surefire way to give away your age.
A 45-year-old mother took to the video platform to share what her pre-teen contributed to the conversation.
Jennifer Latch is an expert in beauty and aging gracefully. Her social media motto is, “Getting older is cool.”
Jennifer, a mother of three, has a 12-year-old youngest daughter who told her that eye shadow is a “Generation X, millennial thing.”
“Also an old lady thing,” she told the camera.
“Is that true?”
The video, which has since gone viral on TikTok, sparked a new debate in the comments.
“My 13 year old son told me to stop wearing eye shadow so I guess it [an old lady thing]”, said mother Jazmina Pashima.
“I have to agree with her,” said another social media user. “Eyeshadow makes people look a lot older, especially when it’s intense.”
“I’m an older Gen Z and this is true,” joked a third. “Most girls only wear it on special occasions now.”
5
Fashion editor reveals the ’90s trends that need to be a thing of the past
Trends from the ’90s and ’00s in particular have become a hit with Gen Z — probably because they didn’t wear them the first time around. Here, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale breaks down some of the trends that made a comeback that we wish hadn’t.
Disc belts
“The belt was a hit with celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Blake Lively, but in itself it didn’t do anything that a belt should do: it was purely a fashion statement, not a piece of jewelry to hang anything up.
“And it seems I’m not the only one who’s furious about its return. Many are voicing their opinions on TikTok, saying, ‘Oh no, not the disc belt! I don’t think I have the energy for that again’ – I get you.”
Jelly shoes
“After decades away from the shelves, they’re back and this time they’re not just for kids.
They come in all sorts of colourful patterns and can be found everywhere on the high street, in flat or heeled versions.
“Not only do you look very childish when you wear shoes like that, but people should also be aware that they are not exactly comfortable. Blister plasters come in handy.”
Pedal pushers
“The cropped, knee-length pant was all the rage in the ’90s and 2000s, but this time around the fashion world is going crazy for it. Both Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski have worn them recently.
“The original IT girls, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot, made the pants – also known as capri pants – look effortlessly cool and glamorous.
“Somehow they don’t seem to have the same effect this time.”
Still, some TikTokers — even older Gen Zers — were particularly out to defend eyeshadow, assuring their millennial peers that it’s not an “old lady thing.”
“I wear it almost every day,” one person wrote.
“I’m from the older Gen Z, born in 1997, and I love eyeshadow and hate the tight look,” said another.
“As Gen Z, trends come and go with the wind,” assured a third.
Eye shadow makes people look much older, especially if it is intense
Gen Z beauty fanatics
“Minimalist and natural looks have been in for a while, but that will change soon.
“Just wear what you like, confidence is always important.”
Inspired by the grunge music scene, dark smokey eyes were a popular makeup choice in the 1990s.
Black and dark gray tones were often used to create a patchy, imperfect look, with matte finishes enhancing the striking look.
5
5
Angelina Jolie was a fan of the grunge shade that reached her eyebrows, while celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow favored a blue look.
Matte eyeshadows in pastel shades – especially white, silver and light blue – were also popular in the 1990s, paired with matching matte lipsticks.
In the 2000s, bright colors like neon green, pink, blue and purple were popular thanks to the rise of pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
Shimmering, metallic and glossy eyeshadows also became increasingly popular for evening looks.
But according to TikTokers, these trends are completely out.
According to them, a simple layer of bronzer is enough to get trendy eyelids.
