If you thought that mascara in shades beyond basic black and brown had been consigned to the ‘not-to-be-repeated-80s-looks’ bin, think again. This may have been the summer of red carpet-celebrity ghost lashes (ie. bare), but for those of us without a make-up artist in tow to beautify the rest of our facial features, some eye enhancement is a must. And for me, that’s recently come in the surprising form of multi-hued mascaras, from neon pink to mint green.
A retro beauty trend I never thought I’d revisit
I just about remember coloured lashes from first time around. Growing up in small town Northern Ireland my older cousin was my style arbiter and wore the kind of bright blue eye make-up I’d not seen beyond the pages of Smash Hits. But it wasn’t the frosted cerulean eyeshadow that captivated me, rather how her lashes fluttered a majestic shade of royal blue when she blinked.
Today, between the flurry of recent runway shows where models sported a rainbow of elongated falsies, the shift from demure to overstated make-up trends, plus images of Kaia Gerber in Ryan Murphy’s nostalgic The Shards filling my feeds, I’ve been in the mood to channel my childhood mascara moments.
The hot pink mascara that changed my mind
In the spirit of 80’s boldness, a lick of hot pink is up first – namely Dior Diorshow Overvolume Mascara in 840 Overpink, £38. Not as terrifying on as it looks on the wand, once applied, the neon shade only impactfully catches the eye (excuse the pun) as your face turns to show off lashes from the side. It repeatedly caused an ‘Oh wow - your eyes look incredible!’ reaction from friends who would suddenly notice them when I moved my head. Rather than being unnervingly bright, my Dior pink looks fresh and playful. And that’s exactly the kind of effect you want – a subtle surprise that gives eyes definition while underscoring just how elegant an unexpected pop of colour on lashes can be.
Why coloured mascara looks surprisingly sophisticated now
What makes today’s palette of mascara shades look modern rather than retro is pigments that have enough oomph to be seen without being overpowering, plus slick formulas that won’t make colour look heavy, chalky and painted on by a toddler. They apply smoothly and offer a silky finish so lashes look lustrous and sophisticated, even when wearing surprising shades.
“The joy of coloured mascara is that it works on everyone,” enthuses make-up artist and colourful lash fan Ciara O’Shea, who has tended to faces including Jodie Comer and Alexa Chung and has Tiktok videos @ciaradoesmakeup on how to wear coloured mascara well. “You can layer up vivid shades to make a brilliant, bold statement or use one under your regular black or brown mascara to give lashes added dimension and impact. To maximise the effect, choose a tone that complements your eye colour. If you have green or blue eyes, try a very red-brown or purple; if you have brown eyes, opt for vibrant blue.”
The shades I’m reaching for at 53
Since embracing my electric fuchsia lashes, I’ve played with a variety of other fun and fluttery shades too. Similarly to the high octane punch of pink, By Terry Terrybly Mascara in Neon Green, £40, transforms into a flattering mint tone and I love that the formula is packed with nourishing skincare ingredients. Another new favourite is Victoria Beckham Future Lash in Bordeux, £32, a deep raspberry that looks russet on my dark lashes and gives fantastic lift as it fans them out.
How to wear coloured mascara in midlife
To begin dipping a toe – or rather a lash – into the coloured mascara movement, try adding one or two layers just to the tips for a flash that will look more apparent as you flutter. Or if you’re particularly nervous about experimenting with a hue outside your comfort zone, try Ciara’s tricky of applying it underneath your regular mascara. “It’s a sneaky way of using colour without it being too obvious as it’s more hidden,” she says. “For example, I like an aubergine or blue under black. It’s also a good way of making sure you use up the colourful version, rather than trying it once and then forgetting about it.”
As your colour confidence grows, get bolder by coating the complete lash with your selected shade or opt for bright hues that are as playful as they are eye-catching. The fairer your lashes, the more vibrant the colour will look. For a vivid flicker of cyan that can be built up to the volume and colour intensity you want, Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Blue Mist, £12.99, is a super-weightless but mega-volumising fan favourite. On me, it applies rich navy. Or for a softer royal blue shade, Kiko Milano Maxi Mod Colour Mascara in Electric Blue, £13.99, includes argan oil to help keep lashes supple as the formula slides on. BeneFit does an impressive blue in their bestselling BADgal BANG! Mascara, but I prefer their Electric Purple shade, £28, for velvety depth.
The beauty rule? Let your lashes do the talking
As for the rest of the face, keep it simple. “Use an understated eyeshadow like taupe brown or a soft wash of subtle reflective shimmer on the lid to really accentuate the coloured lash,” adds Ciara. “I match the cheek and lip shades too, so the overall look feels easy-going and harmonious.” I’m also happy to leave bare lashes to the A-listers and stick to my approach of lowkey with an unexpected twist. If there’s one 80’s make-up trend worth revisiting (and let’s face it, there can’t be many more), a flash of colourful lash is it.
