From helpful skincare hacks to DIY lipstick tips, users of all ages are learning more about makeup from TikTok’s ‘BeautyTok’ community. One trend that is all the rage right low is often dubbed ‘manga lashes,’ in which TikTok beauty enthusiasts are attempting to create an eye-opening, sky-high lash look inspired by manga or anime characters. The ideal manga lash look, as seen on the app, centers around applying your mascara onto individual lashes or in several clusters, and the doll-like, spidery lash trend is currently garnering millions of views.

We asked professional makeup artists for their input on ‘manga lashes,’ whether they think it can help someone look younger, and why the trend is becoming more and more popular. Read on for tips and suggestions from Vivi Mintara, professional makeup artist and CEO of Eye Makeup Lab, Eugenia Garnes, esthetician and makeup artist at Golidluxe Beauty Bar, and Mary Winkenwerder, professional makeup artist.

When searched into TikTok, the term ‘manga lashes’ (as of writing) currently garners over 38.5 million views. Garnes explains that manga lashes  “got their start in Japan, where they were originally used by performance artists.” Today, she adds, these lashes are “worn by women all over the world who want to add a touch of glamour to their everyday looks.” While some makeup enthusiasts opt for “synthetic manga lashes ,” many others prefer “mink or silk lashes,” Garnes says, because they are “softer and more natural-looking.” No matter what type of manga lashes you choose, Garnes says that “you’re sure to turn heads when you walk into the room.”

As for the trend’s popularity (involving spaced-out, voluminous and clumped, clustered lashes), Garnes believes that this is due to their versatility. “They can be used to create a wide range of looks, from natural and subtle to bold and dramatic,” she says, “What’s more, manga lashes are relatively easy to apply, and they last for hours.”

Winkenwerder agrees, and adds that this is a “great reboot trend.”  If done right, she says that the manga lash  look “gives the appearance of opening up the eyes, making them seem larger and brighter.”  This trend is also known as ‘bambi eyes,’ she notes, and “takes on a few other referenced names over the years.”

Ultimately, this is a high-fashion editorial makeup trend that Winkenwerder believes “anyone can master and wear successfully” in a short amount of time. “Famous 60’s model and pop culture icon Twiggy wore well-designed and bottom-placed manga lashes,” she points out. “ She immortalized this lash look, sometimes you saw her with top and bottom manga lashes , but mostly the bottom.”

No matter your age, Mintara says that manga lashes can provide a youthful exuberance to any makeup look, as they focus on drawing more attention to one of your most important features. “I think that the manga  lashes definitely provide an interesting contrast to the typical lash look, and it is striking,” Mintara says. “The mixture of short and long clumps of lashes , I think, can help someone look younger because the lashes give the illusion of bigger eyes, which is typically associated with looking younger.”

However, Mintara advises that it is “very difficult to achieve this look if you are DIY-ing it” This, she adds, is because “everyone’s eyes are going to look different with the spaced-out lash clumps, and it is going to take a lot of practice to find out what suits your face best.” With that said, Mintara recommends “trying it out on mascara-less eyelashes first, which will help you to see where the lashes should naturally fall.”

Winkenwerder agrees, and says that “if done right, manga lashes can help one to look younger, but just wearing manga lashes will not make you look younger.” Your skin condition, the way your makeup is applied, and other makeup statement applications come into play here. “If you have visible wrinkles,” Winkenwerder stresses, “manga lashes will not take the focus off your wrinkles,” but can still add a touch of eye-opening glamor whenever desired.

Winkenwerder agrees, and believes that “anyone who wears any type of mascara can master this trend quickly” by using the top of the mascara wand for application and styling. manga lashes can be created with natural or faux lashes, and s ome faux lashes, she notes,  also come ready-made in manga style. Sounds like a fun look to try this summer!

Marissa is a Brooklyn-based culture journalist and staff writer at SheFinds, covering edgy celebrity style, timeless beauty trends, lifestyle and entertainment news. Her coverage of indie music, NYC fashion, underground and pop culture is featured in PAPER Magazine, Paste Magazine, The Knockturnal, Bandsintown and more. You can reach her at [email protected]

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