The Most Outdated Way To Wear Eyeliner In 2025 (& What To Try Instead)

Makeup, in theory, has no rules. But in practice, the trend cycle is relentless. With every generation comes a new beauty philosophy, a fresh set of rules dictating which trends endure and which are sent to the archives. A look that was once indispensable — the finishing touches of an era's aesthetic — can, seemingly overnight, start to feel like an artifact of a bygone era. The red lip many celebs wear today was once a staple of old Hollywood glamour. Yet it all but vanished in the 1990s, edged out by shades of brown and beige. A decade later, the needle-thin brows of the early aughts gave way to the fuller, fluffier arches preferred by younger millennials, rendering the former not just passé, but laughable.

Now, in 2025, another beauty staple has fallen victim to time's merciless march. The classic cat eye –once the hallmark of Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards everywhere — has been exiled in favor of more breathable styles. It's time to reach for the micellar water.

While black liquid liner will always have its place in the beauty canon, its associations have shifted. Let's just say it now denotes more Republican makeup than Downtown It Girl. Sorry, Taylor Swift, but the feline flick is finished. The cat eye is very much out of the bag — and Gen Z is kicking it to the curb.

One way to rejuvenate your style is by swapping your liquid liner for something softer, as pro MUA Sarah Kuhl told Real Simple. A jet-black wing can feel so harsh, so she suggests trading your liquid liner for a smudged-out shadow that offers a lovely definition without the stark effect.

A black shade doesn't necessarily do everyone the most favors. That's where color theory can come in. Certain shades enhance your natural eye color by bouncing off its undertones. Opposites attract, so if you have blue eyes,  opt for warm coppers, bronzes, or soft oranges. For green eyes: deep purples, burgundies, and warm browns will bring out their vibrancy. Most shades work well with brown eyes, but taupes, golds, and delicate charcoals can add depth without overpowering your features.

There's also been a real shift in geometry. Instead of flicking liner outward from the upper lid, Gen Z has found extending it subtly from the lower lash line equally as flattering. This creates a lifted, modern effect without appearing overdone. If you go bold with it, congratulations! You've just mastered the reverse cat eye — a socially acceptable alternative to its sorry predecessor. As Bobbi Brown's Warren Dowdall told Elle, this "creates and openness and elongation of the eye that flatters every eye shape" — great news for those looking for a makeup idea to try on hooded eyes. If you must wing it, we get it: old habits die hard. But keep your wing shorter and softer, stopping just past the outer corner of your eye for a refreshed, intentional tweak.