Want to know the quickest way to make anything feel fashion-forward in beauty right now? Turn the volume right down… then stick the word ‘ghost’ in front of it.
That big, bouncy Hollywood blow-dry? Let the curls relax until they’re barely there and call it a ghost wave. A hair colour refresh? Blend everything so seamlessly that it becomes ghost balayage. And now, lashes are getting the same barely-there treatment, with the rise of the ghost lash.
Think whisper-soft definition. Lashes that look polished, groomed and chic, but never obvious. It’s the ultimate “my lashes but better” moment, and it’s quietly taking over red carpets and runways alike.
Leading the charge, of course, is minimal-makeup muse Pamela Anderson, who’s been stepping out with nothing more than the faintest flicker of mascara – if any at all.
"A tubing formula is ideal for this look, as it darkens the lashes without loading them with clumpy pigment," says celebrity makeup artist Victoria Bond. "Tubing mascaras wrap finely around the lashes, giving subtle definition with far less volume than traditional formulas."
But true ghost lash devotees may want to go even further – by skipping mascara altogether.
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For the purist version of the trend, it’s all about enhancing what you already have, rather than coating lashes in product. And yes, Pamela herself has already signed off on it, appearing this week completely mascara-free and looking effortlessly chic.
According to Victoria, ghost lashes translate beautifully into real life. "It’s such a clean, wearable look. You don’t have to worry about mascara running, smudging, or removing it at the end of the day, which makes it incredibly low-maintenance."
She even avoids mascara entirely for certain shoots. "When I’m doing fashion or close-up beauty work, mascara can look clumpy up close. Instead, I focus on curling the lashes right at the root. That alone opens the eyes beautifully."
To elevate the look, she’ll often add a slick of gloss on the lid for that ultra-minimal, editorial finish. And if lashes refuse to hold their curl? "A clear mascara is fine – but strictly for hold, not drama."
To subtly define the eyes without lashes taking centre stage, Victoria swears by tight-lining. "Applying a dark liner to the upper waterline frames the eyes in a very natural way. Well-groomed brows are also key – they really pull the whole look together."
If the idea of ditching mascara entirely feels a step too far, a lash tint is a perfect halfway house. "Ghost lashes do work best on darker lashes, so a tint is a great option if you’re blonde," Victoria adds.
For even more impact – without compromising the minimalist vibe – a lash tint paired with a lift is the ultimate ghost-approved upgrade. "This combination enhances your natural lashes without needing mascara at all," says brow and lash expert Shavata Singh, who regularly creates the look in her salons.
"A tint gives soft definition, while a lift adds that flattering curl, so the eyes look open and awake," she explains. "Ghost lashes don’t mean invisible lashes – just beautifully enhanced ones."
It also taps into the wider shift towards less-is-more beauty, which Shavata says is flattering at every age. "We’re moving away from heavy, full-glam lashes and towards cared-for, healthy-looking ones. A lift gives shape, a tint gives depth, and nourishing serums help lashes grow stronger over time. The goal is simply to make your natural lashes look their absolute best."
Polished, modern and luxuriously low-effort, ghost lashes are proof that sometimes doing less really does look like doing more. And honestly? Not having to scrub off spidery mascara clumps every night feels like a beauty horror story worth banishing forever!
Beauty Director Lynne has spent the past two decades testing and reviewing the latest in everything from skincare and aesthetics to spas, fragrance and makeup. When she's not being a human guinea pig she loves to immerse herself in a deep bath, a good book and large glass of iced rosé.
