Blinking fools? The men who think shaving off their eyelashes will make them more masculine

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"Emerging Trend of Shaved Eyelashes Among Men Sparks Debate on Masculinity and Beauty Standards"

Blinking fools? The men who think shaving off their eyelashes will make them more masculine analysis cover image The Guardian 6.1
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025/may/05/blinking-fools-the-men-who-think-shaving-off-their-eyelashes-will-make-them-more-masculine
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AI Analysis Average Score: 6.1
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TruthLens AI Summary

The trend of shaving off eyelashes, dubbed 'stubby lashes,' has recently gained traction, particularly among men seeking to adopt a more masculine appearance. This peculiar beauty practice, which involves using an electric razor or scissors to remove eyelashes, has been popularized through viral TikTok videos and has spread globally, from Turkey to New Zealand. Proponents of this trend argue that having short eyelashes is a way to reject traditional notions of masculinity associated with longer lashes, which are often deemed feminine. The discussion around this trend raises important questions about the societal standards of beauty and masculinity, as well as the potential health implications of such a drastic alteration to a natural feature that serves protective functions for the eyes, such as filtering debris and triggering blinks in response to close objects.

Critics point out the absurdity of this trend, noting that while longer eyelashes are often celebrated for their attractiveness, especially on women, men are now adopting practices that could compromise their eye health in the name of perceived masculinity. Some individuals who have attempted eyelash shaving have reported negative experiences, including discomfort and an increase in eye irritation. The phenomenon reflects a broader cultural movement among men, often referred to as 'looksmaxxing,' where individuals engage in various body-altering practices, including mewing and cosmetic procedures, to enhance their physical appeal. This trend raises concerns about the underlying insecurities that drive such choices, suggesting that men may be falling into a similar cycle of beauty pressures that women have faced historically. Ultimately, while stubby lashes may seem like a bold statement of masculinity, they ironically highlight the same insecurities that many are trying to escape.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The article highlights a bizarre trend among certain men who believe that shaving off their eyelashes will enhance their masculinity. This phenomenon, fueled by social media platforms like TikTok, raises questions about societal standards of attractiveness and masculinity. It also challenges the perception of grooming and beauty norms that have traditionally been associated with femininity.

Cultural Commentary on Masculinity

The trend of shaving eyelashes reflects a broader cultural conversation about what it means to be masculine in contemporary society. By opting for stubby lashes, these individuals may be attempting to align themselves with an exaggerated form of masculinity. This could indicate a reaction against traditional beauty standards, where longer eyelashes are often seen as attractive, particularly in women. The article suggests that this behavior may stem from a desire to distance oneself from feminine traits, which are often stigmatized in hyper-masculine cultures.

Health and Safety Concerns

Shaving eyelashes poses significant health risks, as eyelashes serve important functions, such as protecting the eyes from debris and triggering blinks to prevent injury. The article mentions an individual's negative experience with the practice, emphasizing the potential for physical harm. This raises ethical concerns regarding the promotion of such trends, which could lead to health issues among those who follow them blindly.

Social Media Influence

The article notes that the trend has gained traction through viral TikTok videos. This highlights the power of social media in shaping modern beauty standards and influencing personal grooming choices. The phenomenon underscores the role of platforms like TikTok in propagating not only trends but also potentially harmful practices, reflecting an ongoing challenge in regulating the impact of social media on self-image and behavior.

Perception of Attractiveness

The article touches upon the paradox of beauty standards, where longer eyelashes are generally perceived as attractive. The trend of removing them to appear more masculine contradicts this notion and may serve as a commentary on the arbitrary nature of beauty standards. The mention of Robert Pattinson's "killer lashes" illustrates how societal perceptions can vary significantly between genders, further complicating the discussion around attractiveness.

Potential Manipulative Elements

The tone and framing of the article may suggest a level of satire regarding the trend, aimed at critiquing the absurdity of the practice. The use of humor and irony could be interpreted as a means of engaging readers while simultaneously challenging the underlying motivations behind such grooming choices. This approach could lead to a greater awareness of the societal pressures influencing personal grooming habits.

The overall reliability of the article is contingent upon its sources and the context in which the trend is being discussed. While it appears to present a factual account of the trend's emergence and its implications, the use of humor may detract from the seriousness of the health concerns involved. Consequently, while the article provides an entertaining perspective, it should be approached with a critical mindset regarding the motivations behind the grooming choices discussed.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025/may/05/blinking-fools-the-men-who-think-shaving-off-their-eyelashes-will-make-them-more-masculine

Name:Stubby lashes.

Age:Genetically? Ancient. Done deliberately? New.

Appearance:Dead tough.

Unattractively short eyelashes? I’m finally in vogue!Steady on, hotshot. Are your eyelashes naturally short?

Unfortunately, yes.Then I’m afraid it doesn’t count. If you want true stubby lashes, you have to have them shaved off by a hairdresser.

With an electric razor?That’s right. A loud and terrifying electric razor, held millimetres from your eyeball. Some people prefer scissors.

I don’t think this is for me.Then you’re missing out. All the cool kids are doing it.

All the cool kids?Well, technically all the extraordinarily fragile men who think minimal eyelashes make them look a lot more masculine – but let’s go with cool kids.

And this is actually happening?Oh yes. A TikTok video advocating the practice went viral recently, and nowthe trend has been reportedeverywhere from Turkey to New Zealand. It’s definitely a thing.

But aren’t eyelashes, you know, important?So important. They are filters that keep rainwater and debris out of your eyes, preventing irritation and infection. They also function as whiskers, alerting the eye when objects get too close, and triggering an involuntary blink.

Sowhy shave them off?Because long eyelashes are perceived as “feminine”. And by that metric, we can also assume that eyeballs that aren’t permanently infected are also feminine.

But aren’t long eyelashessupposed to be attractive?Yes! There are even fan sites rhapsodising overRobert Pattinson’s “killer lashes”. Then again, one small study found thatlonger eyelashes were more attractive on women than on men.

So stubby lashes work for the people who do trim them, right?No!One Facebook useron a thread about the practice said: “It felt like I was going blind,” adding: “From experience if you shave them you’ll get a ton of eye boogers 0/10 do not recommend.”

So then …Look, I don’t know what to tell you. There’s a weird brand ofultra-masculine “looksmaxxing”at the moment, for vain men who want to optimise their sexual market value. And have you heard ofmewing? It’s where you walk about with your tongue jammed to the roof of your mouth to give you a better jawline. There’s also chin surgery, Botox and tooth-whitening. Stubby lashes are just the next logical step.

I hate to point out the obvious, but …But by focusing on painful and expensive body-altering practices, these men are ultimately just falling into the same spiral of insecurity that women have worked for centuries to escape?

Yes, exactly that.So the real message is that shaved eyelashes might make you look more masculine, but getting them shaved is as feminine as you can get.

It must be so exhausting to be male.Honestly, you have no idea.

Do say:“Hot for spring/summer 2025: stubby lashes.”

Don’t say:“Also hot for spring/summer 2025:weeping blepharitis.”

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Source: The Guardian