It’s no secret winged eyeliner reigns supreme in the ‘deceptively tricky makeup technique’ department.
Getting those flicks even, neat and smudge-free — without throwing a tantrum in the process — is nothing short of a victory.
But there’s some bad news on the horizon, amigos. Just when you finally got comfortable, along comes another iteration of winged liner that moves the goalposts entirely.
It's called negative space eyeliner, and just quietly, it's giving us the nervous sweats.
'Negative space' refers to the sliver of skin that peeks through the centre of the eyeliner; instead of filling in the winged tips, you simply leave an outline.
Listen: The women's fashion research absolutely nobody asked for. (Post continues after audio.)
The negative space trend has long been popular among nail art enthusiasts, and it's been popping up on many a celebrity eyelid this year — though unless you were looking closely, you mightn't have noticed.
At the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party last month, actress Lily Collins teamed her jewelled black gown with razor-sharp negative space wings:
Though Lily's take on the trend is subtle, there are plenty of ways to tackle it.
Take Emma Watson's makeup at the LA premiere of Beauty and the Beast, for instance — there's more skin visible between the lines, and it makes all the difference:
Big Little Lies star Zoe Kravitz has also dipped her toe in the negative space waters, though with a far more exaggerated approach.
This version of the trend mightn't be quite as office-friendly as Lily and Emma's, but is fighting-fit for a weekend night out:
At this point, you might be wondering: what is there to be nervous about? It's just a few lines with a bit of space in between, what's so daunting about that?
Well, yes, in theory this is correct.
Then again, "in theory" regular winged liner is just a few lines filled in, and we all know how misleading that is.
Gallery: Negative space nails might be a little more achievable than the eyeliner. (Post continues after.)
Negative space nails, by @aliciatnails
What's terrifying is the thought of of having to create sharp, non-wiggly, presentable winged tips without the safety net of filling in the spaces in between.
Every makeup user knows thickening the lines is basically the only way a mere mortal can bluff perfectly even eyeliner.
Exhibit A:
If this trend takes off in earnest, one thing is for certain: we'll never make it to a social engagement — or, you know, work — on time ever again.