Newsflash: Men with eyelashes are now considered very feminine.
The manly men who wouldn't be caught dead with lashes are now getting them shaved off or trimmed as a way to preserve their precious manhood.
Trending TikTok videos show various dudes sitting in a barber's chair with their eyelashes getting trimmed, and it's baffling the internet.
Let's remind ourselves that eyelashes actually serve a purpose as a natural protective barrier for our eyes. They are the first line of defense against debris, dust, and other small particles.
TikToker @billybeebaddestb*tch said as much in response to the latest trend, writing:
"Eyelashes are not their [sic] to show masculine or femininity, they are needed to protect your eyes!"
The TikToker said of the "toxic masculine men" subjecting themselves to this operation:
"This is a whole new level of stupid. What’s next nipple removal? Ridiculous!"
The video received over 36 million views.
To show this wasn't a rare scenario, the account posted another video showing another guy with his lashes being shortened "to try and look more masculine."
The caption reads:
"No they are not doing this so that their eyelashes will grow thicker and longer."
"They are doing this because of toxic masculinity and thinking that they look more masculine with their eyelashes shaved off."
Social media users were dumbfounded.
@billybeebaddestb*tch/TikTok
@billybeebaddestb*tch/TikTok
@billybeebaddestb*tch/TikTok
@billybeebaddestb*tch/TikTok
Another TikTok account showed a closeup video of a guy's lashes getting trimmed with shears.
It's really something.
@ferhat.ceylan3/TikTok
@ferhat.ceylan3/TikTok
@ferhat.ceylan3/TikTok
@ferhat.ceylan3/TikTok
X (formerly Twitter) also had plenty of examples of the anti-lash fad.
Social media users are wondering if the cishets are losing their minds.
@Angelica_Reed1/X
@keiWardLink/X
Buzzfeed wondered if this was an actual trend or a case of rage-baiting.
A barber who posted a video of himself taking a trimmer to his male client's eye claimed he was the only one who requested it.
When the barber polled his clients, 98% said they wouldn't be interested in trimming their lashes.
Readers, what are your thoughts on this?
