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Gather 'round, youngens. It's time for a classic millennial identity crisis.

Because as I was doing my makeup for a wedding the other day, a stark realisation came upon me. I reached for my liquid eyeliner and stopped myself.

Ever since the ' no mascara' wave swept in, black winged eyeliner has started to feel a little… outdated. Either way, I realised I hadn't actually worn it in ages. But standing in front of the mirror, I hit a wall: I had no idea what to do to make my eyes look properly dressed up without it.

Watch: The makeup Kelly McCarren does before every recording. Post continues below.

My go-to has always been a sharp, pointed wing. It's the one trick that instantly elevates my everyday face into something dramatic and intentional.

So, now what?

To find out what we're supposed to wear instead of liquid liner, I reached out to Sydney-based makeup artist Alison Maissin for her expert take.

The death of the cat eye.

It turns out, the shift away from razor-sharp liquid liner isn't just something I'm feeling. According to our expert, it's part of a broader pivot toward softer, more forgiving beauty routines.

"I think everyone is looking for more 'wearable' looks," Maissin told me. "Not every eye shape can do a wing, and I think in the thick of 2016/2017, makeup influenced people to cling to what was trending without considering that it might not be for them."

According to Maissin, the rise of skin-first makeup and minimalist trends played a massive role in the retirement of our beloved liquid liners. "The transition into the 'clean girl aesthetic' really dropped the heavy liner altogether," she shared.

Why am I feeling emotional, you guys!

The good news is that this has paved the way for softer, wearable formulas that are easy to apply and don't take 20 minutes of faffing about/swearing in the mirror.

"I think we found a very complementary, happy medium with a more diffused top lash line, leaning into browns and warmer tones rather than black. We've learnt we can define the eye in more ways than one and with multi-use products, so that's become super popular."

"A product or look that's easier to do and less meticulous than a winged liner, and that's also more forgiving if it's not completely symmetrical, has become the way to go."

What to do instead.

So, what exactly are we replacing it with?

Good question.

According to Maissin, the secret lies in swapping hard lines for rich, blendable pencils placed strategically at the root of the lash.

"I definitely only ever use pencils now," Maissin shared.

Interesting!!

"I find there are still a lot of people slightly traumatised or scared of the heaviness of black liquid! Most of my brides and clients don't mind a small diffused wing, which helps to elongate the eye and plays into the particular vibe they're wanting."

Her go-to method? It's all about adding depth.

"In terms of technique, I run a pencil into the upper lash line and tightline the eye. I only ever use brown these days, sometimes more of a charcoal brown, sometimes more chocolate, and some have redder tones, pending their eye colour."

"This gives the definition they want and also leaves a ton of lid space if they don't want too much depth on their eyelids. It also helps to blend falsies into their lash line, as some have thicker bands," she added.

When it comes to building your post-liquid liner collection, Maissin recommended keeping a few versatile, multi-use formulas in rotation.

"This is more of a true pencil. I warm the pencil tip on the back of my hand before, so I don't get a tug, but these are easily smudgable and buildable," said Maissin.

"They don't apply too heavily, so they're also great for mapping out a lid before you go in with other products."

I have this in the shade 'Anywhere Caffeine' and I love how it gives my eyes a little definition without looking too 'done'. It also takes like two seconds.

Side note: I also use this on my lips! Such a great multi-purpose formula.

"Remarkable! They're there for the long haul. They're a softer, creamier pencil... You have to work quickly because once it sets, she's not moving. These are great for tightlining because they just last! Because they're super soft and creamy, they glide like nothing else."

"Soft, thicker, creamy crayons—great for a full lid shadow base or extra definition along the lash line. I prefer using and building these on a more mature eyelid; the creaminess just sits better and doesn't look dry, powdery, or crepey. Draw this onto your lid and smudge it out with a brush or your finger for a bit of colour."

If you aren't ready to let go of your cat-eye entirely, don't panic. You don't have to banish the shape to stay current. It's all about updating the texture.

"I don't think you need to run away from winged liner if that's your go-to," Maissin reassured.

"Only one of my brides in the last five plus years has requested a black wing because that's her everyday look too — and I was so obsessed with it!"

"But if you are definitely wanting to transition, practice tightlining with a sharp pencil. If you can't stray away from a teeny wing, draw one in and diffuse it with a soft brown shadow. You don't have to worry about it being extremely perfect like a liquid liner, and it will definitely save you some time when getting ready."

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What are your thoughts on liquid eyeliner? Have you ditched it or are you still a die-hard fan? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied.