Another day, another TikTok trend with coded meanings. Yep, this particular TikTok trend isn’t really about mascara but a technique TikTokers are using for describing their past or present relationships without actually saying it. How very Gen Z (we love it).

One TikToker posted, “The one mascara I ever really liked ended up damaging my eyelashes really badly so now I’m too scared to try any new mascaras because I can’t take my eyelashes being damaged again.” Hint: The mascara is referred to as her last partner, and the ‘eyelashes’ refer to herself.

@professionalmeateater lol! #mascaratrend #fypシ #xyzbca #foryou ♬ constellations by duster – ‍

Via @kayyybarbieee on TikTok

Via @ella_reeson on TikTok

Check out this other example of the “mascara” TikTok trend…

Another TikToker wrote, “I’ve had my mascara since I was 14. I’m now 24. Only mascara I’ve ever tried but I know there’s nothing like this one anywhere else. I even made a smaller version because I like it so much.” Adorable.

TikTok mascara trend

The #MascaraTrend presently has 39.2 million views on TikTok and is usually set to Duster’s track “Constellations.”

So why can’t these TikTokers just say the actual ~words~?

The simple answer is: to avoid getting censored by the app. Although using a code word to get around content moderation is nothing new, social media applications and their content standards have actually led to users inventing a whole new vocabulary known as “algospeak.” I mean… we do come across a lot of videos where people use emojis to hide actual words. Plus, some of these posts use “mascara” in a *very* NSFW way, so that would deffo lead to censorship. Utilising “mascara” to discuss content that the app would consider unsuitable, prevents users from having their content moderated by the TikTok Powers That Be.

We’re sorta living for this TikTok trend.