It started as a joke on X. Then it became a full-blown TikTok investigation. By the time the 2024 Vice Presidential debate rolled around, half the country wasn't even listening to policy points. They were staring at the Republican candidate's lower lash line. Honestly, it’s one of those weirdly persistent internet mysteries that just won't quit. Is it Sephora? Is it Maybelline? Or is JD Vance without eyeliner just a guy with really, really good genetics?
You’ve seen the photos. The ones where his blue eyes look almost unnaturally framed by a thick, dark rim. Critics call it "guyliner" and make jokes about Panic! At The Disco. Supporters call it a reach. But if you actually look at the evidence—and the people who have seen him up close—the reality is way more boring (and maybe a little bit frustrating for anyone who spends twenty minutes on their makeup every morning).
The "Eyeliner" Mystery Explained
Here’s the thing. Most people look at a high-definition TV screen and see a dark line on the waterline. They assume it's a product. Specifically, the internet became obsessed with the idea that Vance uses Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in the shade "Whiskey" or maybe a dark brown kohl.
But have you ever seen a man with distichiasis?
It’s a rare genetic condition. Basically, you grow a second row of eyelashes. Elizabeth Taylor had it. It makes the lash line look incredibly dense and dark, as if you’re wearing a permanent tightline. While Vance hasn't released a medical report on his follicles, beauty experts and medical professionals have pointed to this as the most likely culprit. When those thick, dark lashes cast a shadow under harsh studio lights, it creates a "smoky eye" effect that isn't actually there.
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What his inner circle says
Usha Vance, his wife, had to actually address this. Can you imagine? Being a corporate lawyer and having to tell Puck News that your husband’s eyelashes are just natural? She basically said she’s been jealous of them for years.
Then there’s George Santos. Love him or hate him, the man knows his way around a makeup kit. He went on the record (repeatedly) to say that he’s met Vance in person, off-camera, and the "liner" is just a shadow cast by long lashes. When even a guy who loves "the glam" says it’s fake, you kinda have to wonder if we’re all just overthinking a shadow.
JD Vance Without Eyeliner: The Photo Evidence
If you go back and look at older photos of JD Vance—back from his Hillbilly Elegy press tour or his time in the Marines—the "liner" is still there. He was a young guy with a buzzed hair and no beard. The eyes still popped.
The difference now? 4K cameras.
Modern broadcasting technology picks up every single contrast. If you have bright blue eyes and dark, thick lashes, the contrast is going to look "enhanced" on a 70-inch OLED screen.
Lighting matters (A lot)
- Studio Lights: These are designed to be bright and flat. They often catch the "waterline" (that wet part of your eyelid) and make it reflect or look darker if it's in shadow.
- The Beard Factor: Since Vance grew out his facial hair, the balance of his face changed. The dark hair of the beard draws more attention to the dark hair around his eyes.
- Outdoor Rallies: If you look at photos of him at outdoor rallies in natural sunlight, the "eyeliner" effect often disappears or looks much softer. That's a huge tell. Real eyeliner doesn't just vanish when you step into the sun.
Why the Rumor Won't Die
Politics is a visual game. For critics, the idea of a conservative candidate wearing "guyliner" feels like a "gotcha" moment. It’s seen as a contradiction to the rugged, "working-man" image he projects.
But honestly? Even if he was wearing it, he wouldn't be the first politician to do so. Almost everyone who goes on TV wears "TV makeup." It’s a standard thing to prevent looking like a ghost under the hot lights. Most men use a bit of powder or concealer. If a makeup artist threw a little dark shadow in the lash line to make his eyes stand out, it wouldn't be a scandal—it would just be Tuesday at Fox News.
The Emo Memes
The internet has had a field day with this. We’ve seen the memes of Vance edited into My Chemical Romance album covers. People have joked that he’s "one bad day away from a side fringe." It’s funny, sure. But when you look at the high-res shots from the 2025 inauguration or the recent CPAC appearances, it’s pretty clear the "line" is just the physical structure of his eyelids. He has what makeup artists call "hooded eyes," which naturally create a crease shadow right where eyeliner would go.
The Verdict on the Lashes
If you’re looking for a secret Sephora receipt, you’re probably going to be disappointed. Between the statements from his family and the photographic history of his face, the "eyeliner" is almost certainly just a combination of:
- Thick lash density (potential distichiasis).
- High-contrast features (dark hair + very blue eyes).
- Studio lighting creating shadows on the waterline.
- Hooded eyelid shape that mimics a smoky eye.
It’s one of those rare cases where the "natural" look is actually more dramatic than what most people could achieve with a pencil.
To see the difference for yourself, compare his 2021 interviews with 2026 footage. You’ll notice that while his beard has changed and his hair is styled differently, the "frame" around his eyes has stayed exactly the same. That’s not a makeup routine; that’s just how his face is built.
If you want to replicate the look without the genetic luck, you don't actually need heavy liner. Focus on tightlining—applying a dark brown or black waterproof liner only between the roots of your lashes, rather than on the skin above them. This gives that "is he or isn't he?" definition without looking like you're heading to a rock concert. Use a matte shadow to soften the edges, and make sure to use a lash primer if your natural lashes aren't thick enough to cast their own shadow.