Everyone uses them. You've sent them. I've sent them. But if you think the star and eyes emoji combo is just some random decoration for your Instagram caption, you’re missing the shift in how we actually talk online.
It's weird.
Digital communication used to be about clarity, right? We had emoticons like :-) to make sure people knew we weren't being mean. Now, we have a lexicon of icons that convey vibes more than definitions. The "Eyes" emoji (👀) and various star-related icons like "Sparkles" (✨) or "Star" (⭐) have become a shorthand for everything from "I'm watching this drama" to "This is high-key aesthetic."
The Eyes Emoji is the Most Passive-Aggressive Tool You Own
Let’s talk about 👀 first. Formally known as "Eyes" in the Unicode Standard, it was added in 2010. But it didn't really land until social media culture turned it into a weapon of curiosity.
It’s the digital equivalent of leaning over a cubicle wall.
When you drop just the eyes in a group chat after someone says something controversial, you aren't saying "I have vision." You're saying "I am perceiving this mess and I am waiting for more." It's observant. It’s slightly shifty. According to Emojipedia, it’s one of the most versatile glyphs because it functions as a verb, an adjective, and a mood all at once.
If a brand tweets a pair of eyes, they’re teasing a product. If your ex posts it on their story after you post a selfie, it’s a jump scare. Context is literally everything here.
Why the Star and Eyes Emoji Pairing Changed the Vibe
When you see the star and eyes emoji together—specifically 👀 and ✨—the meaning shifts from "I'm watching" to "I'm witnessing something spectacular (or ridiculously dramatic)."
It’s the "Main Character" energy of punctuation.
Think about how Gen Z uses the sparkle emoji. It’s often used for sarcasm or to highlight a specific word for emphasis. Adding the eyes makes it a curated observation. You're not just looking; you're looking with pizzazz.
Sometimes people use the 🤩 (Star-Struck) emoji, which is a different beast entirely. That one is pure, unadulterated hype. It was added in Unicode 10.0 back in 2017 and specifically meant to show someone seeing a celebrity or something "ah-mazing." But the simple star ⭐ or the sparkles ✨ paired with the eyes 👀 creates a more nuanced, "I'm intrigued by this shiny thing" feeling.
💡 You might also like: Why You Should Change Calendar Color on iPhone to Stay Sane
The Psychology of Visual Shorthand
Why do we do this? Why not just type "I am excited to see this"?
Because typing that makes you sound like a robot. Or a Victorian ghost.
Using the star and eyes emoji taps into a part of our brain that processes images faster than text. Researchers at the University of Tokyo have actually looked into how emoji function as non-verbal cues. They found that these icons act as "digital gestures." They replace the hand movements and facial expressions we lose when we aren't face-to-face.
When you use a star, you're adding a "glimmer" to your tone. When you add eyes, you're adding a "gaze." Combined, you're signaling a specific type of hyper-fixation.
Honestly, it’s just efficient.
Breaking Down the Variations
Not all stars are created equal. You’ve got options, and choosing the wrong one might make you look like a "local" (internet slang for someone who doesn't get the culture).
- The Classic Star (⭐): This is a bit old school. It’s very "Gold Star for effort." Using it with eyes feels like you're grading something.
- The Sparkles (✨): This is the king of modern emoji. It denotes magic, cleanliness, or sarcasm. Pair it with 👀 and you're saying "Look at this polished/fancy thing."
- The Glowing Star (🌟): A bit more intense. It’s for big news.
- The Star-Struck Face (🤩): This is the loudest one. Use it sparingly or you'll seem like you're trying too hard.
Digital Marketing and the "Hype" Cycle
Brands have absolutely ruined this, by the way.
You’ll see a corporate account for a bank or a vacuum cleaner brand tweet: "Something big is coming... 👀✨"
It’s a tactic to trigger FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). They know that the star and eyes emoji combination is a visual magnet. It draws the eye because the yellow of the star pops against most dark-mode interfaces, and the eyes suggest there's a secret to be revealed.
But does it work?
👉 See also: Who invented the electric battery: The weird, twitchy truth behind the pile
Data from social media management platforms like Sprout Social suggests that posts with emojis get higher engagement, but there's a saturation point. If every single post has "eyes and stars," the audience starts to tune it out. It becomes white noise.
The most effective use is actually in the comments. It’s the community using them to react to the brand, not the brand using them to beg for attention.
A Quick History of Being "Star-Eyed"
Long before the iPhone, the idea of having stars in your eyes was a literary trope. It meant you were a dreamer. You were idealistic.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and we’ve digitized that feeling.
The 🤩 emoji specifically mimics the classic cartoon trope of characters whose eyes literally turn into dollar signs or stars when they see something they want. It’s an old visual gag from the days of Tex Avery and Looney Tunes. We’ve just condensed 80 years of animation history into a single yellow circle.
The Problem With Overuse
If you put ✨ on every word, you're annoying.
If you put 👀 on every post, you're a lurker.
Balance matters. I've seen people use the star and eyes emoji to describe things that are decidedly not starry or eye-worthy. If you're posting a picture of your lukewarm oatmeal with "Morning vibes 👀✨," you're misusing the toolkit.
The "eyes" imply a discovery. The "stars" imply excellence or irony. Oatmeal is rarely a discovery.
How to Use These Like a Pro
If you want to actually communicate well with these icons, you have to read the room.
In a professional setting (Slack, Teams, etc.), the stars are great for celebrating a win. "Great job on the presentation! ✨" feels supportive. Adding the eyes (👀) in Slack usually means "I'm looking at this file right now."
But combine them in a DM to a coworker? "I saw what happened in the meeting 👀✨." Now you're gossiping. You've just invited them to a "tea-spilling" session.
See the difference? The combination creates a narrative that neither emoji can sustain on its own.
The Future of the Emoji Lexicon
As we move into 2026, the way we use these will probably keep evolving. We're already seeing people mix emojis with "Zalgo" text or weird formatting to create even more specific meanings.
But the star and eyes emoji will likely remain a staple.
🔗 Read more: Accessing Pornhub Safely: What Most People Get Wrong About the Site
They are foundational. They represent the two most basic human social functions: watching and admiring.
Whether you’re pointing out a celebrity sighting in Los Angeles or just reacting to a particularly good sandwich, these little icons do the heavy lifting that words often fail to capture. They are the punctuation of the 21st century.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Digital Strategy
- Don't force it. If the vibe isn't "curious excitement," leave the stars and eyes out.
- Use ✨ for emphasis, not just decoration. Put it around the most important word in your sentence to make it pop.
- Deploy 👀 to signal presence. It’s the best way to say "I've seen this" without needing to write a full sentence.
- Watch the platform. What works on TikTok (where the star/eyes combo is basically a requirement) might feel weird on LinkedIn.
- Remember the irony. If you use these for something mundane, people will assume you're being sarcastic. Ensure that’s actually what you want.
Digital body language is a skill. Like any language, it takes practice to not sound like you're using a translation app. Start small. Observe how others use them. And maybe, just maybe, stop putting sparkles on your oatmeal photos.