What Is “Makeup Blindness” and Should We Really Be Concerned?

It’s 2016, and Instagram is buzzing with bold and glamorous makeup looks. Everyone was aiming for that snatched makeup look, channeling their inner Kardashian. Defined, arched brows were a must-have, while glittery crease cuts and fluttery lashes stole the spotlight.

As half the internet tried to emulate Kylie Jenner’s look, the other half found inspiration in the iconic K-dramas that were all the rage that year. K-beauty was taking over, and I had just crafted my first makeup and skincare routine, thanks to Korean beauty YouTubers like PONY and Liah Yoo.

Looking back, I can’t help but wonder why I thought using hot pink syrup to create a gradient lip was a good idea. But what really makes me cringe is my attempt at the straight brow trend popularised by stars like IU.

I know I’m not the only one feeling this way — there’s been a surge of TikToks where creators humorously reflect on their past beauty choices.

“Eyebrow Blindness”, “Blush Blindness”, and More

@melissa.riebel

I think i lost my mind #eyebrowblindness

♬ Gnarls Barkley Crazy Stephen Kramer Glickman – Gustavo Rocque

It’s quite normal to reflect on the choices we made in our younger years and feel a bit embarrassed about them — even our beloved celebrities experience this too.

Professional makeup artist Jonet Williamson (@jonetwmakeup on TikTok) pointed how Cardi B used to do her eyebrows as an illustration of “eyebrow blindness,” which is a part of a larger trend on TikTok known as “makeup blindness.”

This term refers to a time when individuals were unaware of how poorly they applied their makeup or how unflattering certain makeup styles were for their unique features.

What began as a lighthearted trend for entertainment took a more serious turn as people began to scrutinise their makeup and appearance, questioning whether they were oblivious to the errors in their makeup application.

What Is “Makeup Blindness”?

If you often spend your time diving deep into your TikTok For You Page, you may have come across videos from creators with fully made-up faces, posing their followers this intriguing question, “What kind of blindness do I have?”

@sunnevaeinars

is it blush blindness when you love overblushing? 👼🏼

♬ original sound – Sabrina Carpenter

These creators are reaching out to the audience for their “objective” third-person feedback on any beauty blunders they might be making, aiming to enhance their makeup skills and steer clear of “makeup blindness.”

If you take a look at the comments on these TikToks, you’ll notice that users on TikTok are quick to highlight the “mistakes” the creator has made with their makeup, all in the name of constructive criticism.

TikTok creator Abby Grayce (@abbygrayceeex2) shared a video showcasing her full makeup look, inviting viewers to share their thoughts on what aspects of her makeup might be considered “too much” (bottom left). Following the feedback from her audience, she then revamped her makeup in a follow-up video (bottom right).

“Makeup blindness” is a broad term that encompasses more specific terms like “eyebrow blindness” and “blush blindness.”

TikTok creator Maia (@maiapapaiyaa) points out that “makeup blindness” is particularly prevalent when it comes to eyebrows. She illustrates her point by showcasing two distinct eyebrow trends that have missed the mark over the years.

This phenomenon may be due to the fact that eyebrow trends undergo significant changes. We’ve seen styles evolve from the thin, over-plucked brows of the 90s to the current trend of full, feathery soap brows.

To make her point clear, Maia brings up the strikingly thick eyebrows that beauty influencer James Charles sported at the beginning of his YouTube journey (left).

She then contrasts this with a comparison of overly plucked brows shaped like parentheses (right), which many people adopted in an attempt to achieve the trendy thin arches of the 2000s.

This reflection leads her to think about her own makeup missteps, such as the times she over-plucked her eyebrows when she was just starting out or when she applied eyeliner so thick that it completely covered her eyelid.

She wraps up her TikTok with a thought-provoking question that many of us have pondered: “How is it that we don’t realise how silly it looks in the moment?”

Is “Makeup Blindness” Really a Bad Thing?

I can totally relate to that fully-body cringe one experiences looking at old, embarrassing photos, so I completely understand why everyone want to steer clear of “makeup blindness.”

Sure, we could always opt for a more conservative approach to our makeup choices, but that would really take away the fun of experimenting with makeup.

Just like the skinny brows that were all the rage in the 90s, Cara Delevingne’s bold brows became the hallmark of the 2010s. Let’s not forget how Marilyn Monroe and Kylie Jenner each brought their own unique flair to makeup, setting trends in their respective eras.

How can we better mark an era than by the different trends we embrace? The glowy “clean girl” makeup look is the perfect representation of 2020 — it’s a stark contrast to the widespread love for matte finishes back in 2015.

@face_byshauny

hot take: 2016 kinda ate (ib: @Ashlee Day)#makeup #makeupartist #makeuptransformation #mua #2016makeup #2024makeup #makeuptrend #CapCut @Ultra Violette @maccosmetics @Charlotte Tilbury @milkmakeup @Benefit Cosmetics @Sephora Collection @Diorbeauty @tarte cosmetics @makeupforever @ONE SIZE BEAUTY @Saie @Laura Mercier @KVD BEAUTY @Morphe Cosmetics @Natasha Denona @Rare Beauty @NARS Cosmetics

♬ original sound – shauny

Imagine how dull it would be if we applied our makeup exactly the same way as we did two decades ago! Trends may be fleeting and often seem trivial as we follow them each season, but they also serve as fascinating markers that help us recognise different periods in time.

Makeup serves not only to highlight our natural beauty but also as a canvas for our creativity and personal expression. As we focus more on enhancing our looks, we often overlook the artistic side of it.

Always Take Your Face Shape and Features Into Consideration

After exploring the topic of makeup blindness on TikTok, I found that many makeup artists and beauty influencers tend to have a similar perspective and provide consistent tips for overcoming “makeup blindness.”

They encourage people to avoid trends that don’t complement their face shape, showcasing how various brow shapes can dramatically alter one’s appearance.

Embrace new trends instead of avoiding them! Have fun exploring different styles while keeping your face shape in mind. This will help you choose the most flattering brow shape or makeup technique that enhances your features.

Feel free to dive into the latest trends, whether that means rocking thick, feathery brows or trying out a bleached look. Just remember to consider your unique face shape and features.

By doing this, you can enjoy experimenting with fresh trends while ensuring your face is beautifully framed with the perfect brow shape or blush placement.

Despite what you might read online, it’s perfectly fine to try out new makeup trends. Don’t let the fear of what others think hold you back from having a great time!

Featured image credits: @brynnemarieeee/TikTok, @sunnevaeinars/TikTok, @maiapapaiyaa/TikTok