There Is A Subreddit Dedicated To Makeup Fails, And We Have 40 Of The Absolute Worst

It's hard to believe that someone would apply a shade of foundation five shades darker than their skin tone or wear a lipstick the color of spoiled meat, and yet, here they are.

If you haven't heard, there's a subreddit called "Bad MakeUp Artists," and it's nothing short of amazing! It's hard to believe that someone would apply a shade of foundation five shades darker than their skin tone or wear a lipstick the color of spoiled meat, and yet, here they are.

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Now, it's possible that some of these looks may have been intended as jokes (or, at least, we hope so). However, it's also evident that many of these makeup artists are immensely proud of their creations, which is concerning.

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One of the moderators of Bad MakeUp Artists, known as Pinsandpearls, says that "bad makeup" most likely means very different things to different people. Hence, there is such a wide variety of looks featured in the group.

1. A Very Heavy Makeup Look

1. A Very Heavy Makeup Lookreddit.com
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2. She Did Her So Dirty...

2. She Did Her So Dirty...reddit.com
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3. Foundation Match Isn’t Even Close, So Muddy Too

3. Foundation Match Isn’t Even Close, So Muddy Tooreddit.com

The Psychology of Self-Image

The makeup fails shared in the subreddit highlight the complexities of self-image and societal standards of beauty.

Research from Dr. Nancy Etcoff at Harvard University reveals that our perceptions of beauty are heavily influenced by cultural narratives and media representations.

These pressures can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, particularly among individuals who struggle to meet these ideals.

Recognizing the psychological impact of these standards is essential for fostering self-acceptance and resilience.

4. If You All Thought The Last One Was Bad, Have A Look At This One

4. If You All Thought The Last One Was Bad, Have A Look At This Onereddit.com

5. A Lot To Unpack Here

"Typically, we're looking at makeup that isn't applied skillfully—lack of blending where appropriate, terrible foundation color match, messy lines," Pinsandpearls said. "I don't think it includes things that are maybe 'different' than you would normally see, as long as the actual application is good (editorial makeup, for example)."

"We still allow some of those posts because they usually spark good discussions, and taste is subjective, but I think there's a difference between 'different' and 'bad.' Bad is pretty obvious when you see it."

5. A Lot To Unpack Herereddit.com

6. Mexican Politician

6. Mexican Politicianreddit.com

Promoting a healthy relationship with one’s appearance is crucial for overall mental health.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, encouraging realistic beauty standards and self-compassion can significantly improve body image.

Engaging in discussions about beauty that challenge societal norms can empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves.

This approach not only fosters personal acceptance but also builds community support against unrealistic standards.

7. Found This Today And... I’ve Never Seen A Foundation Match This Bad

7. Found This Today And... I’ve Never Seen A Foundation Match This Badreddit.com

8. I Genuinely Think This Is The Worst Thing I’ve Seen On My Explore Page

8. I Genuinely Think This Is The Worst Thing I’ve Seen On My Explore Pagereddit.com

9. She Went To The Worst Reviewed MUA In Her City

9. She Went To The Worst Reviewed MUA In Her Cityreddit.com

10. Remember: Even Celebs Aren't Safe From Bad MUAs

10. Remember: Even Celebs Aren't Safe From Bad MUAsreddit.com

11. I Feel Violated. Posted In One Of The Makeup Groups

11. I Feel Violated. Posted In One Of The Makeup Groupsreddit.com

12. ...yikes

12. ...yikesreddit.com

13. She’s Like A Full 8 Shades Darker Than Her Arm

13. She’s Like A Full 8 Shades Darker Than Her Armreddit.com

14. ???

14. ???reddit.com

15. The Foundation Match... Look At Her Hairline!!!! The Brows Are Literal Caterpillars!

15. The Foundation Match... Look At Her Hairline!!!! The Brows Are Literal Caterpillars!aaavvvwww

16. Just No!!!

16. Just No!!!reddit.com

17. It's Actually Just Me... The Goal Was A Purple/Yellow Look. I Tried A Disney Villain And I'm Just Ashamed

17. It's Actually Just Me... The Goal Was A Purple/Yellow Look. I Tried A Disney Villain And I'm Just Ashamedreddit.com

18. Felt Like You’d All Appreciate A Little Satire

Group member "badMUAscout" said, "Another thing I mentioned was the color choice. If you take a look, you can probably see that many makeup artists and regular people are mismatching their foundations to their skin's undertone."

"If you're slightly off, it's probably okay. Our skin isn't one flat color, and it can vary in shades throughout the day."

"It doesn't help that foundations oxidize and can go from perfect to pumpkin shades. While sometimes it isn't an issue when you are paying a trained artist hundreds of pounds or dollars to do makeup, you shouldn't end up with a different undertone or a shade five times darker than your skin," she continued.

18. Felt Like You’d All Appreciate A Little Satirereddit.com

19. Keep In Mind He Was On A Show For Makeup Artists

19. Keep In Mind He Was On A Show For Makeup Artistsreddit.com

20. I Smell Like Beef

20. I Smell Like Beefreddit.com

21. This Deserves Some Kind Of Medal

21. This Deserves Some Kind Of Medalreddit.com

22. As A Mum, I'd Be Raging Trying To Remove The Foundation From Her School Shirt!

22. As A Mum, I'd Be Raging Trying To Remove The Foundation From Her School Shirt!reddit.com

23. The Difference In Skin Tone

23. The Difference In Skin Tonereddit.com

24. Why This Though

24. Why This Thoughreddit.com

25. Wedding Glam Apparently

25. Wedding Glam Apparentlyreddit.com

26. Horrific Color Match

RedHeadedSnatch views the submitted photos from a professional makeup artist's perspective. She has her license from the state of Florida and has hundreds of hours of training and experience.

RedHeadedSnatch says the subreddit is a great resource to hold the industry more accountable. "I feel as though the market is oversaturated with people claiming the MUA status without having proper training, and that causes people to lose faith in the makeup artist industry as a whole," she said.

26. Horrific Color Matchreddit.com

27. Yikes. You Would Think MUAs For Their Show Would Do Better

Another aspect of poor color choice often featured on the subreddit is contouring. "Contour is meant to mimic the 'shadows' you naturally have but very, very slightly enhanced," badMUAscout explained.

"We consider it to be bad when it looks like a dark stripe down the side of the face that doesn't match the natural shadows," she said. Another group moderator, RedHeadedSnatch, says she believes some members absolutely submit photos to the forum as a joke.

27. Yikes. You Would Think MUAs For Their Show Would Do Betterreddit.com

28. Such Distinct Lines Around The Eyes. Shouldn't There Be Some Blending Or Something?

28. Such Distinct Lines Around The Eyes. Shouldn't There Be Some Blending Or Something?reddit.com

29. Buzzfeed's Geisha Makeup vs. Actual Geisha Makeup

29. Buzzfeed's Geisha Makeup vs. Actual Geisha Makeupreddit.com

30. This Look Is Giving Me Anxiety

30. This Look Is Giving Me Anxietyreddit.com

31. There's A Lot To Unpack Here

31. There's A Lot To Unpack Herereddit.com

32. Oh Girl, No

32. Oh Girl, Noreddit.com

33. It Gets Worse The More You Look At It

33. It Gets Worse The More You Look At Itreddit.com

34. I Found These Gems Randomly On IG, And You Guessed It, They’re British. Shade Difference, The Brows, I Could Go On

34. I Found These Gems Randomly On IG, And You Guessed It, They’re British. Shade Difference, The Brows, I Could Go Onqueeriequeerio

35. Beef That’s Been Left Out For Too Long Lips

35. Beef That’s Been Left Out For Too Long Lipsreddit.com

36. I’m A Dude And Don’t Know Anything About Makeup, But I’m Assuming Your Face Isn’t Meant To Look Like You Have A Goggle’s Tan

However, the moderator says that we need to remember that makeup is subjective, and there is no real right or wrong. "The only problem I have is when individuals promote themselves as professionals but do not understand color theory, face shapes, eye shapes, or use proper sanitation," she said.

"Sanitation is a huge issue because it can lead to acne, eye infections like pink eye, staph infections, and in some cases, actual bugs living in brushes. On a less severe note, it can also make the application of makeup look cakey, distort the foundation's color, concealer, and eyeshadow, and cause damage to brushes."

36. I’m A Dude And Don’t Know Anything About Makeup, But I’m Assuming Your Face Isn’t Meant To Look Like You Have A Goggle’s Tanreddit.com

37. Spotted On SVU This Morning, This Poor Woman's Color Match Is Especially Heinous

37. Spotted On SVU This Morning, This Poor Woman's Color Match Is Especially Heinousreddit.com

38. The Brows And The Shade Of The Foundation Are Awful And It Looks Like A Mess. She Looks Like She Was Slapped With Mud And Her Makeup Was Done By Krusty The Clown

38. The Brows And The Shade Of The Foundation Are Awful And It Looks Like A Mess. She Looks Like She Was Slapped With Mud And Her Makeup Was Done By Krusty The Clownreddit.com

39. James, You Can’t Be Serious With That Foundation Color?

39. James, You Can’t Be Serious With That Foundation Color?reddit.com

40. Found On Instagram - Blushed To The Gods

40. Found On Instagram - Blushed To The Godsreddit.com

Psychological Analysis

This discussion highlights the struggle many face regarding self-acceptance and societal expectations.

By fostering an environment where individuals can embrace their unique beauty, we can create a culture that values authenticity over perfection.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Understanding the psychological dynamics of beauty standards reveals the need for compassion and acceptance.

Research indicates that challenging societal norms can lead to healthier self-images and greater emotional resilience.

Ultimately, fostering discussions around beauty can empower individuals and promote a more inclusive understanding of self-worth.

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