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Whether it's a botched eyeliner job or a foundation shade that doesn't quite match our skin tone, many of us have had our fair share of beauty mishaps. And sometimes they're not so easy to avoid. However, the subreddit r/BadMUAs takes a lighthearted approach to showcasing some of the most cringe-worthy makeup fails on the internet.

It's important to note that the purpose of this community is not to ridicule or shame those featured but rather to highlight the importance of proper makeup application. The subreddit serves as a reminder to do your research and seek out reputable professionals who can expand upon your natural beauty, not harm it. So let's remember to approach the topic with respect.

#1

Popped Up On My Fb Feed Today... "Bridal Makeup"

Popped Up On My Fb Feed Today... "Bridal Makeup"

Low-Ladder-6265 Report

Weasel Wise
Community Member
3 years ago

How is that "fashion" standards deem leg hair and armpit hair icky in women but hair growing out of your eyelids? Yes, please! To the point where women will glue shít to their eyelids to have an extra hairy look?! I find it odd. 🤔

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    #2

    Everything About This Concerns Me

    Everything About This Concerns Me

    vintagepop Report

    𝔙𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔤𝔢 𝔊𝔦𝔯𝔩
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    looks like a mannequin

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    For our earlier piece on the subreddit, Pinsandpearls, one of the moderators of Bad MakeUp Artists, said 'bad makeup' probably means different things to different people, which is why the subreddit has such a wide variety of posts.

    "Typically, we're looking at makeup that isn't applied skillfully — lack of blending where appropriate, terrible foundation color match, messy lines," Pinsandpearls explained to Bored Panda. "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 it usually has a good discussion and taste is subjective, but I think there's a difference between 'different' and 'bad.' Bad is pretty obvious when you see it."

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    #3

    Made A Pretty Girl Look Cheap And Shiny

    Made A Pretty Girl Look Cheap And Shiny

    Known-Explorer2610 Report

    ACE PIRATES 4 THE WIN
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Nooo she looked so good before now she looks fake :(

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    #4

    Those Brows

    Those Brows

    SocietalLeader Report

    timothythefrog (he/they)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    yes, the brows,,, but also the orange?????? 🤮

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    #5

    They Did Her So Dirty! (Advertising On A Brand, With A Mua Tagged)

    They Did Her So Dirty! (Advertising On A Brand, With A Mua Tagged)

    chica1994 Report

    Manomnomnom
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The longer you look at this, the worse it gets... it looks like she's wearing some weird plastic mask because of the foundation being like that

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    "If you take a look, you can probably see a lot of makeup artists and normal people are mismatching their foundations to their skin's undertone," another moderator of the subreddit, badMUAscout, added.

    "If you're slightly off, it's probably ok. 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."

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    Contouring also gets featured on the subreddit quite often. "Contour is meant to mimic the 'shadows' you naturally have but very very slightly enhanced. We consider it to be bad when it looks like a dark stripe down the side of the face which doesn't match the natural shadows," badMUAscout explained.

    #6

    True Crime Shows Always Have Makeup That Looks Like It's Done By Morticians

    True Crime Shows Always Have Makeup That Looks Like It's Done By Morticians

    beotherwise Report

    karen panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    the real crime here is the makeup

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    #7

    Been In Tears Over This For Like 20 Minutes

    Been In Tears Over This For Like 20 Minutes

    tanookittie Report

    JM
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Is she putting the lashes in the BOTTOM of the eyes?

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    #8

    Finally Found One In The Wild. Her Face Says It All Lol

    Finally Found One In The Wild. Her Face Says It All Lol

    jennapops Report

    freakingbee (they/them)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    the eyeshadow is so nice though it's a shame

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    #9

    MUA’s Work On Instagram, Found In The Wild

    MUA’s Work On Instagram, Found In The Wild

    KatieVBa Report

    G o l d f i s h
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    oh lord

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    Another moderator who helps run Bad MakeUp Artists, RedHeadedSnatch, believes that some people do submit photos to the subreddit as a joke or because they might not really like a particular celebrity or look. However, RedHeadedSnatch reminded us that makeup is subjective, and there is no formula that determines whether or not an application is bad.

    #10

    Category Is: Jaundice Realness

    Category Is: Jaundice Realness

    cariadcarrie Report

    OmBoyGanesh
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Leaning towards campy drag

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    #11

    This One Was Posted By A Local Mua. Yes, It Is The Finished Look. Check The Number Of Likes…

    This One Was Posted By A Local Mua. Yes, It Is The Finished Look. Check The Number Of Likes…

    Thatonebasicchick Report

    Toast Ghost
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    How many times do you have to get punched to achieve this?

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    #12

    Prom Makeup

    Prom Makeup

    ahall333 Report

    Dingooo
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Circus mortician did a good job.

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    #13

    Pink Undereyes

    Pink Undereyes

    heretofillthevoid Report

    Blue_Mouse (read bio)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Had potential. They lost it real quick

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    "The only problem I have is when individuals who promote themselves as professionals but do not understand color theory, face shapes, eye shape, or use proper sanitation," RedHeadedSnatch 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 eye shadow, and cause damage to brushes."

    #14

    The Foundation 😩

    The Foundation 😩

    agmlol Report

    Nimitz
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    If Data from Star Trek experimented with pink makeup

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    #15

    The Nose Contour 🥴

    The Nose Contour 🥴

    cr0nut Report

    Lindsay Ameye
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    It's the stroke smile for me!

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    This MUA Does Incredible Eye Work, But Everything Else Is Just A No For Me Tbh

    This MUA Does Incredible Eye Work, But Everything Else Is Just A No For Me Tbh

    Kitwanorreen Report

    Lauren S
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The two tone cheek is… a look

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    #17

    Spotted In The Wild

    Spotted In The Wild

    tiddymeat6969 Report

    Lauren S
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I’m concerned she has a kid at her house who got into the markers while she napped.

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    RedHeadedSnatch looks at the submitted photos from a professional makeup artist's point of view. They have their makeup license from the state of Florida and have had over 100 hours of theory and hands-on training, with written and practical application tests, so they know what they're talking about. And that is a big positive that comes from Bad MakeUp Artists. Sure, we can all laugh at the photos, but if you browse through the comments, you can find valuable information even within the jokes.

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    #18

    Posted By A “Permanent Makeup Artist”

    Posted By A “Permanent Makeup Artist”

    kadybug29 Report

    Sprout
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Take a moment of silence to mourn yes

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    #19

    Real Housewives Of Potomac Season 4 Mua Is Not It

    Real Housewives Of Potomac Season 4 Mua Is Not It

    miss_chanandlerbongg Report

    Vicki Doggurl
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    Holy c**p!!! She stood out in the rain without water proof makeup. Freaky looking. Or is it just me? Edit: upon closer inspection the photo has vertical lines that made her face look streaked.

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    #20

    Someone Please Explain The Forehead Situation

    Someone Please Explain The Forehead Situation

    hidinginalocker Report

    ACE PIRATES 4 THE WIN
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Her head is… orange

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    #21

    Why Do Makeup Companies Even Bother With Shade Ranges At This Point. Everyone’s Yellow!

    Why Do Makeup Companies Even Bother With Shade Ranges At This Point. Everyone’s Yellow!

    samk355 Report

    Moo
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    When I got my makeup professionally done for my high school senior photos, apparently my skin tone is really not common in foundations, like it's cool to the point sometimes I probably look dead, Snow White looks tan next to me kind of thing. She searched high and low to find a good match, and I actually was very satisfied with the results :)

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    Also, the subreddit forces the industry to be more transparent. "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," RedHeadedSnatch said.

    Let's hope Bad MakeUp Artists makes them accountable.

    #22

    They Didn't Even Try To Color Match Her

    They Didn't Even Try To Color Match Her

    bxxxbydoll Report

    Doogie Bowser
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    It's the mudslide look

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    #23

    I Can’t , I Just Can’t , It’s 2023 But Some Haven’t Grown Out Of The Instagram Brows And The Extremely Long Lashes ? 😩

    I Can’t , I Just Can’t , It’s 2023 But Some Haven’t Grown Out Of The Instagram Brows And The Extremely Long Lashes ? 😩

    serotoninpleaseee Report

    Ginny Crouse
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Quick! Where's the spider spray?

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    #24

    Good Ole Sally Beauty Ad…

    Good Ole Sally Beauty Ad…

    goldieoldie Report

    Lost Penny
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    "You're orange, you moron!" House MD

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    #25

    Her Face Is A Literal Gradient

    Her Face Is A Literal Gradient

    petiteodessa Report

    rs_adahl1971
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Her chin almost looks greenish

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    #26

    Oh Gosh

    Oh Gosh

    howdoesredditworklol Report

    Gina Babe
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Her hairline confuses me

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    #27

    Oh No

    Oh No

    nqki Report

    Jaaawn
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Looks greasy af.

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    #28

    Found On Bookface. That Colour Match Though

    Found On Bookface. That Colour Match Though

    Technicolourhero Report

    BigSteveT
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Her ear would indicate massive filtering as well

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    #29

    Super Cakey Bride

    Super Cakey Bride

    classicspoonbill Report

    Mama Penguin
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I hope the wedding doesn't take place outside in the summer.

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    #30

    Posted Along With A Message To ‘Book Soon To Avoid Disappointment!’ 😬

    Posted Along With A Message To ‘Book Soon To Avoid Disappointment!’ 😬

    megann1011 Report

    Elita One
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I think she's going for that liver cancer yellow skin look.

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    #31

    Caption Said She’s “Lucky She Found The Best Local Makeup Artist To Do Her Makeup” At The Last Minute

    Caption Said She’s “Lucky She Found The Best Local Makeup Artist To Do Her Makeup” At The Last Minute

    CoordinatorFightClub Report

    OneHappyPuppy
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Lmao rn feel so sorry for the poor girl, she gives off mr. Bean vibes

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    #32

    Rip Virgo Lippies

    Rip Virgo Lippies

    esoterica120 Report

    Beck
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Shiny fish skin

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    #33

    Yikes...an Ulta Ad

    Yikes...an Ulta Ad

    Watthefuq882 Report

    Lauren S
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I mean skin does have texture. But the amount of makeup is not helping. But I think that color shirt is pretty on her.

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    #34

    Her Lips

    Her Lips

    Born_End_584 Report

    Nimitz
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The makeup, the cross, the shirt... A red flag holding red flags that have their own battery operated flashing red flags.

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    #35

    A Local Mua "Legend"

    A Local Mua "Legend"

    amyjonescurvemodel Report

    Sinkvenice
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    She drank from the wrong cup while trying to find the holy grail x-D

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    #36

    This Was On A Mascara Promo. I Am Speechless About The Bottom Photo

    This Was On A Mascara Promo. I Am Speechless About The Bottom Photo

    eirinlinn Report

    BigSteveT
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I have that same caterpillar in my garden

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    #37

    This Advertisement For A Lip Tint Going A Little Overkill

    This Advertisement For A Lip Tint Going A Little Overkill

    xenleah Report

    MaggieMay85
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Did they photoshopped the lips on?

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    #38

    At This Point I’m Convinced They’re Baiting For Comments… Those Brows…

    At This Point I’m Convinced They’re Baiting For Comments… Those Brows…

    aliveintheam Report

    Marie Adamson
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Looks like a chimney brush.

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    #39

    This Makeup Course Ad Isn’t Very Appealing…

    This Makeup Course Ad Isn’t Very Appealing…

    kettuva Report

    Sexual Harassment Panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Her face is very large or is it just me?

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    #40

    "Pro Makeup Artist"

    "Pro Makeup Artist"

    hannahmlig1 Report

    timothythefrog (he/they)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    almost tim burton-esque...

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    #41

    Poor Girl Has Perfect Skin To Begin With

    Poor Girl Has Perfect Skin To Begin With

    MrMush48 Report

    Iva Kazalova
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Are you trying to change her race? This is beyond highlighter 😳

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    #42

    Auch

    Auch

    jayxyee Report

    Weasel Wise
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    Lamination and faces do not go in the same sentence safely. Also, has this person ever seen eyebrows on a human?

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    #43

    Whoever Did This Did Her Dirty! The Lashes Aren't Even On Properly

    Whoever Did This Did Her Dirty! The Lashes Aren't Even On Properly

    reddit.com Report

    timothythefrog (he/they)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    i wonder how you would even search to find an image like this lol

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    #44

    Catfishee Who 'Does Makeup' For A Living, Big Yikes On Those Brows 😬

    Catfishee Who 'Does Makeup' For A Living, Big Yikes On Those Brows 😬

    gizmo_getthedildos Report

    Nimitz
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    18 going on 38

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    #45

    And Yes, She’s Bri-Ish!

    And Yes, She’s Bri-Ish!

    cuziluvmakeup Report

    Kevin Sutton
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Nobody admits to being British you crusty horses appendage. So nobody is saying they're 'br'ish'. I'm English, my stepfather is Scottish, my father is Irish. Some unfortunate souls may be Welsh. British? No.

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    #46

    Since When Is This Girl This Brown? Her Hand Certainly Isn’t 🤦🏻‍♀️

    Since When Is This Girl This Brown? Her Hand Certainly Isn’t 🤦🏻‍♀️

    marysaka Report

    freakingbee (they/them)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    NO MILLIE

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    #47

    The Lipliner Oh My God

    The Lipliner Oh My God

    Gumbootspoop Report

    Gina Babe
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    MAC: "no, it's not"

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    #48

    The Color Match… She Deserved Better!!

    The Color Match… She Deserved Better!!

    more-asbestos Report

    freakingbee (they/them)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    love her hair though

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    #49

    Keep Getting This Makeup Artist Advertising On Instagram

    Keep Getting This Makeup Artist Advertising On Instagram

    Conscious-Split4637 Report

    Nina
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    She did a good job foundation-wise and highlighting, compared to some other posts I'd even say topnotch

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    #50

    Who Did This To Her!

    Who Did This To Her!

    KingDonat Report

    Lauren S
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Not the sun

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    #51

    This Foundation Match

    This Foundation Match

    aloofanxiety Report

    Alyssa Brown
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Its a shame because the makeup is gorgeous besides not matching her natural skin tone

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    #52

    This Makeup Artist Did The Bride So Dirty 😭😭😭

    This Makeup Artist Did The Bride So Dirty 😭😭😭

    buttercupcentral Report

    Iva Kazalova
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The bride looks like their nan 😂

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    #53

    By A Person I Know Genuinely Trying To Start A Business

    By A Person I Know Genuinely Trying To Start A Business

    BobbyPotter Report

    AxleMunshine001
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Don't give up your day job,love

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    #54

    Found This Gem On Glow Up / S2

    Found This Gem On Glow Up / S2

    cuziluvmakeup Report

    Jaaawn
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I've seen videos of this guy, he's got real delusions of grandeur.

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    #55

    It’s Really The Overlined Lips, She Has Naturally Beautiful Thick Lips. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    It’s Really The Overlined Lips, She Has Naturally Beautiful Thick Lips. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    Designer-Peace2904 Report

    Nimitz
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The first mistake was telling this person they needed makeup...

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    #56

    Some Expencive Mua Has Made A Bad Mistake🙄

    Some Expencive Mua Has Made A Bad Mistake🙄

    MistressInari Report

    Pittsburgh rare
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Has gorgeous bone structure and the MUA could have done wonders with it

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    #57

    It’s So Obvious

    It’s So Obvious

    Sens9 Report

    Antonia
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    he is ashamed

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    #58

    This Photo Is On An Actress's Imdb Page

    This Photo Is On An Actress's Imdb Page

    CakeForBreakfast08 Report

    Dingooo
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    When was the funeral?

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    #59

    The Makeup Is Literal Art, The Lips Though :/

    The Makeup Is Literal Art, The Lips Though :/

    BrownEyedBliss Report

    Pheebs
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I am so ready for both those lip and brow trends to die. The lips look like a blob fish, out of the water.

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    #60

    When The Movie’s Mua Budget Can Only Get You A Mortician

    When The Movie’s Mua Budget Can Only Get You A Mortician

    Dani_California Report

    Lauren S
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Is that jlo?

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    #61

    Makeup Artist Who Does A Lot Of Weddings. I Can See She Is Talented But Something Is So Off About The Foundation?

    Makeup Artist Who Does A Lot Of Weddings. I Can See She Is Talented But Something Is So Off About The Foundation?

    lexaBRUH Report

    ️ ️lefty libra️
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    very off.

    #62

    I Have No Words

    I Have No Words

    throwawaybin9991 Report

    Alyssa Brown
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I don't know if this is a fair comparison as it's clearly part way into application

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    #63

    The Foundation Match…

    The Foundation Match…

    ViolentHamster8II Report

    GlamourGhoul
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The spray tan

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    #64

    👁️👄👁️

    👁️👄👁️

    vampyrbats Report

    freakingbee (they/them)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    wtf is the caption

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    #65

    They Did This To Her On Her Wedding Day???

    They Did This To Her On Her Wedding Day???

    Uglydumpsterfire Report

    Nimitz
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The Elizabethan hairline was banished for a reason

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    #66

    Self Proclaimed Make Up Artist Went A Little Heavy On The Contour For Her Nephews 1st Birthday

    Self Proclaimed Make Up Artist Went A Little Heavy On The Contour For Her Nephews 1st Birthday

    jessicat2222 Report

    Lauren S
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Not too ba… oh the nose!

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    #67

    At First I Was Like, Okay It’s The Color Of The Shirt Bouncing Off His Face? But… I’m Not Sure It Works Like That

    At First I Was Like, Okay It’s The Color Of The Shirt Bouncing Off His Face? But… I’m Not Sure It Works Like That

    final_grl Report

    Ken Beattie
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Wonder if this is actually the video compression messing with the colours.

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    #68

    What In The Lipliner Is This?

    What In The Lipliner Is This?

    hipporox Report

    Maggie
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    She forgot to wipe her lips after that sneaky choc ice cream.

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    #69

    How My Friend's Wedding Makeup Artist Did Me... Sweet Jesus

    How My Friend's Wedding Makeup Artist Did Me... Sweet Jesus

    SchwiftyEmmmmy Report

    Regina Kurfürst
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Tf happened there between her eyebrows? Ignored the "keep your fingers off your clients face" rule and smudged the brows?

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    #70

    Your Average UK Mua Of Course

    Your Average UK Mua Of Course

    rh3ny Report

    Al Joy
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Mustache

    #71

    I Know She Cried When She Got In The Car

    I Know She Cried When She Got In The Car

    demonic_princess554 Report

    AxleMunshine001
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Some say she is still crying to this day

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    #72

    What In The Overdrawn Lips Is This?!

    What In The Overdrawn Lips Is This?!

    ugly-quilt Report

    GlamourGhoul
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Emma is cringey anyway

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    #73

    My Junior Prom Makeup Done At Ulta (C.2017)

    My Junior Prom Makeup Done At Ulta (C.2017)

    emperxr Report

    BigSteveT
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Might not be perfect, but I give it a 9.5 since she's not green...

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    #74

    It Was Different Style Back Then

    It Was Different Style Back Then

    MistressInari Report

    freakingbee (they/them)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    this one isn't too bad

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    #75

    On The Packaging Of Ardell Lashes Lol

    On The Packaging Of Ardell Lashes Lol

    methicasdreamz Report

    ️ ️lefty libra️
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    am i stupid because i dont see anything wrong-? EDIT: wait are they different lashes?