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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

#2

Everything About This Concerns Me

Everything About This Concerns Me

vintagepop Report

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."

#3

Made A Pretty Girl Look Cheap And Shiny

Made A Pretty Girl Look Cheap And Shiny

Known-Explorer2610 Report

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#4

Those Brows

Those Brows

SocietalLeader Report

#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

"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."

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.

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#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

#7

Been In Tears Over This For Like 20 Minutes

Been In Tears Over This For Like 20 Minutes

tanookittie Report

#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

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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

Another moderator who helps run Bad MakeUp ArtistsRedHeadedSnatch, 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

#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

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#12

Prom Makeup

Prom Makeup

ahall333 Report

#13

Pink Undereyes

Pink Undereyes

heretofillthevoid Report

"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

#15

The Nose Contour 🥴

The Nose Contour 🥴

cr0nut Report

#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

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#17

Spotted In The Wild

Spotted In The Wild

tiddymeat6969 Report

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.

#18

Posted By A “Permanent Makeup Artist”

Posted By A “Permanent Makeup Artist”

kadybug29 Report

#19

Real Housewives Of Potomac Season 4 Mua Is Not It

Real Housewives Of Potomac Season 4 Mua Is Not It

miss_chanandlerbongg Report

#20

Someone Please Explain The Forehead Situation

Someone Please Explain The Forehead Situation

hidinginalocker Report

#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

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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

#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

#24

Good Ole Sally Beauty Ad…

Good Ole Sally Beauty Ad…

goldieoldie Report

#25

Her Face Is A Literal Gradient

Her Face Is A Literal Gradient

petiteodessa Report

#26

Oh Gosh

Oh Gosh

howdoesredditworklol Report

#27

Oh No

Oh No

nqki Report

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#28

Found On Bookface. That Colour Match Though

Found On Bookface. That Colour Match Though

Technicolourhero Report

#29

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

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

megann1011 Report

#30

Super Cakey Bride

Super Cakey Bride

classicspoonbill Report

#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

#32

Rip Virgo Lippies

Rip Virgo Lippies

esoterica120 Report

#33

Yikes...an Ulta Ad

Yikes...an Ulta Ad

Watthefuq882 Report

#34

Her Lips

Her Lips

Born_End_584 Report

#35

A Local Mua "Legend"

A Local Mua "Legend"

amyjonescurvemodel Report

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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

#37

This Advertisement For A Lip Tint Going A Little Overkill

This Advertisement For A Lip Tint Going A Little Overkill

xenleah Report

#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

#39

This Makeup Course Ad Isn’t Very Appealing…

This Makeup Course Ad Isn’t Very Appealing…

kettuva Report

#40

"Pro Makeup Artist"

"Pro Makeup Artist"

hannahmlig1 Report

#41

Poor Girl Has Perfect Skin To Begin With

Poor Girl Has Perfect Skin To Begin With

MrMush48 Report

#42

Auch

Auch

jayxyee Report

#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

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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

#45

And Yes, She’s Bri-Ish!

And Yes, She’s Bri-Ish!

cuziluvmakeup Report

#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

#47

The Lipliner Oh My God

The Lipliner Oh My God

Gumbootspoop Report

#48

The Color Match… She Deserved Better!!

The Color Match… She Deserved Better!!

more-asbestos Report

#49

Keep Getting This Makeup Artist Advertising On Instagram

Keep Getting This Makeup Artist Advertising On Instagram

Conscious-Split4637 Report

#50

Who Did This To Her!

Who Did This To Her!

KingDonat Report

Note: this post originally had 75 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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