TikTok's 'MAGA Makeup' Trend Has Beauty Influencers Seeing Red (White, and Blue)

A new TikTok trend dubbed “MAGA Makeup” is sweeping the nation, blending contouring techniques with political fervor in ways that have left both beauty gurus and pundits utterly bewildered. The trend, which involves using copious amounts of bronzer, blue eyeliner, and rhinestones arranged into tiny American flags, has sparked heated debates about whether patriotism belongs in a makeup bag—or just on bumper stickers.

The trend went viral after influencer @LibertyLashes89 posted a tutorial titled “Founding Father Flawless,” which featured a step-by-step guide to stenciling the preamble of the Constitution onto one’s décolletage. “It’s all about subtlety,” she said, while applying eyeliner sharp enough to cut through a debate about tax reforms. Critics argue the looks are less “subtle” and more “a Fourth of July parade threw up on a Sephora.” Meanwhile, users are raving about the challenge of perfectly blending a smokey eye while passionately arguing about tariffs in their captions.

Not everyone is red-white-and-blown away. Detractors claim the trend is “performative patriotism” at best. “This is what happens when you mix politics with a Sephora loyalty card,” commented one user, @EyelinersOfThePeople. Others have pointed out logistical issues, like the difficulty of crying during emotional campaign ads without ruining a meticulously drawn bald eagle silhouette on one’s cheekbone.

The trend has even spilled into corporate America. Beauty brands are rushing to release limited-edition “MAGA Makeup” collabs, including an eyeshadow shade called “Bunker Bronze” and a highlighter named “Executive Glow” that promises to make wearers “shine brighter than a Mar-a-Lago chandelier.” Meanwhile, Sephora’s attempt to launch a bipartisan “Purple Palette” was canceled after users complained it “looks more lavender than patriot.”

As the nation braces for the 2024 election, one thing is clear: democracy might be messy, but our makeup doesn’t have to be. Probably.