TikTok’s newest trend is all about getting revenge by being your best self. The wave of over 40 million "revenge makeup" videos on the platform embody bold, glamorous looks meant to leave your ex’s jaw agape. Celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter says a look like this can help you move on.
“When your heart breaks, pay attention to you,” Linter explains. “We have ‘revenge body’ and now we have ‘revenge makeup.’ You feel like you have more power or control.”
The looks are all about a glow up inside and out, with a dark twist. The desire to get your ex to regret their decision is one that can only be achieved by a combination of the hot look and the way you don’t care. “It’s all sculpted cheeks and a sweet pink blush,” Linter explains, noting the pairing between strength and softness.
Think dark eyes but paired with you looking just around your ex-partner and never at them. Think red lips, but smiling at someone or something else your ex won’t ever hear about.
Linter explains that this trend is about bouncing back and claiming your power. “Everything to attract a man!” she says. “I think it works. All the colors just intensify your features.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@aliciabreuer0/video/7199340554172550406?q=%23revengemakeup&t=1680102919783
If you’re eager to try the trend but worried about weighing yourself down with dark colors, Linter explains how to keep your eyes looking large and present. “When you do your under-eye liner, draw the line through the lower lashes, blend with a small brush,” Linter explains. “Then take the pencil (black) and draw a line on top of your lower lashes, pushing the pencil into the lower lashes. The pencil liner won’t be jammed up against your eye… your eye will appear larger.”
Additionally, Linter says she would pair this look with a deep matte nude on the lips. “I’d do a deep nude pencil lip liner, blend and go to a deep matte nude color for lips,” she says. “No gloss necessary, but you can.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@arwencelis/video/7175999468184128814?embed_source=121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=www.byrdie.com%2Ftiktok-revenge-makeup-trend-7104045&referer_video_id=7175999468184128814
If you’ve ever had your heart broken, you know it can inspire a season of change. New haircuts you did yourself and sink dye jobs at two in the morning when you’re out of ice cream are kind of like the first bloom of spring, if you think about it. And when the sadness wears off, the best motivator to get you looking and feeling your best can be spite.
