Before it became a trend, many of us have been experimenting with our makeup before we hop in the shower for the night. Perhaps you want to test your new red lipstick before you commit to it in public or you want to try a Pinterest-inspired makeup look that you’re not too sure about. Now, thanks to TikTok, this routine has a name - pre-shower makeup.
Pre-shower makeup involves applying makeup right before taking a shower. The idea is that it allows you to experiment with bold or new looks without the pressure of wearing it out in public. If it turns out great, you can recreate it, and if it doesn’t, it’s easily washed off in the shower. It also makes way for practising new techniques or trying new products.
With over 17 thousand posts using #preshowermakeup on TikTok, most makeup lovers embraced the pre-shower makeup trend as the perfect opportunity to experiment with glam looks. With no pressure to keep the makeup looking flawless, many can be seen trying out that bold winged eyeliner, a dramatic smokey eye, or a statement lip, while others used the trend to try makeup looks they wouldn’t typically wear in public. Here are some of our favourites:
@maytahmi Pre shower makeup always and forever #preshowermakeup #creativemakeup #abstractmakeup #graphicliner ♬ Stay Ugly - Crim3s
@maytahmi Pre shower makeup’s final boss xxx #preshowermakeup #creativemakeup #funmakeup ♬ Linger - SiriusXM Session - Royel Otis
@taontm Trust the process 🫠 #preshowermakeup ♬ som original - 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒆𝒗𝒍'𝒔 - Cinderella Moderna
@schaebreezy_ 90s preshower makeup 🤍 love practicing quick looks then immediately going to wash it off 😂 let me know if you have questions about any of the things used 🫶🏾 #preshowermakeup #90smakeup #supermodel #90smodel #cooltonedmakeup #makeupbymario ♬ One Thing instrumental - Twilight 🦋
Others went wild and covered their entire face with colour or messily applied their makeup.
@nothhaileycase so far i’ve been blue and red. we’re going to pretend i’m calcifer or sum #preshowermakeup ♬ son original - 💐𝐵🪐
@peytons_tiktok pre shower makeup 😍😍😍#wompwomp #preshowermakeup #fyp #influencerera?? #cutiepatootie ♬ son original - 💐𝐵🪐
@b0nbees ♬ Emotions - Brenda Lee
@koolerthankoolaid Call me rupaul atp #draft #funny #relateable #foryoupage #shower #makeup #funny #silly #badmakeup #girl #girls #girlproblems #fypシ #blowthisup ♬ original sound - secretsecretsecret32
While pre-shower makeup is fun and therapeutic, proper makeup removal is the foundation of good skin hygiene. Dermatologist, Dr. Whitney Bowe used the trend to explain how to effectively remove your makeup at night without drying your skin or leading to breakout. She recommends double cleansing by removing your makeup with micellar water or an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm, followed by a gentle water-based cleanser.
