PARIS — Sunburns might be taboo IRL, but virtual “sunburnt makeup” is now a real, hot thing on TikTok.
The color cosmetics trend, also coming with monikers such as “tan lines makeup,” “sunburn makeup” and “sunburned makeup,” is racking up millions of views.
So far, “sunburnt makeup” alone has gotten 28.2 million views on the platform.
It’s “the latest trend taking the internet by storm,” said Klarna, the global payments platform and AI-powered shopping assistant, in a recent study.
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“Inspired by GQ China’s viral editorial, many content creators have shared tutorials, ranging from humorous to instructional, on achieving this effect,” Klarna continued, referring to coverage in the magazine’s June issue that displays a series of “heat stroke” images.
On TikTok, creator tutorials show how in a few swipes of blush or bronzer one can get that verging-on-heat-stroke look — without a trip to the ER, happily. Some are using stencils to create pale patterns around eyes, or applying burnt hues around spaghetti straps to get a fake tan-line effect.
On TikTok, for instance, Itssonasty’s burning look includes sunglasses, necklace and bathing suit outlines, which has garnered 1.2 million views.
Maddnot uses Huda Beauty and a blush filter in Watermelon pop for her whole look, which has notched up almost 768,000 views.
CocoDevile, meanwhile, has 3.2 million views for the post “I’m not into tan lines” as the creator wipes off those made of makeup.
Not everyone is keen, though.
“While recreating a sunburn with makeup tricks isn’t inherently dangerous, some young individuals influenced by this trend admit to sunbathing without sun protection, drawn in by the rosy and bronzed appearance they find aesthetically pleasing,” said Klarna. “This practice is concerning, especially considering that, according to Klarna’s study data, a significant portion of the population still neglects the use of sunscreen.”
Sunburns ramp up the risk of sun cancer and accelerate skin aging.
In France, just 18 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds think sun protection is essential during the entire year. Thirty-seven percent of them only use it in summertime, and 23 percent for outdoor activities. Sixteen percent rarely use sun protection, whereas in the 16- to 24 year-old cohort in the country, the level is 18 percent, according to Klarna.