Yarn makeup: TikTok's new, not-so-average beauty trend

When it comes to makeup, you’re never short of inspiration. Every month seems to bring a new trend — some that stick, others that fade. But the latest one is making waves for its unexpected use of material: yarn makeup — a trend that might make your skin crawl at first glance, but is oddly cool and creative. 

Makeup artist Anna Murphy (@annamurphyyy) is widely credited with starting the now-viral yarn makeup trend. In a TikTok video, Anna introduced her innovative use of yarn in makeup, creating a makeup look that incorporated the material into her beauty routine. The video quickly went viral, raking in 52 million views and 5.8 million likes. This creative approach captured the attention of viewers and sparked a wave of reactions within the beauty community. Her bold, unconventional use of fiber as a makeup tool has since exploded across social media platforms, with countless others experimenting with yarn in their own makeup looks. This is a perfect example of how makeup is evolving as a form of creative expression.

While viewers were a bit unsettled by the use of yarn as makeup — leaving comments like "I don't know if this is a sensory nightmare or fantasy," "Uh, I don't like the texture," and "This makes me so uncomfortable but also satisfied" — creators loved the idea, using it as an opportunity to put their own spin on the trend. Beauty creators @nadinemanariyo, @itszaybaybay, and @beatsbydeb are among many creators who took the trend to the next level. 

Although it's called 'yarn makeup', that didn't stop creators from incorporating yarn hair — and nails. In a tutorial video beauty creator @itszaybaybay shows us how she created her yarn hair and makeup look that took her 8 hours. 

We've seen countless recreations of the yarn makeup trend, and it's safe to say we can't pick a favourite. Don't believe us? Check out the hashtag #yarnmakeup on TikTok to see various takes on the trend. Here are a few that stood out to us.