Makeup trend alert: since last month, the beauty girlies on TikTok have been obsessing non-stop over pre-shower makeup. The hashtag on the app has accumulated over 47.7 million views as of today and the number keeps rising. But what exactly is pre-shower makeup and what’s with all the hype? Let us break it down for you.

We know that this latest craze sounds like a recipe for leaving the house with smudged mascara all over your face. In actuality, it’s the exact opposite. The pre-shower makeup is about ditching the pressure of perfection and diving headfirst into playful experimentation—everything that makes doing your makeup fun.

@toriderae like ummmmmmmmm pookie give me 45 mins #radiohead #creep #preshowermakeup ♬ creep choir – .

How exactly did the trend came to be? Easy, we’ve all felt the spontaneous need to experiment with our makeup at the worst possible moments. Somehow, knowing that we don’t have time to fix any mistakes that are bound to happen when diverting from our usual makeup routine isn’t enough of a deterrent.

Pre-shower makeup is the answer to the problem—a special time set aside for pretending to be a beauty guru. Try out that neon eyeliner, rock that rainbow eyeshadow look, or master that elusive winged liner. You can have it all, minus the hassle of messing up and starting again.

@isabelle.lux The only time i feel safe 🥲#preshowering #preshowermakeup ♬ Lights – ᴱ〽️ᴵᴿ 🐻

As trends go, it can’t get any simpler than the pre-shower makeup. Remember that makeup product, technique, or look that you’ve been meaning to try out? Give all of it a whirl before hopping into the shower. Yes, that includes the insane clown makeup tutorial you can’t seem to get out of your head. Who knows? It might be a good everyday look on you.

Don’t freak out if you end up looking horrendous because, remember, it’s shower time right after. Double cleanse all evidence of your experimental makeup session in the shower and you’re good to go. As a bonus, you’ll have a hilarious washing-off video to share on your socials. It sounds liberating, doesn’t it?

@chooseyourglow #preshowermakeup ♬ 500lbs – Slowed Down – Lil Tecca

To no one’s surprise, there are those on social media who called the trend “wasteful” since people are using up their makeup products only to immediately wash it all off. To be honest, these naysayers have a point—not just about wasting makeup but also money. Ladies, remember the price tags on the makeup products we bought? Forget scary clown makeup, that’s the real horror.

The trick to avoiding wastage is by not going overboard. Do your pre-shower makeup only when you really want to try out something new and figure out if it works for you. Follow Madi Prettyman‘s example shown above of trying out a red lip she’s too nervous to rock in the mornings.

At the end of the day, makeup shouldn’t just be about covering up your flaws. It should also be about having fun and expressing yourself. So when you have the time, don’t hesitate to grab your makeup bag and experiment before getting into the shower. Let your creativity flow.

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