A new TikTok trend dubbed 'unapproachable makeup' has amassed over 127 million views, with Gen Z women using bold cosmetics to deter unwanted attention. The look features dark eyes, bold lips, and heavy blush, aiming to appear so striking that men feel too intimidated to approach.
Megi Hebeja, a TikToker behind the trend, said: 'There's nothing I love more than pissing men off, and nothing pisses men off more than looking so good they're too scared to approach you.' The style includes black winged eyeliner, often extended to the inner corner, and a grey-black smokey eye with glitter.
Lips are a key component, with bold reds or glossy finishes, while blush is applied generously. The trend, which first emerged in summer 2023, is resurging ahead of the Christmas party season. It marks a shift from soft glam, with women reclaiming makeup for themselves rather than for male approval.
Critics have noted the return of 'concealer lips' from the noughties, but the unapproachable look prioritises full-coverage glamour. The trend has sparked debate about women's autonomy in using makeup as a tool for personal expression and boundary-setting.
