Fake Tear Makeup Is The Latest Weird Trend Taking Over Instagram

Laura Kalmakoff and Daria Doberstajn/Instagram

For everyone who has ever told you, “Don’t cry, you’ll mess up your makeup,” we’ve discovered the ultimate “fuck you.” Tears are an intentional part of the makeup with many of the looks that are taking over our Instagram feeds lately. Makeup artists have been creating fake tears out of gloss and face paint. This is not to be confused with glitter tears, which has also had its Instagram moment and runway appearance. Instead, this tear makeup looks incredibly real and so right. For all the sad girls out there who like a good daily cry, this weird Instagram trend goes out to you. We feel you.
To find out how to create convincing fake tears, we talked to Canadian makeup artist Laura Kalmakoff. Her latest teary-eyed look was actually inspired by Kimberley Margarita — not her actual emotions. The makeup artist, who also goes by ColourCreepp on social media, is known for her mystical makeup looks that often involve tears running down her face. Here she is, done up as a mermaid princess.

Mermaid princess 💕💙 Crown made by @mermaidsanctuarydesigns 💫 Used @nyxcosmetics ultimate brights shadow palette, @katvondbeauty liquid lipstick in luv, @jazzy_glitter and @artistcouture diamond glow powder in mermaid fantasy 💫 thank you SO MUCH for 500k and all your sweet comments, love and support 😭💕💕💕 wig is @wigisfashion and eye colour is edited

A post shared by KIMBERLEYMARGARITA👽COLOURCREEP (@kimberleymargarita_) on Apr 3, 2017 at 6:57pm PDT

For the tear makeup look below, Kalmakoff dripped clear lip gloss on her face (not jizz as she jokes) to create a realistic-looking tear. She tells Allure she prefers water-activated face paints for tear makeup, though. “If working with water-activated face paints, it will dry on your face and stay put,” she explains. “Lip gloss is a nightmare. It will gradually spread all over your face within a couple minutes.”

Look how girly & cute. Products used: @nyxcosmetics Liquid Suede in ‘Soft Spoken’ as circle, face paint on lashes/brows, lipgloss as drip (not jizz, but thx in advance for your comments) #makeup #makeupjunkie #makeupartist #makeupart #motd #facepaint #avantgarde #abstract #avantgardemua #editorial #featuremuas #gigirlarmy #100daysofmakeup #editorialmakeup #undiscovered_muas #underratedmuas #photography #creativemakeup #dupemag #photooftheday #yegmua #makeupartistsworldwide #nyxcosmetics #nyxcosmeticscanada #eotd

A post shared by Laura Kalmakoff (@laurakalmakoff) on May 11, 2017 at 1:18pm PDT

Despite the messiness, clear gloss seems to be the most popular tear makeup medium.

Swampy Eyes • @katvondbeauty MetalMatte palette in Moss, Jet, and Stone, the Alchemist Palette in {green} Emerald, @nyxcosmetics Lid Lacquer in Clear, @toofaced Better Than Sex mascara, and craft glitter.

A post shared by Nikki (@nikkialexis_) on Apr 29, 2017 at 4:05pm PDT

Z I G G Y S T A R D U S T ✖️ Clear tears inspired by @laurakalmakoff ❤️ and this messy removal makeup @thesaraengel ❤️ Products: @sleekmakeup Ultra mattes v2 palette @essence_cosmetics Clear gloss @inglotsrbija Amc 332 matte eyeshadow /Amc gel liner 77 @rimmelsrbija High coverage concealer in 20 ivory/Fresher skin fondation in Light nude #itsmylookbook #motd #davidbowie #davidbowietribute #ziggystardust #texture #messy #glossy #tears #artisticmakeup #darkeyebrows #abstractart #makeupartistry #faceart #eyeart #featuremedita #editorialmakeup #inglotsrbija #avantgardemakeup #vegasnay #becreative #100daysofmakeupchallenge #makeuptrends #featherbrows #makeupfeatures #gigirlarmy #undiscovered_muas #runwaymakeup #fashionmakeup #makeupmess

A post shared by •Jelena Todorovic• (@esgalnith.artistry) on May 18, 2017 at 9:57am PDT

Hi! I Just need to repost this one, because I love this makeup and this shot especially so much! It’s from DAY 38/100 of #100daysofmakeupchallenge 😊 Used: @danielsobiesniewski @drogerienatura my secret hot colors @catrice.cosmetics gloss @maybelline lash sensational . . #myartistcommunity #eyeoftheday #aspiringmua #flawlesssdolls #featuremedita #avantgardemakeup #brian_champagne #makeupoftheday #universalhairandmakeup #makeupjunkie #editoriallook #makijaż #discover_muas #grungemakeup #universodamaquiagem_oficial #undiscovered_muas #editorialmakeup #fiercesociety #wakeupandmakeup #makeupfanatic1 #underratedmuas #uncensored_mua #glittermakeup #featuremuas #macrobeauty @discover_muas @undiscovered_muas @underratedmuas @uncensored_mua @buzzfeedlife #100daysofmakeup #glossyeyes #makeupmafia

A post shared by Daria Doberstajn (@dariadoberstajn) on May 11, 2017 at 11:22am PDT

Texture, texture, and some more texture. Eyes • @katvondbeauty Alchemist palette in {green} Emerald and {blue} Sapphire mixed with the @nyxcosmetics Lid Lacquer in Clear, her Metalmatte palette in Nebula, and the @toofaced Better Than Sex mascara. Highlight • @katvondbeauty Alchemist palette in {green} Emerald

A post shared by Nikki (@nikkialexis_) on Apr 8, 2017 at 5:03pm PDT

If you want to go the face paint route, Kalmakoff likes to saturate a small liner brush in water then add some paint to it. Then, she touches it to her eye area to create “tears.” They will eventually dry and stay put. “Drippy looks are the most fun to create and the least time consuming,” she says. “Some take less than half an hour.”
You can also use a setting spray like Dallas-based MUA Ash Meredith did.

Sweat, Texture & Tears _ @danessa_myricks ColorFix Cream Colors in Rustic, Coinz, & Muse | #danessamyricks • @nyxcosmetics Lid Lacquer in Clear | #nyxcosmetics • @danessa_myricks @elevationlashes in Inspire 02 | #elevationlashes • @cinemasecretspro Moisture Spray | #cinemasecrets • @urbandecacosmetics Naked Skin Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation #urbandecay _ #mua #ashmeredith #makeupisart #dallasmua #LetsPlayInMyWorld #makeupmouse #ssssamanthaa #nyxmuacm #pennold #tears #alyssamarieartistry #dominiqueldr #texture #jessicahazemua #undiscovered_muas #Jkissa #punchingpictures #ourfazinali #creativemakeup #urbandecaycosmetics

A post shared by Ash Meredith | Makeup Artist (@ashmeredith_) on May 18, 2017 at 8:12am PDT

Next time someone asks you to cry them a river, give them the most glam, ‘grammable look ever.