An App That Removes Makeup? Oh No…

There’s a new app going around and people aren’t happy

by Jade Bloom February 10, 2020, 4:51 pm 119.4k Views 2.1k Votes

With dozens of editing apps out there, almost anyone can make their pictures look more polished and professional than they actually are. Many will use these softwares to make themselves appear more attractive by giving themselves smoother skin or whiter teeth, amongst other modifications. Some apps even allow people to add makeup to their faces in order to enhance their natural features.

MakeApp, on the other hand, allows its users to achieve the complete opposite effect: this app lets users remove any makeup present on someone’s face. It uses something called a neural network to imagine what someone’s face would look like without any makeup. Some users have been using the app to see what celebrities look like without makeup, and of course, the results have been controversial, to say the least.

Audrey Hepburn

Emilia Clarke

Angelina Jolie

Although it was originally intended to be an innocent filter, many people were quick to point out the more sinister ways this app could be used, including encouraging the idea that women use makeup to deceive others. Chances are, this app could be used to shame and make fun of women’s natural features, especially if they have some imperfections.

Jennifer Aniston

Rita Ora

Bella Hadid

In criticism, some users claim that the app actually exaggerates the appearance of women’s faces without makeup. Those using the app on themselves would notice imperfections being added to their faces that did not actually exist, such as excessive wrinkles, age spots, and dark under-eye circles. Also, many celebrities whose photos were used as examples of how the app works have posted pictures of themselves with little to no makeup, and appear to look completely different to how the app ‘thinks’ they should. To further prove this point, a reporter tried the app’s makeup removing filter on her bare face and ended up looking like something straight out of a horror movie after repeatedly applying it.

Kendall Jenner

Miranda Kerr

Kate Middleton

In summary, it’s clear to see that this app has major flaws and that it does not always provide a definitive picture of what someone truly looks like without makeup. It can be easily exploited to shame people for their natural features and things everyone experiences such as dark under-eye circles or an uneven complexion, and so should only be used for fun – not to try and ‘prove’ a point about someone’s appearance.