New MakeApp Shows What People Look Like Without Makeup

If you haven't heard of MakeApp yet, it's a buzzy new beauty app that, for a cool 99 cents, allows you to "remove" the makeup you're wearing, and, in theory reveals what you look like with a bare face. (Note I said, "in theory.")

You can also add different makeup looks using the app, but let's be real: We've been there, done that. Plus, some people on the Internet and social media have clapped back at the removal aspect, claiming it doesn't really work and simply assumes what you will look like without cosmetics on. So, naturally we decided to put it to the test here at Allure to see what all the fuss it about.

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As you can see, the above photo features what I looked like today with makeup (left), as well as how the app portrayed me without it (right). (Full disclaimer: This is actually more makeup than I usually wear on a daily basis, but I wanted to get the full effect of the app, so I amped the face beat up a notch.) What I found, though, is that it didn't look like me with a naked face, but rather just diffused areas where I was wearing more product (such as on my eyes and cheeks) and heightened any areas where I have redness.

However, it's worth noting that I usually experience the majority of my redness around my mouth area, which wasn't showcased here. The app also just made me look haggard, which is odd, because I tend to think I look bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed on a normal day, even without makeup. Overall, I wasn't impressed and don't believe this offers an accurate depiction of what people actually look like as bare-faced beauty queens.

I also enlisted my lovely coworker, Devon, to try out the app, too. And no surprise here, she was equally unimpressed — if not a bit appalled at the after effect — which left behind traces of her bold eyeshadow and eyeliner, and simply diffused the appearance of base makeup. For an even better idea, check out the photo below, which showcases what Devon actually looks like without makeup IRL (an an angel, duh).

As you can see, despite a couple minuscule blemishes, her skin looks dewy and fresh, a far cry from the "flat" appearance the app imparts when you use the removal feature.

My main qualm with this app is not so much the fact that it doesn't work well (or at all), but that it implies that by wearing makeup you're somehow masking yourself and not showing off the "real you." The whole idea is ridiculous, because whether you're wearing a pound of highlighter or nothing at all, you're still you — and that's something that should always be celebrated.

My suggestion? Save your dollar, go find your light, and take a real makeup-free selfie you'll feel good about.

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