Yarn face, the creepiest makeup trend of 2025 (for now)
What can you do with a bit of glue and a ball of wool?
G-Club
April 1st, 2025
April 1st, 2025
I don't know about you, but my TikTok FYP is now filled with videos of people attempting to recreate the "yarn face" trend, turning my feed into a living nightmare. But, in the end, that was exactly the goal of Anna Murphy, the creator of this makeup: to both scare and fascinate at the same time, like uncanny valley.
What is the yarn face, the new TikTok make-up trend
@annamurphyyy The glue is working too well get off #makeup #creativemakeup #sfxmakeupartist #sfx ラムのラブソング - 島本 須美
The yarn face phenomenon, which is driving millions of users crazy on TikTok, is based on a simple yet eerie practice: covering your face with yarn to create grotesque and frightening facial expressions. The result is a kind of yarn mask that turns the human face into a distorted figure, halfway between a puppet and a monster. This trend was launched by Anna Murphy, a Canadian beauty creator, who brought something totally out of the ordinary to life.
How is it done?
@charlottelooks wool skin makeup inspired by @annamurphyyy and @natashajanewood using: prosaide to stick the wool on @Morphe Cosmetics eyeshadow @YSL Beauty blush babydoll pink @MaybellineUK teddy tint #makeup #beauty #yarnmakeup #woolskin #yarndoll Boy Clothes - Nxdia
@mimiermakeup Yarn face> do we want the removal? Ib @Rafael Santos #makeup original sound - JMSN
@phalaenops_is This is just a dream original creator : @Anna #pourtoi #clownmakeup #sfxmakeup #artisticmakeup #creativemakeup #crochetersoftiktok #sfxmakeupartist Pan´s Labyrinth Lullaby - Moomietroll
Creating the yarn face is not easy at all: it requires a lot of patience and precision. First, following Anna Murphy's tutorial, you need to apply a white base on the face. Anna, in particular, uses the Mehron White Liquid, a product perfect for this type of makeup, which ensures an even and long-lasting result. Once the base has dried, move on to the next step: applying the prosthetic adhesive. This special glue, used in cinematic and theatrical makeup, is ideal for creating long-lasting effects on the skin, allowing the yarn to be attached securely without risk of it coming off easily.
@___mervey Yarn Make-up #dollmakeup #wool #yarnmakeup #gothic #makeuptrend #coraline #haunteddoll #gothgirl #creativemakeup #horrortok #pale #blackhair #avantgardemakeup Exploration - Bruno Coulais & Mathilde Pellegrini & Laurent Petitgirard & Hungrarian Symphony Orchestra Budapest & Helene Breschand
@snitchery YARN MAKEUP x JUNJI ITO??? og yarn makeup @Anna original sound - Alyssa
@emilytembymakeup YARN MAKEUP Of course I’m late to this trend!! But I still had to do it & im obsessed ib @Anna #Fyp #Makeup #CreativeMakeup #YarnMakeup Boy Clothes - Nxdia
Start from the nose and gradually apply the yarn, creating a spiral that wraps around the entire face. As you go, you'll need to cut and adjust the yarn, especially in the delicate areas around the eyes. Once the "covering" with the yarn is complete, it's time to move on to the makeup. Here, the choice is free: Anna opts for the classic rag doll look, with blue eyeshadow, red lipstick, and pink blush. However, many others have fun recreating various characters, such as Coraline from Coraline and the Magic Door, Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, or characters from anime and manga. The possibilities are endless, and the TikTok community continues to experiment with this look, bringing more and more creative and surprising interpretations to life. So, would you ever recreate this look? As for me, for now, I'll pass.