Behind the Brush: When 'Free Makeup' is Actually Sabotage

Published in Relationships & Life Lessons • 5 min read

"I used to believe that being a supportive friend meant saying 'yes' to every favor. It took me three painful experiences to realize that sometimes, favors are just a disguise for public humiliation."

We all have that one friend who is trying to build a career, and as good friends, our natural instinct is to support them. Years ago, I had a large circle of friends, all with different passions. One of them decided to become a Makeup Artist (MUA) and opened her own salon. Naturally, I was thrilled for her.

One day, she approached me and asked if I could be her makeup model. Because we were close friends, she didn't pay me, and I didn't mind at all. I genuinely wanted to help her build her portfolio. I stayed positive, sat in her chair, and let her do her magic. Or so I thought.

The Repeated 'Bad' Makeovers

When I looked in the mirror after the first session, the result was shocking. The makeup didn't suit my face at all. It looked messy, cakey, and frankly, I looked much better with a completely bare face. I brushed it off, thinking, "She is still learning, everyone makes mistakes."

But then it happened a second time. Then a third time. In total, she did my makeup for free more than three times, and every single time, the result was consistently terrible. What hurt the most was that she proudly uploaded these photos of my face onto her professional Instagram account.

The Painful Realization

For a long time, I kept practicing positive thinking. I told myself she just had a bad day or that the lighting was off. But one day, I decided to scroll through her Instagram feed. That was the moment reality hit me like a truck.

Looking at her feed, every other model looked absolutely stunning, flawless, and professionally done. I was the only one whose makeup looked like a complete disaster. It wasn't a lack of skill; she clearly knew how to do makeup.

That was when I finally woke up from my toxic optimism. She wasn't using me as a model to build her portfolio. She was using me to show her followers—many of whom were my mutual friends—that I looked ugly. It was a calculated move to lower my self-esteem while boosting her own ego under the guise of "friendship."

What I Learned About Toxic Friends

• Trust your gut, not just your optimism: If something feels off repeatedly, it usually is. Stop making excuses for people who constantly lower your value.
• 'Free' can cost your dignity: Don't let people use the friendship card to exploit you or treat you like a doormat.
• True friends lift you up: A real friend will never post something that publicly humiliates you while making themselves look good.

Moving Forward

Realizing that a friend intentionally tried to make you look bad is a heavy pill to swallow. But today, I am no longer that naive girl who sits silently in a chair just to be sabotaged. I learned to set firm boundaries, untag myself from toxic narratives, and walk away from people who secretly pray for my downfall.

To anyone reading this: Your kindness is a gift. Do not waste it on people who only use it as a weapon against you. You are beautiful, with or without their brush.

© 2026 My Personal Blog. All Rights Reserved.