Unmasking Disaster: The Biggest Celebrity Makeup Blunders of 2024

Makeup application is subjective, and what is considered fashionable varies widely across cultures and time periods. Trends that were popular in the early 2000s and 2010s have fallen out of favor, showcasing how beauty standards evolve. While there’s no definitive wrong way to wear makeup, it can miss the mark if the look doesn’t achieve its desired effect. Notable celebrity makeup blunders include Angelina Jolie and Natalie Portman’s unblended powders, and Kelly Osbourne’s mismatched foundation, as well as costumes that can be culturally insensitive, like Julianne Hough’s blackface incident on Halloween. Although there have been fewer makeup gaffes in recent years, some celebrities still find themselves in unflattering situations.

Ariana Grande garnered attention for her role as Glinda in 2024’s “Wicked,” but her platinum blonde hair and eyebrows received mixed reviews. Known for her bold aesthetics, critiques emerged regarding her new look, which some said made her appear washed out. Even as fans recognized the choice was performance-related, opinions on her transformation were polarized, with some expressing that the blonde and light eyebrows did not suit her outside of the film context. Grande elaborated on her decision to dye her hair, highlighting a softer image for her character. Despite the controversy regarding her appearance, “Wicked” thrived at the box office, earning over $160 million during its opening weekend.

Halloween often stirs creativity, but not all costumes hit the mark. Patti Harrison faced backlash for her costume that many found offensive and confusing. With makeup that evoked a caricature of Michael Jackson, along with pale skin and exaggerated features, many perceived the costume as a poor cultural representation. Harrison attempted to clarify her intention by stating it was meant to depict Olivia Munn, but the damage was done, landing her costume among the year’s worst, as highlighted by TMZ. Despite apologies from Harrison, the incident sparked conversations about sensitivity in costume choices.