It happened during a Boiler Room set. Or maybe you saw it on a blurry TikTok transition first. Either way, everyone stopped looking at the lime green "brat" walls for a second and started staring at the side of Charli’s head. There they were: two distinct, almost clinical-looking strips of tape pulling her temples toward the heavens.
People were confused. Was it a bandage? A microphone glitch? Honestly, it was just Charli being Charli. The Charli XCX face tape moment wasn't an accident or a "caught in 4K" mishap; it was a deliberate, hyper-exposed middle finger to the idea that "good" beauty has to be a secret.
For decades, Hollywood kept face tape in the same vault as shapewear and dental veneers. You used it to look snatched, but you died before you let anyone see the strings. Then 2024 and 2025 happened. Charli took a tool typically reserved for drag queens and 1950s film stars and made it part of the outfit.
The "Visible" Face Tape Revolution
In the past, makeup artists like Marcelo Gutierrez or Yasmin Istanbouli (who has been steering Charli’s recent "party girl" aesthetic) might have hidden those tapes under a heavy wig or some clever hair extensions. Not this time. By wearing visible face tape, Charli is basically leaning into the "Face Shopping" ethos of her late collaborator SOPHIE—the idea that our faces are things we can curate, edit, and buy.
It's meta. It’s very brat.
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Why do it? Face tape works by using an adhesive patch connected to a thin elastic string. You stick one end near your temple, pull the string over the back of your head, and hook it to a second patch on the other side. The result is an instant, non-surgical "fox eye" or "ponytail lift."
It’s powerful stuff. It changes the entire geometry of the eye. But when Charli wears it visibly, she's showing us the "seams" of the celebrity machine.
How the Pros Actually Apply It
If you’re thinking about trying this at home, don't just grab Scotch tape. Please. Your skin will hate you.
Celebrity makeup artists usually use medical-grade adhesives like 3M Transpore or specific kits from brands like Tedman or Mark Traynor. The secret isn't actually the tape itself; it's the prep. If there is even a molecule of oil on your skin, that tape is going to fly off mid-dance.
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- The Alcohol Swipe: You have to clean the application area with 70% isopropyl alcohol. It sounds harsh because it is, but the tape needs a bone-dry surface.
- Anchor Point: You place the tape just above the tail of the eyebrow or at the temple.
- The Pull: You pull the elastic tight enough to lift, but not so tight that your eyes look like they're fleeing your skull.
- Placement is Key: If you’re going for the Charli look, you aren't hiding it. If you are trying to be subtle, you need to pin your hair over the elastic or use a wig.
Is It Safe? (The Reality Check)
Look, your skin isn't meant to be pulled in two different directions for twelve hours straight. Dermatologists will tell you that repeated use can cause "mechanical alopecia"—basically, you’re pulling on your hair follicles so hard they eventually give up.
There’s also the "rebound" effect. When you take the tape off, the skin can sometimes look puffier or more tired because you’ve disrupted the natural lymphatic drainage for a few hours.
And let’s talk about the adhesive. Long-term use of surgical-grade glues can lead to contact dermatitis. If you have sensitive skin, you’re basically asking for a red, itchy rectangle on your face the next morning.
Why We’re Obsessed with the Snatched Look
The Charli XCX face tape trend is part of a larger obsession with the "snatched" eye. We’ve seen it with thread lifts, we've seen it with Botox brow lifts, and we’ve seen it with that specific "clean girl" slicked-back bun.
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But Charli’s version is different because it’s messy. It’s sweaty. It’s meant to look like you’ve been in a club for six hours and you’re still holding it together with literal tape and a dream.
It’s "indie sleaze" meets "high fashion."
It also levels the playing field. Not everyone can afford a $10,000 surgical brow lift. But almost anyone can buy a $20 pack of face tape and a bottle of spirit gum. It’s democratization through DIY.
Making the Look Last All Night
If you're going to commit to the bit, you need to know that sweat is your enemy. Most performers use a skin barrier spray (like the kind used for ostomy bags or heavy-duty theatrical makeup) before applying the tape. This creates a waterproof film between your sweat glands and the adhesive.
When it comes time to take it off? Don't just rip. You will take the top layer of your dermis with you. Use an oil-based cleanser or a specific adhesive remover to melt the glue first.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Own Brat Era
- Buy the right gear: Look for Mark Traynor Miracle Face and Eye Lift kits if you want the industry standard.
- Practice placement: Do it on a day when you aren't going out. Figure out the "tension" that works for your face shape without giving you a headache.
- Prioritize skin recovery: After removing the tape, use a cica cream or something with centella asiatica to calm the inflammation.
- Embrace the visible: If the tape shows, don't panic. Just tell them you're doing a tribute to the 365 party girl lifestyle.
Face tape is a tool, a prop, and a statement. Whether you're hiding it under a wig or wearing it loud and proud like Charli, it's the quickest way to change your vibe without a needle. Just remember to let your skin breathe when the sun comes up.