Have you ever looked at a bright green eyeshadow or a glittery lipstick and thought, “I’d love to try that… but I’d never actually wear it out”?
That’s where pre-shower makeup comes in.
It’s all about playing with silly makeup looks before your shower. You get to try anything you want, take a few photos if you like, and wash it all off right after. No stress, no worrying about what other people will think, and no big clean-up before heading out.
It feels a bit like being a kid again with crayons, but this time your face is the canvas. Here are my favorite ideas to get you started.
1. Neon Pop Eyes
If there’s ever a time to pull out that electric blue or hot pink eyeshadow sitting at the bottom of your drawer, this is it.
Pat the color all over your eyelids. If you’re feeling extra bold, take it up past your crease or even all the way to your brows.
You can also use a second bright color on the inner corners or under your eyes for a fun twist.
No need to blend perfectly — this is all about having fun.
💡 Try: NYX Vivid Brights.
2. Glitter Freckles
Using some balm or a sticky base, tap on loose glitter across your cheeks and nose to create “freckles.”
It doesn’t need to be neat. The glitter will catch the light and make you feel like you’re going to a festival… even if you’re just standing in your bathroom.
If you have leftover holiday craft glitter lying around (the safe cosmetic kind!), now’s the time to use it.
💡 Try: Mehron Metallic Powder or any cosmetic-grade glitter.
3. Graphic Liner Shapes
Forget the classic wing. Use your liquid eyeliner to draw random shapes — hearts, stars, wavy lines, or even flowers.
Don’t stress about them looking perfect.
It’s more about the act of playing and seeing what your hand naturally does.
The first time I did this, my husband (who’s a dermatologist and loves to play the cautious expert) walked in and said, “Is this an art project or a new eyeliner trend?”
He looked so concerned I thought he might offer to help wash it off.
💡 Try: Essence Super Fine Eyeliner Pen.
4. Rainbow Lips
Pick three bright lipsticks and layer them on your lips. You can put one color in the middle, another at the corners, and maybe blend a third in between.
Press your lips together to blend them a little, or leave them as bold stripes if you like.
It will probably look wild and nothing like the lipstick ads — but that’s the fun part.
💡 Try: ColourPop Lippie Stix.
5. Faux Face Tattoos
Take a black eyeliner and draw temporary “tattoos” across your cheeks. You can do simple stars, or try more detailed designs like leaves.
You can even copy those fake tattoo sticker designs you see online. It’s a good way to test out a design before ever committing to something real.
💡 Try: Maybelline Tattoo Liner.
6. Monochrome Madness
Pick one color — like orange, purple, or red — and use it on your eyes, cheeks, and lips.
It sounds strange, but once you start, it can look surprisingly cool and artsy. And if it looks weird, who cares? You’re about to shower it off anyway.
You can use one palette or even just one lipstick applied with your fingers.
💡 Try: Morphe palettes with strong single-color options.
7. 90s Grunge
Smudge black eyeshadow all around your eyes and waterline. Skip the careful blending.
You want it to look messy and a little bit “I’ve been out all night.” If you get some fallout on your cheeks? Leave it. It just adds to the look.
This is great if you’ve always wondered what you’d look like in a rock band photo shoot.
💡 Try: Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette.
8. Fantasy Creature
Use face paint to draw scales on your cheeks, add “horn” lines on your forehead, or draw elf-like designs along your cheekbones.
One night, I covered my whole forehead in green paint and asked my husband if it was safe.
He gave me the longest stare, sighed, and said, “Please promise you’ll wash it off properly.” Then he walked away shaking his head like I’d lost my mind.
💡 Try: Mehron Paradise AQ.
9. Overlined Bold Lips
Take your lip liner and draw far outside your natural lip line to make your lips huge. Fill in with a bold lipstick and see how big you can go before it starts to look silly (or fabulous, depending on your mood).
This is a fun way to see what super-full lips might look like on you without spending a dime.
💡 Try: Rare Beauty Lip Liner in a bright red or pink.
10. Shimmer Overload
Get out every highlighter you own and start layering. Cheekbones, nose bridge, above your lips, under your brows, collarbones — go all out.
Turn on your bathroom light and check out the glow. You might look like a human disco ball, and that’s exactly the goal.
💡 Try: Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb.
Quick Tips for Pre-Shower Makeup Fun
- Use cheaper products so you don’t feel bad about using too much. ELF and Wet n Wild work great.
- Keep it fast. Set a timer for 15–20 minutes so you don’t overthink.
- Always double cleanse to remove everything fully. My husband would remind you to do this to keep your skin happy.
The Bottom Line
Pre-shower makeup is the perfect time to try all the weird, bold, or silly ideas you’d never wear out.
Tonight, grab those bright colors and let yourself play. You’ll feel lighter, freer, and more creative — and it all washes away in minutes.
Which idea are you going to try first? Or do you have a wild pre-shower look you already love? Tell me below — I won’t judge
