18 Hilarious "Putting on Clown Makeup" Memes That Capture Pure Irony
What is the "Putting on Clown Makeup" Meme?
The "Putting on Clown Makeup" meme (often called the Clown Makeup Tutorial) has evolved into the internet’s go-to visual for capturing the essence of self-inflicted embarrassment. This multi-panel image series features a man—specifically Nikolas Frahm—gradually transforming into a circus clown, serving as a perfect metaphor for someone making an increasingly large fool of themselves.
Origin and Viral Trajectory
The visual source of this meme dates back to a 2015 YouTube video titled "Male Clown Make-up Tutorial" by the costume company Smiffys Fancy Dress. According to tracking by Know Your Meme, the format didn't achieve viral status until June 2019.
Initially gaining steam on Twitter, it quickly migrated to Reddit and Tumblr. Its longevity is largely attributed to its adaptability; it provides a step-by-step visual of escalating irrationality, making it a staple in online debates and fandom culture.
How to Use the Clown Makeup Template
The meme is structured to mock people who double down on poor logic or false hopes despite mounting evidence.
- The "Bad Take" Progression: This is the most common use. The first panel starts with a mildly questionable opinion, and by the final "full clown" panel, the user arrives at a completely nonsensical or absurd conclusion.
- Fandom & "Copium": It is heavily used in gaming communities, to mock themselves for believing a new game trailer will drop at an event where it clearly won't.
- Corporate Critique: Many users apply the format to companies that make a series of unpopular decisions, ending with the company's "clown status" fully realized.
- "Losing the Argument": It is used as a reaction image when someone is caught in a contradiction. Instead of admitting they are wrong, they keep adding more absurd layers to their defense, effectively "putting on the nose" in real-time.
