
The app that digitally removes makeup has some some funny, and frightening, results.
With the advent of apps in recent years, enhancing photos to make them look more beautiful is now easier than ever. Filters come standard with most smartphones these days, and while adding digital makeup can make anyone look more attractive – even family pets – now people are playing with a new app that removes makeup from photos instead.
People everywhere are having fun with the makeup-erasing option on the Makeapp app, including our japanese-language writing team. Mr Sato and Go Hattori were particularly keen to try the app on some of their favourite photos, and the results were shocking, hilarious and frightening at the same time.
First up is Mr Sato, made up as a stubbly version of the white Softbank dog for one of his intrepid news-gathering assignments.
With everything covered in makeup, except his lips and eyes, Mr Sato was curious to see what would happen when he pressed the “Remove Makeup” button on the screen.
Erm…it seems Mr Sato must’ve been born this way, as the wizardry of digital makeup removal did nothing to change his appearance.
Apart from slightly softening out the edges, which made him look even worse than he did before, there was no real change to these before-and-after images.
Thinking the no-makeup effect might work better on a more conventionally made-up face, Mr Sato reached for the feminine section of his expansive photo collection.
▼ Here he is playing up to the cameras at a photo shoot for another one of his hard-hitting investigative stories.
Mr Sato tapped the “Remove Makeup” button on Makeapp and….YIKES! The once alluring seductress instantly became the stuff of nightmares.
▼ The lady in the “after” shot belongs in a horror movie.
Another one of Mr Sato’s female characters came out looking worse for wear after the change, making him wonder if he really looked that pallid in real life.
Go was next to step up to the plate, offering up one of his most kawaii photos for the transformation.
▼ Again, the result was a horror show.
Go’s once-vibrant complexion had become sallow, and his eyes and hair had also lost their shine, making him look like more like an old woman peering out of a haunted house rather than a cute, beguiling lady.
Go was determined to try again, this time with his most adorable photo, which he hoped would leave him looking a little more vibrant in the after shot.
▼ Sorry, Go – this app refuses to be forgiving.
▼ Gorgeous Go ends up looking not-so-gorgeous.
With the app stripping away extra definition and colour during the makeup-removal process, it’s not surprising that it made our male models look like sunken-eyed, lifeless beings. Still, makeup isn’t everything; if you’re not made-up, that doesn’t mean you’re a sunken-eyed, sallow shell of a woman, even if that’s what this app clearly makes you out to be!
Related: iTunes「MAKEAPP」(iOS)
Photos © SoraNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
















Our male reporter transforms into a beautiful Japanese courtesan at Tokyo photo studio
Japanese beauty magazine asks readers to identify the one crossdresser among 12 beautiful women
Our nine male Japanese reporters turn into lovely young ladies with magic of A.I. photo editing
Pretty Princess Sato: Our hero gets his makeup done by a pro, brings all the boys to the yard
The AI ’90s yearbook trend hits our office, with hilarious results 【Photos】
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Elderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japanese cosplayer shocks everyone with dramatically different before and after makeup photos
New photo app turns you, or Mr. Sato, into a sparklingly handsome shojo manga dreamboat【Photos】
Our team turns into old men on Respect for the Elderly Day with the magic of A.I. photo editing
Our team of five reporters try to turn themselves into Japanese heartthrob Kimutaku【Photos】
The top 10 poses trending with Japanese teens, as demonstrated by a couple of ossan
Tokyo Halloween 2015: Our reporters’ collection of photos from their night in Shibuya【Photos】
Our male Japanese-language reporter gets a professional makeover, becomes pretty cheerleader
Life in Mini: Our Reporter Mr. Sato Turns Himself into a Tiny Plastic Figure
Tokyo’s host club photo studio will have you looking like the coolest Kabukicho club king
Mr. Sato becomes handsome anime boys with the power of AI, and the SN24 team transforms too【Pics】
We use makeup from Japanese kids’ anime Tropical-Rouge! PreCure on our adult faces【Photos】
9 middle-aged Japanese men try putting on their own makeup
Asakusa photo studio transforms visitors into courtesans, geisha and samurai
Japanese clothing brand earth music&ecology release new photo app, Mr. Sato has fun with it!
Mr. Sato finds a way to dress up for video conferences while staying super casual and comfy【Pics】