Pokimane No Makeup

2018reaction imageclassic

Pokimane No Makeup is a screenshot of Twitch streamer Pokimane pulled from her October 2018 barefaced broadcast. The image sparked a wave of ridicule and defense, then stuck around as a reaction picture, exploitable, and profile-swap tool used by both her critics and Pokimane herself.

streamer memestwitch streamer memesbody image memesgender discourse memesexploitable templates

Overview

Pokimane No Makeup is a still image of Twitch streamer Imane "Pokimane" Anys taken from her October 23rd, 2018 broadcast, during which she streamed without cosmetics for the first time on camera1. Critics circulated the screenshot to argue she was tricking viewers by looking different off-camera, while supporters used it to call out the double standard placed on women streamers3.

The image later moved into Photoshop edits, exploitable formats, and profile-picture trolling by users who disliked her3. Pokimane herself eventually reclaimed the picture in a 2022 tweet that turned the joke back on her critics3.

How It Spread

On October 24th, 2018, Pokimane responded with a Twitter thread of no-makeup selfies "from regular/cute angles and with natural lighting," which pulled in over 74,000 likes and 6,000 retweets3. Fellow streamer @sjokz defended her the same week, while YouTuber Twomad posted a joke tweet using an unrelated photo captioned about what Pokimane looks like without makeup3. YouTuber Gloom uploaded a reaction video to the discourse that reached more than 1.4 million views, and Pokimane posted her own YouTube video about the drama on November 16th, 20183.

The screenshot kept circulating for years as a shorthand insult. In May 2020, YouTuber Viditro compared the image to elderly cartoon characters in a video that pulled over 208,000 views3. On January 13th, 2022, streamer JiDion swapped his profile picture to the image during his feud with Pokimane, which ended in a Twitch ban for raiding her stream with hate comments3.

The biggest resurgence came on February 15th, 2022, when Pokimane posted the screenshot herself with the caption "this face makes more money than you'll ever see in your life," a tweet that pulled over 269,000 likes in a day3. DramaAlert host Keemstar rated her "2/10" and streamer The Quartering added mocking commentary, while Valkyrae, JSchlatt, and Tina Kitten voiced public support3.

How to Use This Meme

The image typically shows up in three ways: as a Twitter profile picture swap by users trolling Pokimane or her fans, as a reaction image mocking anyone who defends her, or as a Photoshop base for exploitable edits3. It is often paired with sarcastic captions about attraction or simping. Pokimane herself flipped the format by attaching a self-owning brag about her earnings, which is still one of the most-liked uses of the image3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pokimane No Makeup

2018reaction imageclassic

Pokimane No Makeup is a screenshot of Twitch streamer Pokimane pulled from her October 2018 barefaced broadcast. The image sparked a wave of ridicule and defense, then stuck around as a reaction picture, exploitable, and profile-swap tool used by both her critics and Pokimane herself.

streamer memes twitch streamer memes body image memes gender discourse memes exploitable templates

Overview

Pokimane No Makeup is a still image of Twitch streamer Imane "Pokimane" Anys taken from her October 23rd, 2018 broadcast, during which she streamed without cosmetics for the first time on camera1. Critics circulated the screenshot to argue she was tricking viewers by looking different off-camera, while supporters used it to call out the double standard placed on women streamers3.

The image later moved into Photoshop edits, exploitable formats, and profile-picture trolling by users who disliked her3. Pokimane herself eventually reclaimed the picture in a 2022 tweet that turned the joke back on her critics3.

How It Spread

On October 24th, 2018, Pokimane responded with a Twitter thread of no-makeup selfies "from regular/cute angles and with natural lighting," which pulled in over 74,000 likes and 6,000 retweets3. Fellow streamer @sjokz defended her the same week, while YouTuber Twomad posted a joke tweet using an unrelated photo captioned about what Pokimane looks like without makeup3. YouTuber Gloom uploaded a reaction video to the discourse that reached more than 1.4 million views, and Pokimane posted her own YouTube video about the drama on November 16th, 20183.

The screenshot kept circulating for years as a shorthand insult. In May 2020, YouTuber Viditro compared the image to elderly cartoon characters in a video that pulled over 208,000 views3. On January 13th, 2022, streamer JiDion swapped his profile picture to the image during his feud with Pokimane, which ended in a Twitch ban for raiding her stream with hate comments3.

The biggest resurgence came on February 15th, 2022, when Pokimane posted the screenshot herself with the caption "this face makes more money than you'll ever see in your life," a tweet that pulled over 269,000 likes in a day3. DramaAlert host Keemstar rated her "2/10" and streamer The Quartering added mocking commentary, while Valkyrae, JSchlatt, and Tina Kitten voiced public support3.

How to Use This Meme

The image typically shows up in three ways: as a Twitter profile picture swap by users trolling Pokimane or her fans, as a reaction image mocking anyone who defends her, or as a Photoshop base for exploitable edits3. It is often paired with sarcastic captions about attraction or simping. Pokimane herself flipped the format by attaching a self-owning brag about her earnings, which is still one of the most-liked uses of the image3.

Frequently Asked Questions