Clown Applying Makeup Meme Template

Where the Clown Applying Makeup meme comes from

A series of progressive makeup application photos was repackaged as a meme around 2018. With each added layer of makeup standing in for a new step in an increasingly absurd rationalization.

How to caption the Clown Applying Makeup meme

Start with a believable, slightly flawed position and escalate through each panel until the final one is full clown. The punchline is that the person in question kept going. Give each panel its own line of reasoning that builds on the previous one. Open it in the meme generator, or read how to make relatable memes for more.

Clown Applying Makeup caption ideas

Need a starting point? Try one of these on the Clown Applying Makeup template, then make it your own in the meme generator.

• Panel 1: 'I'll just check one email before bed' / Panel 2: 'I'll reply to this one too' / Panel 3: 'I'll just reorganize my entire inbox' / Panel 4: it's 3am and I'm color-coding folders
• Panel 1: 'I can fix him' / Panel 2: 'he's just misunderstood' / Panel 3: 'he texted back after a week, that's growth' / Panel 4: planning the wedding
• Panel 1: 'I don't need a roadmap, I'll wing the presentation' / Panel 2: 'I'll just glance at the slides' / Panel 3: 'I'll improvise the numbers' / Panel 4: presenting a chart I cannot explain
• Panel 1: 'one more episode' / Panel 2: 'okay the next one ends on a cliffhanger' / Panel 3: 'I'll sleep when the season's over' / Panel 4: watching the sunrise on episode 14
• Panel 1: 'I'll start the diet Monday' / Panel 2: 'Mondays are stressful, next Monday' / Panel 3: 'I'll start after the holidays' / Panel 4: it's June and I'm holding a third taco

Best uses for the Clown Applying Makeup template

Use the Clown Applying Makeup template when the joke fits a situation format and the image can explain the feeling before the reader finishes the caption. It is strongest for relatable everyday moments, before-and-after jokes, and social observations.

This blank is 750 x 798 px and is a still image, so place the most important words where they stay readable after a feed crop. The near-square frame is flexible for feeds, group chats, Reddit, and Discord.

The sample captions are more detailed, so trim aggressively before posting on small screens. Before exporting, read the caption once without looking at the image; if it still needs a long explanation, switch to a simpler setup or a more obvious related template.

Caption patterns to try

Common mistakes with this blank

• Writing a caption that explains the whole joke instead of letting the Clown Applying Makeup image do part of the work.
• Placing text over the most expressive part of the image, especially faces, gestures, signs, or the main action.
• Using three different ideas in one meme. This template works better when it points at one clear situation.
• Exporting before checking the meme at phone size. If the smallest words blur together, shorten the caption first.