Beloved Thai Pygmy Hippo Moo Deng Sparks Viral Tiktok Makeup and Blush Trend

Just when you thought the lore of Moo Deng couldn’t get any richer, in comes a brand new viral TikTok makeup trend, featuring a dewy blush and more. With pygmy hippo fever sweeping the world in the wake of Moo Deng’s burgeoning popularity, beauty gurus and makeup artists have taken to social media to share their tips for how to get that perfect princess blush and glass skin to boot. 

If there’s one thing you can trust the world of TikTok trends to do, it’s drawing inspiration from the unlikeliest of sources. Recently, Thai baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng, whose name means “Bouncy pork”, gained global fame when she went viral for her dramatic expressions, princess personality, and devil-may-care attitude to life. While Moo Deng’s antics have certainly inspired an avalanche of hilarious memes on social media, she has also given rise to an unexpected makeup trend on TikTok, popularised by beauty and makeup gurus who want to help us all get that princess glow. 

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What is the viral Moo Deng makeup trend on TikTok? 

At the heart of the viral Moo Deng makeup trend on TikTok is the pygmy hippopotamus’ seemingly unending zest for life, plus her genuine delight at discovering new things. With her sparkling, cheeky personality and moisturised poreless complexion, the hippopotamus has fast become an aspirational icon, and fans are now looking to emulate her carefree spirit and unbothered nature to thrive in their daily lives. The goal is to have fun and to revel in one’s youth — much like Moo Deng appears to do. 

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A post shared by Mei Pang (@meicrosoft)

Notably among the first online content creators to catch onto the trend, Toronto-based makeup artist Mei Pang (@meicrosoft) leaned heavily into her love of Moo Deng by sharing a makeup look inspired by the hippo’s glossy skin. In the video, which has since garnered over 9 million views and 1 million likes, Pang used a moisture spray to emulate the hippo’s subtle Healthy glow. She then added a pale pink blush to the cheeKBOnes, a sculpted grey halo eye, and pink-lined lips filled in with a matching shade of grey.  

In her voiceover for the video, Pang made sure to pay tribute to the ‘It girl’ of the animal kingdom, saying, “Makeup inspired by the legend herself — Moo Deng. Why do you ask? Because she has everything. She has dewy skin, a great halo eye, and a zest for life.” She went on to add, “Is it pin-point accurate? No. Because there are no clear photos of her. It’s all blurry. And I love it. I truly hope she knows the impact that she has on the world.” 

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A post shared by Ximena Prado | kbeauty (@kbeautydiaries_)

Speaking to Business Insider, New York-based personal stylist and image consultant Carol Davidson shared that the Moo Deng-inspired trend takes its cues from the joys of youth, where beauty and fun intersect. One could draw a comparison to Jennifer Garner’s iconic makeover in 13 Going On 30 (2004), a movie that famously highlights just how fun girlhood can be when you stop chasing what lies ahead. “This new supermodel gives us a gentle reminder that we are all beautiful beings who maybe should not take it all so seriously,” Davidson says.  

And while the viral Moo Deng makeup trend on TikTok isn’t just skin deep, it also serves to remind us that hydration and moisturisation is of utmost importance in any skincare routine. “It amplifies what so many people want in makeup — skin that’s amazingly dewy, luminous, and youthful.”

Since the explosion of Pang’s video, thousands of beauty and makeup creators have hopped on board the Moo Deng makeup train, eager to try their hand at recreating her iconic hippo blush. And whether this trend will stand the test of time, one thing remains true: Moo Deng is an icon, from which we have much to learn.

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What other beauty tips can we take from Moo Deng? 

While a dusty pink blush is understandably integral to Moo Deng-inspired makeup, fans of the adorable pygmy hippopotamus should also aspire to dewy, crystal clear skin. Celebrity devotees of the glass skin makeup trend include Hailey Bieber, as well as BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Rosé, Jisoo, and Jennie. 

With the glass skin trend emphasising natural skin and radiant complexion, it is doubly important to maintain a flawless and smooth finish without leaning into the over-baked foundation looks distinct to the 1990s. Look to other Korean celebrities for skincare routines and Lifestyle inspirations to get your Moo Deng on!

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Yet another beauty fad that intersects with the viral Moo Deng TikTok makeup trend is Pat McGrath’s porcelain makeup. The beauty trend, which made waves when it first appeared on the Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2024 runway show this past January, features smooth and glossy complexion that recalls the pink-cheeked, pale-faced porcelain dolls of old. This trend certainly recalls Moo Deng’s glassy complexion, which she gets from a naturally-secreted slime-like substance that protects and moisturises her skin. If there’s one takeaway from Moo Deng to remember, it’s this: Glowing complexion will never lead you astray.

(Main and featured images: Hailey Beiber/@haileybieber/Instagram, Jennie Kim/@jennierubyjane/Instagram)