From Campus Experiment to Global Color Movement: The Joyful Rise of a Makeup Phenomenon
When Zahra first dabbed colorful makeup under her eyes during a late-night study session between computer science classes, she had no idea she was about to spark a global trend. What started as a playful experiment with her makeup palette—swiping vibrant rainbow hues instead of the usual concealer—quickly transformed into the #RainbowBrightUnderEye phenomenon that flooded TikTok feeds worldwide. Her June 2022 tutorial, where she casually mentioned "I'm gonna do it in color" while applying electric blues and pinks, resonated with beauty enthusiasts looking for something fresh. Suddenly, her feed was flooded with recreations from Tokyo to Toronto, each creator putting their own spin on her simple yet striking concept. There's something undeniably joyful about seeing strangers worldwide embracing color in a space traditionally reserved for neutral tones—it's like watching a collective mood lift through your phone screen.
What makes Zahra's rise particularly refreshing is how she embodies the modern creator: equal parts artist and coder. While most know her as sweetiee💋 with the infectious smile, few realize she's balancing viral fame with computer science coursework at university. Her TikTok bio might feature glitter emojis and heart stickers, but her Instagram stories occasionally show her debugging Python code between makeup shoots. This duality isn't just a quirky detail—it informs her content. She approaches trends with the precision of a developer testing code, iterating on ideas until they click with her audience. You'll notice she often films her most popular videos during natural light hours between classes, giving her content that authentic "real life" texture followers love.
Her content style feels like hanging out with your most creative friend who just happens to have impeccable timing. Whether she's demonstrating how to make rainbow under-eyes last through a full workday (pro tip: setting spray is non-negotiable) or sharing quick coding tips for fellow CS students, Zahra maintains that effortless charm that makes viewers feel personally addressed. She's mastered the art of the "oh wait!" moment—those unplanned seconds where she catches a makeup smudge or laughs at her own mistake—that humanizes her despite her growing following. Her rainbow trend wasn't just about aesthetics; in one video, she explained how the colors represent "all types of joy, all types of creativity," turning what could've been a fleeting trend into something emotionally resonant.
The ripple effect of her simple makeup experiment continues months later. Beauty brands have launched rainbow-themed palettes, dermatologists have weighed in on safe application techniques, and even major fashion houses have incorporated the look into runway shows. But perhaps more significantly, Zahra's trend sparked conversations about self-expression in professional spaces—many teachers and office workers shared how they'd subtly incorporated the look into their daily routines. What's remarkable is how she's handled the attention; rather than capitalizing solely on the trend, she's used her platform to highlight other creators and advocate for mental health awareness among students.
Zahra's journey reminds us that today's most impactful creators aren't manufacturing personas—they're amplifying their genuine selves in ways that accidentally start movements. She didn't set out to revolutionize under-eye makeup; she was just a student playing with color who happened to catch the cultural moment perfectly. As she continues balancing textbooks with trending sounds, her story proves that authenticity still cuts through the noise, one rainbow swipe at a time. Whether she's explaining hexadecimal color codes or demonstrating how to blend neon eyeshadow, Zahra makes creativity feel accessible—which might be her most viral quality of all.