The fundamental essence of true crime is what sustains the attention and curiosity of millions of people. True crime stories have been explored for decades on end, and have captivated the attention of millions of people, where authors investigate and examine true crime stories, and attempt to illustrate such cases through films, books, and even podcasts. In recent years, YouTube has grown in popularity, with YouTubers addressing similar true crime cases through various forms of art. A YouTuber, Bailey Sarian is particularly known for her murder mystery series on Youtube, in which she discusses true crime stories while applying makeup, and is also well known to be the founder of the true-crime makeup genre on YouTube, which has gained recognition amongst other Youtubers who have imitated her style. This one-of-a-kind blend of art and crime extraction has gained the attraction of millions of viewers where she studies, researches, and discusses true crime cases, while applying the artistic form of makeup to maintain her audience’s engagement throughout the entirety of the video.
While I don’t think it’s meant to be disrespectful it is a bit weird to see someone talk about a murder while putting on glitter. However, it s meant to keep people’s attention on the video. I think people have very little patience for a 30 min video anymore. So this is a two-in-one video. The main issue to decide morally is if true crime youtube videos are morally wrong in general. I have seen people who are obsessed with these videos think they are detectives that can solve a crime before the FBI. They then publicly accuse family or friends of the victim. True crime is good for spreading awareness on a missing person or what to do or not do in a sketchy situation.
While I don’t think it’s meant to be disrespectful it is a bit weird to see someone talk about a murder while putting on glitter. However, it s meant to keep people’s attention on the video. I think people have very little patience for a 30 min video anymore. So this is a two-in-one video. The main issue to decide morally is if true crime youtube videos are morally wrong in general. I have seen people who are obsessed with these videos think they are detectives that can solve a crime before the FBI. They then publicly accuse family or friends of the victim. True crime is good for spreading awareness on a missing person or what to do or not do in a sketchy situation.
I really like these types of videos because I get to learn two different things: how to use make up and about a new crime. I think this is a great method to reach out to a bigger and wider audience since it takes into consideration the different interests of people. Additionally, people nowadays have a short attention spawn and therefore would be more willing to watch something or learn about something when there’s more things involved in the material they are using. With the platform tiktok, people would be more willing to watch a video with a minecraft or subway surfers video while also learning information about something. This is to show that we tend to engage in activities that can help us multitask.
I really like these types of videos or explanations because they teach me two different skills. In regards to this specific example of entertainment, the fact that the creator is trying to reach out to a wide variety of people in terms of the audience is great considering that they are using different characteristics that people may be interested in learning more about and engage more on a regular. Additionally, nowadays, people have a short attention spawn, with these types of videos and the structure that these videos use makes the audience be more engaged and more willing to watch the videos.
Youtube as a platform like many others where we learn and get information about topics we enjoy. Like many others I also enjoy true crime and Bailey Sairian is one of many I enjoy to watch. The blending of multiple topics is something that keeps engagement and helps spread videos to multiple different groups. It is interesting to see this new obsession with crime cases in the modern day being explored though not a new topic. It seems that many have the fascination with why crimes are committed and how they are followed through which has lead to the world of criminology and psychology as a whole.
My love for makeup, YouTube, and true crime is abundantly fulfilled by Bailey Sarian. Growing up, I was always interested in true crime, but never felt 10% safe googling or seeking out facts regarding cases. TV shows like CSI Miami or Law and Order were one of the ways I was able to learn more about crime; however, it was very staged and censored (for good reason). Once I discovered Bailey’s videos, it was the first time I did not feel weird or ashamed of being interested in something so morbid or odd. It was also very refreshing to see other people just as interested in such a weird topic as me! Now, true crime is a very socially acceptable and somewhat popular form of entertainment/media and education path. While it should be consumed safely, respectfully, and in healthy amounts, I think it is not only important to be aware of true crime but can also be enjoyable for some.
My love for makeup, YouTube, and true crime is abundantly fulfilled by Bailey Sarian. Growing up, I was always interested in true crime, but never felt 10% safe googling or seeking out facts regarding cases. TV shows like CSI Miami or Law and Order were one of the ways I was able to learn more about crime; however, it was very staged and censored (for good reason). Once I discovered Bailey’s videos, it was the first time I did not feel weird or ashamed of being interested in something so morbid or odd. It was also very refreshing to see other people just as interested in such a weird topic as me! Now, true crime is a very socially acceptable and somewhat popular form of entertainment/media and education path. While it should be consumed safely, respectfully, and in healthy amounts, I think it is not only important to be aware of true crime but can also be enjoyable for osme.
As someone who regularly watches true crime youtube videos and documentaries, I can say that there is something so captivating about the casualness of the presentation of the material. Watching these styles of videos, in my opinion is so much more captivating and allows me to engage with the material in such different ways. Many people say that these forms of true crime videos desensitize the severity and reality of the cases to the audience and while it’s true that some creators make the details of the case more consumable i think it all depends on the creator themselves. Many creators within the genre do not shy away from revealing the truth about cases and I feel that those creators that do videos highlighting smaller and lesser known cases amplify the attention that the cases get, which for many people is essential in case any developments in their loved one’s cases occurs.
I love Bailey Sarian! I watch her Murder Mystery Makeup Monday videos all the time! I usually play her videos in the background while getting ready for the day or bed. I also sometimes play her podcasts during car rides. If you like watching/listening to/reading about criminal cases and documentaries, I recommend you give her account a visit (not sponsored lol).
Bailey extensively researches all the cases she presents and is very respectful toward the victims and people involved. She starts her cases with content warnings about whatever gruesome details she will talk about. I’ve been following her for years now and I think she presents all her cases with great attention to detail and with at most respect. The combination of makeup with murder cases may sound weird but if done respectfully, I think it’s a creative way to present a story.
As a growing subgenre on YouTube, this relatively new medium of someone reciting true crime stories while simultaneously applying makeup has gained the interest of millions of people. The stark contrast between the YouTuber discussing horrifying facts about a true crime case and creating beautiful makeup looks initially grabs the attention of watchers. The video set-up feels personable to the audience as though the YouTuber is a friend who is telling an interesting story they found out about. However, there is a concern in regard to the ethics of making profits based on reporting individuals’ tragedies. To mitigate this ethical gray line, YouTubers could reach out to the affected individuals’ loved ones to receive consent to discuss these cases or provide a disclaimer that they receive revenue from making these videos to remain transparent about everything.
The internet is constantly coming out with new content so its hard to keep people’s attention for long. If a video or post doesn’t capture ones attention right away its on to the next thing. And makeup videos can easily lose peoples interest so I feel like sped up makeup videos do well on tik tok. But for youtube a great way to capture attention while watching someone doing their makeup at a normal speed is to do some story telling. There has been a rise in true crime content like podcasts, shows, and movies. So having two things going on at once like watching the makeup video while listening to a story is able to successful capture ones attention, in an age where its hard to focus on one thing because of how much content there is online.
I enjoy murder, mystery, and make up videos because it is entertaining to watch. I feel like it’s a great way to retell the stories of the victims and these types of videos have a unique way of engaging the audience. I can see why some people find it disrespectful because they are not taken very seriously and it’s away to gain views, but most of the stories told I have never heard of. I feel like it’s a way to tell their story and not forget.
I enjoy listening to podcasts about true crime and enjoy the mystery/ true crime genre very much. However, I had no idea that there is a true-crime makeup genre on youtube?! This is very much a mixture of art and crime. However, sometimes people (including myself) forget that some true crime-based influencers are profiting off of real people who still might have friends and family grieving their loss or doing their best to move past their trauma. Nonetheless, these types of videos feel like storytime videos which are quite entertaining but those are usually about the influencer’s life and not others. That might be an alternative for some who particularly enjoy true crime. Although I am not against those who like to read or know about true crime, we should be aware and respectful of these individuals and their families/loved ones.
I enjoy listening to podcasts about true crime and enjoy the mystery/ true crime genre very much. However, I had no idea that there is a true-crime makeup genre on youtube?! This is very much a mixture of art and crime. However, sometimes people (including myself) forget that some true crime based influencers are profiting off of real people who still might have friends and family grieving their loss or doing their best to move past their trauma. Nonetheless, these types of videos feel like story time videos which are quite entertaining but those are usually about the influencer’s life and not others. That might be an alternative to some who particularly enjoy true crime. Although I am not against those who like to read or know about true crime, we should be aware and respectful of these individuals and their families/loved ones.
I am someone who enjoys true crime stories and have seen several videos from Bailey. I also follow her on social media. She is multi-faceted and has a strong talent for both storytelling and creativity, which is part of the appeal. I think we’re taught in society to stick to one passion so it’s interesting that she has mixed her different passions into something unique that resonates with people. There’s been videos that I watch and then look up more information about the case to learn more, so I think her videos is a good way to bring awareness to these stories. However, I can see why people would be put off by these videos on social media. When true crime is talked about in movies/documentaries etc. people choose whether they want to see it or not. With scrolling on social media, the videos you see may be random and it may be triggering for some people due to their own experiences or even families related to the victims. Also, she tends to add sarcastic comments towards the end like laughing and saying “make good choices” after telling some grueling murder story. While I think the intentions are good, it may come off as insensitive to some.
I used to watch videos of crime on YouTube. Those videos are explaining the cases happened in the past, the YouTuber wants to use these cases to discuss all kinds of people’s psychological condition. Some of them had bad experience when they were child, and others are having problem cause their living environment. Some of the YouTuber are psychologist, they did a really great job on exploring the cases.
I have been consuming true crime for a long time now, especially from content creators like this on YouTube. Since being a true crime viewer, I have seen the various reactions these creators receive from making content like this. If the creator is making content regarding a recent case, I’ve seen them receive backlash from the victim’s family and friends for profiting off of their pain and grief. There are some creators who acknowledge this criticism and run charity campaigns in response, but I don’t know if this absolves them from any criticism from victims’ families.
I will not lie, I love true crime videos. Not particularly the makeup x true crime videos but more the mukbang x true crime videos, like Stephanie Soo. I love her videos because she is gentle and cautious of her audience with her words, careful not to trigger anyone who listens to the usually very gruesome and dark topics of true crime. I find that not directly talking about murder or serial killers becomes a way to kind of sugar-coat the crime and story to make it not as jarring and scary for those who want to listen to them.
True crime as a genre I find hard to continually be involved in as it can be draining to always be exposed to hearing about bad things happening to other people but it also is a genre that can have a tendency to focus on the crime and the perpetrator and not enough on the victims. So whilst I have my own reserves with this genre, I think the recent true crime genre revival has been interesting to note as the genre was able to find its way to flourish through many new forms of media. Podcasts, tiktoks, and now on youtube as a specific kind of series with makeup. I think its definitely an interesting concept as it not only can attract new sources of audiences but it’s also a very creative concept to be able to pull this off and potentially attract true crime audiences into the makeup world.
I’m someone who does find true crime interesting and will sometimes spend hours looking into/researching different cases and watching documentaries/YouTube videos about those cases. I think that the presentation of true crime should be handled carefully, as there’s a line you don’t want to cross to end up being disrespectful to the victims and their families. Because of it’s popularity, I feel like people don’t really recognize that the ways in which true crime is handled, especially on YouTube, can actually be harmful to the people affected. I think people seem to forget that these are real people being talked about and not fictional characters in a mystery. If you think about it, it’s kind of hard to ethically talk about true crime because at the end of the day you’re benefiting off of someone’s death since you’re using it for content. However, there are good ways and bad ways to go about it. I’ve never watched any of Bailey Sarian’s videos so I can’t say too much about her and her content, but I do know that debates have been brought up on if doing makeup and talking about crime is ethical. It’s not only applying makeup but other true crime creators who do other activities when talking about crime cases. For example, I sometimes get TikToks on my For You page about this girl who talks about crime cases while decorating cookies.
I had no idea this existed and now that I do, I will probably be checking it out. I love learning about true crime and how the police investigated and the theories behind the suspects. I do think the point of romanticism is an interesting one though. Does the addition of art make the topic of crime less intense or serious for viewers? And is that a disconnect that is beneficial for their wellbeing or hurtful and numbing?
To me, stories and media about real-life crimes are acceptable so long as the creator treats the subject with respect without sensationalizing it, while sticking to the facts and letting people interpret the story as a cautionary tale. The world we live in can be evil and brutal, and to some (including me), it is important and informative to hear about all aspects of the human experience. I am sure that some true crime youtubers, including Bailey Sarian, treat their subjects with respect and do not intend to profit off of misery. At the same time, treating brutal crimes with irreverence and detachment is dangerous. True crime fans can be conditioned to talk about the victims and perpetrators with the same indifference that they have when discussing their favorite movies. Still, detailing terrible crimes and exposing them to large audiences in such a digestible format is not new, as there are entire TV channels devoted to the same thing. It would be hypocritical of me to criticize these youtubers, so my takeaway is to use caution when engaging with these stories and to be careful in choosing who exactly you are viewing.
There is a legitimate worry about how genuine crime content could affect those who are likely to commit copycat crimes. True crime has gained enormous appeal in recent years as a result of the media’s ability to reach a broad audience. Even while real crime storytelling may be interesting and educational, it’s important to approach the topic sensibly and be mindful of any potential repercussions.It’s important to note that the impact of true crime on imitation crime is a complicated subject. It is difficult to establish a clear causal link between the consumption of genuine crime content and participating in criminal action since research on the subject has yielded inconsistent findings. A person’s tendency to commit crimes is influenced by a variety of variables, and actual crime is but one element of a much bigger picture. Having said that, true crime content should be used responsibly and with prudence by both media producers and viewers. It is the duty of content producers to responsibly tell these stories, stressing the feelings of the victims and putting an emphasis on spreading awareness and averting future incidents of similar crimes. Avoid exaggerating or exalting criminal activity. It’s crucial for consumers to engage real crime with intellectual curiosity and an awareness of its possible effects. Keep in mind that these are true crime stories about actual victims and their loved ones, and you should respect and be sensitive to their emotions. It is vital to avoid romanticizing criminals and to be aware of any potential psychological impacts.
Upon first glance this title might seem peculiar to the average person. What does makeup have to do with murder? How is this woman’s makeup look related to the content of true crime? Is it insensitive? These are all questions I had when I first came across the True Crime Beauty Creators on YouTube. What initially drew me to watch these content creators was my genuine interest in seeing how two completely unrelated things (makeup and true crime) could be combined in a way that makes sense. I think this is a very creative way to target a wider audience and to bring awareness/ coverage to cases that deserve justice and more attention by the media.
Upon first glance, this title might seem peculiar to a person who has never heard of this type of content. What does makeup have to do with murder? I was intrigued by this post because I often find myself watching these types of videos during my free time. What initially drew me to her was my genuine intrigue to see how two completely unrelated things (make and true crime) could be combined and somehow create content. I think this is a great way to target a different audience and bing awareness to cases that deserve justice and more attention.
I think it is interesting how people use gory or scary stories and pair it with something people also love to watch like doing makeup. Like other comments, I think this is a great way of getting the audience’s attention throughout the entirety of the story, as many peoples attention span has decreased due to social media. I never thought about the ethics of it, but if they are profiting off someones death, I would think it would be right to give the family some sort of compensation or ask for permission if it is okay to distribute the story to the internet. Something else that comes to mind is movies or documentaries that retell murders, while focusing on the murder not the victim and sometimes families do not get compensated at all for it. I think this is similar in the sense that both are retelling a story of someones death and it would be most ethical to ask the family of the deceased if it is okay to share the story with thousands of people on the internet – which this is sadly often not done.
I was also attracted by the weird pairing of the title, murder and makeup, and then I found out that I was an audience to the similar content of the video. I agreed with the other comment that people were attracted because of the multitasking and the appealing nature of murder cases, but I also noticed that the content creator that I watched and the original one mentioned in the article both used bold colors in their makeups and the makeup styles were similar. I wondered if certain styles of makeup would pair more naturally with the storytelling. Also, I didn’t think about the moral issues when I first watched this type of video, but I think evaluating the moral issues concerns the way of telling the cases and if the profit is involved.
As an avid user of TikTok and Youtube, I am quite familiar with the combination of true crime and makeup. I understand the appeal just because people’s attention spans nowadays are not as long as they were before, especially after quarantine and the rise of 30-second videos on TikTok. For me, I love watching makeup videos but also listening to criminal cases and based-on-true-stories murder mysteries. I would say this is similar to videos where people read Reddit stories with Minecraft playing in the background: it’s a multi-tasking, attention thing that appeals to GenZ.
I actually have watched multiple videos of her on Facebook. However, the make-up part was not the attractive factor why my interest was awakened. Nevertheless, I think the idea of captivating a wide range of viewers, by combining two completely divergent topics (make-up tutorial and telling true crime stories) is genius.
Her narrations are factual, engaging, comprehensible, and her appropriate use of sarcastic humor keep you captivated.
Of course, these kind of „entertainment“ cannot be used to consider yourself well-informed and only result in primitive conclusions. But it can definitely serve as a stepping stone to do more research on your own.
The reason I clicked on this article was the odd pairing of Makeup and Murder in the title. It confuses me why these have been tied together as a new popular pairing on Youtube. I partly think it has to do with our short attention spans and wanting to watch something, while listening to the stories instead of just the stories themselves.
I think the reason why true crime beauty content creators, such as the one described in the article, do so well is because it keeps the audience engaged in multiple ways due to the nature of multitasking. The creator appeals to multiple audiences at once, such as the true crime community and the beauty community. This form of commentary content creation encourages community engagement and therefore brings about greater discussions, as well as awareness, surrounding true crime cases and the artistry of makeup.
I find this article very interesting. I think that recently true crime has reached new heights of popularity, though it has probably always been a topic of interest for the public. True crime stories are being told over all kinds of different media, blogs, Youtube videos, podcasts, etc. And what is different than before is that anyone can tell these stories, you don’t have to be a journalist or a professional. So it is really interesting to see how different content creators choose to report these stories. While we can see Bailey Sarian’s work as her finding a specific niche to fill, it is also an expression of her creativity. But creativity aside, we can debate the ethics and sensitivity of it all, and whether or not viewers are simply using other’s misfortune as entertainment.
I can see from the responses of others that some are torn on the ethics of these kinds of true crime media presentations. As someone who was introduced to the intricacies of the crime world and true crime through such mediums, I think that the nature of the media being used and the narrator who is relaying the true story are a key aspect of the morality of such presentations. Some content creators are highly respectful in the way they recount the stories of others and use it as a way to remember a victim and raise awareness, while others sensationalize and romanticize horrific crimes. I do not think that using an artistic or entertainment medium to share the true story of another’s tragic death is innately amoral, but I do believe that it is often done in a disrespectful manner.
I to, have seen a huge increase in true crime stories being told, especially on YouTube. I have never watched Bailey Sarian personally, however, have fallen into the trap of other youtubers discussing similar topics. Being able to multitask; doing makeup while telling a story, is by far one of the two topics I wouldn’t have thought would be put together. Instead of watching someone simply put makeup on with music or silence in the background, she was able to grab the listeners attention with both visuals and audio.
Nice article! I have always found Americans’ obsession with true crime interesting because while learning about the traits and characteristics of a murderer can make you more aware of your environment and the people around you, I can’t help but think about the family of the victims and how making their murder our entertainment impacts them. In some cases, this can be useful but I don’t think it should be turned into a national spectacle as it prevents the family from getting peace and moving on.
While true crime is appealing to many and captivating this article brings into question if we as a society are romanticizing it. True crime can be experienced through many mediums, one of which is now a makeup artist on Youtube. This combination of art and crime has successfully attracted a large audience but begs the question of ethics. Is it okay to use real murder stories and profit off telling them? I am unsure, but millions seem to think that it is entertaining.