The Important Reason This #KissAndMakeUp Campaign Is Going Viral

If you see some of your favourite Instagrammers post selfies with lipstick stains on their hands, it isn’t due to Valentine’s weekend, but for a cause of a very serious nature. They are coming together to highlight cyberbullying, after alarming new statistics revealed that over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year, according to DoSomething.org and that a massive 88% of teens witness this form of bullying on a daily basis. Though these stats form the basis of a US study, the figures will hit home on our shores too, with reports (and too often tragic stories) that affirm cyberbullying is very much prevalent here in Ireland. This form of bullying is horrific and can destroy lives, so we’re all about highlighting and supporting campaigns that also want to see it banished forevermore.

These shocking stats are exactly why Tarte Cosmetics and ByStanderRevolution (a US organisation committed to taking the power out of bullying) teamed up to help create awareness about cyberbullying through their #KissAndMakeUp campaign, which has since gone viral. The organisers are hoping to make Instagram – and other popular social platforms – safer and friendlier places to be, by encouraging users around the globe to come together and spread their #AntiCyberBullying message.

To participate, just?tag a person you’d like to share a positive message with, write out your kind caption to them, and then post your picture with a kiss stain on the back of your hand using the #KissAndMakeUp hashtag. You can also tag?@tartecosmetics and @bystanderrevolution?to help get your words out.

So, put your favourite lipstick to extra use this weekend and snap a selfie for a good cause. See below for a small sample of some of the posts so far:

“We get so worried about being “pretty.” Let’s BE pretty KIND, pretty FUNNY, pretty SMART, and pretty STRONG!” -@littlelizziev Help create awareness about cyber-bullying by tagging a person you’d like to share a positive message with and post a picture with a kiss stain on the back of your hand using #kissandmakeup and be sure to tag @tartecosmetics & @bystanderrevolution!

A photo posted by Tarte Cosmetics (@tartecosmetics) on Feb 12, 2016 at 11:55pm PST

Don’t be mean behind your screen. Spread kindness like @candacebulishak & @deannadini Post a picture a kiss stain on the back of your hand, use #kissandmakeup and tag a friend to help create awareness about cyber bullying!#kissandmakeup #anticyberbullying @tartecosmetics @bystanderrevolution #bystanderrevolution #tartecosmetics Say something nice about someone in the comments and tag them. I’ll start….

A photo posted by Nikki French NY (@nikkifrenchmakeup) on Feb 11, 2016 at 1:54pm PST

We love how @bretmanrock can instantly brighten our day and bring a smile to millions of people! Help create awareness about cyber-bullying by tagging a person you’d like to share a positive message with and post a picture with a kiss stain on the back of your hand using #kissandmakeup and be sure to tag @tartecosmetics & @bystanderrevolution! #anticyberbullying #bretmanrock

A photo posted by Tarte Cosmetics (@tartecosmetics) on Feb 12, 2016 at 7:04am PST

Don’t be mean behind your screen! Joining @tartecosmetics + @bystanderrevolution in their campaign to bring awareness to & help stop cyber-bullying! I tag you to do the same! Use #kissandmakeup (p.s. Idk why my lip print looks so jacked up aaaand thanks for all the love on my new video! )

A photo posted by STEPHANIE LEDDA (@smlx0) on Feb 11, 2016 at 4:48pm PST

….. ! Be generous and spread kindness & don’t be mean behind the screen .. Take a stand and help put an end to cyber-bullying .. HELP CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT CYBER-BULLYING BY TAGGING PEOPLE , FRIENDS OR YOUR CLOSE ONES ?? So proud to support @tartecosmetics and @bystanderrevolution campaign to stop bullying ! #kissandmakeup

A photo posted by ???? ?? (@styledbyfarah) on Feb 13, 2016 at 7:11am PST