What does “jirai meiku” (地雷メイク) mean in Japanese?

地雷 literally means “landmine.” As slang, a 地雷 person or thing is one you’d better not step on, because it may blow up: a touchy personality, or a restaurant to avoid. 地雷系 is a fashion subculture built on black and pink, ribbons, and a fragile look, and 地雷メイク is its face: pale skin, heavy blush under the eyes, and a “just cried” mood.

In this street interview, men are asked what makeup they find hard to be around. They tie 地雷メイク to dark lip colours and a gloomy, intense mood, and to メンヘラっぽい, a slang word for someone who seems emotionally fragile or clingy (from English “mental health”). Both words can sound negative from outside the subculture, though many people who wear the style adopt them with pride.