In the quirky world of TikTok, where creativity knows no bounds, a South African make-up artist from the Vaal, known online as Neigh Makeup, has taken the platform by storm.
Neo Tsolo, the woman behind the now-viral business ad, has left both South Africans and even a few Americans in stitches with her unconventional marketing approach.
The ad in question, which has garnered thousands of views, was posted with the caption, “Book In Peace”, set to a sombre gospel track that would usually accompany a more serious occasion.
@christalluster Lashes to lashes is sending me 😭😂 #canva #reactionvids #funnycomments #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Christal Luster
But this is where Tsolo’s genius – or perhaps her audacious sense of humour – comes into play.
Instead of a typical beauty service ad, Tsolo used a template that’s commonly reserved for memorial or funeral programmes.
You’d swear it was a heartfelt announcement of someone’s passing, complete with the classic elements: a photo of the artist in a circle, surrounded by flowers and doves. It was as if Neigh herself had left us for the great beyond.
Instead of tears, Tsolo’s followers were left in fits of laughter. And she didn’t shy away from the joke.
While she couldn’t defend her somewhat questionable graphic design skills, she cheekily assured everyone that her aesthetic work was “to die for”.
The ad caught the attention of Christal Luster, a popular TikTok personality known for her sharp wit and ability to turn viral content into meme gold.
Luster couldn’t keep it together as she dissected Neigh’s choice of marketing.
Stitching the video, which has now racked up more than 200 000 views, Luster wrote: “When God gave us Canva and the internet, I wonder if He knew we weren’t gonna act right.”
She continued: “I understand what it’s like building a business and making use of the tools you’ve got, but y’all gotta switch things up.
“We are conditioned to see somebody’s face in a circle surrounded by flowers and a dove – you’re gone! You’re gone!”
The reactions in the comment section were just as wild as you’d expect, with users trying to decide whether to book an appointment or send flowers.
Whether intentional or not, Tsolo’s marketing strategy has people talking, proving once again that in the world of social media, sometimes the most unexpected twists are the ones that go viral.
In the comment section, everyone joined in on the fun, and this is what they had to say:
@Bareire_ wrote: "She came, she saw, she contoured 🙂↕️."
@Banzai posted: "Listen it was the best marketing strategy now she is viral, she has gone international, i love a winning queen."
@tanecabrown added: "i saw it & never read, I just thought it was a death announcement & said awe. She was so beautiful 😂😂."
@Icy_Prince said: "she is serving ✨ Everlasting Makeup✨."
@alexia mitchell wrote: "lashes to lashes took me out."
@Sakhile commented: “Booked too soon” has been killing me 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭."
@Rick Roderiques added: "bruh! when I saw "zone 12" and 079 number I burst out laughing 😂😂 and I saw like comedians in the US laughing. South Africans are too funny 😂."
@kaydee said: "blush to blush" was the final nail to the coffin🤣🤣🤣🤣."
@FaithHebrews wrote: "Now I have no choice but to book an appointment. 🔥🔥🔥."
@Monique | Christian Girl shared: "I genuinely thought somebody died 😭I was wondering why you were laughing"
Say what you will, but Neigh Makeup has certainly made an impact – one that has everyone asking, “Is it a make-up ad, or a memorial service?”
Either way, it seems that business is booming, and Tsolo is having the last laugh.