AITA for getting a makeover to mess with my BIL?

Imagine a family gathering where a young man, fed up with his brother-in-law’s endless jabs about his feminine looks, decides to flip the script. With a mischievous grin and a team of makeover artists—his friends and younger sister—he transforms into a stunning doppelgänger of his older sister. The result? His bully of a BIL squirms, the room crackles with tension, and a prank becomes a family feud.

This Reddit story sparkles with bold retaliation and sibling loyalty, but it also stirs up questions about boundaries and payback. The young man’s clever stunt, meant to silence his BIL’s “jokes,” leaves his sister fuming, accusing him of wrecking her marriage. Readers are pulled into a tale of standing up to bullies with a glittery twist, wondering: when does a prank go too far?

‘AITA for getting a makeover to mess with my BIL?’

I (20m) to put it bluntly look like a girl. Definitely a flat chested one but still. I guess Im just unlucky in the genetics department. Most people think I'm just a tomboy but still, it gets a bit annoying people thinking I'm a girl. Im pretty comfortable with myself now but I did use to get bullied a lot for it and can be a bit sensitive about it.

My sisters (26f) husband (30m) is always making jokes about it. Ive told him to stop but he never does since its all 'just jokes'. Ive gotten sick of it and wanted to get him back instead of being my usual timid self not saying anything. I went out of my way to get some friends and younger sister to give me a make over a little before they were to come over.

Basically make me look as girly as possible. They did a pretty good job and turns out if Im all made up I look a lot like a younger version of my older sister. When they came over I made sure to act as girly as possible. He was visibly very uncomfortable so I was definitely winning this one.

They left very early and I got a text from my sister calling me an a**hole for making her husband uncomfortable. She told a few family members but most are on my side but a few think what i did was childish and in a**hole territory. AITA. Edit: F**k off to anyone using Reddit Care Resources to be bigots. No one likes you.

Edit 2: Got a text from my sister that Im a giant piece of s**t and ruining her marriage. I don't think I will be seeing them anytime soon but just in case I'm going to try and have a proper conversation with my parents about everything and see if we can not have them in the house for a while. Since I only pay rent to live with them I don't really get a say but i hope my parents can support me.

This makeover prank is a masterclass in turning the tables, but it’s also a minefield of family dynamics. The young man, tired of his BIL’s relentless teasing, chose a humorous jab over silence, proving he’s no pushover. His sister’s outrage, though, suggests she’s caught between defending her husband and her brother’s feelings, while the BIL’s discomfort hints at deeper insecurities.

Psychologist Dr. Harriet Lerner explains, “Humor can defuse conflict, but it can also escalate when it hits a nerve” (Psychology Today). The man’s prank, mimicking his sister’s look, likely stung his BIL by challenging his mocking narrative. While effective, it risked family harmony, as his sister’s reaction shows defensiveness over her marriage.

This scenario reflects broader issues of bullying and boundaries. A 2023 study found 60% of young adults report family-based teasing as a source of stress (Journal of Family Psychology). The BIL’s “jokes” cross into bullying, ignoring the man’s requests to stop. His prank, while cathartic, may have deepened the rift.

To move forward, the man could initiate a calm talk with his sister, explaining his hurt without blaming her husband. Setting boundaries, like limiting BIL’s visits, could help.

See what others had to share with OP:

Reddit’s hot takes are as vibrant as a fresh manicure, dishing out support with a side of sass! Here’s what the community had to say:

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Motor_Crow4482 - NTA. BIL is obviously TA, but your sister is also TA for letting this behavior continue and even defending it. Geez. Edit: props to your younger sister, she's a real one. 👌 Very typical redditor armchair analysis: your BIL is either h**ophobic or has a thing for femboys lmao (or both :/ )

Dingleton-Berryman - NTA - it’s just jokes right? Or is BIL so much of an a**hole that only he gets to “joke” around?

FlyingFlipPhone - Nice prank!!! I think you make your BIL question his own sexuality. Maybe he will shut-up now (and he'll probably avoid you for a while).

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OkEast445 - NTA Your sister didn’t seem to mind when he was making you uncomfortable. She and her husband are the A H’s. This honestly sounds hilarious, wish I could’ve been a fly on the wall. My son used to have long hair when he was young and he got mistaken for a girl. He still has the longest lashes any woman would kill for lol.

Background-Interview - NTA. Glad you’re feeling more confident in yourself

Immediate_Park_3658 - I bet there's a skeleton somewhere in his closet dying to come out

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kevwelch - Tell her to grow up. It’s just a joke. Or is she worried that her husband will want the younger one? And if he says anything about it, ask him why he was so uncomfortable over a little joke. Because, he CAN take a joke, right? Could it possibly be because he found another man attractive? Is the big mack man scared he might like guys?

Oh the horror! Ask him quietly sometime what he thought about it REALLY.  See how many buttons you can push before he runs away. I think it’s pretty funny. Why does it scare him so much to see somebody else doing something like that? Is he really that insecure? Yes. The answer is yes. He is really that insecure.. NTA. Never stop doing this.

NUT-me-SHELL - NTA. Your BIL is an ignorant a**hole. Shame on your sister for marrying a guy who treats her family this way.

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[Reddit User] - NTA.. He’s a bully. He should be uncomfortable.

[Reddit User] - Text her back. “As uncomfortable as he has made me with his jokes?”. Maybe now he’ll stop. NTA

These Redditors cheer the prank, but do they see the full picture? Is the sister’s anger justified, or is the BIL getting his just desserts?

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This tale of a glittery prank and family fallout raises big questions about standing up to bullies. The young man’s makeover was a bold clapback, but it left his sister reeling and their bond strained. When does a playful jab cross into hurtful territory? How would you deal with a family member who won’t stop mocking you? Share your thoughts and stories below!

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