I’d only say something if it was an obvious mistake – like a mascara smudge that they didn’t notice – like someone having something in their teeth. If the person had already told me they wanted my feedback or for me to give advice prior, then I might, but I wouldn’t give actual advice on technique or the like unless asked for it.
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Only if it is something like mascara transferred on their face or lipstick on their teeth. Tbh no one but my daughter asks me about her makeup and only really my daughter and myself love, wear and talk about makeup. Makeup is personal and even if someone asked my opinion, if that would happen (doesn’t too often), I would be careful not to be too critical. Asking for your opinion doesn’t give you the right to be brutal and honesty doesnt mean being a jerk imo
In more recent years, I am putting forth a greater effort to keep my foot out of my mouth in matters such as these, because I have a tendency to be way too forthright (or forthcoming?) Never with the intention of hurting someone’s feelings or royally pissing them off, though, but unfortunately sometimes that has occurred. So would I say something? Only if they asked for my personal opinion! Or had lipstick all over their teeth or something else that I would want them to likewise tell me about. Ah, life on the Spectrum can be mortification inducing!
Yes, but I will try to do it in private. I work in a hospital and one of my coworkers has difficulty matching and blending her foundation. There is always a distinct foundation line on her jaw. If I were to make a mistake that is easily correctable, I would like someone to tell me and help me out.
However, I do not criticize others for makeup choices that I personally don’t like. During the winter holidays last year I wore a burgundy lipstick that I got many compliments on. One of my coworkers said that she didn’t like it, that I was ugly, and shouldn’t wear it again. She went as far as to say that she would complain to management if I wore it again. Another coworker of actually made a complaint about the person harassing me about my lipstick and I was assured by management that nothing was wrong with it.
Goodness! Why was she so hateful? What could be so terribly offensive about burgundy lipstick? I’m glad you had another coworker on your side. And I hope you wore it again!
Complain to management if you wore that lipstick again? Somebody has “issues” or too much time on her hands. Management is busy enough dealing with REAL problems.
Rude and silly person you had to deal with!
Wow! She is a mean one. She needs to change her koo laid coloring. I would find the exact color of lipstick in the cheapest form and wrap it nicely to give for Christmas present. Watch her run and scream down the hallway and hopefully leaving for good! Lol!
Wow she clearly has issues that have nothing to do with lipstick.
Definitely not out of the blue. My personal rule for pointing things out is not to do it unless the issue can be fixed immediately–like you said, a smudge is fair to point out (if I know the person would WANT to know in order to be able to fix it ASAP); telling someone their eyebrows are too thick or thin is not. And even when it passes that rule, I’m usually not comfortable with it!
Depends…I wouldn’t let them walk around with looking foolish
Yes and no. It highly depend on the person’s skills (you can sort of see if that is intended or not) and how close we are
If I don’t really know the person I would never say anything (except the obvious lipstick on the teeth, smudged mascara, etc.).
If I know the person I would say something if I feel like the end result isn’t what she was going for.
If it is a loved one I will say something, especially if that is particularly not flattering and if I know it comes from a lack of experience.
After several times saying to my mom the shade of her bb cream wasn’t correct especially with an approximative application (she can’t always see properly how she applies her makeup) … Not super flattering. I finally made a joke and said something like, “ok, you want to look healthy and maybe a bit more tanned, than use a bronzer or some blush…. Now you look like a giant carotte!” we laughed really hard and the next time I visited I noticed a change.
Bearing in mind that unsolicited advice is rarely welcome, I would mention something that was obviously an unintended mistake (lipstick on teeth, an eyelash coming unglued – with a friend, that’s all in the same category as spinach between your teeth – you would tell a friend). Otherwise, unless I was asked for advice (“Do you like me in this green lipstick?” or “I want to get a new blush – what would you suggest?”), I would keep my opinions to myself.
Hell, no. Unless, like you say, it’s a blob of something, like a smear or food particle. If they’re satisfied, fine. Plus, on the snarky and passive aggressive side, how nice to have better color choice and app than the person! Oops, negative trait showing…
Heheheheheh 😉
I feel the same as Christine. If there was a smudge or lipstick on the teeth I’d point it out (because I’d want someone to do the same for me), but otherwise, only if she asked. And only if she asked very specifically.
I have a coworker who has a habit of not blending her foundation at the jawline. I always WANT to say something, but I never do because she hasn’t asked for my opinion and it’s something she does every day. If it was just a one-time thing, I’d treat it like a smudge and say something, I think.
When I was in my early 20s (several decades ago), I used to have this problem of forgetting to blend my foundation into my neck. One day my sister—who, to this day, never wears any makeup at all—pointed it out. I had never even thought about it. I’ve been careful with blending ever since, but also wonder how many people noticed my two-tone jawline over the years before I became aware of it.
I try to do it like you, I point out smudged lipstick or mascara, but do not comment on placement or color choices.
Same here. I actually have a friend that I want to fix her makeup application so bad but I bite my tongue instead because I feel like it would be rude to just come out and say “you’re doing this wrong” because she thinks she’s doing a good job. Some days are better than others and I think she must’ve learned something new, but then goes back to the other thing. Another girl I work with that I don’t know very well just wears foundation. In the way wrong color. Brings it all the way down her neck but doesn’t blend. Drives me crazy. I’m not a professional makeup artist by any means, and some people might think I wear too much. Who cares. It’s personal preference and I like it. I think these girls must feel the same way.
I would only tell them if they have smudged mascara or lipstick on their teeth. I would want someone to do the same for me, and they have. BUT….I would never tell someone that I didn’t like their makeup or the colors they chose, etc. It would hurt their feelings and I believe if wearing what they chose makes them feel good, they should wear whatever they want. I see alot of freak shows out there lol….but that’s just how they roll. To each her own.
Like lipstick on their teeth or beside their mouth, yeah I will tell them.
But, other than that like how they did their eyeshadow or blush – no way. Unless they specifically ask like how they can blend better or something I guess.
I totally agree, Christine. Yes, if a friend has a smudge or lipstick on their teeth, that’s when to say something.
Make up is so subjective. Some like a heavier face of make up while others prefer a lighter finish and who are we to ‘make up’ the rules.
Totally depends on the ‘mistake’ and the friendship: If it were me, would I want to be told? And if she were me, would she likely tell me? If yes to both, no problem, I’d say something. If no to either, no I wouldn’t.
This is so true. I have a best friend who doesn’t wear makeup except when she goes somewhere special, but we are open with each other, and if she said something like, “I think that lipstick is too dark for you,” I wouldn’t be offended, I’d take it into consideration (and agree or disagree). But you have to be pretty close, trusting friends for something like that to not come off as offensive.
I haven’t ever commented unless it’s obviously unintentional (as you mentioned, mascara smudges and so forth). Does lecturing my friends on the diligent/adequate use of sun protection count?
So much of what the beauty/makeup world deems correct is actually pretty subjective anyway. For example, maybe my acquaintance would look better to me with a different brow shape, but they could have just as much chosen their eyebrow shape consciously. It doesn’t mean they made a mistake and it’s not up to me to let them know that I feel negatively about something they might like on themselves.
Only my best friend because we have a special bond. We are both very critical/harsh people and understand and accept that between the two of us. We are both very vocal and argue just for the sake and enjoyment of it, but without rancour.
Alison nags on me about changing my hair colour/cut all the time. On the other side she doesn’t wear makeup, do anything with her hair/appearance so I’m usually encouraging her to make more effort.
At Christmas she was wearing the ugliest sweater I’ve ever seen (she despises spending money on herself).. and I said “What did you go out and spend a whole $17 on that sweater”. We laughed our arses off… because that is precisely what she did.
Anyone else: absolutely not. I would rather comment when someone looks particularly nice.
TV = fair game. I’m analyzing criticizing complimenting makeup/hair/clothes vocally while watching. Hairball finds it amusing
If they had lipstick on their teeth, then yes – otherwise I’d leave techniques etc up to them.
I’ll comment on things like lipstick on teeth or if something gets smudged. As far as anything else, I’ll only criticize if asked.
Pretty much what Christine said. I would tell someone if they had lipstick on their teeth or something like that. I would not give unsolicited advice. People’s makeup preferences are so individual. If someone asked for concrete criticism, I’d try to give it nicely, and base it on how well I knew the person. I usually say what I like I like about the makeup, then say something like, “If (this eye color) were blended a bit more, it would be perfect. (Purples) can be tricky. I have good luck with (this brush or technique).” I avoid saying things like, “You should,” or “you didn’t.” I hope that makes sense.
That should say “constructive cristicism.”
Christine, I totally and completely agree with your stance on this subject. Three Wise Monkeys – See all, hear all, say nothing – unless a crime is being committed or another human or animal is being hurt, abused or neglected.
I feel that our makeup is a very personal thing – I would hope most of us would think we look nice after purchasing and applying beauty products. I feel the same way about making suggestions when it comes to lipstick on teeth and such. Other than that, I would assume someone likes the way they look.
Since I generally wear subdued and more natural looks myself, if someone asked me, I’d probably tell them I wasn’t really qualified to judge what someone else applied. I wouldn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings with my opinion about what they did. I might say something about blending shadows more or something like that, but otherwise I’d probably stay out of it.
If it were something involving technique, or color choice only of I were asked. However if they have lipstick in their teeth, or their eyeliner is crawling down their face, or their eyelash was hanging I would, because I would hope that someone would do the same for me.
I do tell only my mom and my daughter we are very close and all adore makeup and are always sharing new things, blogs and ideas especially with my daughter. We joke a lot too. I would let them know whether a certain foundation does not match their skin as I did mentioned to my daughter once privately before a movie it was a NARS but a bit yellowish toned for her young skin and she answered I was mean jokingly. Lol! With my mom I been for years telling her to update her hair coloring with a little jump, darker color she looked washed out with a too light one although she was blonde as a kid but older looked a bit washed out to her skin tone, now she cut it Pixie and let her gray hair grow out and is looking fantastic but she is actually beautiful, cheekbones, blue eyes and so sweet. I joke with her to put a hint of purple or pinkish. She mostly gets after me on fashion once she told me not to show up at her house wearing this cute Japanese style dress from Target that ends like a t-shirt but others tell me they like it and I let her know the results. Lol! Never feelings hurt. I only comment with my mom or daughter and rarely. I don’t comment on my sisters in laws unless is something flattering and they know how to take care of theirselves and are pretty women too. I actually like to ask one of my sisters in law for fashion advice she is a designer and knows color schemes, fashion well and I’m petite 5’3 so I need help sometimes some clothing like a big flower can swallow me up or huge accessories. I would mention about the brócoli stuck on someone’s teeth to anyone I guess to help or if their wig is reversed (that has never happened though ?thank Goodness!) but whom am I to judge others so I rather keep my mouth shut. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings it has to be a very close friend to tell her so or unless they ask me. Myself, I’m still dreaming of learning a nice smoky eye I keep my overall makeup simple although do like to change colors and blushes daily for fun. In my minimal way I’m more daring with colors than mom and daughter they think I’m kookoo especially my mom. 😉
I agree with you. If it was a smudge I’d say something. I might even tell someone I didn’t know very well in the case of a smudge. Otherwise, I wouldn’t offer criticism. We should be able to wear our makeup however we like. Just because I personally don’t like it shouldn’t come into the equation.if it were my daughter who was still quite young and I felt the application was a bit too mature I would definitely say something, but if she 16 or so I would let her experiment. It all washes off.
If there is lipstick on their teeth, eye shadow or mascara smudge, certainly – but anything else, I wouldn’t.
My general rule for making unasked for comments on someone’s appearance: if they can’t fix it in 5 minutes don’t say anything. Something in their teeth? Sure. Acne? No way, and odds are they already know anyway and highlighting an issue they can’t fix immediately is unhelpful. The same applies to makeup. Smudged mascara? Probably. Unblended eyeshadow? Probably not. Unless someone actually asks for my opinion or advice on makeup I’m generally not going to give it. I typically wouldn’t (and don’t) want unsolicited comments, so I don’t dish them out. Just because you have an opinion doesn’t mean you have to share it.
With a total stranger only if it was clearly wrong and not what they intended, such as false lash popping or lipstick smeared on their chin. I would want someone to tell me.
With my daughter I tell her when she’s applied something incorrectly and when she’s done it right. As her mom it’s my responsibility. I share with her if I think her color combos are interesting (no way would I wear them) but I never tell her no don’t choose those because it’s a personal choice. I do give her suggestions which sometimes she goes with and others she doesn’t.
My sister, nieces and close friends ask me for techniques and product recommendations because they know I’m passionate about makeup.
Never!
I have a friend who has worn orange striped contour on her cheeks for the last 20 yrs. I doubt anything I said would make any difference.
I have friends & acquaintances with some serious brow issues (sperm brows, scouse brows, (in general badly penciled & often over plucked brows) that I’m sure do not approve of my ‘boy brows’ either. I’ve had people comment negatively & positively on my natural brows & I’m still wearing them! Usually the people disturbed by my natural brows are the skinny brow to the extreme ladies. Most of the compliments I’ve received on my brows have been from professional makeup artists & beauticians- so always consider the source of opinions. Brows are a divisive issue!
I would do like you, Christine.
I’m struggling with this currently! I have an acquaintance who loves makeup but she is terrible about matching her bronzer to her skin tone and blending it. I know she’s going for the ‘kardashian look’ and she has the coloring and features to pull it off. I honestly have thought about gifting her a nice bronzer even though we barely know each other. I want to tell her it looks bad but I know she loves makeup and doing it herself!!!! UG HELP ME!
I also wonder if she’s doing it on purpose or knows full well and just likes the way it looks. It’s more my problem than hers I guess.
I think I’d only be able to tell my friend if they had asked for my opinion or had tried out something new and was asking me about it! If it was something like a smudge, I would definitely tell them though!