Is makeup more functional or more of a creative outlet for you?

For what it means to me, it is more of a creative outlet than a functional one; like I’d ultimately apply it because of the joy I find in creating and putting together various color combinations and finishes. That being said, I’m usually testing at least half a dozen products each day (if not more), so from that perspective, it is largely functional, so it ends up being more of a combination.

— Christine

15 Comments

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Ana Maria Avatar

I would say that it’s both, but without being too much of either. I’m not that artistic and talented, but I like the creative side of make-up. I simply can do without make-up, but it’s part of my daily functional routine and appearance.

Carrie Avatar

Its creative in that I do it because I enjoy playing and am fortunate to have to good skin that I can comfortably run around without it. Its functional in that its part of my wakeup routine and how I get myself mentally going in the morning. 🙂

Mariella Avatar

For me, it’s mainly functional – with my pale skin, dark circles and generally fading features, I simply look better with my under eye circles minimized and some colour on my cheeks and lips, etc. And while I am not someone who does a lot of the more unusual looks that I see Christine do to spotlight certain eyeshadow palettes or lipstick releases (that favourite pink eyeshadows thread contained quite a few shadows I own….but do not use at all), and tend to stick to somewhat more “neutral” looks, it is also a creative exercise in that I will often try to use a more unusual colour or just take a creative pleasure in seeing the face I “create” coming together to make me look my best self when I face the world.

Deborah S. Avatar

I think it is mostly creative but there is some functionality to it. I generally don’t go out in public without at least a base coat on so that my pigmentation issues are somewhat covered. Everything else is purely for the fun and creative outlet it provides.

Nancy T Avatar

BOTH! While largely a creative outlet for me, it also serves as a functional part of my grooming. At least parts of it do. Having uneven, breakout prone skin, I do need at least a good coverage BB cream to leave the house. Having almost non-existent looking brows and lashes, I need to at least fill those in and curl my lashes, apply a coat of mascara. Lips need a gloss, at least. You get the idea.
Everything else is art, though. Especially when I go full ham with a detailed eye look! At this time in my life, only baking up gluten free goodies and makeup are my only creative outlets left.

krb Avatar

Both if I’ve got the time. I’ll always wear makeup when I leave the house, but if I have extra time, I’ll play around with it and do something special.

I wish I could get myself motivated to play with makeup and create looks even on days when I don’t go out, but my energy level is always at the bottom of the barrel. ?

Evi Avatar

definitely more creative. I used to do illustration, but for mental health reasons I haven’t been able to produce much. makeup feels like a softer version of playing with colour and shadow etc. I enjoy it for that reason.
I know its more a creative outlet because there has been Tension, with a captial T, with my mother over some of my make up choices, for not being “flattering”, for a makeup choice I chose on a day in. Its not like i don’t know how to do flattering makeup when I go out or for job interviews, but I enjoy making my eye makeup match my shirt, or wearing a bright lippy as battle armour on a day I feel my mood is low.

Genevieve Avatar

It’s a bit of both for me too. I like the way that wearing makeup makes me feel – more confident to face the world with wearing the shades that suit me and I did wear makeup to work to make me feel more professional. But it’s the creative enjoyment I get out of it everyday, picking my eyeshadows and lipsticks that I love the most.

Missy Avatar

I would say both, but more on the creative side at this point in my life. My ‘peak moment’ came when I discovered Bare Minerals at Sephora back in 2004. They were the first to offer quality clean makeup that was easy, beautiful, flattering and truly wearable; they demystified the application process with numerous tutorial videos on their website, other brands didn’t bother with that. Their whole shtick really resonated with me and I was getting so many compliments on my beauty looks. Prior to BM my makeup look was purely functional, to avoid looking washed out – eyeliner, mascara, blush, some powder and a sheer lipstick. Bare Minerals/Leslie taught me how to do my brows, sculpt and highlight my face, create flattering eyeshadow looks for my eye shape, get a flawless finish with their powder foundation/kabuki brush. Thanks to them I developed the confidence to expand my creative side! I still enjoy many of their products (Especially their loose blushes and pressed bronzer) even though my tastes are more daring now than they were back then.

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