How do you decide whether a look is "appropriate" for an occasion?

If I’m ever concerned, less tends to be more appropriate, and then more muted/subdued colors to follow.

— Christine

12 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Sarah Avatar

I don’t. Because I don’t go out. Which sounds sad, doesn’t it? But I just have work and home, I don’t get invitations to go to events or anything like that, so I never have to dress for them.

For a job interview, I would opt for a more natural look. Neutral eye, neutral lip, a light dusting of blush. If a situation dictates a more subdued look, I can produce one. I guess a good rule of thumb for me is if it’s a situation where many heads of business will be there, I’ll wear a more subdued look. Otherwise it’s a free for all.

Ana Maria Avatar

I just use my common sense. Usually when it’s a new environment / situation, I will lean on a more classic neutral look. For example, if I go to a new workplace, I will wear a my lips but better lipstick and brown eyeshadows for a few weeks, before going to my “I can wear MAC Diva everyday” mode.😅

Otherwise, I just think of the context, who else is there. If I go to an evening opera or symphonic concert (which I hope at least I’ll get to experience again in the winter) I would just go full glam. If I go to a matinee, I would tone it down, not just because of the hours, but also because it’s more appropriate given that more elderly people or families with small children might attend.

AJ Avatar

I feel like the only situations where I’d be concerned about my makeup being “appropriate” would be funerals and job interviews! For those situations I go with a more neutral look — maybe with a pop of color if it’s an interview at a “fun” or stylish company. Anything else, I wear however much and whatever kind of makeup suits my mood.

Rebel Avatar

I used to be concerned about “appropriateness”…. But as I’ve gotten older and more radicalized, I no longer care what others think of what I put on my face – it’s my face, not theirs, and their thoughts about me are none of my business.

Neutrals are my go-to everyday look, simply because they are quick and easy to apply and really go with everything since I’m usually in a rush. However, if I have some extra time or I’m feeling creative, I’ll do a big blown out colorful look, regardless of what the occasion is.

CeeBee Avatar

Uhhhh, I have never really considered that my makeup might potentially be inappropriate so… never?

I mean, I save my glitter eyeshadow for nights out (or lazy afternoons on the couch with my cat, heh) or parties instead of job interviews and I always wear waterproof mascara to weddings and funerals but other then that, I don’t really think about it too much.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!