We’ve all been there: trying a bold new makeup look and not hearing the end of it. Whether you’ve rocked a vibrant cut crease or you just decided to coat your face in sequins like the iridescent queen you are, you’ve probably heard a lot of criticism. Although everyone has a friend who isn’t afraid to tell you that your Fenty Mattemoiselle lipstick is on your teeth or that you’re now sporting a fake eyelash mustache (thanks to all the real makeup saviors), sometimes friends and often strangers feel the need to critique your beauty routine. Beauty policing can affect some people more often than others—however, some makeup artists aren’t tolerating this unsolicited “advice” anymore.
In a recent YouTube video, beauty influencer and content creator Yuki, who goes also goes by her social media handle @Youkeyy, created a makeup look entirely based on the comments she receives about her makeup. Instead of creating a serious makeup tutorial, Yuki created a makeup vid that’s just as hilarious as the "helpful" advice she receives.
From product reviews to makeup tutorials, Yuki is notorious for giving unbiased makeup reviews and advice, however, she isn’t immune to unsolicited comments about her makeup application. Yuki told us, “[my video] was indeed meant to be a humorous way of addressing how ridiculous it can be for complete strangers to attempt to tell someone how they should look.” After all, nobody should look a certain way, unless, of course, that way is ~confident~.
Yuki adds, “In relation to the policing of women's looks and beauty, I would like to mention that often times outside of the virtual space, it is done in an attempt to convey a sense of caring towards the woman in question. If one has no personal connection to you, it should be of no concern to them as to how you choose to wear your hair or makeup. There is a huge difference between privately telling your best friend that their foundation doesn't match and telling a stranger, co-worker, or an acquaintance that their eyeshadow looks are too ‘loud’ and should be ‘more natural.’”
While it isn’t abnormal for women to experience a stranger’s makeup critique, women of color often receive more unprovoked comments about their makeup, looks and beauty regime. In fact, there are several Reddit threads where people of color have detailed various racist beauty standards, as well as the subsequent “advice” strangers illicit about their makeup.
Yuki herself has been barraged by comments about her choice in foundation color. Fellow content creator and beauty guru Jackie Aina provided more evidence that Yuki isn’t the only women of color who’s been accused of using a lighter foundation shade. Shortly after Yuki uploaded her video, Aina tweeted this:
they do this to every black girl on YouTube. some black girls SWEAR all dark skin youtubers refuse to be their actual foundation shade. it’s really an ugly accusation based on zero knowledge of makeup, and a lot of times, just them projecting their own insecurities onto others https://t.co/vvPkDQ3w3U
— La Bronze James (@jackieaina) April 4, 2018
After all, each individual makeup user knows their skin better than any stranger.
Nevertheless, beauty gurus like Aina and Yuri aren’t the only makeup aficionados who are condemned for what they put on their faces, what they don’t, and how they apply it. Last year, songstress Alicia Keys, who spearheaded the bare-face movement, was criticized for her choice to wear makeup by her own coworker. While Keys defended her decision to wear makeup on-screen, and how it doesn’t contradict her makeup-free lifestyle, no person should have to validate their choice to wear makeup, regardless of how much or little they decide to put on their skin.
Related: In Defense of My Skincare Routine
While countless makeup artists, beauty lovers and celebrities have advocated for freedom of expression in the beauty realm, Yuki hopes that her humorous video will help other makeup lovers realize that makeup is about self-expression and nobody should have to tolerate criticism from the makeup police.
As Yuki tells us, “I think the best way for women to combat beauty policing is to continue being fearless in how they express themselves and to be unapologetic about it. Others are less likely to continue force-feeding what they think beauty should look like when they realize it is a waste of their time. I also think that in an appropriate setting where the other person is willing to be receptive, education can also play a pivotal role in getting that person to understand that beauty policing is not okay.” If you aren't comfortable with unsolicited advice, tell your acquaintance, commenter or friend that beauty policing isn't acceptable."
everyone has their own reasons for wearing makeup and let people do what makes them comfortable without policing whether or not they belong to a very personal community identity
— moved to @squidlesbian (@lesbiannadine) March 21, 2018
Although your makeup advice might be well-intended, unless someone asks for help with their makeup, hair, skincare or fashion, don’t judge their appearance. While you might feel the need to project your makeup-related qualms onto your acquaintances and strangers, the beauty-verse should be a supportive environment for every beauty lover, makeup artist, and skincare hobbyist to use makeup however they want (with some exceptions).
Criticizing another person's makeup essentially discredit the time and effort that went into developing their look (especially if you're a content creator, who makes videos to benefit other people and takes hours to brainstorm, film and edit one mere video). Plus, it's okay to post photos and videos of your less-than-perfect look, because beauty isn't about finding perfection to begin with.
If you still have the unbridled urge to comment on someone’s makeup, some alternatives can help you learn more about cosmetics and support your fellow beauty friends and their pigmented ventures.
- Compliment other people. ...Just don’t give them a backhanded compliment (because nobody wants to hear that you “like their eyeshadow, but you totally would have done it this way,” or that you “love their risky lipstick color and totally don’t have the courage to wear that to the club”). Focus on the positives in your compliments. Ultimately a real compliment versus an underhanded compliment could be the deciding factor on whether an Ulta Beauty patron buys Stunna Lip Paint—and nobody should be deprived of trying a revolutionary lipstick.
- Ask questions. While everyone loves compliments, questions about how you applied your makeup or where you bought your outfit will let strangers know that you appreciate their makeup choices and that you’re thinking critically about them.
- Encourage your friends to try something new. We all have insecurities, and snide comments can make even the most confident makeup lover doubt their own routine. If your friend turns to you for advice on a riskier makeup trend or eyeshadow color, support them and tell them to go for it. After all, makeup isn’t about concealing your perfect imperfections; it’s about taking innovative risks and painting your face like the beautiful canvas it is.
Implementing these tips will help you sway any lingering urge you might have to comment on another person’s makeup or looks. (Seriously, can complementing other beauty lovers and encouraging others to experiment with their look be the next beauty challenge?)
In case you need some inspiration to fearless rock your next makeup look, or you're just addicted to beauty tutorials, follow Yuki on Instagram or YouTube.