When I was younger, I learned to do makeup from a LOT of trial and error. It wasn’t until quite a bit later that I discovered the world of beauty bloggers and vloggers who dished out beauty advice on YouTube for us mere mortals. I felt like there were certain things I was hearing that didn’t quite work for me individually, despite all my practice and trying to make it work. I’ve always felt like there are some things that are unspoken gospel in the world of beauty, despite the fact that it’s art and art has no right or wrong etc etc. Let’s turn that on its head today! Here are some of my unpopular beauty opinions.
Those sponge eyeshadow applicators are ace.
That’s right, I said it. I always hear about people throwing away the sponge applicators that come with eyeshadow palettes because they’re “useless” – give them to me! Admittedly, they’re not great for blending and tend to cause fallout, but they’re SO good for packing colour onto the lid. Especially when it comes to shimmers that I want all over my lid for a quick touch of extra-ness in the morning. Guess what – they’re cheap too! A dozen dual-ended applicators on Ebay for £1? I’m in.
Do we really have to throw a winged liner on everything?
I tried to embrace this one, I really did. Mostly out of fascination and determination to master the cat eye, but it just doesn’t do it for me. Sometimes smokey eyes look best when… you know, you leave them smokey. Eyeshadow is all about an illusion of a silhouette, and sometimes a sharp wing just disrupts the seamlessness of the blending you’ve just done, you know? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about that lift that winged liner gives to the eye shape (I have hooded eyes, the struggle is real) but this is perfectly possible to recreate with dark eyeshadow or a softly smudged kohl liner. Let the cat eye have its moment without having to compete with an eyeshadow look for attention.
I don’t get this blinding highlighter thing.
I love highlighter and the way it makes my cheekbones look, but is it really necessary to have this blinding white smudge on my cheekbones? Yes, Instagram – I’m looking at you. The whole point of highlighter is to catch the light and give the high points of your face some extra pizzazz, but this whole caking the highlighter on is getting a little crazy. Those blue/holographic highlighters don’t exactly help either unless you’re an SFX artist – nobody has naturally blue/holographic skin. Personally, I’d rather someone said “you have great bone structure” than “that’s a really nice highlighter”. Whatever floats your boat though.
When did natural brows become synonymous with monstrous caterpillars?
Ever since the likes of Cara Delevingne took over on Instagram with naturally bushy eyebrows, the craze exploded and gone were their cousins, the skinny sperm brows. Here’s an idea – what if we just embraced our natural eyebrow shape? I personally believe that everyone is born with a brow shape designed to suit them, whether straight/asymmetrical/arched etc. Why draw fake brow hairs with a pencil at the front of your brow to create the illusion of full, bushy brows that don’t exist? I’m all for cleaning up the edges with tweezers and filling in the odd sparse patch, but I love my natural brows and I’m going to show them off.
Over to you – do you have any unconventional beauty hacks that you’ve always loved despite the fact that they aren’t the popular thing to do? Maybe you use cherry flavoured lube to moisturise your face – I don’t know (by all means try it and let the rest of us know how it feels). I’d love to hear any thoughts you might have in the comments below, let’s share some stories! You go girl.
– J
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I think as most of the time, just because somebody on internet says how to do something, doesn’t mean you cannot do it other way if it works better for you and I agree with probably on all points (although I don’t buy sponge applicators on ebay 😉).
Hahaa true! Thanks for stopping by lovely xx
Love it!
Those ridiculous eyebrows are… well ridiculous – I have a hard time taking anyone wearing them seriously. It’s a bit like discussing quantum physics with a clown.
And the little sponge applicators? Brilliant for art and cake decorating 😉
Haha discussing quantum physics with a clown, best metaphor I’ve heard in a while! Cake decorating with eyeshadow applicators??? Teach me your ways! xx
If there is a better or more accurate way of applying edible glitter to fondant icing, I have yet to find it!
I’ll be keeping an eye out for your baking posts for when you uncover the secret to that! xx
I agree with you on everything! Mostly the sponge applicators, I am glad someone finally said it because they are great and so underrated. Especially for colours that aren’t as pigmented as you’d want them to be! S. xx
I know, right! They need to be appreciated wayyy more. Thanks for the lovely comment S xx
I’m so bad with the winged eyeliner thing, I’m like no winged eyeliner today n I always end up putting it on 😭 one thing I think when it comes to makeup is I so don’t understand contoring or how to do it 🙈 feel like can just end up making you look like a different person when it’s really thick.. is this bad hehe? I agree with you about the brows as well, it’s madness!!xxx
Yeah I think contouring can look so crazy when you first do it but it actually looks alright when you’re outside in natural daylight! And yeah the slug brows are just dumb. Hope you had a lovely New Year Grace! xxx
Whenever I try it looks awful, like i’ve rubbed some mud on my face 😂 being so pale makes it really hard hahaa! Thank you Janelle, hope you had a lovely New Year too Sweetie xxxx
Haha noooo, your Instagram photos never look muddy! Here’s to us becoming contouring pros by the end of 2018 xxxx
Awww thank you lovely! Hehe yes girl, we can hope 🙋 xxxx
😁I agree with u girl
Thanks!
I totally agree with you! We are all different and what works for one person might not work for someone else. We have to take what we hear with a pinch of salt and decide for ourselves.
Couldn’t agree more. Thank you for stopping by xx
You’re very welcome!
I don’t the these opinions are unpopular at all, they’re just not said that often hahaha 😀 Those sponge applicator are trash, and I always end up throwing them out, as I don’t see any purpose in them. Most of the time I just enjoy a subtle highlighter, I lot of those I see on Instagram are just going with crazy with it hahaha.
Haha yeah, a subtle highlighter look is so lovely. Thanks for stopping by and sharing! xx
I’m really not a fan of the huge Instagram makeup trends. It’s funny because makeup artists continually complain about them. To me makeup will always be a subtle tool to express creativity and to embrace your natural beauty. So over highlighting and over drawing ruins it in my eyes (unless that’s the person’s way to express themselves).
I also think winged eyeliner depends on the length. I don’t always like drawing huge flicks, but a little makes a big difference with my eyes. xx
I’ve found that huge flicks just end up overwhelming my eyes – as does anything OTT! Thanks for stopping by xx
That’s because you’re a natural beauty 🙂 x
Oh you smooooth creature, I could say the exact same about you! x
Or as Sade would say…a smooth operator lol 😛 x
Ha ha, love the brow commentary, all so true.
Haha thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
I totally agree with you! I love the sponge applicators for shimmers. I feel like winged eyeliner just destroys some looks. Same with blocky or overgrown eyebrows. A makeup artist I like once said something like “you can have a beautiful picture but you put it in a horrible frame and it’s not beautiful anymore.” speaking to how much eyebrows frame your face. Can’t remember the exact quote, was a lot better than how I put it, but that’s always stuck with me
Ooh that’s a really good one, I remember the first time I did my brows and it was like whoa, why haven’t I been doing this all along! xx
Haha that was a great post! I agree on so many of these. I’m not a beauty guru at all, so the sponge applicators always did it for me and my eyebrows? I don’t even touch them, too scared I’ll change them to something really weird that looks terrible to me. Natural works for me 😉
love, elena
https://outnaboutweb.wordpress.com
Haha yessss, fellow sponge applicator lover! I’m honestly so lazy with my own eyebrows but hey, natural is a good look. Thanks for stopping by Elena xx
Loved reading this 😀 I’m so with you concerning the winged eyeliner…it just doesn’t do anything to the shape of my eyes, especially now I’m older!!!
That winged eyeliner is just all over everything right now! Thanks for stopping by Kathleen xx
I don’t “get” make up at all- I stick with very natural looks, and my Naked3 and BareMinerals Be Beautiful palettes are all I use. All of these trends boggle me because when you see them in person, it sticks out like a sore thumb- especially the highlighter one!!
Exactly, it just looks so unnatural and I don’t understand its appeal! Each to their own, eh?
Winged eyeliner is one of my pet peeves. Sure, it has it’s time & place, but why cover up an eyeshadow look with it?
Yesss I just feel like it disrupts the harmony of an eyeshadow look entirely! Thanks for commenting xx
Here’s another – missing the natural outline of your lips. I can’t help staring, it’s dreadful!
Haha good one! I think that applies to overdrawing AND underdrawing… it’s a strange look xx
Oh I’ve never seen that! How weird!
I’m not a big make-up person, but I have to agree on the eyebrow thing. If i meet someone with hugely fake eyebrows its all I can look at!!
Haha I tend to do that thing where I give someone a nickname based on their most prominent feature when I first meet them… things get awkward real quick
enjoyed this…nice change to read from the usual, not that there’s anything wrong with going with trends but they don’t always work or suit us!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it xx
PREACH!!!!
The only one I don’t agree with is the brows! Unfortunately I was a teen in the 90’s and plucked my brows into oblivion!!! So I have to do some serious work. However , I don’t go to the extent of insta brows.
Oooh kudos to you for having that pain threshold, I squeal so much when I make any attempt at plucking hairs! Thanks for stopping by xx
It was all in the name of fashion! Oh the horror.
Haha oh the things we do in the name of fashion
^ With the winged eyeliner…. yes. Ohmygoodness yes. Why is this such a real problem??
Haha no idea! I feel like it’s the equivalent of the rose gold trend, just has to be plastered all over everything
I’m with you on pretty much everything except for the sponge applicators, I love my shadow brushes. One thing I’ve never gotten is why people like putting on makeup to the point that they are unrecognizable, I actually like my face they way it is, and makeup can be great for highlighting and accentuating my appearance, but I think that’s really all it should be. ( And to hide my super tired mom eyes) I love wearing makeup, but on the days that I don’t, I wouldn’t want to walk onto a room and no one recognize me for who I am.
I love your blog, I have nominated you for a Blogger Recognition Award, you can find all the details at https://lifewithmrst.com/2018/01/14/1472/ Congratulations on being an awesome blogger xx
That’s so kind my lovely, thank you! xx
I was thinking “how did I miss this post” then realised it was when I was the walking dead with my flu!
Anyway, I agree with you on most points, except the sponge applicator. No. Nope, Nada. Not having it. they are from the devils cauldron itself and should go in the bin. 🙂 But, as you are lovely, i will not report you to the sponge police. One of my unpopular make up loves is using my fingers to apply my foundation. Sometimes I just need the quickness and it blends like a dream. Also, lip liners. Im not a fan as I feel they can make my lips look too big. Im old, I cant have big lips. Loved this post xxx
Hahaha the sponge police! I hear using fingers for foundation is great for warming it up so that it blends better when you use a beauty blender afterwards? And nah, big lips just don’t do it for me xxx
I never really considered the benefits of a sponge applicator. Definitely good thoughts!
Also, I am RIGHT THERE with you about the highlighter and the eyebrows. Talk about “too much of a good thing.” I think both of these are great in moderation – in my opinion, make-up is there to enhance our natural appearances. But some people take it too far and start moving into supernatural territory. NOT WORTH IT.
Hahaaa supernatural territory. Love it, might have to start using that from now on! xx
Lost it when you said “skinny sperm brows”. WHAT AN IMAGE! Haha! Completely agree though, and with the highlighter point, I don’t get it at all it looks so weird!
Haha I know right!! Thank you so much Abi x