16 Jan 2010 15 Comments
When is it appropriate or not appropriate?
I was talking to my friend at work the other day about red lipstick. Not that unusual really. She bought the Beaute lip cremes in ‘Masochist’ and ‘Wanted’ (my suggestions of course) and wore the red one for the first time to work. My friend, who is probably one of the most stylish people I know said the reviews were mixed when she sported the red lip look. Some thought she looked amazing ‘rockin the red’ but at the same time there were a few jokes. That got us to talking about work appropriate makeup and whether there was such a thing.
My take?I don’t necessarily think it’s a matter of appropriate or inappropriate. I think it depends on so many factors including the environment/style of where you work. I think a lot of the time it also boils down to how people see you on a regular basis. So if you tend to wear nudes every day and suddenly you wear orange lipstick of course people will take notice — good and bad.
All in all though that’s what makes makeup fun for me. The ability to change a look with just a subtle change in lip colour. Amazing.
How’s this for Friday night ramblings? What’s up for you this weekend?
Jan 16, 2010 @ 04:10:07
I wrote about this awhile ago (: I personally have a love/hate with me and red. I would never be confident enough to wear it in public but I do think it can look really good ^^;
Jan 16, 2010 @ 04:49:07
My teacher in high school used to wear red lipstick everyday. I think I have never seen her without lipstick. None of us have ever found her inappropriate, on the contrary, she always looked very elegant and "old fashioned" (in a good way) to us. She was even 50+ already, so go figure. Oh, well, of course the only thing she wore on eyes was some coats of mascara….
Jan 16, 2010 @ 08:15:21
It depends of what you're wearing too ! If you have a very coloured outfit, it may be a little too much with red lips, I reckon.
Jan 16, 2010 @ 09:06:40
So true! I think those of us who are obsessed with beauty might notice subtle changes, but the masses aren't going to notice unless it's "pow in your face". It also goes the same way if you don't put on anything. If I don't wear any makeup to work, I sometimes get, "are you ok?" from coworkers. Actually, yes, I'm quite ok I just forgot my undereye concealer (not my response but true!).
Jan 16, 2010 @ 11:48:37
Am busy reading this weekend for my last exam
but never busy for blogging ofcourse :p
and I agree it totally depends on how conservative or liberal environment one is in as thats how people will percieve our look. I would never in real sport a red lipstick or anything nearer outside hehe.
Jan 16, 2010 @ 12:28:12
I think it is also affected by your community. I found I could rock very bold eye looks and dramatic lips when I've stayed in very large cities but when visiting friends in small towns, my red lips or hot pink shadow was considered over the top and probably a little trashy. I had no way to know, so I didn't feel too bad.
I imagine red lips in New York City would go relatively unnoticed in comparison to a smaller town like Florence, Alabama.
Jan 16, 2010 @ 12:47:13
I would love to get Masochist! Everyone loves it so much. I've heard Pixiwoo Sam talking about it a lot, too
Jan 16, 2010 @ 15:13:39
I think there are so many shades of red there is definitely one for every occasion. Casual or formal.
Jan 16, 2010 @ 15:40:07
I agree with you. I think the appropriateness of makeup and clothes/accessories – even behavior – is really dictated by the environment you work in and the impression you set in the first place. I think there's more leeway for personality in many settings than people realize sometimes. And it depends a lot on personal perception too. For some reason, I will wear just about any lip color to work, including red (… except maybe for lavender or hot pink/fuschia), but I think that overly glossy lips are too sexy and inappropriate for a university administrative office setting. (I'm an undergraduate web assistant… I think that also lets me get away with wearing more bold looks too.)
Jan 16, 2010 @ 22:25:03
Totally agreed: sometimes its not so much whether its appropriate or not, but more of what people are used to seeing you wear. If you wear red lips everyday, no one's going to notice, but if you usually wear nudes and suddenly switch to reds, it's going to get noticed. I do wear dark/bright lip colours all the time, but I think people are used to seeing me with them, so they never say anything..
Jan 16, 2010 @ 22:48:38
I live in New York City and here, red lips seems to be appropriate anywhere. However, I totally agree that it depends on your environment. There are so many different shades of red that you should be able to find one for any occasion. If you feel confident enough to wear it, by all means go ahead!
Jan 17, 2010 @ 05:26:22
I think I find it easier to get away with red lipsticks because of many of the reasons given here; I mostly wear black/neutral colours, I keep the rest of my makeup simple with it and other people are used to seeing me in bright lips.
Jan 17, 2010 @ 17:28:21
Hi Michelle, I nominated you for an award
kiss kiss
Jan 18, 2010 @ 01:08:56
Hey!
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Gena
Jan 18, 2010 @ 17:25:36
Yes, I agree its got a lot to do with the environment, the people in my team seem to wear hardly any makeup, I know when I go in wearing bright Illamasqua polish or less than natural shadows I get a few looks
I think I am the only one who wears a full face of makeup actually, it would probably scare them if I went in without it !