When was the last time someone said something nice to you about your makeup, and do you remember what makeup you were wearing at the time?
It happened last weekend! — and it took me by surprise because 1) I’d done the pretty mininal makeup, and 2) the compliments came from two Sephora artists.
The gals who work at the store in my town are always so done up — they wear intricate cut creases, glitter, lots of contouring, etc. — and look fabulous, but, interestingly, talking to them I’ve found out that most of them say that they like to wear simple, minimal makeup, just as much as I do.
I guess I always just assumed that because they go all out with their makeup at work, they must prefer intricate, complicated looks, but that’s not always the case!
I forgot to take a picture of my makeup that day, but it looked very similar to this five-minute makeup look here…
Here were the main products I used…
- BECCA Backlight Priming Filter
- NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF30 (I mixed the shades St. Moritz and Cuba)
- Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Concealer (I use R32 to correct the color of my dark circles, then Y33 to conceal them)
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Tan
- Guerlain 4 Seasons Contour and Bronzing Powder in Brunettes
- MAC Sheertone Blush in Gingerly
- Chanel Le Stylo Yeux in Waterproof Eyeliner in 914 Feuilles (I like to use this dark gray sometimes because it’s a little less intense than black liner)
- Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Escalator Mascara
- Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper & Hair Touch Up in Brunette
- Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss in Liar
The whole kit and caboodle took 10 minutes, tops.
Oh! — and these are the makeup products, by the way, I’ve packed into my labor hospital bag. Yup, I’m finally officially packed and ready to go! I’ll be ready to party when Baby Girl shows up (OK, probably not really). 🙂
What about you? When was that last time someone complimented you on your makeup, and do you remember what makeup you were wearing at the time?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jane says
Funny but I was actually at Lord & Taylor at the Bobbi Brown counter I go to most of the time. The MA there complimented me on my skin. She asked if it was the serum foundation (which it was not). I told her I was wearing a CC Cream from some other brand. I had on BB blush and tinted eye brightener, but the rest of my look was minimal (no eye shadow, just Maybelline mascara). I was going to purchase a lip gloss, but they didn’t have the shade I wanted. That seems to happen at that store lately. So, can’t wait to hear news that your daughter has arrived!!Rest up.
Kris says
My husband complimented my makeup over the weekend. I was wearing the Naked 3 palette and Colorpop Matte Liquid Lipstick in Midi.
Alexis says
Yesterday – the HR manager complimented my eye liner. I did a thick wing tip black liner (NARS gel) and a nude lip. I was inspired by a Lisa Eldridge video, as usual. Also, I got many compliments when I wore Rock Steady, Firebird and Spiderweb lipsticks from the UDxGwen collection.
Yeah….you’re almost there! Any day now…enjoy your moments of freedom!
Jules says
Yesterday! I was at work and wearing Charlotte Tilbury’s eyebrow lift pencil and Smashbox’s “Punked” lipstick, and a customer complimented me on it! I’d been having a really rough day too, so it was lovely to hear.
Good luck with baby girl! =^..^=
Mandy says
It was yesterday in fact. I was doing a first impression video for the new Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Foundation and I had already had it on for over 6 hours and someone complimented my skin/makeup. I attribute it all to that foundation. It’s wonderful!
Ruchita says
Hm, I don’t remember when anyone complimented me on my makeup, but this is a good reminder to compliment someone else!
That makeup look you did is really pretty! Lately I’ve been gravitating towards natural makeup looks, so thanks for sharing the products you used!
Allison says
I wore a look to work just yesterday that featured UD eyeliner in Rock Star with UD Flash eye shadow (from the shadowbox palette) smudged over top. It looked great in my mirror at home but when I saw it in the light of the office bathroom I realized it was a much brighter purple than I’d realized – more than a little out of my comfort zone. It was far too late to do anything about it though, so I resolved to hold my head high and pretend I meant to pay homage to Barney. Five minutes later a colleague complimented me on my eye makeup – specifically my purple liner! And later my husband – not shy to mention if he thinks I’ve done something ‘weird’ with my face – didn’t seem to notice anything amiss.
I probably won’t wear that look again because it wasn’t quite ‘me’, but it was nice to know that I didn’t look like an idiot who put her makeup on without looking…
Nicole - paleandfreckled says
I can’t even remember, outside of when I was at a MAC counter something like 5 years ago haha and I had on a metric ton of teal liner that happened to be very on trend for the upcoming season at the time. I like comments when they feel sincere but I feel like a lot of SAs are required to compliment you on something so I’ve gotten a lot of what felt like throwaway “I love your shirt!” type compliments. Just feels kind of forced 😐
LindaLibraLoca says
To be honest, I cant remember. With being at home most of the time, rarely anyone except my daughter and Mr. Loca get to see it, and both lack appreciation for makeup.
And I am reliefed to hear that you packed makeup into your hospital bag as well, I was starting to feel like a weirdo for doing that.
kellly says
I was in Sephora on Monday (Presidents Day holiday). A MUA there said my eye shadow looked good. I was wearing ColourPop but I don’t remember what color; it was a metallic taupe-y nude color with some NYX baked shadow on the center of my lid right above the lashes. I don’t remember the NYX color name either, but it was a gold/nude type color.
Fran says
The most recent compliment, I got, I think, was from the Urban Decay rep at my local Ulta. I was wearing bright pink lipstick, and, I think, blue or green eyeshadow — he loves it that I wear bright looks, because he gets so frustrated that most of the women around here seem to be afraid of wearing color. I think most of the compliments on my makeup that I get come from makeup artists in stores, the check-out girls at my local food co-op, or my clients in their 80s and 90s, although a dear friend in my own age group also recently told me that my makeup always looks good. So it is possible to break the rules, wear lots of color, and not have people think that you’re crazy! You just have to know what works for you, personally, and wear your looks with confidence.
Kellee says
Hi Karen,
I regularly read your blog but don’t comment too often. But today’s questions are such fun ones so I thought, “Why not?!?!”
The last time I was complemented on my makeup was Tuesday of this week, by my sister. The products I was wearing are as follows:
Becca Ever Matte Poreless Perfecting Primer
Revlon Colorstay Foundation
Urban Decay Naked Skin Powder Foundation (lightly dusted over liquid foundation)
Lorac Pro Contour Palette (contour)
Wet n’ Wild Color Icon Contour Kit in Dulce de Leche (bronzing)
L’Oreal True Match Blush in Soft Sun
Colormates Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown (transition in crease color)
Hikari Cream Pigment Eyeshadow in Mink
Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara
Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes in Divine Wine
Seems like so many products but the whole look took 15 minutes!
Can’t wait to see an update and pictures once BG arrives!
denise S says
On two separate occasions I’ve received compliments on my eyeshadow .Each time I was wearing my Naked 3 palette eyeshadows . I put Buzz all over lower lid and put the sparkly color Trick in the center of my lid and it makes my brown eyes pop! And line with Bobbi Browns’ black plum liner.
Amanda says
Several times my husband has complimented me when I wear the NARS eyeshadow duo in Underworld, and recently he had a sweet thing to say when I was wearing my trusty MAC Teddy eyeliner and a little bronze shadow. He also likes it when I wear a bright pink or cherry red lip. Bless his heart!
Ricky says
On the Saturday after last Thanksgiving I went into my local Sephora to get color matched for concealer since my own attempt at color matching was an epic fail (think reverse racoon eyes. Not cute.)
The makeup artist said I’d have to take off my makeup before she could use their Color IQ gadget. I explained I only had on brows & mascara & she blurted out “Wow, you have GREAT skin”.
I’m in my early 40’s & have been feeling really down about aging in general & my now droopy eyelids so this made my day.
Not really the same thing as getting complimented on makeup, but it made me feel like a million dollars AND…she color matched me really well for concealer for my under eye.
Karen says
What a nice story, Ricky! So of course now I have to ask what your skin care routine is like!
Ricky says
Thanks Karen. I’m not very fussy with my cleanser but I always seem to go back to L’Bri Deep pore cleanser.
After that its anything with snail. To be honest it squicked me out at first but I got used to it & the results cannot be denied. My current routine is:
Mizon Multi Function Formula Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule
Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
Mizon Multi Function Formula Snail Recovery Gel Cream
Mizon Multi Function Formula Snail Repair Eye Cream.
Then I lock it all down with belif: The true cream moisturizing bomb which was a mini that I got from Sephora.
I have hella oily skin so my face tends to eat foundation so I rarely wear any. Oily skin = breakouts for me & since I started using Mizon Snail products I break out less. When I do, the snail products help it heal faster with less break outs.
Also I have a Zeno mini that is literally the best thing I have spent money on. When that monthly cystic spot starts to pop up, I use the Zeno on it for three 2 minute cycles while I’m watching TV or going thru my Bloglovin feed & the spot never flares up & it not even sore by the next morning. I also have the Tanda Zap & the Zeno is so much better!
**You always look amazing but that last pic of you is so great. When I was pregnant with my own baby girl (many moons ago), my skin was a mess!
Tatiana says
Last Friday Dear Husband and I spent the day in The City for an early Valentine’s Day and he complimented my makeup. Does that count?
Becca Backlight Primer (sample, think I may get this one)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Intensity .5 (on the fence about this one)
Rouge Bunny Rouge Impalpable Finishing Powder
SUQQU Eye Color Palette in EX-06 Hanamizuki
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye pencil in Hustle
Estee Lauder Little Black Primer
Armani Eyes to Kill Classic mascara
Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo in Recit
Karen says
That totally counts! What did you guys do in SF?
P.S. BECCA Backlight is the sh*t! I have it packed in my hospital makeup bag. Can’t leave home without it. 🙂
Tatiana says
We started off at the Cable Car Museum. Then went to Tiffany’s and the Chanel boutique on Maiden Lane. Had to get yet another Rouge Coco Stylo.
Then just walked around, down to the Ferry Bldg and back. Dinner at Ame, because they are closing at the end of the month.
junomacguff says
Karen, I’m pretty sure it’s that beautiful pregnancy glow you have!! ♥
Rachel R. says
In person, on Valentine’s Day. I had on e.l.f. Mineral Infused Primer in Clear, e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation in Porcelain, and e.l.f. High Definition Poweder in Translucent, City Color Cosmetics Intense Exposure Highlighting Powder. On my cheeks, I had Sephora Blush in Tranquil as a contour, Milani Rose Powder Blush in Coral Cove, and Looxi Beauty Highlighter in Ever After. Too Faced Shadow Insurance, and then I used the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette for a pin-up eye. Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner for a dramatic cat eye, which I went over with e.l.f.Expert Liquid Liner in Stardust. I used red and opal glitter in the inner corners. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Liner in Perversion on my waterlines. E.l.f. Lock On Liner and Brow Cream in Medium Brown for my brows. Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara. On my lips, I used Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Redrum and bhCosmetics Waterproof Lipliner in Retro.
Online, last night. I posted the look I wore yesterday. Mirabella Prime Face and Eye Primer, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation in Fair, e.l.f. High Definition Powder in Translucent, e.l.f. Studio Blush in Gotta Glow as highlighter, contoured with Urban Decay Suspend. On my cheeks I used Hush and OC from the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette. On my eyes, I used Urban decay Midnight Cowboy foiled on my eyelids, Gash in the crease, and Roadstripe on the browbone. E.l.f.Expert Liquid Liner in Jet Black for a dramatic wing and pointed inner corners. Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Unicorn Blood as lower eyeliner (all his liquid lipsticks are eye safe), smudged out with Gash. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Liner in Perversion on my waterlines. I used Unicorn Blood on my lips as well, lined with bhCosmetics Waterproof Lipliner in Spiced. E.l.f. Lock On Liner and Brow Cream in Medium Brown for my brows. E.l.f. 3-in-1 Mascara.
I didn’t get pictures of my Valentine’s look, but yesterday’s look is on my Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533746993318824681/ .
Fancie says
Today actually lol. I’m not wearing much at all since I had to be at work at 9 and ended up oversleeping lol. I threw on the Born this Way foundation and people couldn’t believe I was wearing foundation lol. That stuff is freaking amazing!! I’m so glad I ordered it on HSN the other night and now I’m dying to get my hands on it
Iris says
The last time I was complimented on my makeup was by a supermarket bagger. I was wearing purple eyeshadow.
Holly says
It was over a month ago & I had popped into Sephora just to browse & swatch. Two cast members complimented my lipstick; I was wearing NYX matte lipstick in Aria, which is a deep raspberry. A little later back in skincare, the cast member thought I was wearing full-coverage foundation when in reality, I was wearing a touch of Physicians’ Formula Nude Wear Touch of Glow, a bit of Rimmel’s matte powder, & NYX HD blush in Electro. I’m blessed/cursed with oily skin which means no wrinkles but more acne. Anyhow, it totally made my evening!
I recently complimented two different women on their eyeliner. Anyone who’s rocking winged liner deserves a shout-out! One was using Kat Von D & the other woman said she used ELF’s gel liner.
Annie McCormack says
On a dreary Monday with a basic makeup look (ie minimal effort) a lovely patient patient waiting for surgery said “Who did your makeup, it’s lovely” that was the nicest thing anyone has said in so long. We talked about how make-up can lift you and she commented on how she couldn’t wait until she felt better and was wearing make-up and felt like herself again. It made my day!
I wore:
Body shop tea tree oil mate primer (nose and T-zone)
mac strobe light – dry cheeks
mac studio fix NW20
mac mineralize skinfinish natural – medium
blink brow bar brow pencil
nars eye primer
chanel illsion d’ombre
lancome black pencil eyeliner
lancome – hyponse mascara
chanel – malice blush
nars hollywood shadow for highlighting browbone and cpids bow
mac kiss the king lipstick and matching lipglass
Wow! Seems like alot when I wrtie it all down but that is a bare ‘natural’ look!
Good luck with BG Karen, I’m a longtie reader and fan and shy non-comenter!
Efrain says
I think it was like a month ago at a friends birthday, I used:
-TBS Radiance booster (is a primer not really skincare).
-Clinique Stay matte foundation.
-City color HD powder (it’s the same that MUFE, just Silice and you pay like a third of the price).
-Sleek blush palette in Pumpkin, I used the shade Lantern.
-Lure brow pencil
-Maybelline Baby lips, the red shade.
I actually have done the combo before but that day she told me I looked so flawless. This friend is also like my beauty pal (we have different points of view but that doesn’t matter) and today she complimented my skin and the way I apply blush.
You know everyday I’m like “Oh god, Baby girl can arrive today”, I really want to meet her.
Nicole says
The last time I was last weekend at Ikea by another makeup loving sista.She was an employee. This girl was 20 something with pink -tipped hair. Her name was Christina. It’s like we have a radar because my makeup was rather simple actually. but, she just busted out her latest makeup buys right at the little computer while some man stood there waiting! Oh gosh, to the best of my memory, I was wearing Hourglass oil primer mixed with Becca Backlight primer, Armani Maestro Glo foundation,Cle de peau concealer,Tom Ford SS016 shade & illuminate (figuring it out),Velour false lashes ( first time in falsies in ages)a practice run , Hourglass Diffused light under my eyes, set the rest with Guerlain meteorites Holiday.
Before that, it was my Baby Girl. She’s such a sweet, kind hearted being.
You’re looking lovely and ready to be a mommy Karen! Thinking of you!
Erin says
The last time I got complimented on my makeup I was wearing Bite Frozen Berries Plum.
smeegal9 says
last comp was today on my eye makeup! I had Makeup Geek in the crease,MAC star violet on the lid and MAC goldmine in the middle of the lid.Kate von d liquid liner and trish curling mascara in jet black.
smeegal9 says
sorry left out the crease colorway makeup geek cocoa bear! best crease color ever!
Eesha says
The last time my make-up was complimented was when I visited the Chanel store and it was by the Chanel girl.. at that time I was wearing my Dior Nude Air Serum foundation and Charlotte Tilbury Glastonberry matte lipstick and of course under eye concealer with some mascara and a black kohl.. that’s generally my go to make-up is.. like 90% of the time 🙂
Kiss & Make-up says
Make-up doesn’t have to be super OTT or mega creative to deserve a compliment! Last time people complimented me on my make-up look was at the MAC Art of the Lip party. Both MAC artist and guests told me how pretty my eye make-up was. I was wearing MAC Lucky Green at the time, blended with Everyone’s Darling into a colorful smokey. And MAC Revved on the lips.
Kim says
Of course you were complimented on your makeup – you look great! 🙂 I smiled a bit that your “minimal” makeup used 10 items but then counted my own, boring, every day look and I have 7. Who knew? HAHA! People sometimes comment on my mascara (the dino is still out of stock at Sephora, btw!!) and my skin. Mascara has been YSL, Chanel or Hypnose. Skin has been Murad or Tarte, but I think it’s really the Clarisonic that deserves the thanks.
Lauren says
I love how you packed your makeup for BG’s arrival!! Remember to put it on YOU, not HER!
The pic of you here with glasses is soooo gorgeous! Can we say JLO again?!
My last compliment was also last weekend, and I was SO SICK with the flu, but needed to walk 1 block to the store. All I had on was Cover Girl Ink It black eyeliner, L’Oreal waterproof Voluminous mascara, and a bit of an eyebrow pencil. To me, I looked like the night if the living dead, but received a compliment that I had the perfect eyeliner. Perhaps the gal was sick also?!
MARCIA says
The last time I received a compliment on my makeup was at Sephora. One of the sales associates complimented my eye makeup. I was wearing the Kat Von D Metal Crush eyeshadow in Synergy, Maybelline Tattoo Bad to the Bronze shadow (I can’t remember the other colors I used). The few other times I got compliments on eye makeup was when I was using the BareMinerals loose eyeshadows.
jaz says
Beginning of the month actually. I had on a smokey purple eye , with bobbi brown skin foundation
Amy says
When I picked up my eyeglasses at the shop a few months ago, the gal at the counter said she always wished she could blend her eyeshadow so nicely and how great it looked. I was thrilled bc I rarely take the time to blend and layer, so to make an effort and have someone notice and be inspired by it was great!! I told her to check out MBB for tips. 🙂 I was wearing bobbi brown black and dark green liners and the Chanel grey quad from their permanent line.
Glad you are packed Karen, that must give you peace of mind! Keep on truckin’ (and yes, I know you feel like a truck!)…You’ll forget about everything else once you meet her and have eyes only for her!
Maria J. says
The last time I got complimented on my makeup was Valentine’s day, I had to work that day and we were allowed to wear red so I decided to wear a very natural eye and a bold red lip which was the NARS velvet matte lip penci in Cruella.
Nicole says
Last night:) I had taken the time to do my eye makeup after trying Wayne Goss’ Lazy Girl’s Guide to Foundation routine. My skin was super natural, so I played my eyes up with the Lorac Pro Palette, and Mac’s Dipdown to thicken the lash line.
Michelle says
I have to admit it was a couple of months ago… I was and still am trying to build up the habit of wearing some makeup, especially because it’s a somewhat professional setting and that it’s a habit I’ve never developed despite seeing ALL the advantages of it and being 30 (#gettinold). So I wore some tinted moisturizer, eye shadow, and eyeliner, and was complimented on it. I do have to say perhaps it was also what I was wearing too. I think I wore a cute work dress that day. But yes, it’s been a while, perhaps I should try your 15 min routine Karen to build that habit of wearing some makeup each day.
CrystalCandy says
New Year’s Eve, that night I probably ‘sold’ a few Blinking Beauté lashes and MAC Blue Brown Pigments. lol
Anna says
I was complimented last week by a coworker on my eye shadow. She said it was very sultry, funny thing was I wanted to do something simple but when I opened my morphe palette I just couldn’t hold back lol. It was a simple look to do, just more bold than I had planned.