there are many things i can do without. two things that are essential to me: #experimentation and #honesty. so when i recently felt the urge to channel my inner#90s girl, i went full throttle with my middle-school-into-high-school default #makeup routine. committed to the#lipliner and all. but the minute i saw my boyfriend and brother at dinner (yes i wore this #motd out on the town in #nyc), their strong and polite attempts to mask their confusion-slash-horror fell short. and with some urging, both admitted they hated the look and also “it wasn’t me.” which begs a few #beauty questions: do i only care what others #like or don’t like on me when I secretly agree? does a #signaturelook trump#reinvention? is this just a males-don’t-get-it situation or a truly #epic #fail?? #fotd #vamp #lipstick

True to form, tons of female friends “liked” the look on both social platforms, and I got genuinely complimentary comments and a few encouraging texts as well.

One gay and one straight man “liked” the pic on FB – but when probed, their notes suggested they did like the look but also more they just support me in beauty and career. Another gay man – a close friend and DIVAlicious Contributor – didn’t like the look at all at first but over time “got used to it” and thought it was “sophisticated” and “classy” but (GASP!) a little “aging.” Damn.

Funny thing about honesty, you want it but every so often it stings.

Funny thing about experimentation with makeup, inevitably some will and some won’t dig it.

My takeaway, as always: Do You. It washes off.

XOLC

Note: This post is not sponsored. All thoughts are unbiased and my own. All photos are property of DIVAlicious. Samples were provided for review and/or my use as a professional makeup artist. 

Lauren Cosenza is the creator and editor-in-chief of DIVAlicious, a trusted beauty/fashion expert, an on-camera personality and spokesperson, a leading NYC-based professional makeup artist, a published contributor and writer, a brand consultant, a product junkie and an insatiable style seeker.

Serving up style with a side of attitude, DIVAlicious gives women (and men) the confidence and permission to be fabulous. The site is filled with must-have products, pro tips and tricks, how-to DIY tutorials, makeovers, style inspiration and insider access.