Critique is the art of reviewing a look or work of art, anything really, with tact and class while highlighting things that are working and tastefully noting things that need improvement. It may feel a bit foreign at first but I’m here to help you learn how to critique!(in case you don’t know or never have had to do it). Once you learn how to think about it, it’ll suddenly click and feel like second nature!

So, where do we begin? You can begin with anything you like, but something I think is important is balance. I feel you must balance what works and what doesn’t in your feedback for a successful critique. You may never, ever tear someone down for sport. I will remove you. So long as that’s understood let’s talk about selecting a starting point!

Basically, what stands out to you? What’s your first impression? Is it the color usage? The blending? The lines or mark making? Does the look seem balanced and if not could the poster be aiming for an asymmetrical look? There is no definitive starting point, just start talking about what you notice and build from there. One thing of great importance is being specific. Don’t just tell the user that their look “ate” or is “cool” you must speak about things in the context of the following elements. (Of course you can tell them how bad ass their look is and how they’ve left no crumb, but don’t let that be all you say).

The 7 elements of all artwork are as follows: line, shape, form, space, value, color, texture. These elements work with make up as well. Any art form must include at least some of these elements. Let’s familiarize ourselves with these elements a bit.

Line

A point moving in space, which can be two-or three-dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract.

Shape

A two-dimensional, flat area limited to height and width, which can be geometric or organic.

Form

A three-dimensional element that encloses volume, possessing height, width, and depth (e.g., cubes, spheres, pyramids). This won’t come up quite as much with makeup, but it could include things like rhinestones or any 3d object incorporated into your look.

Space

The area around, within, or between objects, including positive (occupied) and negative (unoccupied) space to create depth or focus

Value

The lightness or darkness of tones or colors, with white being the lightest and black the darkest.

Color

Created by light reflected into the eye, it has three properties: hue (name), value (lightness/darkness), and intensity (brightness).

Texture

The surface quality or "feel" of an object, which can be tactile (real) or implied (visual).

If you try to think in terms of these 7 elements you can form your critique. You don’t have to mention all of them, they may not all even be present. Just pick a few that stand out to you.

Example: a colorful makeup look that features asymmetry, negative space, and line.

“ the color choices here are working very well together and I appreciate the use of complementary colors. I feel you could’ve done more with a little less though (imsoguiltyofthisbtw) as all of the colors together are slightly distracting. The blending of the colors is very, very nice though. I love how you’ve extended the colors outward towards your cheek bones.

I really feel like the asymmetry is working very well here and it is highlighted beautifully by your use of line and your mark making. It highlights your bone structure in a beautiful way. The negative space formed by the lines and color are a strong focal point and are very attractive. I do think that perhaps there is a little too much negative space but it’s still a stunning look.”

This is the style of critique I’d like to see and foster here. It does NOT have to be this long, it can be longer or shorter so long as you make your point. Remember to balance what works with what doesn’t, think about the elements of art, start with what stands out to you, and never, ever belittle anyone. If you ever have any questions hit me up! I’m pretty laid back and while I can be sporadic with my messages, I always message back. Thank you and have fun!!

Hey everyone! I'm u/RedMageMatty. I like to post looks on the various makeup subs, but I noticed there was no dedicated critique sub. Sure, some of them mention critique in their rules or descriptions, but I’ve found the most I usually get are comments like “ate” or “slay”. Now don’t get me wrong, I very much appreciate those kind comments, but they don’t offer anything to spur growth. With every post I hoped I’d get some feedback or constructive criticism and 9/10 times I don’t. That’s why I wanted to make a sub for the purpose explicitly. I’ve never been a mod and would honestly prefer it if there had been an existing sub for this purpose but I’m here trying to fill a need.

What to Post
Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about looks you’re excited about, looks you think need help and/or review, cool new products you’ve found, but mostly, post your looks for critique.

I’d like to build a small but active community of people who love makeup, amateurs to professionals, where the community is kind and helpful. A safe place to post any of your looks you’d like outside opinions on, looks or practices you’ve developed blind spots in.

How to Get Started

1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.
3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.
4. Interested in helping out? I know absolutely nothing about moderating a community, so if the prospect of this sub excites you and you’d like to help out, by all means please feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. I’m really hopeful we can build something here at r/makeupcritique.

Hey there, I just wanted to announce that I’ve made a makeup critique sub and I’d love any makeup lovers looking for feedback to come check it out. I read the rules and hope this is allowed. It’s called r/makeupcritique It’s has just been made, only two posts by myself illustrating the kinds of interactions I’d like to see there, but I hope for it to get some use.

I made it because when I searched for a makeup critique sub there wasn’t any. There were plenty of makeup related subs, but not one specifically for the critiquing of looks. Whenever I post a look to one of those subs I’d mainly only ever get comments like “ate” or “based” and while that’s nice to hear, those kinds of comments don’t help me improve, so that’s why I wanted a sub specifically for that.

Any who if you’re a makeup lover please come check it out! I’m not looking for it to be huge, but I’d like to have an active community. I’ve never modded anything before either and I hope it’s ok to post this here. I apologize if not.

Hey there, I just wanted to announce that I’ve made a makeup critique sub and I’d love any makeup lovers looking for feedback to come check it out. I read the rules and hope this is allowed. It’s called r/makeupcritique It’s has just been made, only two posts by myself illustrating the kinds of interactions I’d like to see there, but I hope for it to get some use.

I made it because when I searched for a makeup critique sub there wasn’t any. There were plenty of makeup related subs, but not one specifically for the critiquing of looks. Whenever I post a look to one of those subs I’d mainly only ever get comments like “ate” or “based” and while that’s nice to hear, those kinds of comments don’t help me improve, so that’s why I wanted a sub specifically for that.

Any who if you’re a makeup lover please come check it out! I’m not looking for it to be huge, but I’d like to have an active community. I’ve never modded anything before either and I hope it’s ok to post this here. I apologize if not.