May 10, 2022

How Do You Feel About Cursing in Makeup Reviews?

Serious question. When you watch a Tiktok or a youTube video of your favorite influencer reviewing makeup or doing a tutorial how do you feel about cursing? I can’t say I don’t curse. I’ve been known to drop an f bomb here and there but it’s rarely done on my blog (if ever).

I’ve noticed I’ve become quite conservative when it comes to cursing when I’m watching a review or makeup tutorial. I literally find it a little annoying, to be honest. There’s something about tuning in to my favorite influencer and hearing them immediately drop an F bomb that completely turns me off. I’m in no way a prude and quite liberal thinking but the excess cursing does my head in.

“This is f*cking amazing! I f*cking love this color this mother f*cking color is incredible! This applies so f*cking well!” Not mentioning anyone’s name here but I know of one influencer who literally drops f*ck about five to tens times in a really quick review. It’s sort of surreal and to a point, I can’t watch their stuff in a public setting. The other day I was at the dentist’s office waiting to be seen with about two patients in the waiting room plus the receptionist at the counter. So, of course, I’m like like let me waste some time on the Internet and tune into this influencer. I instantly got a little embarrassed as I had my volume on pretty low (I forgot my AirPods) and the first thing they said was “FUCK ME!” I mean, that’s how the review started and I mentally cringed as it was abnormally loud in such a silent setting. Of course, this is 100% my own fault as I should have my Airpods with me and in my ears but the volume was so low I thought I wouldn’t disturb anyone but yeah, that *F*CK ME!” was loud enough for me to slide down into my seat in embarrassment.

I started to tune out of younger influencers who use this language lately because it’s just too much at times. I think you can review a product or do your makeup without all the cursing. Granted, everyone is their own person, and sometimes cursing is just part of that person’s personality so, I don’t expect them to change for me by any means possible. I just think you can get your excitement and/or point across without excessive crude language. Drop an F bomb? Sure, go for it. But using the f word in every single sentence seems overkill.

What puzzles me most is some very high-end brands work with these influencers and I’m somewhat shocked the brands aren’t cringing at the use of “this is f*cking amazing!” when describing their product.

What do you think?

Do influencers and makeup gurus use a little bit too much hard language?

Or are you fine with it?

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Deb

    I don’t have a problem with it. BUT! F*ck happens to be my fave word in the English language LOL! And I’m an adult with no children so I’ve never had to moderate myself in the privacy of my home. I do not, however, use that word or cursing of any kind when I’m out in public. I find that to be trashy and just bad manners cause the people around me would have no way to avoid it if I just started running a potty mouth. It’s a catch-22 for me. I don’t think a stream of cursing is necessary on TikTok or any other social media platform if you’re trying to portray yourself as a “professional”. But I can’t criticize them for it when I use the same language. For me, the real issue is what is their age demographic. If a lot of young kids are watching these videos then, yeah. Not cool.

    • Isabella Muse

      Agreed 100% with this. I’m a time and place kind of girl personally and I think a lipstick review isn’t the place to drop like fifty f bombs.

  • kjh

    Neither you nor Christine use ‘bad language,’ so I don’t get much exposure. The well-placed expletive is fine with me, but usage in every grammatical form and three per utterance smacks of inability to use more exact and apt vocabulary. It’s lazy. It’s inarticulate. Apparently it’s par in the video/TikTok community. Like so many things, don’t bitch about it (see, I can’t resist,) don’t watch that vid or influencer. My mum, who would be 111 once said ‘I was 34 before I used the f-word. I was surprised how satisfying it was.’ !!! There was a high rate of swearing in my fam, but I always knew that you have to read a situation to know when it’s completely inappropriate and refrain. A tax lawyer said ‘expletive deleted’ to me and i howled, because I use that, too, as a replacement.

    • Isabella Muse

      mmm I occasionally drop sh*t in or even f*ck I think but it’s so very rare for me to post on here. I honestly, think if that’s the way a person talks that’s them I just find myself tuning out when I hear it too much!

  • Anonymous

    Glad you brought this up. It’s a turn off for me. Excessive cursing isn’t cute or edgy. It makes a person look uneducated. People cuss Because they can’t find the words to describe their emotions or the product etc. any other way. If you’re not smart enough to come up with a better vocabulary how can I trust you on a review? I’ve stop watching Teresa is dead, Michaela, Manny MUA etc. because of the cursing.

    • Isabella Muse

      Not really my thing lately either and I find myself tuning out. It’s ok to drop a curse word here and there but the excessive use of it takes away from me listening to the review.

  • MDW

    Or at least get creative, they can say something like,

    Oh! That is sooo “chalky powder blue eyeshadow!”

    I like to get long winded and creative in my cursing.

    • Isabella Muse

      LOL! I’m all for long winded cursing. I’m cool with that!

  • Chloe

    I will say that everyone is their own person, I am not a saint by any means and I do curse at times, I try not to though. I watch people that swear, but for me it isn’t anything that would make me cringe. It is no different than me watching movies where actors are dropping bombs left and right. I guess I just say if it bothers a person, then they have the option to not listen to the video. The beauty of YouTube or anything else on television is that there is something for everyone. As far as sponsors go, I would say the same thing. You won’t always like everyone and everything isn’t always for everybody, so I just say let the person be themselves and if it is not you cup of tea, just don’t watch. I don’t think you have a right to try and tell someone how to present their content, be it what they say, what they wear, how their setup is and etc. It just becomes a slippery slope. There are so many other things that are bothersome. I would just rather watch a “real person” being themselves rather than having them feel like they have to be cookie cutter.

    • Isabella Muse

      well, I actually said in the post, I can’t change someone’s personality and that may just be who they are and I don’t expect them to change for me at all. I’m not here to change anyone or how they choose to express themselves.

  • Jules

    I cuss like a sailor, at times, but never when interacting with customers. I kinda feel that way about brands and influencers. Be professional! If something is good, I want to be able to share it with my mom or my niece without being embarrassed!

    I also think it shows a lack of creativity. To quote Cousin Violet, “Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.”

    • Isabella Muse

      I curse, def not gonna say I don’t as I’m not a saint by any means imaginable but in an environment like makeup with a lot of younger followers it does make me cringe a bit. Did cousin violet also say, “Time and place for all things?” because that’s what cursing in a lipstick review feels like LOL

  • dusty

    I curse. A lot.
    But, I am totally turned off by cursing in videos when it seems so affected. Like it is cool or clever to do. Not because they are so amazed with the quality of a products.
    On another note. I despise the use of AF. I apologize to those of you that use it, but it is overdone & it really doesn’t belong in the name of products!

    • Isabella Muse

      We curse. A lot. Together. LOL. but seriously, I’m not so much as turned off but I’m like, jeez, I’m having a hard time following this review with all the “f*cks” I think I’ve abused and overused AF. And if I do that means, at our ripe old age, we are Cheugy. Google it, trust me Dusty LOL!

  • Dee

    I curse in the privacy of my home but I do it sparingly in the company of others. It loses effect when every other word is the f-bomb. I watched Succession (and loved it) with my adult daughter and asked if people really say f-you every two seconds and she said it’s just how people talk now. I am really out of it, I guess!

    Others have commented that it seems lazy when it’s all that someone can come up with and I agree with that. If a reviewer says it too much I stop watching because it becomes a distraction.

    • Isabella Muse

      wow I must be out of touch too because I seriously don’t see people dropping f-bombs in every other sentence. I mean, sure, one or two but not like 5-10 times in a five-minute conversation or a two-minute review! I get a little distracted as well when a ten-word sentence contains three f-bombs.

  • paulie31

    The same way that I feel about it in the rest of life, as long as your vocabulary also contains other words then I don’t mind. You’ve gotta be able to string a few sentences together without them, or at least pepper in a few other descriptors and stressors.

    • Isabella Muse

      Agreed! Use it by all means but also, use a few other words to at least sway my attention towards what you are saying versus F F F F F F F.

  • Kimmwc03

    I think the “f-word” is way overused lately and it does annoy me especially in simple reviews and when people in public use it around small children.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m very much of the mentality “time and place for all things”!

  • Dena Mcclure

    I stop listening immediately. Words have consequences. I have worked with many people scarred by language used against them.

    • Isabella Muse

      That’s so sad to hear 🙁 In the cases of domestic violence these words can def be triggers for some folks 🙁

  • Ashe

    I curse like a sailor but it’s jarring when someone is using it for a review.

    • Isabella Muse

      no judgment at all! I curse too! But def jarring when it’s like several f bombs in a review. I find it distracting and tune out!

  • Berdie

    I don’t care for that at all either Isabella, makes me not want to watch them anymore! It’s absolutely not necessary and shows a lack of intelligence and manners in my honest opinion. Good for you for bringing this subject up because little do these people know, a lot of us just won’t watch them again.

  • linda

    I agree and I’m kind of shocked really. Can I ask who are your favorite
    beauty influence to watch on youtube?, cursing or other wise. Thanks!
    Linda

    • Isabella Muse

      Of course! Love lisa eldridge! Def my all time fav!

  • Geri C.

    I totally agree. Their vocabulary is extremely limited if those are the only descriptive words they know how to pronounce. It’s very crude. To me it lacks class. Then I question, do they know what it means to show any class.The other thing that bugs me, however, at least it’s not offensive is when the reviewer continually says, “You know what I mean”, after almost every sentence. It’s soo repetitive & annoying.

    • Isabella Muse

      LOL I can sort of sympathize as I constantly say “ummmm” when I was creating youtube hauls way way way back in the day!

  • Christina

    I rarely curse and usually only do it if I’m extremely emotional. I just find there are better ways to articulate my thoughts than through expletives. I do get turned off when a beauty reviewer swears a lot (it’s just beauty–relax), but most of the people I watch don’t swear in their videos either.

    • Isabella Muse

      Same here. I occasionally drop a curse but not common at all for me to do so. It’s more when I’m emotional as well or angry or irritated.

  • Margot Keller

    I have a horrible constant potty mouth, so excessive cursing doesn’t bother me, but I think it’s super-unprofessional in any sort of business or branding project, even on social media.

    • Isabella Muse

      no judgment. I just think it’s a case of when and where to say it ya know?

  • Marcia Sieber

    I totally agree with you, and it sounds like one of the videos I watched the other day!

  • kel b.

    i hate it and find it gratuitous. i don’t swear but i’m not a prude about those that do. this all being said, jeffrey starr is freaking hilarious. he swears every other word and is such a diva but he seems true to himself and i love him.

  • Jean

    I totally agree. I am so grossed out about how these influencers curse. They have young viewers and I’m sure a lot of brands watch them. I can name so many that I have keyboard confronted, but of course they have the entitled my channel I can do whatever I want response.

  • Gayla

    I’m not a prude, but it turns me off. I feel like some people should just broaden their vocabulary instead of constantly dropping the F word.

  • Christina

    Hi Isabella! As you said, “excessive” is one thing, and moderation is another. I am turned off by someone who swears like it’s just a common word, but those who do it a little, such as in surprise or disbelief, no big deal. It’s ok when done with a little class .

  • Carol

    One influencer I know of, every other word out of her mouth is an expletive. I’m not perfect, I use that language sometimes but I don’t think it needs to be in makeup videos. I find it off-putting and so I’ve never listened a second time.

  • genevieve

    I think using cursing in makeup reviews is just plain bad manners in a public forum. The reviewer has no idea as to who is watching/listening to his/her blog and therefore can potentially alienate those who seriously want to find out about the product being reviewed. The use of such language does not add anything to the review -it doesn’t explain how the product works, its pigmentation or longevity. Personally, I find it offensive and it shows a distain for the listeners. It’s not ‘cool’ at all.

  • Marti

    I wouldn’t waste my time listening to or reading posts that debase our language. What a total turn-off. Hats off to you, Isabella, for speaking out about this.

  • Just Lurking

    I personally don’t mind if one or two “naughty” words slip out in a review, we all have slip ups and different creators cater to different tastes. However it drives me up the wall when brands use shortened curses (like the use of AF) or cutesy terms for sexual innuendo to name products. Too Faced and Nars are notorious for it and it is frankly embarrassing.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m cool with one or two it’s just when it’s like five f bombs in like a minute I get distracted!

  • Moxie

    I try not to judge others by the language they use, because it’s ableist and classist to say they’re “uneducated” or “ignorant”.

    As long as they’re getting the point of the review across, that’s what matters.

    • Isabella Muse

      I didn’t say any of those things just that I found it distracting watching reviews with a lot of f bombs dropped 🙂

  • K

    It turns me off. I know they use it to hype up a product but you can do it in other ways too. When I notice a YouTuber does that, I tend to stop watching them. I’m more into YouTubers who present an informative deep-dive and with manners – it just comes across as dignified & credible. Maybe I’m just from a different generation.

  • OliveUnicorn

    I think if the swearing is part of their natural vocabulary , yeah it could work. But if they only swear for the video or review it might come off as edgy and may not seem sincere . I know that sounds funny but some are better at integrating swears into their everyday language than others . I’m not the best at swearing , so I usually leave them out of my reviews . But i think it’s definitely a personal voice thing.

  • Anita Redwine

    Our society as a whole is being destroyed. It is rather sad that people can turn a blind eye to this, yet cursing is what truly is your cut off point. We have satanic garbage, infidelity, incest, pedophilia grooming being just heaped upon society as a whole yet this is where you draw the line? lol Society is sliding downhill there are bigger issues than cursing. Open your eyes, society is truly in trouble, the whole society!