I really missed an opportunity to say that if you DID throw a party and the theme was "unapproachable," it would be a silent party because nobody would approach anybody else!!! also, the comments on this video are GOLD
This is a whole vibe and I'm here for it. Speaking of conversation starters.. I have a student (I'm a history professor) who leans goth adjacent.. one morning she drew little skulls and crossbones around her eyes and cheek bones. I asked her to tell me about her makeup and she said she was trying to be unapproachable. Then she said, though I may need to rethink this because it's clearly so interesting that you asked about it. I've never laughed so hard internally. ☠️
One of those situations where ya don't nigh butt-in, and just let them say the obvious follow-up lol. Or they might just leave it be silent, both knowing that each other are already aware, so it doesn't need to be literally said out loud. Alternatively, some people can't help but blurt out the obvious as soon as they possibly can.
My interpretation is along the lines of “I’m pissed off, don’t approach me” I’ve never seen this trend that may not be a trend, but I am always down for people to leave me alone lmao
If anyone is interested in a fun, hardier take on unapproachable makeup, may I suggest Alex Anele's "How to look more intimidating." Bonus points, she's also fair olive!
I can confirm that unapproachable makeup is a trend, but it’s really interesting to hear your take. I don’t think of unapproachable makeup as being so glamorously made up that you’re intimidating to others, but rather as conveying a brooding vibe via color tones that deters people from thinking you’re ‘fresh’ and ‘bright’ (buzz words we do often hear associated with the goals of makeup application) enough to be so open to friendly banter. Unapproachable makeup looks I’ve seen posted often emphasize contour, cool tones, the natural shadows and bruise-y tones of the eyelids, and hard angles. It’s almost ‘boy beat’ makeup, but with visible, obvious intention. The goal, in my eyes, is to escape softness, and to embrace shadow. It’s aesthetically giving very The Fallen Angel painting by Alexandre Cabanel.
Well said, I agree! Also, I think your statement "The goal, in my eyes, is to escape softness, and to embrace shadow." can be about more than a makeup vibe, those are words to live by. Haha! 😊
Thanks Hannah- That was some light and enjoyable but by no means mindless entertainment. You are truly a pioneer out there in the genre of "intellectual beauty content". I am a fan.
The unusual lip color is the way to go. when I was around 20, I wore a grey-ish liquid lipstick to a club. a dude in his 30s visibly mustered up his courage to come up to me and say "don't get me wrong, you're an attractive woman, but I think no-one is approaching you because of your lipstick." I still have to chuckle at the audacity lol
You're lucky - the complete opposite happens to me! For context, I'm usually barefaced (or very minimal makeup) - I wore a dark gothic lipstick for Halloween & had people constantly either compliment me or ask me where I got it lol!
Yes 😂 newborn motherhood summed up in once sentence 😅😅 I used to say it felt like being underwater or in a dream that you can't fully open your eyes in 😅
Same, and still whenever I venture out of the house to any kind of "social" event. "Look, I left the house, I'm being social -- also don't talk to me."
me too!! i was an angry, angsty teen, but it wasn't until much later that i realized how i was probably using that look to protect myself from real and imagined threats.
I got a short edgy/masculine haircut a while ago and I can really vouch for it if you want to avoid street harassment lol. And it looks awesome with heavy eye make up.
I've been approached much less since I stopped putting real effort into my appearance... I used to get ppl coming up to me to tell me I seem intimidating not infrequently, lol. Like, am I really intimidating if you were comfortable approaching me? 😩 Truly unapproachable makeup might be, like... unkempt bog witch makeup
To me, the red lip is the ultimate unapproachable lip. I always wear it on first dates because I feel like guys are less likely to try for a kiss when you’re wearing red lipstick 😂
I think unapproachability is undeniably connected to attractiveness for me, I want someone to be so attracted they're scared :) I know when I am attracted to someone I can BARELY glance upon them. loved this, one of those videos where I especially appreciate your casual poetic tendencies and feel inspired, generally but also to get out of bed literally lmao
I wear a full face of makeup nearly everyday and no one ever approaches me (the dream tbh). One day I ran errands with a bare face and was hit on multiple times--terrible. So I've learned my lesson there! Makeup makes me unapproachable! ❤😂
I think unapproachable makeup usually means to look intimidating. Unlike clean girl makeup that conforms to beauty standards and looks very natural and sweet and whatnot.
What I thought of for “unapproachable” was basically “I’m too cool for you, don’t even try” I have seen “unapproachable makeup” in some content recently too!
On a serious note, choosing to style oneself in an “unapproachable” or “c*nty” manner is feminist to me. It feels particularly feminist with the context that you were a pregnant woman and are now a new mother, which is an extremely vulnerable era in a woman’s life and an era which invites a lot of attention, wanted and unwanted. It’s such a mood, simultaneously hilarious and powerful.
I love doing unapproachable make up once in a while precisely because of that reason. It feels like some sort of rebellion. But of course I interpreted unapproachable differently, more like severe eyes, dark lips, rock chick kind of way.
Gosh, such a dumb comment. That's exactly why people think that feminists are hostile, aggressive and inadequate. Women who need psychotherapy and who feel threatened claim to be feminists while in reality they just neeed to treat their anxiety, fears and covert aggression. This sort of attitude and laziness does huge disservice to all women because this neurotic lazy behaviour creates really sh!tty reputation to feminism.
10 out of 10. It always surprises people when I wear Unapproachable makeup. Although mine tends to be in the goth alternative style. Because I'm a genuinely friendly person who enjoys the company of others. The end result is pleased bafflement
I find the idea of this hilarious because I used to do my makeup to look "unapproachable" when I worked at deli. I hated my job and I didn't want people to talk to me. I made myself look mean so I didn't have as many customers. 😂 No one dared ask me for a cheese sample. I loved it.
I love this! I agree that it's a little silly to think of "unapproachable" makeup as a trend. However, I totally use makeup as armor when I don't want to be bothered.
Having a 15 year old sister means I occasionally get updated on the trends, and "unapproachable" vs "approachable" make up is, in fact, a trend. This video was a lot of fun. Also, I kind of want those sunglasses. You were right; they are fashion.
YES to everything you said in this video!!! I've been thinking about these concepts a lot ever since having my son 3 years ago - ie not getting dressed or wearing makeup to look cute/hot for others, AND not feeling bad about myself when I don't look cute/hot (which felt near impossible postpartum...). Instead I've been trying this incredibly novel thing of wearing something that fits how I'm feeling / the vibe I want to project. Maybe that's unapproachable, or messy, or confident in comfy clothes. This is like sooo basic - I didn't realize how much I got dressed for other people until I suddenly couldn't fit into my clothes anymore and had to rebuild my entire wardrobe! It's been one daily way for me to f the patriarchy + reclaim my body/sense of self after becoming a parent. Work in progress for sure. Love this idea and vibe.
this reminds me of a quote by Alexander McQueen: "I design clothes because I don't want women to look all innocent and naive. I want women to look stronger. I don't like women to be taken advantage of. I don't like men whistling at women in the street. I think they deserve more respect. I like men to keep their distance from women, I like men to be stunned by an entrance. ... I want people to be afraid of the women I dress.”
Growing up in Philly going to college in Seattle, my 20’s/ 30’s were spent navigating the dating scene in a big city (as well as walking city streets alone). My take on “unapproachable” was a minimal “hard”, “don’t mess with me”, makeup look, I.e., black cat eyeliner and mascara, no eyeshadow, no blush, blood red lip, non-nonsense city girl attitude, the ability to completely and very loudly lose my shit if anyone non-consensually touched anything on my person- i experienced some scary situations, but ultimately It worked 🤷🏼♀️
I think Alexandra Anele first started this? I like to think of it as a "I want to look like the hottest person at the drugstore". I want to do a full beat, go out in public, be admired by the public, and then come home unbothered.
My original read of this trend was that it served the cosmetic equivalent of “man repeller” fashion a la Leandra Cohen, where the point was explicitly to prioritize your own amusement over the pleasure of the male gaze. However, I don’t think that’s quite it (I imagine that translation as being a series of surrealist makeup looks. Painted eyes on eye lids anyone?). Instead, I’ve come to understand this trend as being about presenting oneself as unmistakably confident and polished. I’m taking some leaps here, but it feels worth a coffee chat to ponder whether, why, and when communicating confidence can render one unapproachable, particularly to men.
I love how the reel/TikTok was probably not that deep at all, but we are going into the depths here. I love how thoughtful you are with this look and I can’t wait to emulate it for my trip to Trader Joe’s.
🤣😂🤣 Hannah you are the most approachable of approachables, for you to even try to look or be decidedly unfriendly and then have the laugh in your voice rise up...well it was a thing of beauty. 😎
I wear Unapproachable makeup when I have to meet with “Karens” at work. Can’t go goth in corporate job, so non-goth unapproachable makeup is my go-to paired with oxblood deep brown red lippie, wear all black like I’m going to her funeral. Karen crawled right back to her cubicle. Magic!
I wear makeup when I feel like it and never for anyone else, as a 53 yr old woman, I am super lucky with bone structure/eye colour etc but my lips now have besome somewhat downturned. I looked at various tutorials about how to correct it but I have since come to love the look when I wear lipstick - kind of a disgusted/who the F are are you/how dare you exist in my vicinity look. It"s so nice to finally not get harrassed on the street after decades of whistles and cat calls, I am leaning hard into my age, grey hair and resting-disgusted-face, age > youth xx
I've been told on so, so many occasions by folks (who've later become good friends, funnily enough) that when they first saw me, they thought that I looked intimidating and/or unapproachable and what's always struck me as hilarious is that there's no forethought or intention of "Oh, I must look a certain way that makes people not want to engage with me", it's just my sort of go-to look. Green hair, black eyeliner, pointy eyebrows, a few tattoos and piercings and a black outfit, usually jeans, boots and a cosy jumper. Next time I'm getting ready to go out, I'm going to be giggling the whole time, maybe I should wear "approachable" makeup, whatever that might be, and see what happens?! 😂 Also, that Merit stick foundation though. Ooff, so good. Edit: this reminded me of a meme that a few people were posting a while ago that said something like "I don't want to look pretty, I want to look otherworldy and vaguely threatening". Is that the unapproachable idea?!
Obsessed with this. But I think you hit this constantly in a perfect blend of unapproachable and surprisingly relatable and lovely. The way you talk, the poise, then bam the honesty and thoughtfulness. I think that's why we are obsessed with you tbh...
Idk if it’s a trend but it has always been a makeup mood for me. I definitely use make up and key styling to say things without words all the time and ‘stay the f* away’ is absolutely one of them. You nailed the idea so well and so hilariously!!!
How can I even comment, I'm too intimidated... But really this look is so "cool girl", and I really enjoyed how much fun you clearly had pondering over what visuals make somebody "unapproachable". I think the only times I've truly looked unapproachable to strangers were during exhaustion-induced public breakdowns during college 😓
I think you nailed it. You simultaneously would intimidate me in the grocery store but at the same time I’d want to compliment the look. I’d just be too afraid to 😆
I watched this whilst getting ready to go out for dinner with some dear friends and you best believe I am looking as unapproachable as I could muster 😂
Please, goddesses above, let this become a thing... unapproachable sophisticated, confident, above it all, sad, angry, unwell, everything in-between. Yesyesyes
Boatloads of levity..BOATLOADS! I wish I'd watched this before applying makeup this morning, but I did apply a grungy pink eyed smokey eye look that to me, embodies the "unapproachable" vibe, because it adds to that 'on the verge' feel that scares folks off.
When you said that looking gothy is an easy out, really hit home the unapproachable you were aiming for and achieved 👏🏼. Btw, there are a million quotes that would be excellent from this video 😊
What a fascinating topic! Your "unapproachable" is my everyday look lol. I find myself really going for unapproachable when I have an awful migraine. I want my makeup to look as painful to others as my head feels. Usually that's dark red/purple eyeshadow all around my eyes. Makes my green eyes stand out, but in a "perhaps she can cast a spell that also makes my skull feel like it's splitting open, too" kind of way.
I love hearing the range of interpretations in the word “unapproachable”. I’ve been called intimidating/hard to read/difficult to approach in all types of looks in the last 10 years (and by both women and men), so I feel confident in saying “unapproachable” can exist as a modifier to every aesthetic. 😂 I think a lot of it is down to appearing unpredictable, which definitely can go in the direction of not trying to look hot at all (the truest idgaf vibe) or trying to look “too hot” (like I’m not in your league, don’t even try) as well as looking like you don’t belong to any specific “type” (no examples, but you’re basically fking with how people try to put you in a box in advance-no box = hard to gauge = scary) or like you’re too busy to care about what you look like (think big headphones and sunglasses) . In my head it’s about how much contrast you can cultivate between yourself and your environment/onlookers.
I've often been called it too - when I asked a friend what she meant by it, she said that I 'seemed' cool so she wanted to talk to me, but was scared to come strike up a conversation with me. And this was with a bare face (in school) lol!
This is delightfully goofy and silly, and part of what makes it is that you Are In Fact also feeling yourself by the end of the look, when all the sillliness has come together
You don’t even know how much I love you, and how mich more i started loving you after this video. The way you started the video with an undefined idea of unapproachability and found the definition of it for yourself during the makeup and had so much fun with the idea id brilliant. I loved it!
" I would not approach myself, please believe me, I'll put through hell, just know me yeah yeah 🎵 🎶. Lol. I thought that was what you were about to say once and it came to mind, that song.
this is my favourite video of yours now, LOVE the vibes 'unapproachable' can be something that's so personal and i don't wear much makeup on the daily, but my version of being 'unapproachable' is with a face mask and strong brows, earbuds in, and walking at 1.5x speed and i think it works so far LOL
sort of like the iconic Man Repeller. i love this type of look both sartorially and makeup-wise. side note: it is far from so stupid when one is a person navigating a world where to have (unwanted) attention on one is, well, unwelcome, but one also loves makeup.
That was fun! Unapproachable make up instantly makes me think of an insanely perfected base, cool tone make up and I definitely agree with the sleek back hair.
You’re hilarious 😂! “Cunty sun glasses”, lol. How did you ever come up with that one? Love all your videos. You could be a comedian. Always getting a laugh with your videos. Thank you 🙏
This video was so funny! I enjoyed every minute of it! I've watched you for a long time but have been too busy to leave comments. That said, of late, and with time on my hands, I can now comment to those who are honest and exceptional on youtube. I love your intelligence above all, and while being a multiple-time-over published artist, I love your take/thoughts on the beauty world as a whole. I also owned a high-end cosmetics store for many years, and needless to say, my heart is in this arena to the nines. A huge congratulations on your book! I wish you much success. :)
Omg i love this so much. You have the best sense of humor. I think I've been taking "unapproachable makeup" to mean specifically a matte brown shadow in the crease, smoked out winged liner, big lashes, and a nude lip, so I LOVE seeing this take! It looks amazing on you, and also definitely unapproachable. 🎉
Bahaha love this- my favorite is when you pontificate on an aesthetic. This was pure gold and it’s a fun concept to play with for myself. But also when will you do another video in rhythmic poetry?!
😂Loved the vibe of the whole video, it made me giggle a lot and am now requesting different looks for different vibes and different people one might want to attract (or repel)!
I think i asked both Hannah & Alex for this, as clearly many of you must have! Dreams do come true!!! In my work, this look can be such an asset when i need to set a tone or take control of a situation. This is one look where age can help! Im in my 50s, if i look stern i can even be very sweet verbally and people will do what i ask.
Absolutely adored this combination of fun makeup look and the interspersed musings about why we wear makeup and why people think we wear makeup. An HLP classic!
Hannah, I so love your analytical and yet playful approach to makeup and culture that I will always approach you, no matter how snatched your ponytail or how smoky your eye. 🤎🤎🤎
I really missed an opportunity to say that if you DID throw a party and the theme was "unapproachable," it would be a silent party because nobody would approach anybody else!!!
also, the comments on this video are GOLD
Down with “come hither” makeup. Long live the “go yon” beat!!
This concept reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
“What is the first thing you notice when someone approaches you?”
“The audacity.”
I love this hahaha
This is a whole vibe and I'm here for it. Speaking of conversation starters.. I have a student (I'm a history professor) who leans goth adjacent.. one morning she drew little skulls and crossbones around her eyes and cheek bones. I asked her to tell me about her makeup and she said she was trying to be unapproachable. Then she said, though I may need to rethink this because it's clearly so interesting that you asked about it. I've never laughed so hard internally. ☠️
What a great story! Sounds like an insightful student!!
I am rooting for this student so hard. The world is hers 🖤
lol that's great
You teach Wednesday Adams! :D
One of those situations where ya don't nigh butt-in, and just let them say the obvious follow-up lol. Or they might just leave it be silent, both knowing that each other are already aware, so it doesn't need to be literally said out loud. Alternatively, some people can't help but blurt out the obvious as soon as they possibly can.
My interpretation is along the lines of “I’m pissed off, don’t approach me” I’ve never seen this trend that may not be a trend, but I am always down for people to leave me alone lmao
If anyone is interested in a fun, hardier take on unapproachable makeup, may I suggest Alex Anele's "How to look more intimidating." Bonus points, she's also fair olive!
I love Alex!
Just commented this ❤
Alex is great! 💕
I love the cheekiness!
I can confirm that unapproachable makeup is a trend, but it’s really interesting to hear your take. I don’t think of unapproachable makeup as being so glamorously made up that you’re intimidating to others, but rather as conveying a brooding vibe via color tones that deters people from thinking you’re ‘fresh’ and ‘bright’ (buzz words we do often hear associated with the goals of makeup application) enough to be so open to friendly banter. Unapproachable makeup looks I’ve seen posted often emphasize contour, cool tones, the natural shadows and bruise-y tones of the eyelids, and hard angles. It’s almost ‘boy beat’ makeup, but with visible, obvious intention. The goal, in my eyes, is to escape softness, and to embrace shadow. It’s aesthetically giving very The Fallen Angel painting by Alexandre Cabanel.
Well said, I agree! Also, I think your statement "The goal, in my eyes, is to escape softness, and to embrace shadow." can be about more than a makeup vibe, those are words to live by. Haha! 😊
This!!
I love thoughtful, intelligent takes on beauty like yours
Thanks Hannah- That was some light and enjoyable but by no means mindless entertainment. You are truly a pioneer out there in the genre of "intellectual beauty content". I am a fan.
Intellectual beauty content. Yes! This! I love Hannah.
Intellectual beauty content 🙌🙌🙌 yesss
Intelectual beauty content! That’s it! I knew I was attracted to her content in a way I wasn’t to other beauty channels and this sums it up!
The unusual lip color is the way to go. when I was around 20, I wore a grey-ish liquid lipstick to a club. a dude in his 30s visibly mustered up his courage to come up to me and say "don't get me wrong, you're an attractive woman, but I think no-one is approaching you because of your lipstick." I still have to chuckle at the audacity lol
Were your reply a heavy stare, a raised eyebrow and a “that’s the point, Sherlock”? 😆
@@Cascadeis just a simple "good" haha
You're lucky - the complete opposite happens to me! For context, I'm usually barefaced (or very minimal makeup) - I wore a dark gothic lipstick for Halloween & had people constantly either compliment me or ask me where I got it lol!
Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a look that exudes, "Don't talk to me" vibes 😂😂
Loved this!
"I couldn't remember anything about my life" is the most relatable postpartum vibe I can imagine.
Yes 😂 newborn motherhood summed up in once sentence 😅😅 I used to say it felt like being underwater or in a dream that you can't fully open your eyes in 😅
It’s all about serving Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada energy
Unapproachability-my entire makeup goal as a goth-adjacent punk teen in the late 90s
Same, but in the mid 2000s 🖤
my makeup goal now too lol
Same, and still whenever I venture out of the house to any kind of "social" event. "Look, I left the house, I'm being social -- also don't talk to me."
Yesss!!! @@SandraRoldan13
me too!! i was an angry, angsty teen, but it wasn't until much later that i realized how i was probably using that look to protect myself from real and imagined threats.
"I would not approach myself"
This whole video has SENT me. I love it so much. Thank you so much for giving us levity!
I got a short edgy/masculine haircut a while ago and I can really vouch for it if you want to avoid street harassment lol. And it looks awesome with heavy eye make up.
I've been approached much less since I stopped putting real effort into my appearance... I used to get ppl coming up to me to tell me I seem intimidating not infrequently, lol. Like, am I really intimidating if you were comfortable approaching me? 😩 Truly unapproachable makeup might be, like... unkempt bog witch makeup
Would an unkempt bog witch where this is going to be what I ask myself before buying clothes.
Reminds me of Man Repeller fashion.
This is akin to my "vaguely threatening" makeup looks 😂 at least in concept
To me, the red lip is the ultimate unapproachable lip. I always wear it on first dates because I feel like guys are less likely to try for a kiss when you’re wearing red lipstick 😂
Love this! 😆
Genius
This!
BRILLIANT
FACTS - red lipstick was my first thought
This is the kind of humor I crave in a friendship. Trying hard makes you approachable? Killed me.
I think unapproachability is undeniably connected to attractiveness for me, I want someone to be so attracted they're scared :) I know when I am attracted to someone I can BARELY glance upon them. loved this, one of those videos where I especially appreciate your casual poetic tendencies and feel inspired, generally but also to get out of bed literally lmao
Oh my god for REAL. The heart palpitations and genuine _fear_ of looking too long at someone you find beautiful! I think about this so much. 🖤🌹
Yep yep yep. I want to be as beautiful and terrible as the dawn.
@@rosedillon6645 All will love us and despair 😌🌇
@@rosedillon6645 this made me chuckle because my name means dawn (in my language) & I have often been told I come across as intimidating lol!
I wear a full face of makeup nearly everyday and no one ever approaches me (the dream tbh). One day I ran errands with a bare face and was hit on multiple times--terrible. So I've learned my lesson there! Makeup makes me unapproachable! ❤😂
Calm, levity, AND fun with art supplies? Heck yes!
I think unapproachable makeup usually means to look intimidating. Unlike clean girl makeup that conforms to beauty standards and looks very natural and sweet and whatnot.
The amount of fun you have with this is absolutely palpable. You have such an amazing personality. Rather un-unapproachable. *giggle*
What I thought of for “unapproachable” was basically “I’m too cool for you, don’t even try”
I have seen “unapproachable makeup” in some content recently too!
On a serious note, choosing to style oneself in an “unapproachable” or “c*nty” manner is feminist to me. It feels particularly feminist with the context that you were a pregnant woman and are now a new mother, which is an extremely vulnerable era in a woman’s life and an era which invites a lot of attention, wanted and unwanted. It’s such a mood, simultaneously hilarious and powerful.
But it means to be attractive in some way...
@@thatEleneYes, the attractiveness of the unattainable!!
I love doing unapproachable make up once in a while precisely because of that reason. It feels like some sort of rebellion. But of course I interpreted unapproachable differently, more like severe eyes, dark lips, rock chick kind of way.
Gosh, such a dumb comment. That's exactly why people think that feminists are hostile, aggressive and inadequate. Women who need psychotherapy and who feel threatened claim to be feminists while in reality they just neeed to treat their anxiety, fears and covert aggression. This sort of attitude and laziness does huge disservice to all women because this neurotic lazy behaviour creates really sh!tty reputation to feminism.
Feminism is about equal rights and freedom, it's not about being hostile and intimidating in order to please your neurosis🙄🙄🙄
This whole video was SO damn good. The commentary, the light-heartedness, THE END LOOK. The whole thing sent me 🤌🏽🤌🏽
10 out of 10. It always surprises people when I wear Unapproachable makeup. Although mine tends to be in the goth alternative style. Because I'm a genuinely friendly person who enjoys the company of others. The end result is pleased bafflement
I find the idea of this hilarious because I used to do my makeup to look "unapproachable" when I worked at deli. I hated my job and I didn't want people to talk to me. I made myself look mean so I didn't have as many customers. 😂 No one dared ask me for a cheese sample. I loved it.
I love this! I agree that it's a little silly to think of "unapproachable" makeup as a trend. However, I totally use makeup as armor when I don't want to be bothered.
Having a 15 year old sister means I occasionally get updated on the trends, and "unapproachable" vs "approachable" make up is, in fact, a trend. This video was a lot of fun. Also, I kind of want those sunglasses. You were right; they are fashion.
This is fantastic lol I can’t stop giggling. “Wouldn’t you not dare approach me?” THE LEVITY 😂
YES to everything you said in this video!!! I've been thinking about these concepts a lot ever since having my son 3 years ago - ie not getting dressed or wearing makeup to look cute/hot for others, AND not feeling bad about myself when I don't look cute/hot (which felt near impossible postpartum...). Instead I've been trying this incredibly novel thing of wearing something that fits how I'm feeling / the vibe I want to project. Maybe that's unapproachable, or messy, or confident in comfy clothes.
This is like sooo basic - I didn't realize how much I got dressed for other people until I suddenly couldn't fit into my clothes anymore and had to rebuild my entire wardrobe!
It's been one daily way for me to f the patriarchy + reclaim my body/sense of self after becoming a parent. Work in progress for sure.
Love this idea and vibe.
This was such a rollercoaster! When you put the blush on I was like “nooo, too approachable!” but the hair saved the day 😂
this is iconic and made me giggle
This reminds me of Kackie’s “vaguely threatening” makeup vibe dialed up a few notches I love
this reminds me of a quote by Alexander McQueen: "I design clothes because I don't want women to look all innocent and naive. I want women to look stronger. I don't like women to be taken advantage of. I don't like men whistling at women in the street. I think they deserve more respect. I like men to keep their distance from women, I like men to be stunned by an entrance. ... I want people to be afraid of the women I dress.”
Growing up in Philly going to college in Seattle, my 20’s/ 30’s were spent navigating the dating scene in a big city (as well as walking city streets alone). My take on “unapproachable” was a minimal “hard”, “don’t mess with me”, makeup look, I.e., black cat eyeliner and mascara, no eyeshadow, no blush, blood red lip, non-nonsense city girl attitude, the ability to completely and very loudly lose my shit if anyone non-consensually touched anything on my person- i experienced some scary situations, but ultimately It worked 🤷🏼♀️
I think Alexandra Anele first started this? I like to think of it as a "I want to look like the hottest person at the drugstore". I want to do a full beat, go out in public, be admired by the public, and then come home unbothered.
I didn’t know I wanted this until you so perfectly articulated it here.
My original read of this trend was that it served the cosmetic equivalent of “man repeller” fashion a la Leandra Cohen, where the point was explicitly to prioritize your own amusement over the pleasure of the male gaze. However, I don’t think that’s quite it (I imagine that translation as being a series of surrealist makeup looks. Painted eyes on eye lids anyone?).
Instead, I’ve come to understand this trend as being about presenting oneself as unmistakably confident and polished. I’m taking some leaps here, but it feels worth a coffee chat to ponder whether, why, and when communicating confidence can render one unapproachable, particularly to men.
I love how the reel/TikTok was probably not that deep at all, but we are going into the depths here. I love how thoughtful you are with this look and I can’t wait to emulate it for my trip to Trader Joe’s.
🤣😂🤣 Hannah you are the most approachable of approachables, for you to even try to look or be decidedly unfriendly and then have the laugh in your voice rise up...well it was a thing of beauty. 😎
I wear Unapproachable makeup when I have to meet with “Karens” at work. Can’t go goth in corporate job, so non-goth unapproachable makeup is my go-to paired with oxblood deep brown red lippie, wear all black like I’m going to her funeral. Karen crawled right back to her cubicle. Magic!
I wear makeup when I feel like it and never for anyone else, as a 53 yr old woman, I am super lucky with bone structure/eye colour etc but my lips now have besome somewhat downturned. I looked at various tutorials about how to correct it but I have since come to love the look when I wear lipstick - kind of a disgusted/who the F are are you/how dare you exist in my vicinity look. It"s so nice to finally not get harrassed on the street after decades of whistles and cat calls, I am leaning hard into my age, grey hair and resting-disgusted-face, age > youth xx
I've been told on so, so many occasions by folks (who've later become good friends, funnily enough) that when they first saw me, they thought that I looked intimidating and/or unapproachable and what's always struck me as hilarious is that there's no forethought or intention of "Oh, I must look a certain way that makes people not want to engage with me", it's just my sort of go-to look. Green hair, black eyeliner, pointy eyebrows, a few tattoos and piercings and a black outfit, usually jeans, boots and a cosy jumper. Next time I'm getting ready to go out, I'm going to be giggling the whole time, maybe I should wear "approachable" makeup, whatever that might be, and see what happens?! 😂
Also, that Merit stick foundation though. Ooff, so good.
Edit: this reminded me of a meme that a few people were posting a while ago that said something like "I don't want to look pretty, I want to look otherworldy and vaguely threatening". Is that the unapproachable idea?!
Obsessed with this. But I think you hit this constantly in a perfect blend of unapproachable and surprisingly relatable and lovely. The way you talk, the poise, then bam the honesty and thoughtfulness. I think that's why we are obsessed with you tbh...
Idk if it’s a trend but it has always been a makeup mood for me. I definitely use make up and key styling to say things without words all the time and ‘stay the f* away’ is absolutely one of them. You nailed the idea so well and so hilariously!!!
How can I even comment, I'm too intimidated...
But really this look is so "cool girl", and I really enjoyed how much fun you clearly had pondering over what visuals make somebody "unapproachable". I think the only times I've truly looked unapproachable to strangers were during exhaustion-induced public breakdowns during college 😓
@leasting Amazing opening sentence! Made me smile!
I think you nailed it. You simultaneously would intimidate me in the grocery store but at the same time I’d want to compliment the look. I’d just be too afraid to 😆
The entire video has lifted my spirits. The humor! The humor was everything that I needed this morning.
“Uh uh I’m unapproachable” the new thing I will say if my hair looks good 🤣
So tongue-in-cheek... I chuckled through the whole video! You're so adorable. ❤
I watched this whilst getting ready to go out for dinner with some dear friends and you best believe I am looking as unapproachable as I could muster 😂
Please, goddesses above, let this become a thing... unapproachable sophisticated, confident, above it all, sad, angry, unwell, everything in-between. Yesyesyes
Boatloads of levity..BOATLOADS! I wish I'd watched this before applying makeup this morning, but I did apply a grungy pink eyed smokey eye look that to me, embodies the "unapproachable" vibe, because it adds to that 'on the verge' feel that scares folks off.
I swear every time I think my vocabulary is pretty freaking solid, Hannah says something like 'holding forth' and I am humbled.
The comments on Hannah's feed are always so good!
When you said that looking gothy is an easy out, really hit home the unapproachable you were aiming for and achieved 👏🏼. Btw, there are a million quotes that would be excellent from this video 😊
Everything about you in this video (except the fabulous makeup) was so cute arghhh 💘
...the ear cuff. Who would dare? 😂😂😂
What a fascinating topic! Your "unapproachable" is my everyday look lol. I find myself really going for unapproachable when I have an awful migraine. I want my makeup to look as painful to others as my head feels. Usually that's dark red/purple eyeshadow all around my eyes. Makes my green eyes stand out, but in a "perhaps she can cast a spell that also makes my skull feel like it's splitting open, too" kind of way.
I love hearing the range of interpretations in the word “unapproachable”. I’ve been called intimidating/hard to read/difficult to approach in all types of looks in the last 10 years (and by both women and men), so I feel confident in saying “unapproachable” can exist as a modifier to every aesthetic. 😂 I think a lot of it is down to appearing unpredictable, which definitely can go in the direction of not trying to look hot at all (the truest idgaf vibe) or trying to look “too hot” (like I’m not in your league, don’t even try) as well as looking like you don’t belong to any specific “type” (no examples, but you’re basically fking with how people try to put you in a box in advance-no box = hard to gauge = scary) or like you’re too busy to care about what you look like (think big headphones and sunglasses) . In my head it’s about how much contrast you can cultivate between yourself and your environment/onlookers.
I've often been called it too - when I asked a friend what she meant by it, she said that I 'seemed' cool so she wanted to talk to me, but was scared to come strike up a conversation with me. And this was with a bare face (in school) lol!
This is delightfully goofy and silly, and part of what makes it is that you Are In Fact also feeling yourself by the end of the look, when all the sillliness has come together
Love how much you enjoyed this brief. The hair was the perfect finishing touch.
“Unapproachably hasty” is how I live my life on a daily basis.
This was pure joy.
You don’t even know how much I love you, and how mich more i started loving you after this video. The way you started the video with an undefined idea of unapproachability and found the definition of it for yourself during the makeup and had so much fun with the idea id brilliant. I loved it!
I like it. It's like posh punk rock avant-garde
" I would not approach myself, please believe me, I'll put through hell, just know me yeah yeah 🎵 🎶. Lol. I thought that was what you were about to say once and it came to mind, that song.
I'm LIVING for the bleeped c*nty lmao
I LOVE this makeup style
You are certainly getting back into form! This was so funny! You are the mood! This look actually was great and I would definitely approach you ha!
this is my favourite video of yours now, LOVE the vibes
'unapproachable' can be something that's so personal and i don't wear much makeup on the daily, but my version of being 'unapproachable' is with a face mask and strong brows, earbuds in, and walking at 1.5x speed and i think it works so far LOL
I love this take on unapproachable makeup, not that I’ve heard of it. Now to see the sunglasses you were mentioning. They’d be a vibe. 😊
That is the most perfect description of the sunglasses!!!! That is the vibe 1000%, looking for those as well.
sort of like the iconic Man Repeller. i love this type of look both sartorially and makeup-wise.
side note: it is far from so stupid when one is a person navigating a world where to have (unwanted) attention on one is, well, unwelcome, but one also loves makeup.
That was fun! Unapproachable make up instantly makes me think of an insanely perfected base, cool tone make up and I definitely agree with the sleek back hair.
You’re hilarious 😂! “Cunty sun glasses”, lol. How did you ever come up with that one? Love all your videos. You could be a comedian. Always getting a laugh with your videos. Thank you 🙏
You have the best hair color!
Favorite video of yours so far! I was laughing out loud throughout the entire unapproachable transition.
I have TOTALLY been waiting for your, "I need a nude palette review" 😅😂😜
Same 😂
I love your humor with this. It's dry and amazing and I just love it
What an amazing video. This has to be up there in my favourite HLP videos!
Thank you for recommending Orville Peck, I haven't stopped listening, so close to my heart 🖤
This video was so funny! I enjoyed every minute of it! I've watched you for a long time but have been too busy to leave comments. That said, of late, and with time on my hands, I can now comment to those who are honest and exceptional on youtube. I love your intelligence above all, and while being a multiple-time-over published artist, I love your take/thoughts on the beauty world as a whole. I also owned a high-end cosmetics store for many years, and needless to say, my heart is in this arena to the nines. A huge congratulations on your book! I wish you much success. :)
Pretty sure this is my favorite video you’ve ever filmed . Funny & also sneakily empowering.
Omg i love this so much. You have the best sense of humor.
I think I've been taking "unapproachable makeup" to mean specifically a matte brown shadow in the crease, smoked out winged liner, big lashes, and a nude lip, so I LOVE seeing this take! It looks amazing on you, and also definitely unapproachable. 🎉
Bahaha love this- my favorite is when you pontificate on an aesthetic. This was pure gold and it’s a fun concept to play with for myself. But also when will you do another video in rhythmic poetry?!
Love the look
I have no idea if this is a trend but I really appreciated and had fun watching this playfulness emerge in your video + makeup application.
😂Loved the vibe of the whole video, it made me giggle a lot and am now requesting different looks for different vibes and different people one might want to attract (or repel)!
Omg I love this! Also your hair is so beautiful, it’s got so much more red in it than I ever noticed before!
You are absolutely hilarious! Loved your tongue in cheek approach, very unapproachable of you! 😂❤
Pure gold. Thank you for this interlude of joy.
I think i asked both Hannah & Alex for this, as clearly many of you must have! Dreams do come true!!! In my work, this look can be such an asset when i need to set a tone or take control of a situation. This is one look where age can help! Im in my 50s, if i look stern i can even be very sweet verbally and people will do what i ask.
Absolutely adored this combination of fun makeup look and the interspersed musings about why we wear makeup and why people think we wear makeup. An HLP classic!
The slick ponytail is such a slay
I loved this, and now I really want to attend an "unapproachable"-themed party!
Hannah, I so love your analytical and yet playful approach to makeup and culture that I will always approach you, no matter how snatched your ponytail or how smoky your eye.
🤎🤎🤎
I love when you analyze the meaning behind makeup, beauty, and fashion!
THE SUNGLASSES! I'm here for ALL of this.