To think a woman can look professional and presentable at work without make-up?

[RevoltingPeasant]

I have been pondering this recently, as a new convert to the Style & Beauty forum.

I go through stages with make-up, where sometimes I can't be bothered for weeks and then I wear the whole shebang every day for ages. I don't think 'looking professional' depends on make-up: I would say neat slacks and blouse with understated jewelry and a generally 'on-task' manner counts as a professional appearance.

But I have noticed quite a lot of people who feel they have to wear make-up for work. Is this so in your workplace? Would you care if you were interviewing for a post and a female candidate was bare-faced? AIBU to think you can look totally professional without paint?

[Ducklings45]

YANBU! I never wear make up for anything!

[HungryClocksGoBackFourSeconds]

I only bother because i have spots. Otherwise I actually think no make up looks more professional

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

YANBU - of course she can.

Less is more sometimes.

I always wear make up...not loads....just moisturiser (not make up I know) and if I feel I look a bit pale a small amount of bb and then just eyeline and mascara so my eyes dont look like piss holes in the snow.

It's a matter of opionion but I think if someone didn't employ me on the basis of me not wearing make up then I wouldn't want to work for them anyway.

[cakebar]

YANBU. I didn't often wear make up to work in my twenties (and I think I looked professional), however I think I will wear it every day when I go back shortly, I just can't get away with it anymore.

[41notTrendy]

I would never wear make up because it was expected. However, I feel better some days for wearing mascara and lipstick. I don't think I'd ever judge someone for wearing or not wearing make up. I think an overall impression is more important.

[Snowydrift]

I had an interview the other week and DH told me not to wear any make-up because "no make-up looks better than badly done make-up!". I'm clearly not talented at putting it on, so I hope they didn't think I didn't care enough about the job. I never though of that.

[Fairylea]

Yanbu. But I look absolutely drained and tired without make up so I wouldn't be seen dead without it..but it is a personal choice.

[Salmotrutta]

YANBU.

I only wear a little bit of mascara sometimes but always wear clean, smart clothes and shoes etc.

I think if people are clean, smartly dressed and fresh- looking then that's all they need to be.

[FrauMoose]

I haven't done a lot of interviewing but when I have done it's all been related to how well they have answered the questions, and how that compares to other candidates.

One does register smiles, eye contact, handshake etc. I suppose I would notice if anyone was wearing something that I regarded as inappropriate - very low neck, ultra-short skirt, eye-wateringly strong perfume. Wouldn't notice make-up I suspect - other than if someone had applied it with a trowel, I might wonder if that implied a lack of confidence.

[Theicingontop]

Mascara and a fine layer of foundation is all I bothered with. Anything more than that and people would do a double take, "Are you off out after work...?"

[MisterUdagawa]

I think you look better with make up on unless you are a real beauty or get enough sleep

[gallifrey]

I'm at the age now where I feel I have to wear make up every day. I look washed out without any on and a few times I haven't worn any loads of people asked me if I was ill!

[HollyBerryBush]

you won't notice make up on a well groomed woman.

[DrSeuss]

I wear mineral foundation at work, nothing else on my face, only because of my rosacea. If it weren't for that I wouldn't bother.

[freddiefrog]

YANBU

I'm not really involved with employing staff these days, but when I did, whether or not they wore make up wasn't on the list of things I was looking for

[Snoopingforsoup]

YANBU
It depends how much time I've had before leaving the house as to whether I've got it on.
Smart clothes, tidy hair, moisturiser and a nice perfume is sufficient to my mind.
I do love looking at the ladies who turn up to work in mini skirts and low cut spaghetti tops who are clarted in make up and fake tan (no, I don't work in a TOWIE bar). They think I look like shit and I think they look ridiculous. Takes all sorts to build a work force and run an organisation.

[Ruprekt]

YABU to use the word 'slacks'.

Personally I have to wear makeup due to roseacea but do not judge people who do not wear it.

[OutragedFromLeeds]

I never wear any make-up, ever. I'm a nanny though, so not really required to look 'smart'. The DC's don't seem to mind the lack of make-up. I hope YANBU, but I don't know enough about that sort of workplace to know.

[JollyPurpleGiant]

I never wear make up. Not even for my wedding. And I am expected to look presentable to the public. Nobody has ever complained.

[HollyBerryBush]

Can I just say, I think it's interesting that most of you are making excuses for wearing make up - no one will step out and say they actually enjoy wearing it. I do, I don't slaver it on, you wouldn't know I was wearing it, but it is part of good grooming, just the same as doing your hair or making sure your shoes are clean.

[RevoltingPeasant]

cakebar that is interesting - what do you mean by 'can't get away with it'? Genuinely want to know!

holly do you mean that a 'well-groomed woman' applies such subtle make up that you can't see it or that it just sort of blends into her overall self-presentation and doesn't stand out?

Ruprekt - slacks trousers - fixed it!!

[5eggstremelychocaletymadeggs]

Yanbu I rarely wear make up, if I do its just mascara, eye shadow and lip gloss and you don't have to wear make up to look we groomed.

[RevoltingPeasant]

Ah see, I disagree, Holly. I think wearing neat professional clothing, well-brushed hair, and generally appearing fresh is fine.

I do enjoy wearing make-up, which is why I do it, but I also think it's 100% fine for me to turn up to a big meeting at work with nothing on my face.

[FunnysInLaJardin]

I was wondering about this the other day. I have always worn makeup, the whole lot and every day. For me I would feel unprofessional without it, but I do wonder what others would really think.

I can't say that I have ever noticed though whether other women do or don't wear makeup, I just assume they do I suppose