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Original poster

Not wearing make up to work - unprofessional?

173 replies

Imamumgetmeoutofhere · 28/12/2023 21:16

This is probably going to be quite divisive in opinions but I'm going to ask anyway.

How many of us here wear makeup to work? Is it unprofessional not to wear it?

I'm 37, never have bothered really. I used to value the extra time in bed. Plus I never was in a customer facing role so didn't see the point.

Now I'm in a patient facing role. Most of my (female) colleagues wear makeup and I'm now wondering if I should wear some? Does it look unprofessional / untidy not to wear it? Do others even notice if we don't wear it?

Opinions please. I really can't decide if I should sacrifice the extra half hour in bed for the sake of some makeup

OP posts:
Mynaddmawr · 28/12/2023 22:46

I am people-facing and don't wear makeup to work, or at all. I by no means check whether other people are or not in their line of work, but if I do notice, I probably feel a bit more positively towards professionals who don't wear it. Perhaps it's just I feel I have more in common with fellow non madeup women? I suppose I also think of people who don't wear make-up as more confident. Never really thought about it before! But you do you, whatever makes you happiest, its nobody else's business 😊

Goinggreymammy · 28/12/2023 22:47

Definitely not unprofessional unless your profession is in make-up. I am a teacher. I made a conscious choice years ago that I was not going to cover my skin in make up at work so that the young girls in my class would see that it's not necessary to be all done up to go out in public, do your job,mix with people etc. I also prefer to keep make up for special occasions.
I had surgery on my face last year and use a little bit of concealer to cover the unsightly scar nowadays, but that's all.

FindingMeno · 28/12/2023 22:51

I think I look odd in make up because I'm so used to not wearing it.
I have good skin though ( thanks mum) so I feel happy looking natural.
I don't notice if other people have make up on unless they wear lots.

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Previousreligion · 28/12/2023 22:53

Absolutely not. I never have and wouldn't notice or care if anyone else does or doesn't. Unless they're, like, an actor or something where it is a known essential part of the job.

Longma · 28/12/2023 22:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

TortolaParadise · 28/12/2023 23:03

BlueGrey1 · 28/12/2023 22:30

@chompargh

You are very naive if you think you are not judged by your appearance in the workplace or elsewhere in life, everyone makes judgements on people’s appearance even if they don’t voice them, you would need to be blind not to

In my experience this is very true. I often catch people staring too - including that head to toe glance 👀when checking out your attire. Everyday is judgement day in some form or other.

Arou · 28/12/2023 23:06

I wear makeup every day because I was blessed with exactly 3 hairs for eyebrows and I think I look a bit like a Tudor painting without it! I wonder if I never started whether it wouldn’t bother me ha but I guess I do sadly feel like a tramp without it. I do wear eyeshadow so it feels more fun day to day but yeah I wouldn’t have the confidence to go bare faced.

I definitely don’t judge those who don’t wear it - lots don’t at my work and I am on the higher end of the spectrum of the ones who makes the most effort makeup wise. I don’t judge other than to secretly feel jealous about their nice skin or naturally nice eyebrows. My boss doesn’t wear makeup for instance and always looks amazing.

maddiemookins16mum · 28/12/2023 23:10

I’m nearly 60, I’ve never worn make up to work.

Stompythedinosaur · 28/12/2023 23:16

I'm a senior clinician who has never worn make up. It's totally normal and has had no effect.in my career.

Newsenmum · 28/12/2023 23:19

If you don’t normally wear it, won’t it look kind of odd? How would you even do it? Lots of women don’t wear it. Look clean and professional.

Caswallonthefox · 28/12/2023 23:27

When I was 18 I was given make up as a secret santa present. Make up was never on my radar. It made me feel like I was supposed to be someone I wasn't.
I never wore makeup to work.
Having watched my sister plaster it on and still be a total bitch I wasn't going to go there

CissOff · 28/12/2023 23:34

I always do, even if when WFH. On the rare occasion I’ve tried going without (start of lockdown) I’ve been asked if I’m OK or unwell.

I don’t judge people who don’t wear it, I just feel better with it.

I should add that it takes me 5 mins or so to whack on some foundation, scrub of bronzer, blusher, eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. I’m not sure I could take 30 mins if I tried. I am blessed with decent eyebrows though, so maybe that’s why.

locomum83 · 28/12/2023 23:59

I think it depends very much on the persons complexion. I've worked with girls who have beautiful skin and haven't wore makeup to work but you wouldn't have noticed (customer facing, for a high end brand) but I myself need makeup otherwise people would say I look tired or unwell etc.. I'd personally never go to work without it, but that's a personal choice and wouldn't define me but I feel more confident and ready for the day with a face of makeup. But if I had fantastic skin and a nice natural colouring, I'd be happy not to

Madameprof · 29/12/2023 00:04

I almost never wear make-up and unless it's particularly noticeable make-up I would neither care nor notice whether someone else is.

I genuinely believe all these women who think they look awful without make-up look completely normal. But if you always wear make-up you start to believe that is how you should look so you think you look awful without. Same with your colleagues, they're just used to you looking a certain way so notice a difference when you don't have make-up on. If you never wore make-up people would be used to your real face.

I am successfully self employed working closely with large numbers of clients who presumably don't think I'm unprofessional for not wearing make-up. After all it doesn't affect my ability to do a good job. Presumably the same is true of your job OP.

Lovesacake · 29/12/2023 07:10

I don’t notice or care if anyone wears make up but have to agree with previous comments….30 minutes would be a LONG time to spend on it. I wear eyeshadow, mascara, highlighter, foundation, concealer and blusher and it takes me 6 minutes before work!

PleaseBeADecentYear2024 · 29/12/2023 07:20

I just wear mascara. No way am I wearing a full face of make up. I just can't be bothered with the hassle.

xyz111 · 29/12/2023 07:49

I wear makeup as I'd look like a troll if I didn't. But if I could get away without, then I would.

LolaSmiles · 29/12/2023 07:52

If you're washed and groomed then you're presentable and that's professional.

Some days I wear make up, some days I don't and I don't think it makes much difference.

Tel12 · 29/12/2023 07:57

I remember a study years ago that concluded women looked more professional with makeup but that's probably outdated. I use a minimal amount because I feel better with it. Tinted moisturiser, eye pencil and I'm done, less than 5 minutes. But of course no one has to wear makeup, but as you get older I find every little helps!

WandaWonder · 29/12/2023 07:59

I don't wear make up and wouldn't work anywhere that needs it

NearlyMonday · 29/12/2023 08:02

BarryK3nt · 28/12/2023 21:22

I wear light make up to work because I’m a stunner with it on and look like a bag of shit without it, most of my female colleagues don’t, I don’t think it matters or looks unprofessional.

Yep, without light make up I look like I’ve been exhumed, it only takes a few minutes to put some on though, and then I (hopefully) look attractive and healthy. I envy women who look good without it. But I don’t think it matters either way at work.

Noshowlomo · 29/12/2023 08:10

Nah sod that.
Dont care (or notice!) if women are wearing make up or not

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 29/12/2023 08:11

You are very naive if you think you are not judged by your appearance in the workplace or elsewhere in life

I know I am, I just don't care. If a company is so shallow that it judges me by appearance rather than work performance it wouldn't be a place I'd be working anyway.

Whoopitywhoops · 29/12/2023 08:12

What the flip have I just read. Of course it's not unprofessional to not wear make up. I can't even believe that in this day and age people need to ask this.

chompargh · 29/12/2023 08:14

BlueGrey1 · 28/12/2023 22:30

@chompargh

You are very naive if you think you are not judged by your appearance in the workplace or elsewhere in life, everyone makes judgements on people’s appearance even if they don’t voice them, you would need to be blind not to

I have a facial difference I'm WELL aware I'm judged on my appearance. Don't be so rude.