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?

I love going into boots the chemist and buying a lip liner or new eyeshadow! It' s lovely to step out of character of tired mum, hair slicked back to, gonna get me clippy, cloppy boots and sashay roond aldi 's! Then back to jeans for school pick up.

Ooh ooh, me again. What would you think if a bloke came in with guy liner and a little rouge? That would be fun.

I don't wear makeup.

I do wear expensive suits though (unless I am on a site visit when it is jeans and boots).

No one appears to give a damn.

I lead a team of 15 in a large financial services company. My team is mostly female. We operate in a predominantly male environment. The salary, benefits and opportunities for my team are above average. I work hard to promote my team and provide them the exposure they need to climb as far as possible. They need to be sharp and bright but they also need to look the part. This usually means they should wear the appropriate make up. Without optimal grooming I would not hire them. Flame me.

I've seen a professional man wearing makeup. It was subtle, but no one has such naturally matte skin as this fella. And mascara for sure, because his lashes sort of bunched together like they'll do with mascara.

I wear make up every day and I don't think I would feel right for work without it, so personally I would feel a bit unprofessional.

I religiously adhere to the cleanse, tone and moisturise routine.

A little bit of primer, BB and tiny, tiny bit of blush.

Along with lanoline based lip gloss.

When I was young, I used to wear more . I think it was all the insecurites of youth at work.

I love being the age I am now (48).

I am fit and health, My DC all grown up.

My one concession is that I now only work 4 days a week. Have Wednesday off.

I'm happy to go bare faced but love make up and its transformative power. Don't get the pooh poohing of a dab of slap but perhaps that's cos I'm a vacuous bimbo.

I've been through periods where I wore some, and periods when I didn't. I found that when I was habitually wearing it, I got used to what I looked like with it on, and so felt I looked "tired" when I wasn't wearing it, when in fact I just looked normal. Hardly ever wear it now (when I do, the DC wind up with lipstick kisses all over their faces) and don't miss it.

One of my friends, a lawyer, was taken aside at work and told to wear it. I was a bit at that, especially as it was a good firm who you would think would be a bit more clued up about anti-discrimination legislation.

I mentioned feminism, not because I think women shouldn't wear makeup... I do from time to time and enjoy doing so when I do and I really don't care if others enjoy wearing it every minute of every day. The reason I brought up feminism was because of the idea that ::women:: look more professional or groomed when they have makeup on than without yet we don't expect the same of the men.

Oh and I don't cleanse, tone or regularly moisturise either, yet my skin is soft and clean. I do wear sunscreen if I am going to be outside for any length of time (more than a few minutes at a time), but I don't put it on every morning because I want my vitamin D :)

BTW, someone should tell MAC that the word paint is offensive

www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/154/1573/Paint-Pot/index.tmpl

Before I turned 30 I could get away without wearing it, now I can't.

I would look unprofessional. I have some acne scarring, big heavy eyes and uneven skin tones. I look 100% times better with make up and not wearing it makes me feel haggard and tired.

I do enjoy wearing it as well though.

IMO the best make up is done so that you don't look like you are wearing any Just look a brighter smoother enhanced you.