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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

263 replies

RevoltingPeasant · 05/04/2013 13:39

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?

OP posts:
sjupes · 05/04/2013 16:10

Neat nails, eyebrows, hair and clean ears are all more important to my idea of 'not scruffy' than whether that person wears make up.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 05/04/2013 16:11

I mean people can't imagine you can be professional in a professional job without makeup. And what is a corporate environment? I work for a global company with over 70,000 employees. Is that a corporate?

Salmotrutta · 05/04/2013 16:12

I must be scruffy OneLittle - despite wearing smart clothes, having clean tidy hair and nice shoes at work Wink

Mind you I'm on school hollibobs Wink so today it's clean jeans, clean jumper and slippers!

And my hair is clean and brushed.

No make up though QGrin

Salmotrutta · 05/04/2013 16:13

Random Q there!

OneLittleToddleTerror · 05/04/2013 16:16

salmotrutta I have make up on today - tinted moisturiser, lipsticks and eyeliner. But I don't have smart clothes or nice shoes. I have a big jumper, some black trousers and a pair of dr martens I kept under my desk. (I cycle to work). I don't even remember when I last polished them. I think I must look scruffier than you Grin

PenelopePortrait · 05/04/2013 16:17

salmontrutta Scruffy was the overall impression and not wearing make-up was part of that. they didn't look groomed I suppose. I feel very shallow because I know that it really shouldn't make difference but it did.

Suzieismyname · 05/04/2013 16:27

Salmotrutta you are not mad.

I had my make up epiphany when I moved an hour further away from work. Never used much anyway but suddenly realised that I could get an extra few minutes in bed and thus be more refreshed and better at my job. None of my male colleagues wore make up so why should I? I had more pay rises and promotions without makeup than with it.
Are there any jobs that really need you to wear make up? Apart from makeup model of course!

JollyPurpleGiant · 05/04/2013 16:27

I'm not a feminist. I just have other priorities in the mornig than putting on make up. I don't care that it only takes 3 minutes... That's three minutes less I'd have in bed or eating breakfast.

I have slightly olivey skin, dark eyes, dark eyebrows and dark eyelashes.

I also don't blow dry or straighten my hair. I am lucky that it goes up into a very professional-looking bun in less than 30 seconds.

So my beauty routine involves shampoo, conditioner and 30 seconds brushing my hair. Full stop.

sunshineandfreedom · 05/04/2013 16:29

makeup is nothing more than a way to make women more decorative and perpetuates the idea that how women look is just as important as how well they perform their job.

This!

I work in a corporate environment. I don't often wera makeup, I have dreadlocks and facial piercings, and not one of my colleagues cares because its about how I do my job, not anything else.

Further to this, none of our male colleagues wear make up, why isn't anyone calling them 'scruffy', 'wan' or 'unkempt'? Eesh.

K8Middleton · 05/04/2013 16:30

I am a feminist. I like wearing make up

PenelopePortrait · 05/04/2013 16:30

I'm not working today, I have a bit of make-up on because I feel and look better with it on. My clothes are a bit scruffy though Smile

K8Middleton · 05/04/2013 16:33

I am not even dressed and I have make up on. I am feeding the baby though and about to go out.

I'll switch my PJ bottoms for jeans.

BinksToEnlightenment · 05/04/2013 16:35

I think it depends on how you naturally look. Some people genuinely don't need it, some look worn out - which I don't think is a good look for a job interview.

EldritchCleavage · 05/04/2013 16:35

I wear make up every day at work. That's just me. I have female colleagues who never do, some who wear a tiny amount and some who sometimes do.

There is no 'must have' about it at all, it is entirely a matter of individual practice. You can be well groomed without make up-odd to suggest otherwise.

BlondeLuxLisbon · 05/04/2013 16:38

Just throwing this out there MAC does a make-up line for "male grooming".

They would never have done that if there was not a demand for it.

We don't live in a black and white world - where men never wear make-up, the women that do are ditzy bimbos hoping to become a trophy wife and women that don't wear make-up are clever, serious and successful in their career.

Because what a load of bullshit that it.

Yet a lot of people seem to believe that.

PenelopePortrait · 05/04/2013 16:39

blinks that's me 'worn out'!

BinksToEnlightenment · 05/04/2013 16:42

I know men who wear tinted moisturiser. I know more who use concealer. And even more who invest in a good skin care regime. They just don't bang on about it because it would spoil the illusion.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 05/04/2013 16:43

MAC is also linked with drag queens. Or maybe they aren't now, I'm not that kept up with these things. Also males in TV do wear make up.

It's the same with male fashion. Maybe I live in the rural nowhere. I don't know many males who would wear anything out of those male fashion magazines.

HelenDaniels · 05/04/2013 16:43

I wear make up every day, and enjoy doing so, but I would never in a month of Sundays judge another woman for not wearing it, or think that she didn't give a professional image without being made up.

I would judge someone at work (man or woman) for being a scruffy/dirty git, but make up wouldn't enter my mind as something to be concerned about.

BinksToEnlightenment · 05/04/2013 16:46

Tell me about it, Penelope! I'm very pale with blond eyelashes. I look like a wall without makeup.

BlondeLuxLisbon · 05/04/2013 16:48

I think the most important thing anyone can do is invest in a good skincare regime.

Cleanse, tone and then add a good moisturier.

Also wearing sunscreen every single day is a must, to me that's as much as a habit as brushing my teeth in the morning.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 05/04/2013 16:50

That sunscreen really protects me from wrinkles caused by the radiation from my LCD monitors Grin.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 05/04/2013 16:51

I do wear it but I am not sure about the wisdom of it if I don't actually see the sun?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 05/04/2013 16:53

I think some can, some can't. It is all down to individual confidence though, if you really don't care then nothing is going to impact that, and more power to you.

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 05/04/2013 16:58

I would never go to work without subtle, natural make up. I choose to wear it , I enjoy wearing it and I'm a lifelong feminist. I don't even notice who wears make up and who doesn't.