Just how bad is it to apply make-up at your desk? And what about cyclists getting changed and draping their kit all over the place?

[ChickenVindaloo]

Following on from the thread about eating breakfast at work, can we discuss applying make-up at your desk?

I have a complicated skin-care routine and like to have time for my various creams to sink in before applying make-up. I also find that I get sweaty on my commute (I'm unfit) or my make-up can be ruined by rain.

I get to work via a combination of very busy buses/car/walking. (On different days).

Does it matter if the office is open-plan or more private? Is it wrong to apply perfume? Most of my colleagues are other women, if that matters. Does it depend if it's full on contouring vs a bit of lipgloss?

Also, some folk cycle and change at work. The office then looks like a teenager's bedroom with clothes draped everywhere.

Many thanks for your thoughts!

Definitely no perfume - I'm allergic to a lot of things and often have to move when on the tube if people have strong perfume or aftershave on....

For makeup, I put the necessary creams on my face when I get up, foundation goes on just before I leave the house, then I do eyes and lips on the tube (I'm rubbish at makeup so it doesn't take long and I'm all done by the time we get to the first stop)

forget

You don't blow your nose in public 😂😂. What? I certainly won't go to the "ladies".

If you don't like it you can get out of my office, I guess. As long as you don't stink (because of deo, scented lotion, farts....) I don't really care.

popp nice backbone

I don't understand why anybody would put on makeup whilst commuting. All this dirt? Sure way to get pimples/eye infections etc... going to work barefaced? Sure. Doing my makeup on the way to work? No way!

I can't bear public nose blowing - especially when the person has a disgusting cold. I would always pop to the loo to do it and then wash my hands.

I realise I am massively intolerant though

I don't think you should put perfume on in the office as some are allergic. I get a terrible headache and feel really ill if there is perfume fumes nearby.

If you put your makeup on by your desk, in the toilet or on the train - it really doesn't interest me! Do it if you want, I can't see the problem :) Perhaps not during the time you should be working, but if you come in 5 mins early!

I have just never got into the habit of wearing make up other than the occasional bit of foundation or tinted lip gloss. Travelling on the tube into work I do find myself strangely drawn to watch those women who spend the entire journey putting on make-up!

In my humble opinion 9 times out of 10 I think they looked so much better before the make-up application than afterwards!

offred I agree. I usually use highlighter for my undereye area, mascara and a chubby stick.

Sometimes some concealer or bb cream when my skin looks a bit meh.

Does your skincare routine really need to be that complex? Do you really need all that make up? Surely you would need a less intense skincare routine if you cut down on the layers of products every day?

A lick of mascara and some blusher and lip gloss is my "making an effort" look. Which I nip to the loos at work to do. (Like you, I cycle or walk in so not a lot of point doing it before I leave house).
But if you are going through that intensive amount of make up then the I think you do need to do it outside working hours, as it sounds v time consuming!
But I don't know anyone who actually needs that much make up! We are just conditioned to think that we do!

For me it isn't the action that is inappropriate, its whether it is eating into work time.

So arrive at work early, apply makeup or browse the news or read a book or whatever - fine.

Arrive at work when you're supposed to be starting work and THEN start applying a face of makeup - inappropriate.

Perfume should always be sprayed away from colleagues though - I don't have an allergy but some scents give me a hideous headache and nausea

No, get ready before you leave the house. Or at the very least before you enter your desk / work area.

I couldn't care less if someone does their makeup on the train..

What's so funny is the amount of people telling me what I should and shouldn't be doing on a train and someone else who said they told someone off (think this was hair brushing though and quite right that's not acceptable though I do sometimes do a quick brush if off to an interview no nowhere to change/brush hair).

If anyone dared to tell me on the train not to put on makeup especially with the tables where you have one to yourself (a fold down one) or a shared one (where 4 people sit) you'd get a sharp look off me and you'd get ignored too. If that sounds passive aggressive so be it.

I just want to point out to Poppy and Maraschino that I am lucky enough to have flawless skin and so I only put makeup on while on the train to piss people like that off smile

Well, aren't you just something.

My boss changes out of his cycling gear and leaves the sweaty, smelly clothes on a shelf above his desk - it's revolting.
Make-up in the toilet surely?

What sort of make up is being used? Is it expensive stuff?

Cyclists are a nuisance in all sorts of ways.

Perfume spraying - no - that and deodorant /hairspray etc make me sneeze and can sey off a massive streaming nose for hours. The rest I don't care but would do my makeup in the loos - I'd never cycle but they get oven special lockers at work so they can store the lycra in there!

I don't know why but I find it quite uncomfortable if someone does their make up in the office or on the tube. It's a bit like having to sit by someone having a personal phone conversation which you can't avoid hearing.
It should be a private activity and I don't feel comfortable when people do it near me. Not sure why, basic etiquette perhaps?

We speak very highly of you Alexa.

What does it have to do with anyone else if you put your makeup on while on a train? Applying makeup isn't loud or disturbing

If you replace 'applying make up' with 'breastfeeding', nearly all of those posts could be in the Daily Fail comments section
"Etiquette", "it should be done in private", "no one wants to see that on a train"

If you replace 'applying make up' with 'breastfeeding'

Why would you do that, though? The two activities are completely different.

These types of thread really amuse me.
Just shows we are all different! Some with slightly more skewered opinions than others!

Breastfeeding is totally different. Putting on make up in a public place is a choice which some people think isn't appropriate. Would you cut your toe nails in the office? I would find both inappropriate as they are both personal grooming and toileting which should remain a private activity.
Just my point of view

except for touching up lippy, applying makeup is personal regime and should be done in private / ladies.

I love Alexa too.