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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Not to wear make up for a job interview?

96 replies

TinDogTavern · 28/06/2018 08:22

I have a job interview this afternoon. I very very rarely wear make up, just weddings and big occasions really. I usually, grudgingly, put a bit on for interviews but does anyone care/notice? As a non-make up wearer I know I wouldn’t notice if someone had make up on or not (unless they had tons on, and massive brows or something). If you were interviewing would you notice/judge? Would you always wear make up for an interview? Job is secretarial in NHS.

OP posts:

ImogenTubbs · 28/06/2018 09:29

I actually wear less make up as a I get older (am 40 and not blessed with perfect skin). A bit of tinted moisturiser, some mascara and maybe a bit of lip gloss if I want to go all out. And I work in a senior, professional, client facing role.

PereyButton · 28/06/2018 09:32

I have never worn makeup, have had 4 job interviews for 'proper jobs' (not uni temping I did when I was younger etc) and got every single one. Every one I was being interviewed by a mix of men and women. I really don't think it matters.

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 28/06/2018 09:32

what looks unprofessional is badly applied make-up and layers of foundation, painted eyebrows, tons of blush and eyes litterally caked in mascara...

A "natural" look that might take hours is absolutely fine, but no one cares or notice!

NameChangeUni · 28/06/2018 09:33

I think you should wear the amount of makeup that you’d typically wear (the amount that you’d apply for work). So if you don’t wear much, don’t pile on extra. Also as you’re in your 40s, I don’t think anyone would ‘expect’ you to have a full face on. As long as you look professional and presentable.

I would probably go for a little makeup though. In this hot weather, you’ll look off if you go in with red, flustered cheeks and a sweaty face. If you think you might be hot later, jus wear a bit of makeup to offset the effects of the sun

Italiangreyhound · 28/06/2018 09:35

Wear what you like, look smart and presentable but don't feel the need to wear make up if you do not want to.

I often find in this hot weather it sweats off and I'd be better with none on!

Do what makes you happy. No job should expect it. (Except maybe make up sales assistant!)

Ski40 · 28/06/2018 09:42

I really think it depends on who is interviewing you and how you are presented as a whole.
My last job involved a lot of interviewing and even though you focus on the person's professional abilities, being well presented definitely helps. So, assuming the basics are all covered (clean and well groomed hair, clothes and hands), the best way to go imo would be a slight base or coloured moisturiser, a tiny touch of liner and mascara to make your eyes stand out more (it makes people look a bit more 'awake' and confident) and a slightly tinted gloss. Nice fresh perfume and you are good to go.
You will find some interviewers care a lot about looks and others won't at all- wrong but we are humans.
Just be smartly dressed and fresh smelling and the rest is up to you. Good luck xx

carefreeeee · 28/06/2018 09:44

If anyone judges you for not wearing it it's likely to be women rather than men in my experience.
I never wear it, it does look nice on others sometimes but it's not something I really notice - day to day I forget it even exists. It indicates insecurity if someone always wears make up and won't go out without it. Many people look better without it anyway.

GrumpyMcGrumpFace · 28/06/2018 09:44

I wish this wasn't even a question any more!

Years ago my firm sent out a "how to dress" manual to its employees (though how we were managing to do our jobs when we needed help to get dressed in the mornings begs a question) - and it helpfully stated that "women who wear make up earn on average 15% more than women who don't". One of those "research shows..." quotes. TBF in our office we found it hilarious, suggested some more "research" to see if men wearing make up improved their earnings etc. But even then, back in the 90s, it seemed antediluvian. It SO shouldn't be an issue any more.

Women, you do not need to paint your faces. Do if you want to, but you really don't have to.

Feelingsad33 · 28/06/2018 10:12

I would. But only because I still get spots (age bloody 40) and have acne scars and so am paranoid about the state of my skin. If I had clear skin though I probably wouldn’t wear any. I dont think it will have any bearing on if you get the job. If wearing make up makes you feel more confident that could help you in an interview but if you are confident without it then you don’t need it. Good luck with the interview.

IgamOgamJones · 28/06/2018 10:29

If you don't wear make-up, don't wear make-up. I don't wear it, haven't for decades. I just have my face on show, I think we all should.

babydreamer1 · 28/06/2018 10:43

I don't think it matters that much as long as you look like you've made an effort. Personally I think a small amount of well applied makeup can make someone look bright and healthy. I'd do a flick of mascara, some natural blusher and some pinky lipstick as well as covering any spots or dark circles. I'd say well groomed hair, nails and brows were important though.

Dahlietta · 28/06/2018 11:02

the best way to go imo would be a slight base or coloured moisturiser, a tiny touch of liner and mascara to make your eyes stand out more (it makes people look a bit more 'awake' and confident) and a slightly tinted gloss. Nice fresh perfume and you are good to go.

Bloody hell, this is more makeup than I've ever worn in my life! I don't even possess most of this stuff.

HildaZelda · 28/06/2018 11:08

@Ikea, a natural look certainly doesn't take hours. I wear foundation, concealar, mascara, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, blusher, lipliner and lipstick every day. Natural look, takes about 10 minutes to do.

No, none of the men I work with wear make up at work, but they don't wear it outside work either. It's about having pride in yourself.

Batfurger · 28/06/2018 11:41

@hildazelda so you have to wear make up to have pride in yourself?

You're genuinely saying that? If you don't wear make up then you don't care about yourself. Could you just confirm that please.

HildaZelda · 28/06/2018 11:43

No. I didn't say that but taking the best possible care of your appearance obviously shows you take pride in yourself.

Batfurger · 28/06/2018 11:50

And that has to include makeup does it? You can't take care of your appearance without make up.

You may need to improve your self esteem

nervousnails · 28/06/2018 11:57

OP, I have been interviewing and hiring for the last 12 years and honestly, unless caked in make up I rarely take notice. Yes, if someone turns up in torn jeans and dirty clothes for an interview I will be 'judgy'. Make up is not necessary unless it makes YOU feel better. Just be well groomed and neat.

HildaZelda · 28/06/2018 11:59

You can take care of your appearance whatever way you want. It's not about self esteem. It's about making the most of yourself as best you can.

GrumpyMcGrumpFace · 28/06/2018 11:59

ach don't change this into people who don't wear vs. people who do wear make up fighting....

The point is doing what you WANT to do and not feeling like you HAVE to in order to live up to some standard. There's nothing wrong with wearing make up, dyeing your hair etc etc, or not doing any of it: but there's EVERYTHING wrong with judging and insulting people for their choices.

cunningartificer · 28/06/2018 12:36

It’s important to be as relaxed as possible in a job interview. If wearing makeup made you feel more confident and professional then I’d say do it. In this case it sounds as though the reverse is true, so I’d go as you ordinarily are. The last thing you want to do is to be self-conscious about your appearance, and if you’re likely to be worrying about your mascara smearing, you won’t be as focused as you could be on the interview!

LRDtheFeministDragon · 28/06/2018 12:41

It does vary, but in general, people who wear a lot of makeup think they look 'natural' in the same way people drenched in 'Poison' think they are wearing a light touch of perfume.

You become accustomed to the way you look/smell, and forget that, to others, it's all very obvious. I sincerely doubt, hilda, that you can wear that number of products and look at all natural (though I'm sure you still look very nice).

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 28/06/2018 13:04

No, none of the men I work with wear make up at work, but they don't wear it outside work either. It's about having pride in yourself.

I don't need to wear make-up to have pride in myself. I have nothing against women wearing it properly either. I take more pride in my body and need to exercise to keep it that way, so really can't be bothered to put make-up on in the morning, take it off before workout, have a shower and reapply at lunch time...

I couldn't possibly tell you if I wore make-up for my interviews, I might have put some mascara on, or I might not have bothered. Really not a big deal for me!

I'd go VERY easy on the perfume though, even the best perfume in the world is very unpleasant if there's too much of it.

Original poster

TinDogTavern · 28/06/2018 16:41

Well I went and I didn’t wear make up and it was definitely the right decision for me. It was hot AF and I didn’t have to worry about anything running, or smudging onto my glasses. Very glad to hear that the majority of people, including recruiters think it’s fine. (I wore a new dress, and I did my hair, AND I tweezed my chin whiskers, so no one can say I didn’t take pride in my appearance )

OP posts:

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 28/06/2018 16:44

I don't think it matters. Your experience and how you come across is the important thing.

BananaHarvest · 28/06/2018 16:44

I’d definitely prefer a candidate with no makeup to someone plastered in the stuff.

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