to not wear makeup to work?

[TheSunflower]

I am starting a graduate job in January. I don't normally wear makeup. Am I sabotaging myself if I do not wear makeup?

Or should I wear makeup?

It is a corporate job.

I don't wear makeup and my hair is thrown up in a messy bun, who am I impressing at work?

oh only worn make up when I worked in a club for my office job no way

Years ago we were expected to wear makeup, heels skirts and crap, which I always resented ,
haven't worn makeup in years , only a good moisturiser

most of the women follow suit , I don't allow bullying of any of my staff either ,and our clients appreciate us for it

Don’t do it. Wear a mortuizer to protect your skin from free radicals, weather, etc. If you find a tinted one that’s a bonus. If you really want to you could have your lashes tinted, lifted & your brows tinted. Gives the illusion you got out of bed 10 mins earlier but really it’s gonna last 4/6 weeks. As long as your personal hygiene is fine & your clothes are presentable you do you!

Definitely make some effort.
I’ve discovered bareMinerals complexion rescue tinted moisturiser. It is a gel cream which I found different to other foundations.

It has SPF30 but is not greasy. Most importantly it doesn’t oxidise on your skin (turn orange). You can layer it for more coverage.

I put on some mascara (top lashes only) and a lip tint.

It looks like I have gone to effort, when in reality I haven’t.

Very few females can pull off the no make up look.

I might not wear makeup to work (so my skin can breathe), but when I have a client appointment I put on tinted moisturiser, lip tint and mascara. I’ll also fix my hair so that there are no flyaways.

It really is a minimum amount of effort to look polished.

You should be doing more than the minimum amount of effort for a job interview.

most of the women follow suit , I don't allow bullying of any of my staff either ,and our clients appreciate us for it

Your clients appreciate you don't wear make up?

Op, do what you want. I assume you're quite young if in a grad job. Most of our grads done wear make up. In older women it's a fair mix. I work in a very corporate environment. As long as you're clean tidy and presentable it doesn't make a difference.

I've never seen a scenario where you're appreciated for it or appreciated for not wearing it in thr Corp world, it really is down to the individual.

Very few females can pull off the no make up look.

And yet regardless of whether they can 'pull it off' or not, many still don't wear it!

In real life, no-one cares. Interesting that this thread has been posted by MN on FB and all the comments are saying 'nobody cares, don't wear it if you don't want to'.

I say this as a daily make-up wearer.

*Very few females can pull off the no make up look.

It really is a minimum amount of effort to look polished.*

Why though, why do we need makeup to look polished? Why can men not wear it but females can't pull it off without it?

I look fine without make up thank you.

It's sad that so many women's self esteem is tied up with having to wear make up.

very few females can pull off the no make up look ** I read this as coming from someone not in the uk. Think this poster may be in the us ?? Different areas have differing sexual politics about make up. I’ve been to parts of the USA where unless you have ‘full slap and big hair’ you are considered (and openly) to be verging on homeless/druggy etc. And of course parts where no one bats an (unmascared natural) eyelash. Thankfully lots of us are able to live our lives where this is a matter of personal choice and not worthy of comment/notice/prejudice !!

It really is a minimum amount of effort to look polished.

What is it about my (female) face that requires a higher degree of "polish" than a man's face? Why is a man's actual skin acceptable, but mine isn't? Why is the colour of his lips okay to reveal to the world, but mine need to be tinted a different colour?

Just another little thing to judge women by, everything is just a little bit more tricky, more uncomfortable.

I don't think that not wearing it makes you somehow morally superior.

No, it's a choice. If you prefer to wear it that's fine. I haven't worn makeup since university, though, & I think the women who are saying that we should all wear it sound dated & ridiculous.

I don't think I could go into work without it, I feel really trampy and unconfident. That doesn't mean you should wear it though, only wear it if you want to. I wish I could feel better about my face without it.

I have always liked my skin and lips. Why cover them up? I think most of us agree you should wear it if you want and not if you don't. I don't agree it is better if your moisturiser is tinted either. I think my natural skin colour is fine. It is just human skin. It no more needs covering up than a man's face would.

Very few females can pull off the no make up look.

It’s sad you think this. It’s slimiest exactly the opposite of what people said when the no make up selfies were all over Facebook.

Slimiest? WTF iPhone! That should say “almost”.

Controversial opinion here, but I think no make up makes you look like you can't be arsed to groom yourself, or make an effort for anyone else. It doesn't take much, but EVERYONE needs a little help as they get older - you are no exception!

My husband has never worn make up and he’s one of the top people In his job in the world. It doesn’t seem to have held him back.

I’m my work I’d say that the most make up is worn by the most junior and lowest paid people and the least or none by the most senior.

Stoped wearing make up a few years ago. Now only wear it if a big night out. It’s very liberating. I’m not that attractive and have skin issues but I shower and wash my face properly every day. My hair is clean and tidy and my clothes are clean and pressed. I hear these adverts on the radio as I drive to work for clarins or something and I just think ‘why do men not need to worry about a bright, smooth complexion and looking radiant?’ It should be entirely a matter of individual choice. Wear it if you want but don’t feel you have to.

And as for the comment of needing help when you are older.... what help? Help to not look 40 plus when you are 40 plus. Heaven forbid someone looks their actual age. I mean women of a certain age are just useless so they should be hidden away! What a depressing view to have.

Ultimately, whether you wear makeup or not might impact on how you’re perceived by others. There have been studies showing that a woman wearing makeup is more likely to be perceived better

www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/fashion/makeup-makes-women-appear-more-competent-study.html

And studies showing they a woman wearing too much makeup is perceived poorly compared to someone with more subtle makeup.

You can make your own decision either way, but your choices don’t exist in a vacuum and it may well have an impact on how you’re viewed at work. If you decide it’s all sexist bullshit (it is!) you can choose not to wear it but at least be aware of the pros and cons either way. You might be in a workplace that’s truly liberal on this matter and it won’t affect you at all, but on the whole it will likely influence how people view you for better or worse.

So I favour doing what feels right to you. I wear a full face every day (primer, foundation, concealer, powder, blush, eyebrow pencil, shadow primer, shadow, liquid and pencil liner, mascara and lipstick or gloss) but although it’s obviously noticeable (nobody has naturally taupe eyelids or glossy lips) I think it’s well applied and suits me, and from feedback I know the first thing someone thinks looking at me isn’t ‘woah makeup’. But I enjoy it, I absolutely love makeup, if I didn’t then I wouldn’t wear it.

makes you look like you can't be arsed to groom yourself, or make an effort for anyone else.

I can't be bothered to 'groom' myself. I clean myself. Why do I owe anyone more than that?

It really is a minimum amount of effort to look polished.

Yes it is. A quick spray of Mr Sheen and a wipe with a duster and i am done.

You should be doing more than the minimum amount of effort for a job interview.

1. Op already has the job

1. Why should you have to put make up on for an interview and present yourself as someone you aren't?

I wear make up to work some days other days i dont. Nobody throws up thier hands in horror if i dont cos nobody cares.

@Willow2017- do you go for the lavender or original? I love a bit of Pledge, makes me look right professional 🤣

Oh the lavender cos its calming so 2 benefits in one.😉

You need to be groomed but how you achieve this will depend on your own physique and personal attributes.

I would always put skincare ahead of makeup as a grooming priority. Nothing looks less “professional” than makeup that tries to camouflage bad skin.