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.

Senior professional here too. Never worn It, never will (prefer the extra sleep instead ). Hasn't hindered my career - went from a temp grad position to senior management in 5 years. I'm valued for my brain and my professionalism (polite, clean and tidy) not my face.

I'm a professional with a career and I've never worn make-up as an adult, I didn't even wear it on my wedding day - it's just not me.

I did experiment with it a bit as a teenager, but I have no creative or artistic ability whatsoever and I always ended up looking worse than if I'd not bothered with the stuff.

Neither my Mum nor any of my sisters wear make-up either - doesn't seem to have done any of us any harm.

Senior professional here - I’ve worn makeup 3 times in my life. Twice I was the bride, once I was a bridesmaid.

When men start worrying about concealer, blusher, tinted moisturiser, mascara etc to “look more professional” - nah, I still won’t wear it.

Clean, tidy, neat hair / nails, jewellery not excessive, appropriate use of deodorant / soap - perfect.

I would say don’t wear any makeup. If you’re not used to it, it’s likely to make you feel uncomfortable. Not something you need when you’re starting a new job. Also, your skin might have a reaction to whatever you put on it if you haven’t worn it before. Speaking from experience. I rarely wore make-up when I was younger, and don’t think I’ve worn any now for over 10 years. It’s just not me.

YANBU. Its your skin your choice.
I think its fab when women can celebrate their natural beauty.
I won't or rather cant even put the bins out without mine on.

I used to wear it until I broke my nose and had two black eyes last month. My face was too painful to touch so I didn't bother with make up and haven't done since.

I'm probably not the best person to ask though as I've also got curly hair that I don't straighten and I've read on here that's unprofessional as well!

I have been in a professional job for 20 years and never wore it and it’s never been an issue.

If you don't wear make up, don't wear make up, easy. I don't wear it and wouldn't consider it for work, it would be weird.

Lawyer here. Started wearing tinted moisturiser at aged 37 because my own reflection was giving me nightmares, but literally never wore it for work before then. Numerous female senior partners don’t. Some do.
I literally couldn’t give a flying f* if the people I come into contact with professionally are wearing make up.
Be clean, smell acceptable, and do your job. Good luck!

I've always worked in large corporates and now run my own consultancy. I wear basic makeup because I like it, but don't think it makes any difference either way. What I do notice is that the majority of professional women I come across don't wear makeup these days, which is a change from when I started out.
Hair is more important. Nothing looks worse than scruffy hair. It's impossible to look professional if your hair is unkempt. Clean and tied up if long is a must I think.

Don’t wear it if you don’t want to.

Personally, I would. You'll look far more polished and professional.

This is a really depressing statement in a modern society where women are supposed to be equal to men.

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!

Just my opinion

Don't wear it OP, you don't have to wear makeup to appear more professional or polished. A clean face and ironed clothing does that.

Very formal dress code where I work but many women do not wear make up including senior management and no one has ever bat an eyelid. We have an 18 year old apprentice in our team who looks very polished and professional and I don't think she wears a scrap of make up (although she has lovely skin).

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!

You’d say that to a man?

I'm a senior professional and I very, very rarely wear make-up. When I do, it's usually just mascara and lipstick.

No, you don't need to. Clean and tidy yes. Make up, no.

I hardly ever wear make up. I look perfectly clean, groomed and professional.

I wear foundation and eyebrow pencil. I have Vitiligo on my face and broken veins
Would I suggest the same to a man? Probably not but then if I could hide my skin tone underneath stubble I probably wouldn't need to.

Entirely a matter of personal choice. I work in a corporate environment and plenty of women don't. I wear make up because it gives me a bit more confidence but if you are confident without it, I don't see the need.

I wonder if all the posters saying that makeup makes you look more polished and professional, think that men look unprofessional and unpolished?

When did a woman's bare skin become so offensive that it has to be covered up in skin coloured paint to make it look like better skin?!

I wear makeup and sometimes don't - it entirely depends on how I feel that day. Not wearing makeup regularly has not impeded my career in any way.

I also believe that people's perception of you is totally their reality, so while you think you're shunning the societal norm and forging your independent, make up free path, others may think you're lazy and a bit odd. Soz.

Put some slap on, woman, and have some pride.

What an interesting perspective. Can't be proud of her achievements - knowledge and a solid media career - because she's not wearing foundation?

Scotty At least she's made something of herself. WITHOUT makeup to support her in her efforts.

She looks nothing like a shoe but even if she did, I would still prefer to spend time with her than with someone like you.