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 would far rather have a first day induction meeting with someone who is bare-faced, clean and tidy, than with someone who is wearing false eyelashes which are so long and heavy and caked in mascara that she can barely open her eyes properly.

As a PP has already said, at least 50% of my office is bare-faced and no-one has a problem with that. It's the same argument with shoes - at least half will be wearing sensible and tidy flat shoes - so why is there any need for the other half to feel that they need to wear heels?

Shocked to come on MN and have someone be rude about Ruth Goodman for not wearing makeup
Is this a Halloween prank?? That is one of the least MNetty posts ever in the history of MN.

I know plenty of men who wear a bit of tinted moisturiser or shaving balms, so the men don't alter their appearance argument doesn't really stand up now.

I don't know any that do - and that includes a male couple who are the most highly groomed out of all my friends (women included!). Whilst some men may well wear tinted moisturiser or balm, I don't think it's routine for all men.

Over the last few years i have worked with our graduate intake, most females don’t wear any make up or dress up, the males are suited up and have immaculate hair, styled everyday. It’s noticeable that they have made more of an effort. It depends on the role, are you customer facing? My advice would to be look at your peers, what are your colleagues around you doing regards make up and clothing. If wearing make up I would recommend a mineral foundation to maintain or improve healthy skin.

I work in the city, it’s smart everyday, hair styled, make up and a nice suit or dress and jacket combo, men are in suits with styled hair, you would stand out like sore thumb if you hadn’t dressed up. The salary and opportunities I get make dressing up for work very worthwhile. I spend more on work clothes than going out. Working from home is my dress down time.

I've never worn makeup to work because I'm just not a makeup-wearing person. My advice is, be yourself. Do whatever feels normal for you and makes you feel the most comfortable.

I don't agree that wearing makeup makes a person look more professional. Whether or not you appear to be "professional" is more down to your demeanour than whether you're wearing lipstick or blusher.

Personally, I find makeup a bit of a barrier: that's probably just me but I find people who don't wear makeup more approachable, somehow.

OP, you got the job, congrats. Find out what the dress code is and buy some appropriate items eg shirts trousers jackets that you can wear interchangeably. Iron your clothes regularly. Clean your shoes regularly. Have a regular haircut and attend to grooming. Focus on the job and you will go far.

I know plenty of men who wear a bit of tinted moisturiser or shaving balms, so the men don't alter their appearance argument doesn't really stand up now

How is a shaving balm
Make-up?! it's to soothe sore skin not make you look 'professional'

My god there are some shitty attitudes on here today (looking at you Scotty).

OP I'm middle management and couldn't tell you who does or doesn't wear make-up my office. Funnily enough we're there to work, not gaze at one another...

Most of us don't wear make up at my workplace (public sector). Possibly because there is no parking so at least half of us cycle in.

I work in a corporate office. Some women wear makeup, some don't. That's all there is to it.

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.

Wearing make up isnt for anyone elses benefit. Its for the person wearing it. If i decide to wear make up i certainly dont care if some random approves or not. Women are not on this planet to 'look good for other people' we are the same complex beings as men. If we want to wear make up fine its personal choice, if we dont thats fine too, personal choice its nobody else's business
How exhausting it must be ro be continually trying to look different to please every random person you meet!

Scotty you are more shallow and goady with every post you.make.

I love watching Ruth on tv her knowledge and sense of humour are amazing. It never occured to me that if she wore make up it would make her more knowledgeable or more interesting. You learn something new every day!

Hi,

Yes I am female. I'm also a mature age student so not a spring chicken anymore. I have always had pretty good skin though so I never really needed makeup to cover up spots, etc.

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.

Or in my case it just means I want to avoid a painful, red, blotchy face. This last summer I couldn't even wear sun block on my face. Some of us just have annoyingly sensitive skin and I'm not making myself suffer just to look like I'm making an 'effort'.

Do what makes you happy and comfy.

I'd rather see someone natural than fake tanned up with spider lashes.
Most people who you think aren't wearing make up probably have a little bit on its just very subtle.

As long as you're clean and groomed then who cares?

Personally I have more important things to spent money on than makeup.
But if someone feels the need for it then meh...

It's interesting, some of the language used about makeup. "Making an effort" "groomed" etc. Some people like wearing it, some don't. I rarely do and actually feel a bit grubby with it on.
It absolutely should be personal choice, but there is still an expectation, the bare faced selfie thing a few years ago where it was seen as "brave" to post a picture of your unadorned face is a good example.
Makeup could and should be fun for people who choose to wear it, no different to experimenting with clothes, hairstyles, accessories to change a look, what it shouldn't be is to be regarded as a basic standard akin to brushing your teeth or wearing clean underwear!

20 odd years ago one of the Big 6 firms used to put all its grads through a session with an image consultant. We had a good couple of hours all about accessorising (think 1980s air hostess look complete with scarf and natty little belts etc), makeup etc. There was a hideous tick box exercise where you got points for nail polish, lipstick etc. This was also back in the day where in our office women weren’t supposed to wear trousers either.

When I run into women from that firm nowadays it’s a frequent source of shared memory talking about those sessions with horror. We are also all now senior, successful and very few of us are wearing full makeup and accessories despite all the warnings we had that our careers would go nowhere without a “statement piece” and Lipstick. I’m eternally grateful that we are judged for our work and our skills not our looks.

I sometimes wear a bit of makeup and sometimes I dont. Not down to whether I want to "look nice" but down to my mood, my 'look' and what I am doing.

I have to say I notice when women are wearing make up and I will respond to that. So if they are masking their face completely I wonder why they lack the confidence to go out bare faced and generally put that down to social pressures, the patriarchy etc. When they have subtle eye make up that really suits their colouring I will think "that looks good" but no more than a passing thought. If they have applied lipstick wonkily I will notice, and wonder if they applied it on the bus. If they are not wearing make up I don't really notice.

So it is the made up that attract attention the "bare faced" don't really register. So in my reality not wearing make up is not an issue, but badly applied or over done make up gets the wrong attention.

I have never really thought about what people who think make up is as necessary as dressing smartly for going to work in an office, think to my ad hoc approach. It is not necessary to wear make up at all, and as a woman in my forties I have other shit to do and think about. If I am judged by another woman as frumpy and looking like an old shoe then I would feel sad for the women that have that mindset. Not very empowering is it?

You wear what makes you feel comfortable and you. Don't put make-up on if it feels false. Decent people and decent companies judge you on your performance and behaviour.

As long as you treat people decently, look, dress and behave in a business-like manner that really is all that matters. Best of luck.

Wearing make up doesn't have to mean a full mask if foundation, concealer, blusher, eyeshadow etc. Well applied make up should be almost invisible, enhancing your appearance not disguising it (unless there is a reason to do that). Personally I wear a BB cream in the winter to give my skin some protection from the weather. All year I give my eyebrows a few strokes of pencil (getting sparse with age!), apply a bit of mascara. I also wear lip balm or gloss, again for protection as my lips get very dry.
I don't look very different after this 3 minute procedure but I feel that I look better/nicer/whatever word doesn't annoy people, the mascara certainly makes my eyes stand out.
Completely a personal choice but I don't know anyone who's eyes wouldn't look good with a few strokes of mascara!

The reality is noone cares so do what you want. Everyone is too busy thinking about themselves.

I work for a big US investment bank and lots of senior women wear little or no makeup.

Appearing 'professional' is in no way linked to your makeup or lack thereof.

In fact, there is a huge emphasis on being yourself and people care far more about whether you are effective at your job than what your face looks like.

You can be well presented, not wear makeup and still look fab! I wouldn't judge as long as you look clean and as though a brush has seen your hair.

The only thing I hate is when people have sleepy dust in their eyes and dirty ears- just makes me think they don't bother to wash. But a clean face, makeup or no makeup- shouldn't determine how well you can do your job?

If you don't normally, then don't feel like you need to. I have always worn make up (I'm not confident enough about my complexion not to), but now I know that I can't not wear it (as I look like I've not slept/made an effort) which is annoying!

" nice skin tone and defined eyebrows and lashes etc without it? "

But that's the thing isn't it?

Who decides what these are & why should women have them?