To ask how much ‘effort’ you make with your appearance for work?

[Birkinbag]

For context, I’m a manager in an administrative environment in my mid-30s. For the 15-ish years I’ve been working, I always get up earlier on days where I’m in the office to do my makeup and my hair - I have quite bad skin (acne scarring) so it’s partly a confidence thing, but mostly I just enjoy making myself look nice.

The other week at work, a couple of colleagues were talking about people who get ‘all dolled up’ for work and how pointless it is, and that we’re coming to work and not a fashion show. I don’t know if these comments were aimed at me or if I just happened to be there at the time but it’s made me feel really self conscious that people think I make too much effort and they’re laughing at me behind my back.

What are your thoughts - do you care about what your colleagues look like? Is it reasonable to get up half an hour early to put my face on when I am just working in an office?

Right now I do my hair usually but don't wear much makeup. I have a lot going on in my life, feel quite tired so do enough to make myself look presentable.

There are women in my office who don't wear any makeup and women who wear a full face. All look nice and presentable. It's whatever you want to do and whatever you're comfortable with.

I want to gradually start wearing a bit more makeup and get some new clothes because I feel like I'm in a bit of a rut. But that's not because of what people think of me, it's what I want to do for myself.

I have a front of house role and yes sometimes I get very dressed up indeed.
I enjoy wearing makeup at work
so yeah I make "an effort" but it's not really an effort since I enjoy it... my role suits my personality. Weekends are bare faced and pjs and that's great too

I put makeup on most days whether im working or not. Not loads, but its part of my getting ready routine. I think I look better with it on and makes me feel more confident if I think I look good.

This.

I work in a warehouse. It's about half and half whether the women do their hair and makeup or not. It tends to be the younger girls (age 17-19) who do. I just shower, brush teeth, tie hair back and go.