Looking great in a scruffy job

[Steppingintome]

I was doing really well looking less like I’d woken up after a 5 night drinking sesh for work, doing my hair and makeup, selecting lovely clothes that fit etc. Then I changed jobs.

I cut my hair thinking it would be easier to manage but I hate it. All my makeup slides down my face because I’m constantly in humid conditions. Can’t do much about clothes as it’s quite a scruffy job so kinda given up there.

So my question is, if you have a fairly scruffy job do you just give up and not bother through the week? I feel like I’m letting myself go. If not what makeup could I wear in these conditions to make me look a bit presentable? What could I use to help my hair as it’s growing?

id like to look presentable as I’m still customer facing

At my job, it's considered inappropriate to look too nice. So what I do is make sure to do a good job of looking natural.

For example, I use a hair product that defrizzes and adds a slight coating on my hair so that it looks smooth (I won't name it because my hair is unusually fine, but there's a lot of it and most hair products that work for other people don't work for me and vice versa). If (like me) you have a bob, you might be able to pin at least the top half of your hair back. If not, a neat ponytail with a tie the same colour as your hair will probably look neat.

I keep my eyebrows neat. They're prominent enough that I don't use brow pencil, but that should work if you want it, even in humid conditions.

Other than that, I use under-eye concealer and (if I'm feeling fancy) waterproof mascara. Maybe a slight layer (applied with a brush to keep it thin) of tinted moisturizer. Maybe add small earrings (larger jewellery may end up dripping or looking dirty if you're doing something like cooking with a lot of steam around).

If you're used to more makeup, you might feel like you haven't made an effort, but honestly, you'll look well-groomed. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. No cooking involved but I work with animals so dangly earrings and necklaces are a no go just case I get them caught. But your other tips are great.

my hair is also really thin and is growing out of a pixie cut, I’m in that always looks like I’ve just woken up phase haha. Think I’m going to have to look at some products to make it look a bit more put together.

eyebrows and tinted lashes appointments booked!

I agree with the good job at looking natural comment. I live in a ridiculously humid country. Makeup just slides off so I get eyelash tint and brows done regularly and have found tinted lipgloss works best to give a bit of colour. I have short hair which works much better I find, but I had a few goes at getting the 'right' short hair. What do you not like about yours? Short hair isn't one size fits all so maybe you need a different variant

I have a uniform and can’t have nice nails due to NHS. Hair always in a pony. Don’t wear makeup either. I just see it as more lie in time. And I can spend more on my weekend wear and make an effort then.

Second the tinted brows and eyelashes. I do them myself.

I would focus on body as in toned, good weight for your frame and well fitting unform or clothes. If your body is good it's easier to get away with no make up and bad hair because I had the hair and pretty face however looked bad because my body let me down, sort of like how a hoody and leggings look cute on a conventionally attractive figure vs lazy and dirty on the opposite.
Could you wear hats or bandanas to hide the crazy hair stage? never had a pixie but growing out a fringe was a nightmare, headbands and hats saved me.

Hair smooth and clipped/tied back.
Eyebrows and eyelashes tinted, and eyelashes lifted or extended if that's your thing.
Any kind of Permanent makeup like tattooed brows, lipliner, eyeliner.
Some people use fake tan to contour the face, I haven't tried myself but do find a bit of dove hint of tin brightens up my complexion and means I don't need my usual tinted moisturiser or BB cream.

@Steppingintome, I think tinted or mascaraed lashes and groomed eyebrows will make a big difference. That's pretty much all I need to feel well-groomed. I made an appointment with a woman who does makeup for movie stars who have the same colouring as I do and she confirmed it!

I'm quite pale and mascara and eyeliner can smear or look too harsh. Another tip she gave me is to smear an eyeliner brush (the brush part looks small and flat) on eyeliner (less product than using eyeliner directly). Then dab it in the upper lash line at the very corners of the eyes. You may feel like you've done nothing, but the difference is quite noticeable in photos.

If you can afford it, I wonder if you could make an appointment at a hair salon to ask for tips on styling your hair. Maybe your dislike of the pixie cut is about not being used to dealing with it. Good luck!

Fake tan, waterproof mascara, clear nail varnish on shortish nails, a blusher that stains.

Appointment booked for this evening for eyebrows and lashes! Thanks for advice on my hair I’m going to go talk to a hairdresser next week I think for some tips.

im a healthy weight for my height so that helps. I don’t wear a uniform as such but I do stick to black leggings and tops as easier to keep just for work. Absolutely no point wearing anything nice as will get scratched or covered in dog hair. Also ok with nails as I have these done regularly so they look neat.

thanks for lol gloss tips I’ve been wearing a tinted lip balm today and a couple of people so far have said I look nice so I’m honking it must be that haha

Brow and lash tint plus Max Factor Lipfinity in a colour close to your natural lips. Lasts all day and you just need to smear a bit of any lip balm on top a couple of times.

A tinted moisturiser.

I'm an HCA on a surgical ward.. it's regulation uniform tunics with trousers or uniform dresses.. infection control are strict in our hospital as we're only allowed to wear our long hair up in buns!!
Not even a ponytail is allowed!

Plain unvarnished ultra short nails, necklaces, stud earrings only.

But I do make an effort with my appearance not to look scruffy.
I do wear makeup - a nude eye shadow, with a darker brown shadow as eye liner & black mascara; primer & a bit of concealer only over my face cream as I'm not into foundation. I keep a tinted lip balm in my pocket and reapply when I like.
I get my brows tinted & shaped regularly.

I buy & wear my own navy trousers with the tunic as they look much smarter. & have black trainers that look good as well as are comfortable. Obviously I wash my uniform after each wear, I iron it too.

Sorry that should say NO necklaces

Thank you love the product suggestions. Will defo give some of those a go