To weigh back in, I am in my 50’s and my face gets stressed and tired looking because of the job I’m doing. I also, personally, feel better when I have a layer of natural looking makeup.
I know part of that comes from low self esteem caused in childhood and a sense of imposter syndrome. And part of my way of overcoming that is have a calm confident mask on.
When I have family events, I am much, much more made up as I need a much stronger shield to protect me and hide my real emotions!
I do it for me. Not because I’ve been told to. Not for men. But because I work in a professional environment where I need to portray an image of being on top of things - even if that’s meant working until 2am and back up by 7am for the next round (definitely not unusual) and also where the people I meet can be confident I understand their concerns and will represent their views properly. And sometimes I have to push back on those views.
so the appearance of calm and in control is important.
I am actually very well able to do my job, but it is male dominated and that means I need to be seen as capable compared to them.
And the men need to wear jackets and ties, shirts be properly ironed, and while not needing makeup, do need to look properly groomed.
I also rarely wear other makeup elements like nail varnish etc. Just my own quietly groomed and professional appearance.