ask the readers: makeup and work

by Alison Green on March 1, 2018

Makeup and work: Do you have to wear it to look professional? How much is too much? Is a smokey eye inappropriate for work? Is it weird to apply it in the office bathroom on mornings when you’re rushed? Should you discreetly suggest your junior colleague stop wearing body glitter?

The comments on this post are open for questions and advice about makeup at work. Have at it…

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  1. em*

    Re: applying makeup at work–I think it’s fine to do if it’s a once in a while occasion, where you’re truly running late and have a pretty quick routine. However, the woman at my office who spends 30-45 min in the morning applying a full face of makeup in the bathroom (often emerging with some truly dramatic, although well-done, looks) is probably pushing it…especially considering we are nonsalaried, hourly employees.

    1. Justme, The OG*

      At least your co-worker does it in the bathroom. My former coworker did it at her computer. Right in front of customers.

      1. AKchic*

        I had one coworker who did it at her desk and would spend 60-90 minutes a day applying her full-face make-up for her night job (as a make-up counter girl) at her desk (we didn’t see clients). She would also do her hair (another 15-45 minutes depending on style). 3-5 days a week.
        Supervisor knew, didn’t really care (because she got make-up tips/recommendations/freebies). The bigger bosses were livid whenever they caught her but would let the supervisor “handle” it (they didn’t want to micromanage). Ridiculous cluster all around.

        Part of the problem was the position didn’t have much work to do. The position was an ego stroke for one of the Big C’s. Since she was bored and had nothing to do, make-up occupied her time.

        1. Julia*

          90 minutes? I wouldn’t even know what to apply for ninety minutes, and I usually wear a full face. Maybe I could look MUCH better if I somehow had the skills… and I weren’t so lazy.

      2. myswtghst*

        I watched a new employee spend 15-20 minutes applying a full face of makeup while I ran a training class the other day. I was honestly so shocked I couldn’t say anything in the moment (I did pull her aside later and explain why that could not happen again, but am still baffled I had to tell someone that).

    2. Luna*

      This is especially annoying if your office bathroom is on the small side, and the same person is hogging one of the two sinks for a long period of time.

      1. em*

        We actually only have unisex, single-stall bathrooms so, yes, she takes up a whole bathroom for this.

        1. Snark*

          Is there a reason nobody has been like, yeah, apply your makeup at home, arrive for work and be ready to work? Because this is BONKERS.

          1. Josie*

            My thoughts EXACTLY! The only time I even do a touch-up is if I am going out after work…which has not happened since 2008 :-(

      2. Ama*

        One of the things I like most about the bathroom in my current office is that there are no mirrors over the sinks — the mirror is off to the side in a little alcove and has a shelf underneath, so you can very easily have a few people standing there checking hair and makeup without being in the way of anyone using the facilities.

        This is particularly useful on the day of our annual fundraising gala, when most of the women in my office come to work with no or minimal makeup and then go put on their “formal event” makeup right before we leave to work the fundraiser. But it’s also been nice at the end of the day (particularly on Fridays) when people want to retouch their makeup before going out.

        1. Clever Name*

          That’s the only time I would apply makeup at work, beyond a small touch-up like lip gloss or something. If I’m going to an event after work that is for work, I would put on my evening makeup in the bathroom. But I would do it very late in the day, after everyone left if possible.

        2. Zoe Karvounopsina*

          Our office Christmas party is a costumed affair, with all the teams usually having different themes. Our 2017 theme was greek gods and goddesses, and the ladies (a two stall affair) was full of our team falling over each other as we tried to apply makeup/do our hair/receive body glitter (“I’m not trying to be weird, Zoe, but I need more access to your cleavage.”)

          But it only happens on that day, and it is a whole office thing.

      3. Amber T*

        I had a coworker who would leave her curling things plugged in next to the sink FOR HOURS (she would get into the office at 9ish, start curling her hair anytime between 10 and 1 or 2). Every day she was in the office (~3ish times a week). Keep in mind, if she was in the office, she wasn’t seeing clients. I accidentally splashed water on them once (these electrical things that were plugged in to the wall socket) and freaked out so I panicked and unplugged them. Didn’t really know what to do so I just left them unplugged. It got to the point that if I went to the bathroom early and saw them plugged in, and saw them STILL plugged in over an hour later unused, next to the sink, I unplugged them. Others started getting on board. Before you jump on my case about not touching other people’s belongings (which, I mean, go ahead and do anyway if you really want) –
        – these particular traveling curling things were not meant to be heated up in the light plastic traveling case she was using, so the plastic was constantly melting and causing an awful odor that circulated through the vents. Also – probably a fire hazard.
        – we have a locker room style bathroom, where there were plenty of non-sink space to leave that where it wouldn’t get accidentally splashed.

        Also, it was super awkward (I’m sure for everyone involved!) so go in there an pee (or poo!) while she sat there doing her doing her work or friggin *taking a client call.* She had a private office with a door that closed. (Listen, having to deal with the consequences of eating undercooked chicken the night before in an office setting is awful enough, but at least 99% of my coworkers pretend that stalls are completely sound and odor proof and that you have no clue who is in there. I sincerely hope that that client call was as awkward for her as it was for me.)

        There weren’t too many people that upset to see her go.

        3. Clever Name*

          Yeah, if I knew she often left them plugged in for extended periods of time, I would unplug them the first time I went in, not wait until they’d been on for an hour. Honestly, if I was in the bathroom at work and there was an iron plugged in and not a person using it, I would go find whoever was using it and ask if they meant to leave it plugged in. If it was something that someone did all the time, I would just unplug it. If she’s coming right back, it would still be warm / wouldn’t take long to heat up. If she was gone long enough for it to cool down, it probably shouldn’t have been plugged in. That’s crazy.

          1. Julia*

            Or, you know, even if she came back to a cold iron, she could just… not do her hair at work?

    3. There's Always Money in the Banana Stand*

      Yeah, I have no issue with one occasionally applying makeup in the bathroom, or re-applying lipstick or something like that, but if it becomes a habit, or if it takes an extreme amount of time, and you are on the clock, then I am less likely to support that.

    4. A.*

      I used to work with this woman who would flat iron her hair in the bathroom to get ready for happy hour.

      1. AdAgencyChick*

        I’ve noticed a couple of people at my company doing this! I have never in my life felt the need to be that put-together, but hey, as long as your work’s getting done and I don’t have to elbow my way to the sink (fortunately, we have several), go for it.

      2. SoCalHR*

        I am guilty of this one – only very occasionally – if I run out of the house with wet hair, it dries *mostly* straight. I typically don’t care what it looks like for work, but if I’m going out after work then I like to be polished. So I’ve done a super quick touch up with the flat iron in the bathroom at some point during the day. It maybe takes 5 mins max.

      3. Natalie*

        I don’t know, that seems fine to me I guess? It sounds like it was after her workday ended and she was going directly from work to happy hour. As long as you’re not hogging the only sink or whatever, have at it.

        1. A.*

          Yes I had no issue with it. There were several sinks in the bathroom. It was more amusing than anything.

      4. SS Express*

        Seems fine to me, unless she has super curly hair that requires an hour of straightening and is doing it while she’s meant to be working. If it’s quick, or if it’s happening off the clock (or while everyone else is just sitting around doing nothing, as is sometimes the case on a Friday arvo) I don’t see a problem.

    5. Fortitude Jones*

      I agree. Sadly, I will not be able to do my makeup at work on days like today where a) I’m running late and b) it’s raining out because my new company’s bathroom has THE WORST lighting in the history of bathroom lighting, so my makeup would look awful. I might as well be barefaced.

    6. A tester, not a developer*

      My pet peeve is the women who use the disabled stall to do their hair and makeup. Yes, it has a private mirror and sink! And an electrical outlet! But there are actual disabled people in this company who need to use the stall for actual bodily functions!

      The extra annoying part is that our building has actual women’s locker rooms – you don’t even need a gym membership to use them.

      1. Anne of Green Gables*

        We had this issue in the community college library where I worked. These restrooms were used by both students and staff. We got a student suggestion in our suggestion box to move the mirror out of the stall but keep it in the bathroom (which is how it is in the bathrooms on other floors of the same building) and it totally solved the problem. After we had the mirror moved, staff on that floor told me that people using the disabled stall for makeup had always been a problem but it didn’t occur to them to move the mirror.

      2. Quickbeam*

        OMG, here too. We also have a woman who does yoga in the h/c stall. Meanwhile the people who need the grab rails need to go to another floor or the gym, a long walk.

        1. Clever Name*

          She does yoga IN THE BATHROOM? That is both gross and sort of an impressive show of dedication. Also super-rude if you have a gym in your office. I would actually say something to HR if people who need an accessible stall are forced to go out of their way because she’s using it for yoga.

          Yoga! That’s so crazy!

    7. Mildred*

      I try to get my makeup done before I leave the house, but sometimes I don’t. My first choice is to do it in the car at the bus station, but if the bus is coming and there’s no time, then I use the onesie bathroom at work, and I make sure I’m quick. We also have a bathroom with 5 or 6 stalls, so I don’t monopolize the only bathroom. It feels embarrassing to put on makeup in the communal bathroom, which is why I use the small one and do it as fast as I can.

      1. JustaTech*

        I once sat next to a young woman on the bus who applied a full face of makeup (no false lashes, and minimal eyeshadow but everything else) while the bus was moving with just a little compact mirror and didn’t get a single flake on me or on any of her clothes. I was super impressed (and told her so).

        2. Mildred*

          I’m impressed, too, but it would be even more embarrassing to me to apply makeup in public.

        3. Windchime*

          I saw a girl on the bus applying layer after layer of mascara. For a full 45 minutes. I was super impressed that she didn’t jab herself in the eye once, since the bus is so bumpy. But her eyelashes looked really thick and caked and gloppy by the time she was done.

        5. Excel Slayer*

          I one witnessed a guy apply nail varnish while standing up on the London Underground. He did it PERFECTLY. And I can barely stand up on the thing without falling everywhere.

    8. nonprofit fun*

      I think this is fine if your routine is ten minutes or less. Personally, I have a walking commute so I’ll often wait until I’m at work to swipe on some mascara or put a little product in my hair. Way better than doing it at home and walking in with makeup either melting from heat or smeared from snow/rain.

      1. liz*

        i understand 10 mins or less but when there is 3 girls in the office that do it every day that takes up time. id like to use the restroom in private. not have someone standing there doing their make up.

        1. Kate 2*

          Yeah, but, if someone had really bad gas or food poisoning or a shy bladder, of if more people than there were stalls had to go at the same time, you still wouldn’t be going in private. It’s a public restroom, not a bathroom at home.

        2. neeko*

          Unless it’s a single private bathroom, you really have no control over the privacy of the bathroom.

          1. Kelly O*

            Yeah, unfortunately, you can’t guarantee privacy in a public restroom. We have a technical school in our building and the female students are in there all the time talking loudly on their phones, doing hair and makeup, and just standing there talking to each other. (I overheard one who was clearly on FaceTime or something – “boo, we can’t see you” “oh baby lemme fix that” – talk about weird.)

            I don’t have a problem, especially if the makeup appliers are considerate and make room for people to wash their hands as they exit. Unfortunately, ours don’t, so I just wash my hands in the sink inside our suite.

        3. CheeryO*

          I’m with you. We have a three-stall bathroom for maybe 15 women on our floor, so we’re usually guaranteed a bit of privacy. There is one woman who routinely does her makeup at the same time as I need to use the bathroom in the morning, and it really bugs. There’s a big difference between someone coming in to pee and wash their hands and someone coming in to silently do makeup at the mirror right outside your stall for 10 minutes. Do it at home, please!

        4. Ainomiaka*

          I don’t think that is something you can ever count on. I mean, is it really that different than someone washing their hands, or waiting in line? The public is inherent in public restrooms, I’m afraid.

      2. Sam.*

        I totally get that. When I lived in DC, everyone with a decent walk in their commute would show up to work early during the summer so we could cool off and put on makeup, because there was literally no point doing it before – you would sweat it all off. Fortunately, this tended to happen in a fairly large staff-only bathroom before opening, so there was no chance of running into clients. Plenty of awkward bonding happening, though…

    9. Nita*

      I would totally apply makeup at work, if I ever remember to bring it in (and then take it home for the weekend). It only takes me ten minutes, tops, and doing it at home is a non-starter right now. I have to get everyone ready for school, and mornings are just total chaos.

      1. Totally Minnie*

        I keep “emergency makeup” in my desk drawer for days when I forget or run late. It’s just a tinted moisturizer, concealer, eyeliner and mascara. It takes me less than 5 minutes.

      2. SS Express*

        I keep a small makeup bag in my handbag (concealer, powder, mascara, eyebrow pencil, nude lipstick, plus a brighter lipstick and an eyeliner pencil in case I want to level up) and use this to do my face at work, on the train, in the car or wherever. In my desk I also keep a light foundation, contour/highlight kit, blush, eyeshadow palette and brushes in case I’m going somewhere nice after work. All these items are extras, I’m not taking them from my main collection so I don’t need to remember to take them out and put them back all the time.

    10. Not Rebee*

      I do mine in the car almost every morning, but I also just do a quick-but-functional look that takes about 5 minutes. Because I have a red-light-heavy commute, it’s almost always completely done within the first 15 minutes of my 45-minute commute (I do not do my makeup in a moving vehicle, but am definitely guilty of being That Person who does her eyeliner at red lights). I will sometimes touch up my makeup at work if I’m going out for something important after work, but try and be considerate. I never do my hair in the bathroom (it naturally just does its own thing and that works for me, miraculously, so I leave it alone). That said, there are definitely people who do use our bathroom for hair and makeup, but it mostly doesn’t get in the way. Our company even has some company-bought hairspray on the counter (next to the company bought-tampons and pantyliners, and bobby pins and hair ties in various hair colors, and mouthwash dispenser and cups), but it doesn’t get used a ton. Honestly, I think the people who hog the bathroom the most are the people who insist on brushing their teeth multiple times a day. I understand, and I bet their teeth look better than mine, but that’s almost always something that takes up one of two sinks during the time of day where everyone is either just coming back from lunch or just heading out to lunch, so the bathroom is busier during this time.

    11. Rebecca in Dallas*

      I do this sometimes, I have to get a skin check every 6 months (melanoma survivor) and it works best with my schedule if I can see the dermatologist first appointment of the day. Since they need to see my skin (duh), I don’t wear makeup to my appointment and put it on once I get to work (in the bathroom). I try to be very fast, I think it’s maybe 5 minutes? Plus our bathroom isn’t very busy, so I’m not blocking anyone from using the sink. And I use the bathroom instead of my desk because I’d prefer to be over a sink in case I spill or something. I’d prefer to have my makeup done already when I get to work (I feel like grooming in public is kind of weird) but like I said, it’s once every 6 months.

      1. Clever Name*

        I feel like once in a while it is no big deal. Every six months? I wouldn’t give it a second thought. I think it is only rude if you are blocking access to the sink for longer than 10-15 minutes and it is very regular – like more than twice a week. Everyone has a late day and you do what you need to do to get to work. If you never have time before work AND you are blocking other people, you need to re-examine your morning routine.

    12. Miss Pantalones en Fuego (formerly Floundering Mander)*

      I have no qualms about doing my makeup at work or in public generally. However I don’t wear anything more than a bit of mascara, very light eyebrow pencil (yay white eyebrow hairs), a quick dusting of powder, and tinted lip balm. It probably doesn’t even take 5 minutes.

  2. MuseumChick*

    To me, this falls into the “Know you industry/ company” category. I’ve worked at places where no one cared if you wore make up or not. But I have friends who work in industry where physical appearance is much more important.

    Generally though: (with a few exceptions) say no to the body glitter. And, don’t make a habit for applying your make up in the bathroom at work. Like, maybe twice a year your are running late enough to need to do that.

    1. Spelliste*

      It seemed less common (around or below 50% of female colleagues appearing to wear it) when I was in the federal government in DC, even working closely with Secretary and appointees, but I find myself wearing it regularly now that I’m in finance in NY. People seem to put more visible effort in. Both roles were as a relatively small cog but working frequently with big cheeses, to mix metaphors.

      Not sure how much is industry vs. location, but it feels like more of an expectation in the latter. Could just be my particular offices, of course.

      1. Spelliste*

        I should add, low-key would be the way to go in both of these instances! I think being seen applying makeup could suggest not being sufficiently focused on work/mission/professionalism, as could wild or highly visible styles.

        There’s a cost to diverging from norms, and I prefer to spend my social currency on wacky shoes and a weird sense of humor.

        1. TootsNYC*

          you also look like you can’t manage your time, because you didn’t get it done before you left the house (or the gym).

      2. Mildred*

        When I lived in NYC, I usually didn’t wear makeup, partly because I didn’t know how to use it and partly because I couldn’t be bothered. Now that I’m older, I feel the need to wear it more often – this is because it makes me feel more confident, not because of any external pressure (and I still don’t wear it every day). At my job, I don’t think anybody cares if women wear makeup or not.

      3. Kate the Little Teapot*

        I would say it’s both industry and location. In general, women don’t wear anything close to a full face in the Bay Area unless they work in beauty or sales.

        Women in tech here wear basically no makeup (even if we’ve busted loose from the T-shirt as uniform) lest we be taken for the secretary and asked to get coffee in a meeting.

        1. Princess Consuela Banana Hammock*

          Agreed, although it definitely depends on your sector. Most women attorneys who work for the government or for the private sector, not including nonprofits, wear light makeup in the Bay. Makeup is often seen as part of appearing polished/formal (not saying that it’s right!), so it’s more of a default in regions where law practice or jobs are more formal (e.g., Sacramento and the Central Valley).

        2. Sarianna*

          Yes, and I’d add department to what Kate said! I’m in the Northeast and the few women in the development department of our tech company wear little to no makeup. The women in sales, on the other hand, are usually in full face and dressed to the nines to impress customers.

          1. Susan*

            I’ve moved from dev to project management which is more of a customer facing position, albeit internal only customers. It’s funny that I’ve felt more like dressing up since I made the change. Not sure if it is more because I am getting older or because of the position change, I just think it is interesting.

      4. Jersey's mom*

        Wildlife biologist here. I haven’t worn makeup to work (both in the field and office) in 28 years now. I do wear it, and professional dressy clothes and heels when I’m giving a deposition or as an expert witness in court. First time my boss saw me ready for court he literally didn’t recognize me – walked past me asking the attorney ” where is jerseys mom, court is about to start.”

        Usual field day for me, I have mud on me somewhere and my hair looks like it was processed by a blender. It’s definitely know your field and location for the norms.

        1. MeghanK*

          Science Museum staff here. I have never worn makeup at work, woohoo! I loathe almost everything about it. I don’t mind if staff want to wear it, as long as it doesn’t reach nightclub levels. About 30% of my staff wear something more than lip gloss.

          I have had to set limits though – out of the public eye, off the clock for anything that takes more than a minute or two, and anything strongly scented needs to be applied somewhere off our main public and staff break areas. Nothing like sparking an asthma attack in a coworker because you just have to spray half a pint of something that could choke an elephant to glue your hair in place/cover up sweat from a lunchtime run, or change your nail polish. If I can follow you by scent through a museum with thousands of other people in it, that’s really way too much…

        2. unicat*

          I’m an Environmental Educator at an outdoor adventure center and I don’t wear makeup either!

      5. Koko*

        In my experience DC takes pride in largely ignoring fashion and related things like make-up. I think probably as a defiant response to having been nicknamed “LA for ugly people.”

        1. AMPG*

          Yeah, I almost never wore makeup in DC, but now that I’m in New England I feel the need to do at least something minimal (generally concealer, eyeliner, and sheer lip color). I do it in the car after I’m in the parking garage.

      6. Not Rebee*

        I think an unfortunate effect of not wearing makeup (when combined with being young) is that it can make you look very young for much longer than you might want, depending on how you do your makeup. (I mean, I’ve got a former colleague who is 4 years older than me and just naturally has a very bright-eyed, fresh-faced, young look, and it actually gets worse when she wears makeup). The flip side is that if you overdo your makeup like you’re a 20-something heading out to the club you then look young because you’re way over-faced for the environment you’re in. I think the key to office makeup is, if you’re going to do it, to try and keep it simple and relatively natural. Not to say you can’t do a bold lip if that’s your thing, but if you do maybe you can leave the dramatic eyebrows and the huge cat-liner at home. My go to is just some powder, blush, one shade of eyeshadow (a metallic brown not far from my skin-tone), off-black eyeliner without a huge wing (top lid only), and mascara. That’s it. My look on a night out involves Black eyeliner on both lids, and like three more eyeshadow colors, plus lipstick/liner/gloss. I think it’s important to have a distinction between what’s okay for work and what’s okay for out in the world.

        1. A.M.*

          It’s usually the opposite IMO. Makeup definitely makes you look more grown-up. If I didn’t wear it, I’d look like a teenager, and I’m 30.

      7. Barbara Lander*

        I live in New York and I agree, I think appearance norms do vary from city to city. I had a boss in Florida who got upset that I did my makeup in the rest room after I got there, but in that climate, and with a commute of 1-1/2 hours, doing it at home wasn’t an option.

    2. n*

      Yup. In academia (or at least the humanities, which is my background), wearing a full face of makeup makes you look unprofessional/you get taken less seriously. I often felt conspicuously high-femme for just wearing lipstick and eyeliner.

      1. Dr. Speakeasy*

        More of a mixed bag in the social sciences. I tend to wear a full face but I think a foundation/mascara/chapstick combo is probably the most common. Unless you were really wearing a glitter bomb on your face or your makeup was badly applied, I think any variation works. (And you know… there are some lines where the glitter bomb might work out okay too).

        1. Thlayli*

          Engineering here with experience in both academia and private industry. I only wear makeup for interviews presentations and client meetings. I definitely think female engineers are considered less professional if they wear a lot of makeup, but a small bit of makeup makes little difference. My personally preference is not to wear it everyday anyway.

          I look really young anyway so anything that makes me look tired and old it probably a benefit in my quest to be taken seriously haha.

      3. Umvue*

        Biostatistics here. I also think makeup is not super common in academic posts in my field, but I admit that since I don’t wear it myself I have a hard time noticing it on others, so I could be wrong. However, I can say that some of the women faculty are much more put-together than I am (I’m a staff scientist).

        (A bit of a tangent — my last biostats job was outside of academia, and *that* one was so casual that my director sometimes came to work in sweats!)

        1. LadyMountaineer*

          I’m a database dev who augments biostatisticians – none of us wear makeup. I was thinking about starting to wear makeup again just for me but then I re-think again thinking that I won’t fit in. (Which is probably a crazy thought – I doubt anyone cares.)

      4. DrWombat*

        I wear lipstick and eyeshadow on days I’m giving presentations, but I’ve seen other grad students a lot more made-up. I definitely up things for conferences, though – mascara, eyeshadow, lipstick, but it’s all very simple mostly because I have about zero skill at it at the moment. I kind of wish I understood how to use the other stuff, but the lack of gluten-free makeup options (I have a skin reaction as well as a gut reaction) and the fact that I never learned as a teen has made it seem almost impossible to learn as an adult. I’d have no idea where even to start tbh.

        1. Not a Morning Person*

          YouTube, and search for natural make-up application. Be aware that the younger makeup artists tend to show more dramatic looks or at least use a lot more makeup.

          1. Jordan*

            Seconding the recommendation for YouTube tutorials! I would 100% recommend Lisa Eldridge. She’s a makeup artist in her 40’s, and she’s not only drop dead gorgeous, but her looks are so classy and understated.

            1. Ariadne*

              Seconding (Thirding?) Lisa Eldridge specifically, and Bite Cosmetics is a great gluten-free lip color option too! My very celiac friend gifted me one of their Amuse Bouche sets, which has 4 super-mini lipsticks in a number of colors. The Beauty Department also has step-by-step tutorials for hair and makeup, and recommendations for accessories/tools based on various styles and budgets.

        2. Victorian Cowgirl*

          Merle Norman is high quality makeup and the line is almost entirely gluten-free. The associates at the stores are always happy and trained to give application lessons. I won’t wear any other mascara! :)

        3. Julia*

          Could mineral make-up work for you? There are many brands, not just Bare Minerals. I used to like Everyday Minerals, but I’m also not intolerant to gluten, so I can’t guarantee that it would work for you (although I don’t think I’ve ever seen much more than silica and mica in the ingredients list).

      5. jo*

        Not an academic, but I do recall my female humanities instructors in college didn’t wear much makeup. That changed when I did my masters in creative writing (and in NYC). Professors of both genders ranged from clean-but-unkempt to well-dressed-but-natural to made-up-and-stylish.

        The poetry director wore the most makeup.

      6. Ainomiaka*

        And I personally wear makeup specially to mess with ideas like that. I hate it so much.

      7. A.M.*

        Eh. My sister, a music professor, loves makeup and definitely wears lipstick any time she is dealing with colleagues or students. She’s under 30 and she’s having fun, plus she’s tenured, and no one in her field bats an eyelash (pun intended).

    3. Goya de la Mancha*

      I feel like teeny-bopper retailers and excotic dancers are the only ones to get away with glitter ;)

      1. Nonnon*

        I volunteer for an LGBT+ youth org, and we’re not allowed glitter. Not because it would be inappropriate or unprofessional or anything, but because glitter doesn’t come out. Ever. Our office is like a gate to sparkly, sparkly hell around Pride due to the various crafts and such stored in there.

        1. Erin*

          I used to work in a craft store in college. Glitter is shiney devil dust. Especially if it gets in your eyes.

      3. bunners*

        I taught kindergarten for fifteen years and wore glittery eyeliner or shadow almost every single day – I figured that if I was going to wind up with craft herpes regardless of my best efforts I might as well embrace it!

        I’m currently a stay at home mom who volunteers with a couple of historic and animal related groups and I still rock the glitter liner fairly regularly ;-)

    4. Super B*

      This can be TOTALLY a cultural/regional thing. I’m in Northern California and 99% of the women in my office wear make up, of all age groups and job positions. It is not expected but women in California love their make up! It was even more severe when I lived in SoCal/ Orange County – full on make up on the beach was something that shocked me at first, but I soon got used to it and started wearing it too (not to the beach! but everywhere else).
      I noticed that European women wear a lot less make up… and South American women wear even more (though not the beach. That’s an exclusive LA thing, I think)

      1. Bleeborp*

        I know I’m in the minority as a librarian (now at a college but same at a public library) for wearing pretty much a full face of makeup most days (no body glitter tho!) and I don’t think anyone else thinks one way or the other about it. I’ve seen plenty of totally bare faced women and makeup wearing women move up the ranks so it seems to be no barometer of professionalism. But it is kind of funny since it is very female dominated but it is certainly not makeup dominated, not even here in Texas around Dallas which IS known for being pretty looks focused and women tend towards full makeup

        1. Tafadhali*

          I am a no-makeup kind of librarian, but I also know many others who go all out. That said, it doesn’t usually seem like it’s because of a professional norm — most of the makeup-loving librarians I know here on the East Coast are younger and interested in style, often with a very specific aesthetic (dyed hair, clothes with a nerdy or retro or punk vibe). More alternative, less “neutrally professional and feminine.”

        2. Alex the Alchemist*

          Me too! I work in my university’s library and I’ll do a lot of fun, colorful eye looks and just pair them with a neutral lip and nobody bats an eye. The only time when it was ever commented on (positively, btw) was a day when I wore false lashes, but I explained that I was going straight to my choir concert afterwards and wanted a little something “extra,” and it was all good.

        3. Librarian of the North*

          I work at a public library and I’m a make-up artist so I am always in a full face of make-up. No body glitter because this isn’t 2001. My go to is a neutral smokey eye with a winged liner and red lipstick. I wear the most make-up of my co-workers but they almost all wear make-up. It depends on the library but I find them to be very open in terms of tattoos, make-up, coloured hair, and style of dress.

        4. Anon Librarian*

          Also an academic librarian. I wear light make up most days, go a little heavier on teaching/faculty presentation days. But I have co-workers who wear full, dramatic make-up every day and some that were none, and no one seems to care. I’m also at a small, very specialized satellite campus of a woman’s university, so that may have something to do with it. I think I main campus tends to care a bit more.

    6. Jennifer*

      Nobody cares in my line of work as long as you don’t have anatomy hanging out of your clothes. It’s not like being made up and/or wearing a suit is going to get you a promotion here :P

    7. EddieSherbert*

      It’s definitely a “know your industry” thing. Working for an outdoor retailer where our corporate office has a huge gym + hiking/biking trails, there are many fitness classes throughout the day… a full face of make up with be very unusual! Most of us don’t bother because if you do a fitness class, it’s 40 minutes and you only have about 20 “extra” minutes left to shower, change, possibly eat? (I eat at my desk while working) and get back to work :)

  3. Valancy Snaith*

    I think the smokey eye depends totally on the workplace and what kind of smoky eye we’re talking about. There are definitely some nude smokey eyes that can be totally work-appropriate (based probably more on the level of eyeliner and mascara involved), and some dark smokey eyes that are more “when work ends at 5 and you’re hitting the club at 5:04.”

    1. a girl has no name*

      +1000 There are some great nude smokey eye tutorials that I use and that I wear to work. I just minimize the eyeliner. It is branded as daytime smokey.

        1. Zahra*

          Me too! It’s been so long since I’ve worn makeup that I couldn’t remember how to put eyeshadow at our holiday party last December.

        2. poptart*

          Jessica Clements on youtube does lots of great natural makeup tutorials – she has one something like “instagram natural defined makeup” and another “date night smoky eye” that are insanely helpful and work great for a casual & natural look. I usually do one of those for work, or i think the every day makeup winter 2017 one is a good no eyeliner look!

        3. poptart*

          Jessica Clements on Youtube! All of her natural looks are A+, and there is a smoky “date night” eye that is really good for daytime without looking overly made up.

    2. Annabelle*

      Yeah, i think most people hear “smoky” and think of dramatic black shadow, but I’ve defintiely seen some pretty office-friendly smoky eyes.

    3. KarenT*

      I think a toned down smoky paired with a neutral outfit works (at least I hope it does, seeing as it’s a look I sometimes where!). But smoky eye with a loud outfit or shiny top or something is too much.

    4. AnonasaurusRex*

      Yeah this isn’t smoky eye like dramatic going to the club stuff with winged liner. Blending two colors of eye shadow can give a smoky eye effect while still being very neutral.

    5. Dani*

      Yep, I work at an ad agency and you can definitely wear a light-to-medium-drama smokey eye without anyone caring. Heavy eyeliner or a bold red lip is also fine, but if you did heavy eyeliner AND a bold lip it might be too “night look.”

      Day-to-day, most women in my office wear “no makeup makeup” (foundation, mascara, maybe a neutral lip color). A couple are more into makeup and will do some some shimmery eyeshadow or bold eyeliner. I will often wear a bold lip or use some color with my eyeshadow but I keep it light overall.

      1. srs*

        That’s what I do, and on the days I bike to work I’ll apply my makeup in the office bathroom. But it takes me 3-5 minutes max, so I never thought it might be an issue until I read all the comments today saying that it’s inappropriate no matter what.

        1. srs*

          I mean that I do the “no makeup makeup” of a light foundation, setting powder, mascara and neutral lip. I don’t have a long bike commute, but it’s just long enough for me to sweat off my makeup in the summer, so I’ll usually change my top and put on very minimal makeup once I get to work.

      2. Artemesia*

        When I read this I am so glad I worked in a professional field where the norm was a little lipstick and maybe a hint of natural eye shadow. The idea of having to apply a layer of paint and get it right every day is totally daunting to me. I’d probably look like a clown if I attempted it. I am amazed at people who can get a natural look with foundation and brow, eyelash, eye shadow, blush etc.

        1. Dani*

          Nobody *has* to wear makeup at my office… there are certainly women who come in bare-faced and no one cares. Some of us enjoy wearing it. Like I said, it’s an ad agency; a lot of us are creative types and makeup is just another expression of that.

          1. Julia*

            And as someone who, at 28, still struggles with redness and acne, taking away my right to wear foundation would make me VERY uncomfortable (and look even younger)…

      3. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

        I always think it looks totally weird when people do a dramatic eye without also doing a strong lip to match. It looks top heavy/unbalanced, and like they forgot to finish their makeup.

        I’m the type of person who thinks that all human beings (including men and other genders) should be able to wear as much or as little makeup as they please, in whatever situation, at any time, for any reason AND be taken as seriously as anyone else, because there is no logical or reasonable basis for doing otherwise that I’ve been able to find in decades of thought on the matter, so I can’t comment on the “too much” or “too little” aspects, because as far as I’m concerned those don’t actually exist.

    6. KitKat*

      Tangentially, one thing that I find so intriguing about the makeup is that on the one hand women can be judged for not caring about makeup (and supposedly by extension their appearance) but also judged as shallow/tacky/etc for putting in too much effort with foundation, eye makeup, etc. It’s like whenever I compliment another woman’s clothing, about 70% of the time she’ll exclaim how comfy it is. Because not caring about fashion is bad but caring so much you wear uncomfortable clothing would also be bad.

      2. Parenthetically*

        I spend A LOT of time on this with my teenage students. Like, society does this to us enough, let’s not do it to each other as well. Opt out of the “My Performative Femininity is Better than Your Performative Femininity” game.

      3. Scott*

        It’s like how people think I’m weird when I wear freshly pressed white tie at work, but call the cops when I don’t.

      6. whingedrinking*

        “You don’t need to wear makeup! You’re beautiful without it!” Then on the days you don’t wear it, you get asked if you’re okay because you look tired/sick.

        1. Mad Baggins*

          This! I was a bit run-down from working out at the gym too hard, and was told “wow, you look really sick!” Then on Friday I wore foundation and blush and was told “looks like you’re feeling better!”

        2. Wet Coast*

          Exactly!
          In university I’d have late nights and couldn’t face (hah!) doing anything more than stumble into the closet on some mornings and hope for the best.
          Makeup was hit and miss. I won’t ever forget the prof who asked if I needed to go home as I was so pale. She was worried about me.
          I now wear eyeliner, mascara, and blush every day to ward that kind of thing off.

    7. Parenthetically*

      Egads I love a smokey eye! I can’t do makeup to save my life (BB cream and mascara are absolutely my maximum right now) but I seriously admire the artistry that goes into a beautifully-executed smokey eye. And some of them are for sure work appropriate!

    8. Big Burger*

      It also really hinges on how the smoky eye works with your face. My mother is a very pale white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. A smokey eye is dramatic on her, and would not be appropriate in many white-collar professional settings. My father and his family are from India. The women in his family are brown with dark eyes and black hair, and heavy eye makeup suits them well, and they can and do wear it in all kinds of professional contexts. I’m in the middle, and I can wear heavier makeup than my mother but less than my cousins. When my mom does my makeup she wonders why I look like I’m not wearing makeup, and when my cousins do my makeup they’re confused by how intense it looks on me.

      1. Emi.*

        Ha, this reminds me of my sister’s theatre director, who said “Black eyeliner is for black people and insecure people.”

        1. Lemondrop*

          I’m pale and blonde and have blue eyes and you’ll pry my black eyeliner from my cold dead hands. It matches my black mascara. I’m not gonna wear brown eyeliner with black mascara.

          My dad used to tell me that the only blonde, blue-eyed women that wore red lipstick were prostitutes. So I never wore it until a few years ago when I realized that HELLO it looks amazing on me so f you, Dad.

          1. Big Burger*

            I don’t mean to imply that dark or heavy makeup looks bad on blonde white people!!! It looks absolutely lovely. All I meant is that the same makeup look can look very different on different people – like one person’s dramatic clubby smoky look is a very neutral, natural look on another person. I’m sure you look incredible.

          2. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

            Hahaha, my answer to BS like that was always “I don’t care” while I did it anyway.
            They would say “Change x, or you’re not going to school!”
            I’d say “I guess I’m not going to school today then!”
            Them “No wait you have to go to school!”
            I’d refuse to change x. Guess who went to school that day anyway? X-D

        2. Seriously, I'm not high*

          If only it were that simple. I have “bedroom eyes” were my eyelids are very heavy. Without eyeliner to help define them, I look stoned out of my mind. No one gets between me and my eyeliner.

          1. katastrophreak*

            I also have this (I think it’s called a ‘hooded lid’), and my daughter has this x10. When I discovered eyeliner, my mom said, “Oh my god, you have eyes?!?”

            Black eyeliner, black mascara, and tinted moisturizer. It’s all I’ve worn since I was about 15.

        3. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

          Or people who enjoy black eyeliner.
          Your sister’s theatre director sounds like an asshole.

      2. Geyn*

        This. Also, I find that it can depend on the shape of your eyes. With my mono lid, I can wear dark eyeshadow blended out from my lash line and it still look pretty natural (plus I can’t take it up too high or it will look like I got a black eye).

        My favorite winter look though has been B.B. cream, light blush, light eye makeup, and a sheer to smudged out red lip. It’s been so gray outside and I find wearing a brighter colored lip actually brightens up my face and detracts more from my undereye circles than concealers.

        1. Julia*

          Yeah, I’m a super pale brunette who sucks at eye shadow, but a bright lip in a red or berry shade will make me look so much less dead. Now if I could get my eyes to look bigger…

    10. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      An alternative photographer I used to know always had THE BEST smoky eyes on her models, and when I asked her how she did it, she said the secret was eyeshadow in tones of BRONZE, not black. Playing with the look myself, I found that it is very easy to either make it super dark and dramatic, or tone it down for a more daytime look.

  4. Lil Fidget*

    I’ll say that I don’t wear makeup, and I accept that there’s a chance I’ll be “dinged” for it on some subconscious level (like, “Lil Fidget just doesn’t seem like the kind of person that would be a Director here, I don’t see her getting promoted,” not “we don’t promote women who don’t wear makeup” – the company I work for isn’t that bad). This is somewhat sad to me, but IMO worth it not to change the way I’ve always presented to the world. Wearing makeup to me feels very sexual – it’s something I do for dates or fancy formal events when I want to look attractive to men. Having to do that at work makes me feel uncomfortable. I understand that other people feel differently.

    1. Star*

      This is where I stand, too. I’ve never felt as though I’m being dinged for not wearing makeup (plenty of women I work with don’t wear it), but I accept that it could be happening subconsciously in some ways. The only times I’ve worn makeup in the last few months have been when attending weddings, and I’d rather keep it that way. I’m not a confident makeup user, I’d hate doing it every day, and spending the time and money!

      1. Lil Fidget*

        I should add, as Ruth says below, I respect that it’s an individual choice and I wouldn’t want to work for a company where makeup was banned, either.

        1. Star*

          Oh, agreed 100%! Women (and men!) should be free to wear or not wear makeup in whatever way they most prefer.

        2. EW*

          I did have a job where you couldn’t wear makeup because of the ISO clean rooms – the particulates from makeup really messed up the air quality. Having this job broke me free from feeling like I need to wear makeup at all. I didn’t even wear that much anyways, just tinted moisturizer and mascara.

      2. TootsNYC*

        I’m not a confident makeup user, I’d hate doing it every day, and spending the time and money!

        I will say, you’ll become more confident if you actually use it, and focus on it.

        My FIL once asked me why I didn’t wear makeup. I told him, “It’s because I think I’ll turn stupid if I do.” Oh, not really, not literally, but during those formative years when I was deciding, “Do I wear makeup?” (early high school), I definitely had that “she’s not a serious person” reaction to the crowds of girls in the bathroom putting on eyeliner and talking about makeup and blush and products….
        (Sorry, makeup girls!)

        I don’t really have that reaction anymore, but it really did shape me.

        One thing I realized, though, is that I don’t feel confident about makeup precisely BECAUSE I didn’t have those formative experiences of playing with it, and focusing on it. So if I try to put on makeup, it takes a lot of mental energy and more time.
        Those girls who played around with makeup in the bathroom in high school can do their basic makeup in almost no time, with very little mental energy, because they started so early, and it’s second nature to them.

        (but yes, there’s the money aspect)

        1. Lil Fidget*

          Oh, I know how to use it. I think I look good in it when I do it for a wedding or whatever. I just have deeply conflicted feelings about having to do that in a professional setting.

        2. KarenT*

          I kinda went in the opposite direction. In my school years I wore make up every day, and was definitely hanging out in the bathroom with girls doing their makeup. It was a genuine interest for me–I loved make up and playing with it. I think it made me feel mature or grown up, perhaps. I still love make up and playing with it, but in my thirties I just don’t have the time. Most days are tinted moisturizer and mascara, but I do do more sometimes, especially on days when I have presentations or big meetings.

        3. Bleeborp*

          I went through the exact same thing! I associated makeup with being shallow or a cheerleader or someone just someone really leaning into all the negative aspects of what is expected in girls and women. Also, on a personal level, I just didn’t want to do it because my mother wanted me to. I love my mom but she was very focused on appearance and I was very much pushing against that. So I didn’t really wear makeup until I was well into my 20’s (when I really needed a job and the place that hired me had makeup and you had to wear it to work!) Even after that I was iffy on makeup and didn’t really get into it until the past couple years (I’m 35!) I hate that yes, I do spend a dumb amount of money on it but it’s fun and I’ve shaken off the negative associations. Youtube has really helped in teaching me about how to apply makeup in a way that I finally like it and it comes easily but it also enables a lot of buying but I’m trying to be better about that!

    2. Boredatwork*

      Some mascara and a stained chapstick go a long way. If you ever want to feel more “made-up” at work with too much extra effort or feeling overly sexualized.

      1. Coywolf*

        Ooh yes I agree, I was pretty bummed when I lost my tinted chapstick because it really helped to keep me from looking too… undone haha

        1. SweetTooth*

          If you’re looking for a cheap replacement, I like some of the Maybelline Baby Lips tinted balms. Some of them surprise me with how bright the color is, but others give the “my lips but better” vibe. For a pricier version, I am obsessed with the Sugar by Fresh line. They are lemony and delicious and the right amount of tint for me.

    3. hermit crab*

      This is somewhat sad to me, but IMO worth it not to change the way I’ve always presented to the world.

      I agree – being dinged for not wearing makeup is a tradeoff I’m willing to make. For me, it’s not that it feels sexual, necessarily, it’s just uncomfortable and I prefer not to (I’m pretty sure the only time I’ve worn makeup as an adult was at my wedding). That said, I am fortunate to “good” skin (thanks, genes from grandma!) and I also wear glasses so I feel that lessens the need for eye makeup.

      1. TheCupcakeCounter*

        I agree that glasses can absolutely negate the “need” for eye makeup. I wear it because I tend to look sort of all one color (fair to medium tone skin, light brown hair, medium brown eyes…)

      2. Another GenX Dev Manager*

        I often think of makeup as my battle armor. So if I am going to give a presentation or have a tough meeting or am just feeling blah on a given morning then I might prioritize the time to put on makeup (I generally wear lipstick all the time). Sometimes I go through a month or two where I do it every day because I can/I want to. I’m in tech, so I can get away without wearing it.

        Of the women on my team I’d say none of us wear it every day, although I think a fair number of us do wear a light foundation/tinted moisturizer) – it hasn’t really affected perceptions of competence that I can tell and it seems to be mixed with the few women at a higher level – some do wear it, some don’t bother. But that also applies to how everyone dresses – some trend more formal, others more casual.

        I do find I can a) get away with not wearing makeup with my glasses and b) also get away with a lot bolder/brighter colors because the glasses help mute them.

        1. KL*

          That’s how I view mine. In my mind, I’m like “I fought the eyeliner and won. On to the next battle, teapot color appeals!” Sometimes I add a roar for dramatic emphasis.

          1. Kendra*

            +1 for “I fought the eyeliner and won,” because that’s pretty much how it feels every time I try to put on eyeliner!

          2. Anon Librarian*

            +1 and I’m totally stealing the “fought the eyeliner and won”! I still manage to stab myself in the eye at least one day a week!

        2. Bleeborp*

          That’s something I like about wearing glasses, too, because some days I will try something new with my eyeshadow and it may or may not have worked but my glasses and the glare do a good job of dulling it! I tried a winged liner today using this weird stamp and it’s…a look. But my glasses will hopefully keep anyone from getting too focused on it!

        3. Amber T*

          Your use of “battle armor” reminded me of BBC’s Sherlock’s Irene Adler’s idea of battle armor, which is showing up to a battle of wits with Sherlock… completely naked. Which does indeed throw him through a loop, leaves him vulnerable and susceptible, and let’s her do her job. Probably not recommended in the real workplace though!

      3. Kelly L.*

        Yep. I just don’t like the feel of it, or the process of putting it on, and I’ve learned that people react better to Kelly-who-never-wears-makeup than to Kelly-who-wears-makeup-and-then-skips-it-one-day. The former is just sort of shrugged at and accepted, the latter gets questions about whether I’m sick.

        I do feel weird being dressed up (i.e. beyond business casual) without it, so I’m probably wearing it if there’s a party or wedding or awards banquet.

      4. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

        I once met a woman who was wearing a pair of really amazing, unique, artistic looking aqua/turquoise blue glasses frames. When I complimented them and we started talking, she told me she didn’t like wearing eye makeup so she decided she would invest in super high quality frames that were interesting, artisanal etc instead. By that time she had basically amassed a wardrobe of different frames and would wear different ones all the time.
        I thought that was such a creative idea!

    4. Teapot librarian*

      *raises hand* This is me. I probably did apply a small amount of makeup before I was interviewed for my current position (put on in the bathroom at work) but haven’t since. (Also I haven’t worn heels since my interview.)

    5. Q*

      I never wear makeup. Have I lost out on jobs for that? I don’t know, maybe. But I’m not going to change a fairly significant part of my routine for maybe-getting-a-different-job.

      1. Personal Best In Consecutive Days Lived*

        I don’t wear makeup either but in my casual dress code industry I know this hasn’t cost me a job.
        Not that I’d want one where minutiae of my appearance was a deal breaker.

    6. Gyratory Circus*

      This is me, too. I actually had one boss in my first job (in hospital finance) tell me I needed to wear makeup to be taken seriously, even though we were also required to wear suits/formal business attire at work already.

      1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

        If I ever worked at a place like that, I’d tell them I’d be perfectly happy to comply when they ALSO need to wear makeup to be taken seriously.

        Otherwise you are dealing with sexism, and double standards, and the potential for a sexual harassment lawsuit.

        1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

          GAH
          *When they ALSO tell MEN they need to wear makeup to be taken seriously.

    7. Bridgette*

      I don’t wear makeup to work, either, and I don’t feel as thought it has “dinged” me in anyway. I have sensitive skin and most moderately-priced makeup severely irritates that and the “good stuff” that doesn’t is way too much. I have a small stock of the good stuff that I will wear to a wedding or special event.

    8. Tavie*

      samesies. I think my appearance is probably holding me back in some ways – not just makeup but the daily ponytail and jeans/sneakers – but I’m willing to accept that.

    9. WellRed*

      I totally respect not wearing makeup and don’t bat an eye at those who don’t. But, I am glad l can minimize dark circles, cover zits etc. It gives me a bit of confidence

      1. Breda*

        Yeah. I started wearing makeup when I started an internship in NYC – it felt very Grown-Up and Professional, part of an outfit that included pencil skirts and blazers and high heels that didn’t come from Payless. But when my psoriasis flared and covered half my face, it helped SO MUCH that I was already comfortable applying and wearing makeup. I felt like a monster without it! It probably wasn’t as noticeable as I felt it was, but I just couldn’t bear it.

      2. Triumphant Fox*

        I had terrible acne growing up and makeup became essential to my self-esteem. I got really, really good at concealing and shifting attention to my eyes instead. I worked hard to make a lot of makeup look natural. When I went to college, I did a big 2-week rough hiking trip as part of the orientation process and makeup, deodorant, etc. weren’t allowed. When I got back to campus, the girls in my cabin were like -“Wow, you look amazing!” when I had makeup on. Now that I have very little acne, I’ve gradually reduced my makeup and have really pared it down to the essentials – it takes me 3 minutes for work in the morning, but I can stretch that out a lot if it’s a special occasion.
        For me, it makes me feel put together – like I look alert and a little more polished, but I rarely go all out anymore. Making an effort is much more about the hair, which I find myself putting up every day because it’s easy.

    10. Aurion*

      This is where I stand too. Most cheap makeup also don’t feel all that comfortable–they don’t break me out but they make my skin itch at least a little. I don’t like makeup so I’ve never tried higher end brands.

      Besides, I wear glasses, don’t take well to contacts, and have some eyelid issues, so even minimal eye makeup usually presents problems. Mascara stains my glasses (I have long eyelashes, even tiny amounts of mascara ends up hitting my glasses), and my eyelid issues means eyeliner is out despite loving how I look with eyeliner.

      I would never want to take a job where I feel I have to put on a public face (PR, journalism, law, whatever).

      1. Breda*

        In case you want to try again, waterproof mascara might work better – it’s significantly less smudgey even when it’s not exposed to water. I recommended that to a friend who had the same problem with her glasses, and she was pleased!

      2. TootsNYC*

        my lashes brush my glasses too (so smeary the next day when I use a night-time dry-eye ointment), and I always use an eyelash curler if I want to wear mascara.

        Otherwise, the mascara-coated lashes drag against the glass and it’s uncomfortable.

        But the curler works great. I’m not as practiced at using it as I could be, since I wear mascara about 5 times a year.

    11. I'll come up with a clever name later.*

      I was the kid with the unpainted face on Halloween insisting that my friends pretend that I was green like the Wicked Witch of the West. :)
      I don’t like the feeling of “stuff” on my face so I really don’t wear makeup. Moisturizer is about all I can handle on my face …. and even this bothers me a bit.
      That being said…I do

    12. Tara2*

      Yea, there’s nothing that could make me wear makeup everyday to work. I never learned to do it well, and I have a weird touch… thing, where I cannot stand the feeling of it *at all* (also can’t stand the feeling of moisturizers, sunscreen, or even the feeling of rubbing a dry towel on me after a shower so I just sit there dripping until I’m dry). I’d actually rather be in pain than deal with the feeling of this stuff (which is evidenced by how the sunscreen thing plays out every summer).

      Hopefully I don’t get dinged too hard on this professionally, because I don’t think its ever going to change for me.

      1. mrs__peel*

        I also hate the feeling of sunscreen, and I’ve taken to wearing UPF clothing with long sleeves for extra sun protection.

        Coolibar, Patagonia, and REI have some nice sun-protective clothing, if you’re ever looking for any. Coolibar in particular has some nice cardigans, dresses, etc., that look nice enough for business-casual office wear.

        1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

          I hate the feeling of sunscreen too, and almost all lotions and moisturizers. Anything oily or greasy. For me, it’s a sensory processing issue.

          1. CatMom*

            I know this is way late and I’ve stumbled onto this thread months onward, but Glossier’s sunscreen is the best! It’s not greasy or heavy and it doesn’t get sticky. Supposedly it also has a bunch of antioxidants that “neutralize free radicals” and I’m not even going to pretend to know if that’s A Thing or not, but it’s a great lightweight sunscreen and it doesn’t leave any residue.

    13. JeanB in NC*

      I haven’t worn makeup in years, possibly decades. If I have an interview or I’m going to a social event, I might wear a tinted moisturizer and maybe some blush just to even out my skin tone, but mascara and eye liner make my eyes hurt. I wouldn’t feel comfortable at a job where I had to get dressed way up every day (like big law or finance) and that includes the idea of a full makeup job every day.

      I actually think that’s why I have such good skin in comparison to many women my age – no makeup, no tanning, and of course no smoking.

      1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

        No smoking & no tanning, yes. I am the same. I’ve also worn heavy makeup for most of the last 3.5 decades, and had beautiful skin, because my makeup protected it.
        I got really sick for a long time and got out of the habit of wearing makeup, and my skin definitely does not the same since then.

    14. NJ Anon*

      Ditto! And, yes, I was promoted regardless. I would not work anywhere make up was required unless the men had to wear it too.

    15. lauraxe*

      I love the process of applying makeup, and wearing it, but I almost never wear it to work – not unless we’re having an event. Fortunately I work at a fairly casual nonprofit so it’s never been an issue, but I would struggle in a company / role where you “had” to wear makeup every day… unless the men were expected to as well. It feels like a very gendered and punitive expectation; women shouldn’t have to spend extra time and money when men can just wear their normal faces every day without it being a thing.

      1. SL #2*

        I’m the same way! I love makeup and I really enjoy taking 15 mins and doing it for myself, but for work, I use eyeliner and lipstick. That’s it. My priority is getting out the door on time, not the state of my foundation!

        However, if we have an event or a big meeting, I’ll definitely wake up earlier so I can take my time doing a full face at home.

    16. Isben Takes Tea*

      I don’t wear makeup either, and it’s hard to know if it has affected anyone’s perception of me, because I thankfully worked in an office that didn’t generally comment on people’s appearances.

      Though I was bemused when a coworker complimented me on my eye makeup one day. I managed to get out a “Thank you!” without divulging that they were really just sleep-deprivation dark circles.

      But it made me think that some people assume you’re wearing makeup, even if it’s super minimal, so perhaps you won’t get “dinged” as much as you fear (industry dependant, of course).

    17. D.W.*

      I agree. I’m also part of the group that doesn’t wear makeup and has never worn it.

      It came up once when I was working for high-end women’s retailer in college that management would like us to be more presentable by wearing makeup and jewelry. I also don’t wear jewelry. I’d already been working with the company for two years, did great work, and wasn’t about to change or add another expense for them. I simply told them no, and I kept my job.

      I have wondered if, now that I’m in the professional workforce, my lack of makeup and jewelry “dings” me, but I know I wouldn’t care enough to change anything.

      1. Lil Fidget*

        Weirdly, I loooooveee jewelry and always get excited to wear it – somehow that feels like it’s “for me” versus being about being sexually appealing to men, which I admit is just arbitrary personal preference. I have privately hoped that wearing nice earrings might be offsetting the “unprofessional / unpolished” knock people might be giving me for not wearing makeup at work.

        1. D.W.*

          I’m sure it does! I have nothing against jewelry and often compliment those who have accessorized well.

          It was not an image that I grew up with, and we weren’t encouraged to wear it. I tried to experiment with necklaces and bracelets in college and I felt ridiculous. I can’t even wear nail polish or I start holding my awkwardly and can’t get anything done!

          I’m just a plain Jane, but that never stopped my dating life (now married) and no one has ever commented on my appearance aside from the common, “You look so young!”

        2. BadPlanning*

          I also do not wear make up, but love jewelry. I put in different earrings every day. If I’m not wearing a scarf, I usually put on a necklace.

    18. ThatGirl*

      My basic, everyday makeup is the typical “no makeup” look – I use a little primer, powdered base and concealer to even out my skin tone, reduce shine, and feel more put together. (I usually add some mascara, but I don’t need it to feel put together.)

      And while I TOTALLY support every person’s right to wear or not wear whatever they choose, to me that’s not the same as wearing dramatic eye makeup or bold lipstick, I don’t see anything sexual in wanting my blotchy skin to look more even.

      1. Lil Fidget*

        Yeah I should have clarified, that’s just about how I personally feel about it, I don’t go around thinking other women are using their sexual whiles to get ahead, or whatever. As with most people who aren’t “in the know” on something, I probably don’t even notice anybody else’s makeup at all or realize that they’re wearing it.

      2. Bleeborp*

        It’s interesting to me that it’s a common theme in these comments that wearing makeup feels sexualized to some women. I can totally understand it- especially if they tend to only have put it on when they were younger going out or going on dates. But for me, I really didn’t start wearing it regularly until pretty deep into my marriage and he doesn’t notice one way or another unless I’m wearing something really weird like blue lipstick. I just started wearing it because I like the way it looks- I don’t even think it looks more or less professional (I’m a librarian and the majority don’t wear much visible makeup) it just looks cool to me (of course, staying within reason at work, the blue lipstick would be a little much!)

    19. HB*

      Agreed. I’m in a pretty casual industry in terms of looks (academia) but I always wonder in the back of my mind if I’m being overlooked for things because I refuse to wear makeup. I try to dress fairly stylishly and professionally and I have my total frizz-hair mostly under control. I hate wearing makeup because of the time it takes and it dries out my skin, my eyes, etc. Honestly the whole makeup expectation makes me pretty furious. I can understand doing it because you do want to be competitive in your industry but…completely sexist that those expectations exist for women and not men.

      I mean, I have male coworkers who are out of shape, come in to work with crazy unkempt hair, stains on their shirts, old ratty suits from the 1970’s, or the ubiquitous cargo shorts-polo shirts-socks-and-sandals combo. And they are PARAGONS of their field. But I have baggy under eyes and I’m not professional enough for a director position? Ok.

      1. Nicole Maria*

        I just want to say I hear you and it makes me mad too.
        I don’t have anything against people who choose to wear a full face of makeup, but it makes me so mad when someone’s natural face/hair/whatever isn’t considered “professional”.

        1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

          It’s because we still live in a stupid sexist world where women are first & foremost valued by appearance and everything else is secondary.

          In a better world, all humans of all genders would be taken seriously no matter whether they wore makeup or not, no matter how much or how little they wear, whether they style their hair, how they style their hair, or what color it is.
          At 51, I *STILL* can’t understand why people care so effing much about what other people look like. Appearance truly means NOTHING. In my long experience I have found that appearance has ZERO to do with whether someone is professional, responsible, trustworthy, honest, hardworking, and so on (I will urge people to remember things like Enron, Bernie Madoff, and the Wall Street financial collapse that negatively affected the economy of THE ENTIRE WORLD- hideous scams pulled off by conservative, clean cut professionals in suits & ties, not people dressed in old jeans & dirty t-shirts or Mohawks & leather or glitter & stripper heels) and it’s far past time people learned that.

    20. Elephant*

      I had a former boss try to ding me for it, and not even subconsciously, but it didn’t work. I had a job offer for a different position at the same company and new boss asked if she could call old boss for a final reference check (she wasn’t on my original list since she didn’t know I was looking) and I said fine since at that point I was going to tell her anyway. Old boss felt the need to share random information with new boss based on her opinion of some things about me, that I had no idea she focused so much on. The things she said were: I didn’t wear makeup (actually not true at the time – when I had started that job I felt like I had to wear makeup so I had been all along, but not nearly as much as her, and mine definitely didn’t cost what hers did (her luggage got lost once while traveling for work and she asked the airline to compensate her for the $500 of duplicate makeup she had to purchase during the interim of not having her things)), I rode my bike to work, and I wasn’t from the state where we worked (we worked for a state institution) and I wasn’t even from that part of the country. To which new boss was stunned as to how to respond and how all of that had any bearing on my work. Since it didn’t I still got the new job and now knew that I definitely did the right thing in leaving – these weird opinions of me by old boss explained a lot in terms of why I could never get ahead in that job. And now, as of a few years ago, I wear no makeup at all, for anything. So much easier and freeing!
      And as for putting on makeup at work, during one of my phases where I wore some makeup, I would often put it on in a work bathroom when I changed my clothes after riding my bike to work and as far as I know that was fine. At my current job there is someone who is often putting on her makeup in the bathroom but she stays out of the way so I don’t see a problem with it.

    21. CleverGirl*

      I also don’t wear makeup to work, although I admit I wear it for interviews because I know that women have less chance of being offered a job if they look less attractive, and even though I hate this, it’s the world I live in. On average I probably wear makeup about 10 times a year.

    22. CG*

      I am very weird as in that I hardly ever wear makeup but I love makeup! I have a huge collection.

      I just wash my face, use toner, and use moisturizer in the mornings before work. I value my sleep too much.

    23. nonymous*

      I’ve been doing more video conferencing lately and found that a little bit of BB cream and tinted chapstick does wonders. Without it, my complexion looks blotchy on the screen, even though in real life it doesn’t seem to make a huge difference either way.

    24. I will kill people with this cricket bat*

      I generally don’t wear make-up to work (sometimes I do, because I do like make-up) and I’ve never been dinged for it (I’m an executive manager).

      My reasoning for not always wearing make-up is this: I have a three year old daughter. I want her to know that make-up is fun and ok and that there’s nothing wrong with people who wear make-up (hence why I wear it sometimes), but I refuse to have her believe that make-up is the currency she has to pay to exist in this world as a woman. This is true for any predominately female trapping (high-heels, long hair, etc.)

    25. BookCocoon*

      I also don’t wear makeup and have wondered idly whether it has impacted my career, but it doesn’t seem to have — it probably helps that I’m not really a ladder climber and have gone more for positions with technical expertise.

      I had a conversation with some women at lunch recently who all said they wished they’d never started wearing makeup because now they have to wear it every day or people will ask, “What’s wrong?” or say, “You look tired.”

      1. Thlayli*

        A woman in my job who spends 20 mins every morning in the locker room said the exact same thing to me. “I wish I’d never started”.

    26. Thlayli*

      I also feel makeup is about looking sexually attractive more than anything. I know there are women (and men) who just wear it to look good for themselves but for me I always just thought of it as something you do when you’re going out on the pull and it would feel really weird to me to wear it in a workplace. I only wear it on presentation days or meeting with important clients. Or interviews. And even then it’s very low key and understated. When I’m going out I look totally different.

      1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

        I once dated a guy that told me “Now that you have a boyfriend, you don’t need to wear makeup anymore.” I LAUGHED at him. I don’t wear makeup to attract men or be sexually desirable and never have (and indeed, the type of makeup/looks I enjoy are pretty much guaranteed to be a turn-OFF for most men.)
        I don’t think I know/knew a single woman who thinks makeup is for anyone but themselves, and that’s including my grandmother who was a flapper, and my mom & aunt who both grew up in the 30s.
        It makes me kind of sad to find that 30 years after I had that shithead boyfriend, that idea still persists.

    27. whingedrinking*

      I used to have a male housemate who was in fashion, and we shared a bathroom. Another roommate scolded me once for leaving stuff all over the counter, and wouldn’t believe me when I told her that in fact most of it was his. The only kind of beauty product I used and he didn’t was lipstick. He told me at one point that in his line of work, he could maybe ditch the eyeliner and mascara, but he liked the way they made his eyes look (he was Taiwanese and acutely conscious of Western beauty standards). The rest of it – all the skin and hair stuff – was absolutely essential for being considered presentable at his job. It was a bit surreal to me.

    28. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      I have talked to other people (both men & women) who feel makeup is a thing women do specifically to be more attractive to men, period. I find this attitude so strange. Makeup *can* be for looking good to the opposite (or same) sex, but mainly makeup is for FUN! For play! For fashion (like creatively matching your eyeshadow to your outfits)! For the enjoyment and satisfaction of the woman, man, or other-gendered person using it! :-D
      At least, that’s how it’s always been for me.
      I don’t wear makeup regularly anymore, but when I did/do I tend to wear a boatload of colorful products and dramatic looks. Even my less made up/toned down looks do not look neutral or natural. I definitely do not wear my makeup in ways that are pleasing or attractive to men, except maybe a small niche group. But it is pleasing and attractive to ME, which is all I really care about.

  5. Sara*

    I use just eyeliner and mascara every day, but I know people that range from nothing to a full face of makeup. I think whatever you’re comfortable in is fine for the most part. Though it’d be a little weird if you swung wildly from no makeup to smokey eye every few days.

    Except glitter, that seems like the one line I’d say you can’t cross. Only because it gets on EVERYTHING and actually affects other people :)

    1. Just a Thought*

      That is such a good point. I have a co-worker who usually wears no make-up and sneakers and then every once in a while (for not apparent work reason) she’ll show up in full make-up and heels. It always makes me do a double take!

    2. Caelyn*

      I’m in the same boat as you, essentially. I do wear a light foundation and powder to even my skintone and a little bronzer to add some color/not look as “flat”, but the only noticeable makeup I wear is eyeliner and mascara.

    3. saffytaffy*

      I wear glitter on my eyes or lips at my job about once a week and don’t have fallout. That’s what setting spray is for. :)

    4. Elemeno P.*

      I’m a very light makeup person (concealer under my eyes and occasionally eyeliner), but I do wear glitter nail polish. This is partially because it helps me not bite my nails and partially because I’m a volunteer princess for sick children after work once a week (where I do wear a lot of makeup) and it looks more princess-y for them.

      I don’t know if my bosses notice the glitter nail polish or not, but they do know about my volunteering so I think they wouldn’t say anything on that basis alone.

      1. Purplesaurus*

        I’m a volunteer princess for sick children after work once a week

        That is amazing! And sounds pretty fun.

    6. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      Hahaha! I totally am one of those people who wears either no makeup at all, or a shit-ton.

  6. LadyL*

    I’m always running late so I seldom wear it. I have bad skin and perma-bags, so I’m glad I work in a progressive enough place that it’s not an issue. Sometimes I make an effort on like the first day with the kids I teach to wear it, because I don’t want them to see my eye bags and haggard face and think I’m already tired of them on day 1, lol.

    But still that’s only sometimes. I can barely get showered and dressed on time, if I felt I had to add in a full face and hair routine my employers wouldn’t see me until noon!

    1. ArtsNerd*

      Ditto on saving those precious few seconds on a late morning! And I’m relieved I don’t actually have to look polished for my job. I’m quite good at makeup (used to do stage makeup all the time with ballet) and enjoy dressing up and doing makeup for special occasions. But oh boy, when I’m dashing out the door with my keys in my teeth because I’m putting on my jacket while I sprint to the car… Yeah, it’s just not something that comes easily to me on a day-to-day basis.

    2. EddieSherbert*

      I feel you ;)
      Sleep > makeup!

      I even keep an extra stick of deodorant in my desk because sometimes I’m rushing so much… I forget that too *embarrassed look*

  7. Ruth (UK)*

    I have never worn make up in my life (or, I can count the times I have. Eg. When I was 7 and had blue eye shadow in a play, and once when I was at uni and I let someone have a go at putting some on me, etc). I have no idea how to apply it and prefer not to wear it.

    With that in mind I’m lucky it’s never been an expectation in any of my jobs (currently university admin, previously hospital appointment booking (call centre) and even more previously food/retail work).

    It’s also something that would honestly be a deal-breaker for me. I would never take a job that expected or required me to wear make up (and would leave one that started requiring it) unless my financial and other circumstances meant I had no other choice.

    That said, I also think it should be an individual choice. While it wouldn’t personally affect me, I would also be upset if a policy banned the wearing of makeup unless there was a relevant and work related reason why it couldn’t or shouldn’t be worn.

    3. Steph*

      This is my situation as well. I’m 31 and just never really got into makeup, outside of playing around with it in my early teenage years. I don’t even know what half that stuff is, let alone know how to apply it. It’s never affected me at work as far as I can tell. I do have the advantage of having naturally nice skin, like nice enough that I get compliments on it.

      1. Ruth (UK)*

        I think I am neither good or bad looking enough to be of note. I do have quite a big mole on my chin which I need to shave, and I can get quite spotty when I am on my period (ps. I’m 27, not a teenager) but most of the time I’m quite plain looking. I’m pale skinned and blonde haired.

    4. Red Reader*

      Same, I’ve never worn makeup that wasn’t like, pancake makeup for a Halloween costume, and I’ve never had any professional issues that I know of. But I also work in a fairly female dominated field – I’m in medical finance/administration, my team is 90% women, and the next man in my reporting structure is at least four levels up from me, like at the hospital VP level.

    5. Grey*

      I’ll tread lightly here, but but as a man, this is something I don’t understand about women. Makeup seems unnecessary to me and I think you look fine without it.

      1. Purplesaurus*

        Sometimes when non-makeup wearers think people aren’t wearing makeup, it’s just that they are wearing a “natural” look. They do indeed have makeup on. So I always question whether people (and it is mostly men) who say this are actually aware of the difference.

        As an example, my husband and I were binging old seasons of Walking Dead, and I commented how it seemed unfair that they allowed Andrea to wear more makeup than the other female characters. My husband said he didn’t realize any of them were wearing makeup.

        1. Purplesaurus*

          And to address your question about not understanding why women wear makeup… boy, that’s a really complex issue ranging from cultural/social expectations to individual preference. I can’t think of a perfect analogy, but it might be somewhat akin to why some men wear beards and others don’t. I don’t know if saying, “beards seem unnecessary to me and I think you look fine without one” would change anything about your decision to have a beard or not. Would it?

        2. Triumphant Fox*

          This. My husband is very “you shouldn’t wear makeup” – it’s one of the very few sticking points in our marriage – but without fail, if I do my makeup a little bit, he compliments me more. There is a real difference between his philosophical views on makeup and his actual reaction to makeup in the moment. I have moved toward much, much lighter makeup because of him and it has honestly really helped my self esteem to have him encourage me not to wear it, but I get frustrated that he can’t see that I do, objectively, look a little better with a skin tone that’s more even, eyes that are more defined, and under eyes that aren’t such an intense shade of purple.

          1. Julia*

            If my husband ever told me what I should and shouldn’t do, I would tell him he should walk out the door. Especially something so trivial as make-up – he has no say in that. Unless it’s like “you shouldn’t wear make-up in bed because I’m the one washing the sheets”.

            1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

              Same. I have a very non-conventional look, and have dated several men (non-conventional themselves) who would then want me to “tone it down” or look more feminine, normal, or to their preferred specifications of unconventional. I told every single one of them to fuck off, and did whatever the hell I wanted.
              None of these relationships lasted more than a few months.

        3. Miss Betty*

          I had a boyfriend, back when I was 23, who didn’t like to see women wearing makeup. Or so he said – but he frequently pointed out actresses and models he thought were pretty. I’d tell him that they were wearing makeup, at least 7 different products, and his answer was always no they weren’t, I was just jealous. !!! (Sadly I dated him for 2 more years and it only ended because he dumped me. Happily, that was over half my lifetime ago and I have much more self confidence now. Today I wouldn’t put up with the things he’d say to me or the way he treated me. Aging has great benefits!)

        4. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

          LOL! Is your husband not aware that on stage and screen (both big and small) all actors, regardless of gender, are wearing makeup?

      2. Clarice Fitzpatrick*

        The thing is, it’s going to be different for every woman. Lots of women genuinely like makeup. Lots of women like makeup but only in certain contexts. Lots of women obviously also don’t like or feel neutral about makeup and may or may not wear it depending on the situation. It’s complicated because there is a wider culture of sexism that wants women to looks a certain way and the makeup industry is a part of this. This can bleed into the workplace and so some people will judge women for not wearing makeup, or not wearing the right makeup, or not looking “naturally” pretty enough.

        I mainly say this because there are a lot of factors at hand besides whether makeup is favored by someone who doesn’t wear it. You can’t assume everyone who wears makeup hates it or loves it.

        Also, I know when I’ve worn makeup, it’s not exactly just for one person and more how I reflect in a certain situation (such as job interviews). I know for me, as someone who has mixed feelings about makeup, it’s about projecting a certain image in situations where it’s more favorable to look polished and feminine. I don’t necessarily assume everyone will judge me if I don’t wear makeup but if my odds are unknown, I’ll prepare for that risk.

        (Additionally, and I don’t want to assume stuff about you but as a general point, there’s sometimes a tendency among people who don’t wear makeup to be unable to spot whether someone is wearing makeup. Such as someone with a “natural look” is complimented as someone with no makeup when in fact it’s just minimal, non-dramatic makeup. So sometimes when I hear, “Women look fine without makeup,” I’m not sure if they actually mean that or if they don’t know what no makeup can look like.)

        1. Amber T*

          Plus a million to your last point. I love playing around with make up and will go crazy with colors and fun stuff on the weekends. I keep it neutral for work – various shades of brown eye shadow, black eyeliner, and mascara for work. Occasionally, because I’m rushed or I just don’t feel like it, I’ll skip the bulk of the make up and do a light eyeliner and mascara, and I get “oh, you’re so young and fresh faced without make up!” Nope, still got the make up on. Even more occasionally, when I’m post migraine and I know I’ll be rubbing my eyes constantly, or I bump into a coworker when I’m out and about and not wearing make up, I get the “oh, are you sick? You look awful!” Nope, just not wearing make up.

      4. ThatGirl*

        I would venture a guess that when you THINK a woman is not wearing makeup, but just has “nice skin”… she’s probably wearing makeup.

        I mean, I think women look fine without makeup too – I think people should do whatever they want – but a lot of times when guys say “women don’t need makeup” what they really mean is eyeliner, heavy blush, mascara, lipstick… the “noticeable” makeup. As opposed to foundation or powder or what have you.

      5. LBK*

        I would hazard a guess that you actually see very few women every day who are wearing literally no makeup, so you probably have less of a basis for comparison than you think.

      6. SarahTheEntwife*

        Please never say this to an individual woman unless she specifically asks for your opinion. It’s hugely frustrating to have men comment on something that frequently isn’t even slightly about them.

        1. Julia*

          This. I’ve already bagged a man (if that’s what people think make-up is about) and he doesn’t care whether I wear it or not, but I wear it when I go to work or to meet people because I like not looking like someone hit me in the eyes or like I’m about to faint (I am very pale and prone to redness). I’m NOT wearing it so some guy thinks I’m hot.

        2. Grey*

          I said I’d tread lightly because I suspected someone would find sexism where there wasn’t any.

      7. sam*

        I can’t think of a single woman I know that wears makeup (or not) based on what men think. It may not be ‘necessary’, but neither are ties, or jewellery, or cargo shorts. People are gonna do what they’re gonna do. I wear makeup because it’s fun and it suits my overall style. I know some women who wear it because they have uneven skin that they don’t want people to focus on, or they want to look more awake that day, or bright colours make them happy, or whatever.

        I mean, I personally think a lot of men would look great with makeup (and being so opposed to it is something I don’t understand about men), but that’s never gonna influence their decision to wear it. Yeah?

      8. Meliza*

        I mean this genuinely, and not in a snarky way, but it’s really important to realize that many, many women do not wear makeup in order to look good to men. There are lots of commenters here that have described their makeup as confidence boosters, “battle armor”, camouflage for skin conditions, or any number of reasons. Personally, I wear makeup because I think I look f*cking great in it and it boosts my self-esteem. I think Purplesaurus made a fantastic analogy with the beard thing – it’s a personal style preference that we do for ourselves. I recently dated a guy who did the whole “I think you’re beautiful without makeup, I don’t know why you wear it, etc” and it could not understand for the life of him why I got so annoyed with it (also, he kept saying it after I asked him to stop). He just assumed that I did it to look nice for him and that I couldn’t possibly wear makeup to look nice for myself.

        There’s also a really frustrating double standard re: makeup in society, where women who wear a lot of makeup are often viewed, even subconsciously, as shallow, or vain, and our makeup choices are picked apart, but if we don’t wear makeup, we get dinged (subconsciously) as looking haggard, or even unhygienic, or not caring enough about our appearance. It’s a tough line to walk. So if you want to understand makeup and women, understanding this part is a good place to start.

    7. Nikki T*

      Yeah, I’ve never worn make up and I have a curly fro…so people have all kinds of things they might want to hold against me. But, whatever, I get my job done…

      1. Haha*

        I know you mean well here, but … lots of women who wear makeup don’t do it based on the opinion of men, or anyone in general. I probably started wearing makeup based on societal expectations, but these days it’s something I find fun and interesting. I work in a place where it doesn’t matter if I do, and I still do cause I like how it makes my eyes look.

        My point being that it doesn’t really matter that you think we all look fine without it. Offering that opinion up isn’t somehow reassuring–men seem to frequently mention this in these discussions, as if there could be no other reason people (including men and gender binary folks!) wear makeup. It’s actually annoying and frustrating, because well, it assumes once again that something we do isn’t about our own preferences, but based on what men think of us.

        1. Haha*

          Well, that didn’t nest correctly at all. Comment fail. This was in response to commenter Grey.

  8. Penny*

    You absolutely don’t have to wear makeup to look professional. I love makeup but I only put on my eyebrows for work because I’m lazy and nobody cares what my face looks like. Like Lil Fidget, I associate makeup with going out/getting dressed up.

    1. eee*

      yeah to me the idea of doing your makeup at work, unless it’s like an emergency because you absolutely have to look super “done” at your job or there’s a special even, is so weird because like…i assume you wouldn’t go out in public and head to work in the first place if you didn’t look acceptable? like brushing my hair–if my hair got tangled by the wind i’ll brush my hair when I get in to work, but otherwise i don’t need to because…i just wouldn’t leave the apartment if my hair was truly looking like a rat’s nest, or i’d at least do it on the bus ASAP. similarly with makeup, sometimes i’ll get to work and think “whoa i look really washed out by my outfit, if i have a lipstick on me let me do a quick bright lip so i look more normal”, but it would be so weird to do a full face or more than a quick touch up because like…if I looked okay enough to get here, I look okay here. makeup isn’t necessary to look put together.

  9. Jane Snow*

    I work in a fairly low-key industry, which is nice. So makeup is commonly used but not required to look professional. I don’t wear a full face, just a bit of eye makeup so I don’t look so washed out. Most of my female colleagues use subtle coverage, light enough that most of my male colleagues or other colleagues unfamiliar with makeup probably assume they’re wearing none at all. A couple of my coworkers wear statement makeup (striking lipstick, falsies, etc.), and that’s fine too. The whole range is considered within the bounds of professionalism.

    I feel very grateful to not be in an extremely judgy industry, so people can do what they prefer. Some of my friends in more conservative industries HAVE to wear makeup and heels every day, which I think is absurd.

  10. ballpitwitch*

    It’s a sad fact that women who don’t wear makeup at work are seen as less professional – but it’s a fact that isn’t going to change anytime soon, so I feel it is necessary. I’m not the kind of person who looks significantly different without makeup, so I could probably get away with not wearing it or wearing less on a day I am feeling not too great. But if you are the kind of person who contours, etc. and it changes your appearance significantly, you could have a situation as jarring as these people who change their appearance in the middle of the day we are always hearing about. I’m not a fan of people doing their makeup after leaving the house, whether in the office bathroom or in my rear view mirror. At one office I worked at, women would plug their curling irons in in the bathroom and do their hair in the mornings. Just wake up early enough to do all this stuff before you leave your dang home!

    1. Arielle*

      I don’t think you can make a blanket statement that all women who don’t wear makeup at work are always seen as less professional when it’s so industry and office dependent. I wear either BB cream if I’m broken out, or nothing. The other women on my team also wear nothing 99% of the time. We just had a company-wide town hall and our product president gave an hourlong presentation wearing a peace sign T-shirt under a blazer and no makeup, and I don’t think anyone saw her as unprofessional.

      1. ballpitwitch*

        Honestly, after reading these comments, I am clearly in the minority haha.

        Industry is definitely important, I guess when I was thinking about it I meant professional as in “put together” or something? I think the key is not really noticing that you are wearing makeup – if I am distracted by it, it is too much. But it can also be distracting when someone has a huge imperfection or very noticeable bags under their eyes, unfortunately. I feel a lot more confident when I am wearing makeup, but if the women in this thread feel that confidence without it then more power to them!

      2. Victoria Nonprofit (USA)*

        There’s a bunch of research about this (I’ll link in a follow-up comment). Of course it varies by industry, country, company, etc. But generally: women get more opportunities and more money if they wear “natural” looking makeup.

          1. Stellz*

            I was going to post this stuff but decided to search the comments first – so glad I did and didn’t post twice!!

            The NYT article you posted was the thing that made me start wearing makeup to work – I was in my late 20s at that point so it’s hard to say if my career improved afterwards because that helped or if it was just because I finally crossed that 5-7 years threshhold though. (Also, as a data analyst, I don’t want to imply that my unique experience in any way validates/invalidates actual research!)

    2. Anonymous Ampersand*

      I’ve seen stats that in the UK, women are judged for not wearing makeup in the North, but not in the South. I think it was on the BBC years back, but I can’t point to the source. I’m in the North but honestly I don’t think I’ve ever been judged for it.

      1. Tau*

        I did wonder about country and region. I’m in Germany and I get the impression makeup is less typical here than both the US and the UK.

        1. Wren*

          My partner has a French coworker. When she first started she wore a fair bit of make up, but scaled back drastically when she realized that wasn’t he norm in their office-casual Canadian workplace. I assume that means her previous level of make up was more typical among her colleagues in France.

        2. Julia*

          Yeah, I see a lot of bare faces and “why are you wearing make-up?” judgmental women in Germany (I’m German myself). Heck, wearing dresses is uncommon in Germany.

    3. SallytooShort*

      “but it’s a fact that isn’t going to change anytime soon, ”

      Strongly disagree. It’s already changed in many professions.

      1. ballpitwitch*

        I get where you are coming from, as this thread shows that a lot of people do not think it is necessary at all.

        But I still think that there is a huge disconnect between saying it doesn’t/shouldn’t make a difference and the reality that we all make judgements based on appearance. If 2 female candidates interview for a job and they have identical qualifications, the one who looks and dresses more polished/professional/put together is probably going to make a better impression 99% of the time.

        I’m not saying this is right or that it won’t change, but I still think it’s true.

        1. Struck by Lightning*

          It’s interesting because women in my particular branch of government are often seen as LESS professional if they have more than mascara and maybe some neutral lipstick. Women who do the “full face” are mentally placed in the admin/HR lower ranks and sortof assumed to not be interested or capable of doing technical and field work (which is the stepping stone to management).

          Just as wrong as assuming the opposite, but I can honestly only think of one woman who did the full face thing that was considered good at her job outside of admins.

          1. curly sue*

            This is the same in my field (faculty in higher ed). Full makeup is for admins + staff, occasionally a grad student in something like the MBA programs. Most female faculty I work with wear minimal to no makeup, and wash-and-go low-maintenance hair. (She says, hair jammed into a bun with a handful of mis-matched bobby pins for the fourth time this week.)

          2. ballpitwitch*

            Perhaps I am biased because I am an admin! But I’m also someone who is seen as very brainy and technically savvy as well, so I don’t think wearing making places me in some sort of lowly ditz category haha.

            All I know is that the girl who wears flip flops (and no makeup, come to think of it) in my office comes off as unprofessional and incompetent. And lo and behold, she is both of these things in reality.

        2. Luna*

          I think the problem with this argument is that 1) wearing makeup in and of itself does not make someone look more polished/professional. The way the makeup is done really matters. 2) You’re assuming that the interviewer has the same values you do when it comes to appearance. But this is not always the case. Just as many people might judge you for wearing makeup as for not wearing makeup, and you don’t really have any way of knowing where the individual interviewing you falls on this spectrum.

    4. LawPancake*

      In my industry, women who wear makeup are definitely seen as more polished. Same with women who color their hair. It’s a stupid double standard but pretending it doesn’t have real world effects doesn’t stop it from effecting you. If you’re amazing at your job, it’ll be looked past, but if you’re average, then your appearance holds a little more weight. Now, in a male dominated casual dressed industry that may not be the case, but law, finance, insurance, etc. it sure is.

      1. Anon for this*

        If you’re amazing at your job, it’ll be looked past, but if you’re average, then your appearance holds a little more weight.

        Or, TBH, if you’re a WOC you’ll face a harsh penalty for not being super-polished in the ways available to you (i.e. clothes, nails, but not hair by Western standards), regardless of your job performance.

    5. BadPlanning*

      This sadly reminds of the comment my ex made to me, “Women with short hair just have to accept they’re less attractive.” I choked on my own spit.

      1. Joielle*

        This, in turn, reminds me of a comment that I’ve heard too many times, always from strangers – “I usually hate short hair on women but it actually looks good on you.” Nobody asked for your opinion!

      2. Thlayli*

        Haha. I have shaved me head twice and both times I got so many guys chatting me up. I got a lot of “you look like Sinead O’Connor”, a few “Natalie Portman” and one “Samantha Morton”. Never got told I looked like Britney Spears though.

        Tell him to YouTube the video of “nothing compares to you” and then say women with short hair are less attractive.

        1. EddieSherbert*

          +1
          I just shaved my head for the third time and I love it. And I always get far more (nice/admiring!) comments than I do with longer hair.

      3. Elizabeth H.*

        My experience is that men so rarely like short hair! I always remember this quotation I read from Michelle Williams, saying that basically every man she meets hate her short hair and that her ex-husband Heath Ledger is the only man who ever loved it, and that’s part of why she keeps it short. That really stuck with me.

    6. Falling Diphthong*

      Contrast to how you usually look matters. So if you normally have heavy contouring and eye makeup and show up without it, you look “washed out.” But if you’re normally nude/minimal and show up in heavy makeup you look “on your way to Rocky Horror.” If people were asked to rate the attractiveness of a stranger at different levels of makeup, they’d give different feedback than if a familiar person suddenly showed up looking different because Change Is Bad.

    7. sin nombre*

      I flatly reject this. If people view me as less professional because I don’t wear makeup (ever — last time was my wedding ten years ago), that’s crappy, wrong, and sexist and I’m not going to allow that to dictate my personal grooming. For what it’s worth, I work in tech as a software engineer where it sucks to be a woman in a lot of different ways, but being expected to wear makeup isn’t one of them in my experience. And I think I look just fine bare-faced — I have pretty clear, even skin (thanks mom!), high contrast coloring, and glasses that help hide or distract from my tired-looking eyes. But even if I didn’t, the hell with the fundamentally sexist idea that women’s faces have to be corrected for public viewing but men’s faces don’t.

  11. chocolate lover*

    I rarely wear it, and fall into the school of “it’s not required to look professional” though I concede it can make you look more polished in some cases.

    I overheat extremely easily, especially since I commute via public transportation, so when I do wear makeup at work, I don’t put it on until I get to work. But I also have my own office to do it in, it could be awkward doing it in a shared work bathroom. And I don’t think people should be monopolizing a single-person restroom for purposes of putting on make-up, just in case people need the bathroom for its intended purpose. At an old job, there was an older woman who came in to work with curlers, and then took them out and styled her hair in the bathroom. That struck me as too much personal groom in shared work spaces.

    Once a candidate we were interviewing had rhinestones on her nails. The rhinestones kept catching the light and flashing in the corner of my eye, distracting me the whole time. I’m visualizing the same effect with body glitter, and wouldn’t care for it. I also think body glitter is a bit too much for a professional office in general, though I know it can depend on the office.

    1. Beancounter in Texas*

      Ditto. I think makeup is a tool that helps one look professional, but I don’t think of it as required as well. Generally I don’t emphasize looks when it comes to professionalism, if only because I’ve encountered quite a few great looking people who were rude as hell.

    2. KitKat*

      I think this is the distinction to me – you can definitely look professional without makeup, just like you can look professional in cheaper clothes. But there are definitely some industries where it’s not just about looking professional but about looking polished, and I think that “polish” for women seems to depend much more on adhering to typical/traditional/white + upper-class norms of more expensive clothing, some amount of makeup, and wearing your hair a certain way, especially if it’s anything other than straight.

      (I say this as a woman who shops in thrift stores, doesn’t wear makeup, and doesn’t have straight hair, and would not work somewhere that required “polish”)

      1. Lindsay J*

        This. I can pull off professional perfectly acceptably.

        But polish is something I just can’t achieve (or. realistically, would require me to spend a lot of money and time on learning how to and obtaining the things I needed to do so, and doing it daily). I interviewed once for a high end retail position in a casino which seemed to require polish, and was both unsurprised and not upset when I didn’t get the job.

    3. Natalie*

      I also put my makeup on at work and I really can’t imagine it being a big deal, although that’s probably because it literally takes me 90 seconds (eyebrow pencil and mascara) and I could do it while peeing if I wanted to. The habit of waiting started when I was bike commuting since sweat in your eyes hurts enough without something in it, but now its kind of routine for me.

  12. Guy Incognito*

    A little while back now, I was running low on makeup so I decided to go without for about a week so I wouldn’t deplete it before I had the chance to restock. Even though I had worn it literally every other day of my time at my job up until that point, no one batted an eye. So I just said forget it, and shaved 10-15 minutes off my morning routine and haven’t looked back. It could just be my profession/office culture, so don’t take this as Gospel. But I couldn’t be happier :)

    1. Naptime Enthusiast*

      I used to wear full makeup (foundation, bronzer, eye shadow, etc) when I first started working, for the first 4-6 months. I came in one day with no makeup because I woke up late and was sick, and ended up leaving work early that day. My well-meaning but clueless coworker announced, “well you don’t LOOK sick”. From that point on I decided that if nobody could tell the difference between sick and a full face of makeup, I would capitalize on the extra sleep so I wouldn’t need as much makeup to cover the bags under my eyes :)

      I do have senior acquaintances that were told they needed to change their style to be taken more seriously, meaning fitted outfits, heels, styled hair, and makeup on a regular basis. They’re now VPs so obviously the feedback was helpful to them.

    2. Newbie*

      I had a similar experience to you. I wouldn’t go crazy with my makeup, but I used to do liquid foundation, blush, eye shadow, lipstick, etc. It took me around 20 min each morning and while I enjoyed doing my makeup some days I would definitely run late because of it. I can’t remember why but one day I didn’t do my full routine and only did concealer, blush, and mascara and absolutely nobody noticed. After a few days I decided to just say f-it and stuck to my more simplified routine. I don’t think I would ever fully go without makeup to work, but I have enjoyed doing something simpler and now it saves me time in the morning plus money on makeup! haha I’ve also notice my skin is much better too, win-win!

  13. Work Wardrobe*

    It’s so subjective… personally, I look my best with makeup, but I don’t think I look “made up.” I wear it every day, quick routine, 5-10 minutes at home.

    A lot of women just don’t wear makeup. Although I think many women in my office *could* look more polished/professional if they minimized redness or splotchiness and added a bit of color to lips. But who am I to say? It’s personal preference, right?

    1. Pineapple Incident*

      I do this – 6-7 minutes in the car when I arrive at work. A little concealer to balance out redness, a cc cream I use as foundation, eyeliner, mascara. It’s all about preference – I feel like I look like myself at this level of “made-up.” I know women at work who wear none, and some who wear more than I do, but no one here is judged for it I don’t think. We have a branch chief in my office who never wears discernible make-up and is a negotiating badass – THAT is what people remember about her.

      That said, no one in my office monopolizes the bathroom (with only one sink) to put on make-up in the morning. If someone did, they’d probably catch some flak for it.

    2. Fiennes*

      I also look my best with it. I look fine without it, but my coloring is VERY pale. So while friends & family think nothing of it, if I go out in public with a naked face, I often have someone come up and ask me if I’m okay! Apparently, my “natural coloring” is other people’s “vasoconstrictor reflex before passing out.” My daily routine is simple, though: subtle eyeliner or mascara, B.B. cream, and lipstick. I touch up with powder (oily skin, humid climate) and tinted lip balm a couple times a day.

      My work involves public appearances sometimes, and for that I go full out. Foundation, eyeliner/eyeshadow/curled lashes, some rosy highlighter on the cheeks, bold lipstick. I even use a setting spray and start with a blur cream base. Photos are taken at these events, and they get posted all over, so I’m honestly making up for those more than for the event itself (though if you’re talking from a podium to a big convention room, I don’t think defining the features is a bad idea.)

    3. Beancounter in Texas*

      I’m prone to allergic shiners and I wish I was an expert at covering those up so I wouldn’t look so tired.

      1. Aunt Piddy*

        Try Bye Bye Under Eye from It! I have awful allergies and it’s the only thing that will cover up my black eyes.

    4. Bleeborp*

      Same, it’s none of my business but I see some coworkers and just think about how I wouldn’t feel comfortable at work with my zits just out to play with all my red blotches and my lips the same color as my blotchy skin! But I also know if I just stopped wearing makeup one day I’d get used to how I looked and it’d be no big deal. But every one is different and really, the main thing with makeup is that either you find the products that work for you right away by luck, you enjoy trying lots of different things (that’s me) or you tried makeup a couple times, didn’t care for it, and decided “not for me!” and have no interest in trial and error. Which is fine, I just happen LOVE buying and trying things but I’m that way about food, about clothes, about all kinds of things.

    5. Ann Furthermore*

      Same for me. I feel more pulled together when I’m wearing makeup, like it’s the finishing touch. I don’t do anything elaborate — start to finish, it takes about 5 minutes. I feel naked without it, especially lipstick.

    6. HannahS*

      I mean, I think it’s worth questioning why you feel that women, specifically, would look more professional if they had clearer skin and redder lips, but not the men.

        1. HannahS*

          Your personal desire to have men wear makeup doesn’t negate the fact that women are by and large expected to wear makeup in order to look professional when men are not. And also, I’m responding to something that Work Wardrobe said specifically about the women in her office. So that’s pretty much exhibit A.

        2. soon 2be former fed*

          Yep, and groomed eyebrows, an d moisturizer. Lotion too. I definitely notice poor grooming in men.

    7. EA*

      I’m the same as you, Work Wardrobe! It takes me about 10 minutes to apply eyeliner, mascara, a hint of blush, and loose powder (without it I have an oily sheen). I really believe the 10-minute investment makes me look more awake and put-together!

  14. Jubilance*

    This is definitely a “know your industry” thing. When I worked as a chemist, I don’t even think anyone noticed if I had makeup on or not. I kept it pretty simple then – eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss.

    I’ve been in retail for the past 5yrs and there’s definitely an unspoken vibe of being more fashionable/trendy because my company is often mentioned when people think about affordable, trendy apparel. As a result, a lot of the women here where some level of makeup but I don’t think it would be a hinderance if someone didn’t. Wearing foundation/eye shadow/liner/mascara/lipstick is the norm around here. Doing something “extra” like contouring everyday or a dark smokey eye would be noticed and also out of place here.

    I love makeup (I’m Sephora VIB Rouge) so I like wearing makeup to the office. I like when I get comments on my highlight or eyeshadow.

    1. Lora*

      Yes. If you’re going to be on the shop floor or in the lab, no makeup is expected and a marker of your hard work and value to the company: “my value is in the lab, using my brain; I am not here for decorative purposes”.

      At CurrentJob, women do not wear makeup. It’s the Lady Scientist Uniform: easy-care hairstyle, slacks or somewhat frumpy skirt/blouse combination, glasses, cardigan sweater.

      1. Jadelyn*

        I’m not sure if you yourself think that no makeup means “my value is in the lab” etc., or if you’re describing a viewpoint you’ve seen other people ascribe to, but I really hope it’s the latter, because that is rubbing me extremely the wrong way.

        I wear makeup (winged eyeliner, specifically, and then just some powder and mascara because it looks really weird to just have eyeliner and nothing else) because I like the way it looks on me. Because given a choice between reflexively smiling to myself when I catch sight of my face in a mirror and flinching slightly in that same moment, I’ll take the former, even though it costs me a whole extra 5 minutes in the morning when I’m getting ready. And I find the idea that my choice of personal adornment means I am “here for decorative purposes” to be deeply offensive.

        I’m my team’s analyst, systems specialist, and overall tech guru. That’s my value to my company, whether I wear makeup or not, and choosing to wear makeup that makes me happy does NOT change me from valued intellectual contributor to “decorative”. Fuck that mindset. Sorting women (because it’s always women or people assumed to be women who get hit with this) into “valued for brains” and “here for decorative purposes” is incredibly misogynistic.

        So even if you’re just describing a general mindset you’ve observed…it’s really Not Okay and I think it’s incumbent upon all of us to push back against the choice to classify women as “decorative” versus “smart” based on their personal presentation.

        1. the_scientist*

          I’m as tired of Performative Femininity as I am of Performative non-Femininity. It’s not as subversive as you (general you, not specific to you, Jadelyn) think it is to be anti-makeup, or anti anything else traditionally coded as feminine, because you are then setting the assumption that the default/preference is masculine. Plus it just reeks of “cool girl” insecurity to me.

          So what if you like a bold lip, a strong highlight, or a good cat eye? That doesn’t make you any less focused, less skilled at your job, or less of an intellectual powerhouse. Women can be more than one thing.

          So TL;DR I agree with everything you said.

          1. Aerin*

            I used to be way into the performative anti-femininity thing when I was younger. No pink, no makeup, nothing girly. Now I’m in my 30s, and I generally don’t care as much. I don’t usually wear makeup, but if I feel like a good blood-of-my-enemies red lipstick or some awesome accessorizing, I’ll just do it. It for me, not for anyone else.

          2. Julia*

            Thank you. Why is being feminine bad? Why do we have to “be like men” in order to be taken seriously? Why can’t we meet in the middle, or consider some “feminine” traits and some “masculine” traits good? Or just let everyone be whoever they want?

        2. Lora*

          The latter – how other people see it. I’m in New England, and this seems to be the aesthetic in the People’s Republic of Cambridge.

          Left to my druthers I wear a little bit of BB cream, tubing mascara and Maybelline Ink matte lip goo. But I’ve also been sneered at for being overly femme in appearance, especially for liking 3″ stiletto heels when not in the lab / on the shop floor, so.

          1. Stellz*

            Sidenote – that Maybelline Ink Matte lip goo is manna from heaven! I wasn’t a big makeup person until my 30s – although now I just do it for fun and wear very little to work – and until I got my hands on this stuff never work lipstick because it was so freaking impractical (never lasted, I’m terrible about reapplying, my lips have a weird shape that makes traditional lipsticks look weird, etc etc) but now I buy that stuff in every color that goes with my skin tone. It is legit.

        3. Luna*

          I read Lora’s comment more as describing that viewpoint.

          And I don’t think there is always anything performative about feminine or non-feminine things. People like what they like, they are not performing just by being themselves. Just because someone prefers not to wear makeup, does not mean that she is to blame for the masculine being the default, nor does it make her insecure or in the “cool girl” category.

          1. mandassassin*

            I don’t think that Jadelyn or the_scientist were saying that no-makeup people are doing the insecure/”I’m the cool girl” thing – rather, that the no-makeup people who put down makeup people as “frivolous” were doing it. *That* is performative anti-femininity: thinking/acting like their choice is superior because it’s not the “girly” choice.
            PS – so much of everything we do is performative! That’s not a negative, and it doesn’t necessarily mean a conscious “performance” like acting. It’s about how we view each other in society. We don’t exist in a vacuum, so everything we do around other people can be seen through a performative lens – I might be wearing makeup because I find it aesthetically pleasing, but because of our cultural context it will be seen by people around me as performing femininity. Some people choose to perform femininity (makeup/dresses/heels/whatev) to affirm or subvert their gender as they present to themselves or others. You’ll see the term used this way in sociology/gender studies/that sort of thing.

        4. Lora*

          “So even if you’re just describing a general mindset you’ve observed…it’s really Not Okay and I think it’s incumbent upon all of us to push back against the choice to classify women as “decorative” versus “smart” based on their personal presentation.”

          I don’t disagree on this point, but the field and industry I work in is so very sexist that this is way, way far down on the list of Work Culture Things I Want Changed – so far down that it honestly doesn’t even rise to any level of consideration for me. My industry is still struggling with “don’t harass women out of STEM jobs,” and fair pay, and them figuring out how to hire someone other than 3-9 white men for every woman or person of color is definitely a solid generation or two away. Changing how they think of appearance is the least of my worries, unfortunately.

        5. Former Cosmetic & Fragrance mgr*

          Just a +1 for wearing eyeliner without mascara. Two or three women I work with that do that and it’s actually unsettling to me. :-)

  15. Dr. Doll*

    Grabbing some popcorn here…

    I darken my eyebrows a bit and put lipstick on before going to class. That’s the extent of it. I’m envious of people who have the self discipline to do a bit more, like the woman down the hall who has beautiful eye makeup every day. Because she wears it every day, it’s just “her” and that’s fine.

    I admit I hate the current fad among my students of having inch-long false eyelashes and right-triangled eyebrow pencil, I think it looks much too telanovella.

    1. The New Wanderer*

      Heh – the older sister (a high school senior) of my daughter’s elem school classmate came to pick her up after school. Her inch-long false eyelashes and over the top makeup combined with inappropriate clothing choice (booty shorts and skimpy tank top) was kind of a shock. Then again, I’d say that look is maybe to be expected on students who are still experimenting but I really hope I never see it in a working environment.

    2. SarahTheEntwife*

      Last time I was in the hospital, the resident for the wing had absolutely perfect eyeliner. I was just in awe. I’m a librarian and I’m happy if I can make it out the door with pants on and get through the day without spilling coffee on something; I can’t imagine having a resident’s schedule and yet still having time to get your look that perfect.

    3. Bleeborp*

      I have learned so much about makeup from YouTube (and to a lesser degree Instagram) and it’s awesome because it turns out, I love makeup but false eyelashes for everyday use is definitely a weird thing social media has pushed that sets up kind of a weird expectation. When someone is filming a video, they’re wearing them for maybe an hour, not necessarily a whole day of school! But to each their own, they can look great!

      1. Thlayli*

        I wore them on my wedding day and it looked amazing but omg they hurt! My sisters told me they’re not supposed to hurt but they were so sore.

  16. TotesMaGoats*

    1. Putting on make up at work.
    I keep everything I need to touch up my hair and makeup in my desk. I often have evening events and by 5pm, I’ve touched most of my make up off and need to reapply. A quick check of lipstick before going to a meeting with big wigs is never a bad thing especially since I always end up with lipstick on my teeth. Be subtle both in application and wearing and you’ll be alright.

    2. Do you have to
    Acknowledging the double standard regarding women, men and make up, I feel that most people would look more professional with just a smidge of makeup. A little foundation goes a long way for all of us. Do you need a full face of it or looking like Tammy Faye Baker? Lord, no. But aside from the people who wake up with no blemishes and a pearly glow, full lashes and no under eye circles, I think all of us can get a little help. I know I look dreadful without it and that my five minute (or less) routine makes me look more awake and older. Putting on makeup doesn’t have to be a chore and is a skill like anything else that can be learned.

      1. TotesMaGoats*

        I’m not saying you have to you. You do you. But you’ll read sometimes that “I just can’t figure it out”. It’s a skill like anything else.

        1. Hey Nonnie*

          I have literally followed YouTube tutorials step-by-step, and while the video star got a lovely airbrushed look, mine looked crayoned on. Thick and clumpy, even after blending the hell out of it.

          So yeah, some of us just can’t figure it out.

        2. Anonymous Ampersand*

          I feel that most people would look more professional with just a smidge of makeup.
          But aside from the people who wake up with no blemishes and a pearly glow, full lashes and no under eye circles, I think all of us can get a little help.

          It came across as saying everyone should. *Shrug*

      2. Ex-Academic, Future Accountant*

        This! I have the hobbies I have because they bring me joy. Adding a new one I don’t even like would have a huge opportunity cost.

    2. Annabelle*

      Eh, I don’t like the idea that only people with perfect skin get to go makeup-free. I love makeup and wear a lot of it in my free time, but I don’t generally have the energy to put it on every morning before work. And my non-dramatic makeup routine takes like, 10 minutes so it’s not really a time thing.

      1. Fortitude Jones*

        Yup. I have acne scarring that is never going to be completely covered by non-stage makeup no matter how much I put on, and I frequently go makeup free either when I don’t have time to put it on or when I want to give my skin a break. My face is my face, and people will deal. (And funnily enough, one of my coworkers told me the other day I’m so pretty when I only had on moisturizer and sunscreen, so apparently my scarring isn’t as awful as I think it is and makeup isn’t necessary for me to look presentable.)

    3. Ceiswyn*

      Where do you learn this skill, and how do you endure the days of looking like a clown until you’ve got it right?

      I have very fair skin and a little foundation makes me look three days dead. If I use foundation I also need to use blusher to add some colour back in, but I don’t know where to even start with that and, well, did I mention ‘clown’. Add to that that I wear spectacles, and if I take them off to apply eye makeup I can’t see what I’m applying, and… this really seems like an awful lot of effort for me to put in in order to meet an arbitrary societal sexist double standard

      1. TotesMaGoats*

        If you don’t want to wear makeup, then don’t. If you feel confident as you are, that’s great. I don’t. I know I look better with a little make up on. That’s me. I completely agree it’s an arbitrary social standard.

        That said, practice is how you learn. A good make up store will teach you to apply it. Youtube.

        1. Ceiswyn*

          But you said that you think most people could use a little help and would look more professional with a little makeup. So now I feel rather as if I’m being judged and found wanting for never having got the hang of it.

        2. Bleeborp*

          I know you’re getting a little shade for suggesting learning how to apply makeup is an useful skill but I can’t help but agree. And it is passing a little judgement but I’m being candid in an anonymous forum so I’m okay with that. I think it’s wise to learn how to cook to some degree but it’s not required either but I do judge someone a little when they refuse to learn.

          Now, there is the gendered aspect of makeup and I did bristle against this being exclusively an expectation of women but, so I get that, but ultimately it’s been a good thing for me so I know for me it has been a good skill to develop.

          1. Helena Handbasket*

            I completely agree! I think makeup is something people get pretty defensive about, but I think it’s a useful skill like anything else that helps improve your self-image. For example, I couldn’t care less about fashion and the skill of putting together a well-balanced outfit, but I will happily agree that it’s a skill that everyone can definitely benefit from. Not passing a judgement for anyone who chooses not to (including me!) but it is a beneficial thing to know how to do for those that choose to learn it.

            1. Newlywed*

              please tell me your un is a “friends” reference to the incomparable helena handbasket?

      2. Beancounter in Texas*

        Ceiswyn – YouTube. Seriously. I don’t really know how to apply makeup well because I haven’t practiced. But YouTube has a ton of makeup bloggers who do tutorials and specialize in face features, like hooded eyes or acne-scarred skin.

        1. cat socks*

          +1 to YouTube

          There are so many beauty channels ranging from beginner makeup to advanced looks. I follow a lot of channels. I don’t know why, but I find it entertaining to watch people put on makeup.

        2. Blue Anne*

          I’ve tried to learn from youtube tutorials, but even the simplest ones just seem to be telling me to do it. Which I don’t know how to do.

            1. Bleeborp*

              That is definitely something to keep in mind- they are painting for the camera, not for real life! And to find people you like- I can’t with Jacklyn Hill types. There are people doing more realistic daily looks.
              Truly, the most useful thing I learned from youtube is the basics of color theory- blue eyes look good with warm colors. And that the basics are to blend a subtle neutral color in the crease, put a lighter neutral color on my lid (I like a shimmer) and you’re good. If you’re bad with eyeliner, use a liner brush to put dark eyeshadow along the lash lines (I think it’s easier to apply than eyeliner until you get used to it.)

      3. Penny Lane*

        Most people learn it from their mothers when they are young teens. It’s a common rite of passage for a mother who, when she sees her young teen putting on makeup (and invariably putting it on too heavily, etc) to take her someplace where they will show her how to do it well (a light touch, neutral colors, enhancing her looks versus covering them up).

        It’s kind of like asking “where do you learn the skill to brush your hair or floss your teeth.” It’s just part of many people’s normal growing-up-life.

        If you are using foundation and you need to add blush to add color back in, it sounds like you’re using a foundation that is the wrong shade for you, and/or you are using way too much. Most people don’t even need foundation, or if they do, just a tiny dab will do. It’s my experience that people who are also flummoxed by makeup tend to wear way too much and then don’t understand why it takes so long and they look clown-like.

        Of course, if you don’t want to wear makeup, then don’t and that’s cool, but you asked “where people learn this skill” – they learn it the same place they learned how to brush their hair.

        1. Ceiswyn*

          Well, I’m way past my teens and my mother never showed me, so that ship has sailed.

          Also, my foundation (actually tinted moisturiser) is exactly the right shade for my skin, which believe you me is a rarity, and on those rare occasions I wear it I wear it very thinly to avoid clownosity or vampirism. I think you’re making some false assumptions here because most people have much warmer-toned skin than I do. My skin is naturally chalk-white and non-tanning, and the only thing that makes me look alive is the trace of pink in my cheeks (and nose, darnit, but that’s usually what I’m trying to hide). Obviously if I put foundation on my cheeks and nose, that then removes all my colour and I have to add it back in. Or not, because I never got the hang of blusher.

          Your original post said that most people look more professional with makeup, so… it’s cool if I don’t want to wear it but I won’t look professional?

          1. Ceiswyn*

            Apologies, I didn’t double-check names; please ignore my final paragraph while I go get more coffee :)

          2. Julia*

            As another pale person, I get it. I tend to wear pretty full-coverage foundations because my face is often very red (and no, that’s not because make-up doesn’t let my skin “breathe” in case anyone wants to suggest that), so I need to wear blush as well. Heck, even without foundation, I’d need to wear blush, because my cheeks are ironically the only part of my face that aren’t always red.

            1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

              I am also a naturally pale person, and for daily wear (when I feel like wearing a face) I use a pale foundation, pale matte powder, and very slight to no blush in subtle but not neutral colors (like peach or brick), I usually sweep a little over my kids & brow area and that’s darker than my blush. The color in my face comes from my lipstick, and if I am wearing eyeshadow that day.
              I don’t do bronzer, contour, or highlighter either, I’d rather make the most of my nice fair skin.

        2. Blue Anne*

          >It’s kind of like asking “where do you learn the skill to brush your hair or floss your teeth.” It’s just part of many people’s normal growing-up-life.

          eeesh. I really don’t think those are the same. Can we please not pretend that putting on makeup is part of a normal, required hygiene routine like brushing hair is?

          2. Natalie*

            Eh, plenty of people don’t learn to floss their teeth and plenty of people don’t actually routinely brush their hair. All of these grooming routines are cultural – none of them are actually some kind of human default.

            1. Blue Anne*

              Okay, but that’s kind of beside the point. In the culture most of are discussing, I really hate “basic face of makeup” being equated with something as basic as “hair brushing”.

              I know there are exceptions and things (I actually had to teach almost all of this stuff to myself) but that doesn’t mean we should reinforce this cruddy view.

              1. Natalie*

                I really don’t see that happening in the comment you replied to. She didn’t say anything about what was “required hygiene”, just where a lot of people learn it – the same place they learn to brush their hair or whatever. It doesn’t need to be a controversial statement that most people do learn this kind of thing from their same sex parent or another adult. You seem to be bringing in a big inference about value and then responding to that.

        3. Amey*

          This is probably true but so not universal – my mother has never, to my knowledge, worn makeup. I absolutely had to teach myself and while I like to wear a bit of makeup, I do feel a bit uncomfortable with it. Both of my sisters are similar, I think, and have had to find a tentative comfort zone in adulthood. It just wasn’t done in our household. I think this isn’t totally unusual for my generation with mothers who came of age in the feminist movement. I think my mother’s stance on it is very much a rejection of her 1950s childhood when she and her sisters always had to be perfectly turned out.

        4. Lindsay J*

          But many people’s parents didn’t do that.

          My mom never did.

          Of course, I never expressed much of an interest in makeup as a young teen, except in the glitter goo with stars and such in it we were all putting on our faces at that age. Maybe if I had expressed an interest then, she would have.

          But then, she may not have. She was always very feminist in a way that was against traditional female gender roles. Sometimes to my detriment. Like she never taught me to cook or do basic house hold chores, either, though she did teach my little brother to cook and clean and etc because she wanted to make sure he wasn’t always depending on his future spouse to do the work of keeping him alive. But, like, I needed to learn how to keep myself alive, too and didn’t get to learn to do that when most people do.

          I’ve learned mostly on my own through the internet. But it’s also something I decided to do for me, and something that did take some time to learn to do correctly. (And also it seems like it might be more difficult to learn as time goes on, because a lot of beauty bloggers and vloggers are young and I think a lot of times the “daytime” tutorials sort of fall into the same trap that television shows fall into with “office appropriate” outfits. That is to say that they’re not really appropriate for or in sync with office norms at all.) If I had not been interested in learning to do my makeup well and was doing it just because I thought I had to, I would have likely become discouraged and quit very quickly.

          Also, it seems like it’s like cooking. Cooking was something I learned to do pretty easily due to the wealth of cookbooks available and recipes on the internet. I’m not a gourmet chef by any means, but pretty much anything I try to make turns out edible. But then, there are some people who try to cook and can’t make pasta or rice, never mind anything more complicated. Are they not following the instructions correctly or exactly enough? Are they not paying attention? Are they not able to identify and accommodate for differences between their setup and that of the recipe creator? Are they really just naturally bad at cooking? I’m not sure, but I know that two people can follow the same exact recipe and come up with wildly different results and I know the same is true with makeup tutorials as well.

        5. No thanks*

          This is your own fantasy not reality that mothers teach their daughters. The flaw in your assumption is that these young girls you speak of are self conscious and seek distance from their mothers on sensitive issues. Another is that many mothers do not wear makeup themselves and so would not have these skills or desire to teach their already beautiful daughters that they need to improve themselves. Also makeup and styles change so what a mother does is exactly what a daughter does not want. You don’t know what you are talking about.

      4. Breda*

        I learned it in theater, so transitioning to a Normal Face was a matter of using about half as much of everything, hah!

        For blush – I also have very fair skin, so I usually go with the lightest shade of cream blush I can find in the drug store. Cream blush blends a lot easier than powder, so it looks more natural and less clowny, and it’s also easier to use a very little and then build up if you want to. Stuff like bright or dark lipstick, or dramatic eyeliner, I started playing with on nights when I had no plans, so there was no pressure and I could get comfortable with it while watching a dumb movie in my own home.

        But seriously, I think a lot of people are interpreting “you can learn this” as “you HAVE TO learn this,” and you don’t. You can do whatever you want! But no one was born knowing how to apply make-up, everyone who is good at it learned it somewhere.

        1. Drama Mama*

          I don’t wear makeup, and have three daughters, and they all learned to apply makeup in theater. I laughed out loud at your first paragraph, SO TRUE!

          1. Falling Diphthong*

            Ha! I rarely wear makeup; my college student does; last semester she took a class on theater makeup.

      5. Falling Diphthong*

        Sephora Urban Decay Naked Skin in green. (It’s green all the time, not green in the tube but beige when it hits oxygen.) It evens out pinkness without looking like you painted a beige layer over your skin.

        -Also very fair; I freelance but occasionally want to go out and look a tad more polished.

        1. Arjay*

          So does it completely disappear into your skin, so your natural pinkness and the green color just appear neutral? Or does it require powder/foundation/concealer on top to then camouflage the green tint?

          1. Falling Diphthong*

            I always wear it straight. I have very pale skin that shows any hint of redness.

      6. ket*

        From a fellow fair-skin-er — all the liquid foundations made me look like that oompa-loompa politician (orange!) and I hated how they felt on my face. A few years back I discovered mineral powder makeup. It didn’t feel all glue-y and I could match my skintone. Game changer. For the first time ever I didn’t feel stupid in makeup.

      7. NaoNao*

        The biggest skill I see that differentiates the pros from the still learning is *blending*. That and a light hand/adding layers delicately until you achieve the effect you desire.

        In your case, Ceiswyn, it seems like you may want to look into mineral foundations in a powder form that are dusted on in very sheer, thin layers, not liquid or ‘cake’ formats.

        I found that stick or cream blusher is also much easier to master, as you can use your fingers and blend it in lightly and naturally.

        The trick is for blusher: smile, and apply on apples of cheeks (the part that pops when you smile) and then blend upwards to temples.

      8. Paula, with Two Kids*

        I’m late to this, but wanted to say getting the right shade of foundation is important. Find a brand that carries many shades, and has the right undertone. I usually end up with the palest I can find (105 covergirl advanced radiance). Or get a makeover and have the salesgirl find your shade. If you can see where your makeup “ends” then you have a shade that doesn’t match, and there is no way to make that look natural.

        Any brand with only a few colors will never have a shade light enough. Also, put on plenty of moisturizer right before (I use my olay regenerist serum), that will help the foundation spread and blend.

        And also, I don’t advocate that there is any need to wear makeup if you aren’t into it. I had years of allergies/dry eyes where I had to give up all eye makeup. Days where I’m not feeling it, etc. I think being professional is about being *you*, the you that you love.

    4. Fiennes*

      Worth noting: makeup use among men is subtly ticking up—and “subtle“ is the keyword here. It’s not just flamboyant looks; increasing numbers of guys use some B.B. cream/eyebrow pencil/other stuff that doesn’t scream “makeup” but adds some polish. Maybe it’s the era of Instagram at work. But makeup companies have taken notice.

    5. A tester, not a developer*

      Looking more awake sounds good. Looking older? Not really what I’m going for. :)

    6. yasmara*

      It took me a long time to realize that women whose make-up and hair looked great at the end of the day probably touched it up throughout the day! I work in tech and just recently even when working at home I’m apt to have video calls. I do a tinted moisturizer/cc cream/light foundation with sunscreen (depending on my skin that day), fill in my patchy eyebrows, curl eyelashes + mascara, blush (very pale person, prone to looking sick/tired w/o a little color, pretty obsessively avoid the sun), and a neutral Your Lips But Better (YLBB) lipstick. It takes less than 5 minutes. I might powder my t-zone after lunch & refresh my lipstick & run a brush through my hair (30 seconds). Honestly, it takes me longer to take my medications & vitamins in the morning than to do my make-up.

      1. SarahTheEntwife*

        There’s also setting spray and things. A while back I was looking over some tutorials on how to get lipstick so it doesn’t smudge off on everything, and the answer seems to be “wear about five different products on your lips at once” and was sort of disappointed but felt much less incompetent about my coffee cups always having purple rims by the end of the day.

    7. SarahTheEntwife*

      I enjoy playing with makeup from time to time, but for me it’s decoration, not concealment. If the goal is for me to look like me, only vaguely Photoshopped so that we can pretend I don’t have pores, that just make me feel angry and self-conscious.

      One of these days I need to grab my sister-in-law of the badass makeup skills and see if she can teach me to do eyeliner. I have an incredibly strong glasses prescription and so can’t actually see myself in the mirror well enough to follow the handy YouTube tutorials. I also either have weird-shaped eyelids or just don’t understand how eyeliner works.

  17. Cordoba*

    I previously worked in an environment where nobody could wear makeup because it was a contamination/safety concern, but the dress code was otherwise professional.

    If somebody from that company were transported to another white-collar environment sans makeup I doubt that the people in the new spot would regard them as unprofessional boors because of it.

  18. Lia*

    I wear makeup, and have for my entire professional career. I wear it because I like the way it looks and I feel more confident when I look pulled together. Same reason I wear well-fitting clothing and dress for a notch above my position. My makeup is a natural look, with tones that highlight the good and minimize flaws.

    That said, I work in university administration. Most female faculty do not wear makeup, administration is maybe 50/50. Rarely do you see anyone with clubbing-style makeup (or clothing) – we’re a suits/dress clothes office and very rarely dip into business casual.I think it’s a “know your office” thing.

    Do I put on makeup at work? Only after work, if I am going somewhere without stopping home first. I might touch up lipstick or re-comb hair but nothing that takes more than 30 seconds.

    1. Chinook*

      I too have always worn make up at work but not at home. I find it helps me make the transition to a more formal/professional mind set.

      As for how much, I believe make up should not draw attention to itself. There is a time and place for heavy stage makeup and that is on stage or at a night club (because you need it for the lighting). But, for work, makeup shouldn’t shout its presence – it’s purpose is to improve a person’s appearance and it is not doing its job if it is distracting from the person who is wearing it (does that make sense).

      At the same time, I never judge a woman for not wearing make up and I don’t notice the difference. I judge more on how neat a person is, which can happen just as easily with uneven complexion.

    2. Healthnerd*

      Same here for make up style. I have always worn it for working indoors. As a teenager, I had outdoor jobs (lifeguard & referee) and never saw the point of wearing makeup. For me, its about putting together a more “work look.” Our office has a casual dress code and on weekends I never wear makeup running around to do errands. Putting on make-up makes me feel like I’m getting into work mode. Again, I think its more about routine than actual look. No one would bat an eye if I showed up sans makeup.

      I think many people also associate putting on makeup with a long drawn out routine. My makeup routine takes less than 5 minutes (spot concealer, loose powder, mascara, maybe eye liner if I’m feeling fancy). About once a week, I apply my makeup at work in the bathroom because I’m coming from an early morning Physical Therapy appointment. Since my routine is fairly minimal, when I do apply at work, no one notices (also I don’t think they’ve had their coffee yet )

      I also work in academia but more specifically in social work so I think the progressive nature of our school lends itself to a more casual attitude on makeup. However, even in academia, I notice a difference between appearances between the different departments. Medical School employees adhere to a more strict business casual dress code and even some departments trend towards business attire. I have noticed females who work in these areas tend to have more regular make-up and hair styles.

    3. Salamander*

      I do, too, and always have. It takes me about 3-5 minutes for a work look, and I enjoy the process. I guess I feel like it’s a few moments of pampering time before heading out, because I found stuff that smells nice and feels good on my skin…so it feels like self-care time before going into the world of URK.

  19. grace*

    I’ve always worn makeup at work – it makes me feel more put together, almost like a way of signalling to myself that okay, you’re out of the house, now act like it. I know people who don’t and people who do, and I really agree that it’s industry dependent.

    That said, I think in the vast majority of environments, makeup should be used to enhance, not distract – I keep my wings of my eyeliner short and sweet if I do them at all, I don’t smokey anything, etc. The real focus should be on my work and professionalism, not on my makeup, in general.

    1. grace*

      And while I have never applied makeup AT work, I’ve definitely done my mascara in my car in the parking lot – for some reason, that’s the one step I always run out of time for at home…

  20. Alice L*

    I don’t think for the most part that you should have to wear makeup to work (exceptions being if you worked in TV or something similar where it seems to be a requirement). I do find though, that it makes it a lot easier to look polished when wearing even minimal makeup. On a different note, I read recently that studies show women that do not wear any makeup get paid about $10,000 less on average than women who do wear makeup.

      1. JaneB*

        I’m allergic to every make up I’ve tried if I wear it for several days running – EVERYTHING. Especially on or around my eyes. A $10k less pay check for being allergic is a bummer…. good thing I’m in academia I guess?

    3. Yorick*

      I think the industries where a polished appearance is important (so makeup would be expected) tend to be high-paying ones.

    4. hermit crab*

      Well, that might be a case of correlation vs. causation. I imagine that women are more likely to wear makeup when they are in higher-profile positions in more formal professions. So it’s not so much that, between two CEOs, the one wearing makeup gets $10k more – rather that the CEO is more likely to wear makeup than the call center rep, and she also gets paid more.

      1. Alice L*

        Yes and no. I don’t see why a CEO would be more likely than a call center rep to wear makeup. Lots of women wear makeup because it is like a hobby to them, no matter their job. Why would a CEO need to wear makeup for their job? An actress, or model obviously would need to.

        1. Alice L*

          Just thinking, couldn’t that deter women who don’t wear makeup away from such high profile jobs then? If it seems society excpects you to wear makeup in a position where it really has nothing to do with how you function in your position, you are basically getting forced to be paid less by choosing a job where it doesn’t matter.

              2. Lindsay J*

                Seriously. I’m 32 and while I’ve never added it up I’m sure I’ve spent $10,000 on makeup in my adult life. And I don’t wear it every day, or even most days. I just like playing around with it for fun.

                (I added up all the costs of all the makeup I remembered owning at the time when I was considering a lawsuit for being illegally evicted a few years ago. It was quite a bit. And I wasn’t making much money then, and the makeup had been accumulated in the span of a couple years after I left most of my stuff behind when I moved cross country.)

                Actually, right now I have, according to my rough calculations, $1177 in makeup, makeup brushes, brow grooming supplies, and my makeup case. This has been acquired over the course of 3 years of so, does not include any costs for nail stuff, doesn’t include stuff that I’ve used and run out of. lost, or forgot about, and is a mix of stuff purchased from Sephora and drug stores on occasion. If I used makeup every day or only brought high end or had to have every cool new thing that came out it would be much higher.

          2. hermit crab*

            Yeah, I’m sure the actual causal/correlational relationships are actually quite complicated (and fascinating).

            That said, personally, I know I would not choose certain high-level jobs/professions, and a big reason why is that I would “have to” wear makeup, heels, jewelry, etc. So your comment here definitely rings true to me.

        2. bridget*

          Well, a CEO tends to meet with important people you have to impress for business reasons a lot more often than a call center rep, and makeup is often associated with more formal events where you need to present as “put together.” So, for the same reason that a CEO will wear a suit more often, she might wear makeup more often.

          The male partners at my law firm wear well-tailored suits really often to meet with clients and other movers and shakers. The male support staff (IT, office services, billing, what have you) wear sometimes-wrinkled khakis, and that’s fine because they rarely meet with external people. The suit doesn’t *cause* the partners to make more money, the partners wear suits because they are in a higher-profile position (and also have the money to spend on nice-looking suits, perhaps like the female CEO has the money to buy high-end makeup).

          1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

            But the issue here is that women get financially dinged AT ALL for wearing/not wearing makeup, when this is not even a consideration for men.

  21. Arya Snark*

    I work from home now, but rarely wore it when I did. Light eyeliner/mascara, neutral eye/lip shades and a bit of powder foundation to even things out and reduce shine if I did (and also something I might do now for a bigger meeting).

    I had someone I used to work with reach up to my face the moment I entered a coffee shop where we were meeting with our mutual boss so she could rub out the line my glasses had made on my nose. I stepped away, expressed appropriate shock, but managed not to slap her hand away. DON’T DO THAT.

    If you ant to wear make up, wear it. If you don’t, then don’t. Personally I think a light touch is better but I’ve never been a big make up person so maybe that’s just me. Body glitter would depend on how obvious it was – I had a slightly sparkly lotion once upon a time that I wouldn’t consider inappropriate but I’ve seen other kinds that would be reserved for a night out.

    That said, if you ladle on the scents (perfume or air scents) and I have to sit near you every day, we’re going to have to talk.

    1. Galatea*

      “she could rub out the line my glasses had made on my nose” I audibly gasped tbh. I’m on Team Never Touch Me Ever, but what on EARTH would possess someone to touch your FACE?

      1. Arya Snark*

        She was also apt to make comments about whether I was OK because I “looked pale” and pick fallen hairs off my shirt, telling me there was something wrong with me if my hair was falling out. Um, yeah, I am pale thanks to my uber-white ancestry and I have long hair so they are noticeable when they fall out which is perfect normal.

        We were friends once but due to those reasons (and more) we no longer are. I don’t take to being judged continuously very well.

        1. JeanB in NC*

          My best friend of over 30 years can pick hairs off my shirt – anyone else? No thank you. Your coworker sounds like she was a person with no sense of personal boundaries.

          Note: I just actually did the math and I’ve known my BFF for 40 years! Holy crap, where has the time gone.

          1. Arya Snark*

            The picking I didn’t have as much of an issue with but the verbalization that there was something wrong with me when in reality I hadn’t brushed it after letting it air dry so there were some strays falling out was much more annoying especially after I dismissed her comment and she wouldn’t let it go. She’d also tell me something was wrong with my liver because I had a bit of pain in my ribs on one side when in reality it was caused by a long backpacking trip.

    2. Jadelyn*

      I commend you on your self-control in not smacking her hand away. I’m not sure I’d be able to stop myself if someone *reached for my face* without warning.

    4. Traveling Teacher*

      Goodness, did this woman think she was your mother?!

      I mean, moms pull that all the time, whether it’s needed or not, plus tell you that you need a haircut and “are you wearing that?”

  22. Pammat*

    No makeup here; it makes me break out. Never had anyone say anything, pro or con, to me about it in my 27 years as a professional. I’ll use blotting paper in the summer so I don’t have a sheen, but that’s about it.

    I have to say I don’t tend to notice makeup on other people either, unless it’s either dramatic or missing after always being there. (One coworker had to stop wearing mascara for a while when she had eye surgery, and I noticed that.)

    1. knitcrazybooknut*

      My skin is a weird combination of rosacea and sensitive that causes it to burn makeup off my face like the surface of the sun. I think it’s genetics + wearing stage makeup for years of middle school and high school musicals. I’m in my 40s and I might finally visit a dermatologist, but I really don’t see myself bothering to wear any makeup that will do anything besides REPAIR any damage already done.

  23. Ptarmigan*

    I don’t wear makeup at all. It probably does make me look less professional at work, and I do work in an industry where it probably matters (though I’m not customer-facing or anything like that). But I have a good job that I love and I guess I’m just willing to take whatever negative effects not wearing makeup may be having on my career.

  24. Definitely Not Maybeline*

    I was just wondering this recently because I’m actually the exact opposite of most ladies: I hate wearing make-up! It’s such a hassle and with my sensitive skin, always seems to irritate me after a few hours. Aside from a little foundation to hide the bags under my eyes, I prefer not to do make-up on a daily basis.

    However, in my new job, I’m seeing that make-up is a lot more common. Lots of women wearing full make-up. I’m starting to feel underdressed and like I need to step it up a bit, though I really hate to do so. My wardrobe is on par with everyone else but my make-up is not at the ‘normal level’ of the office. Do I need to give in?

    1. Chicken*

      Since you dislike wearing makeup and feel underdressed, you could try doing something else to look/feel more polished – dress a little nicer, do your hair differently, make sure your nails are nicely groomed (with or without polish). If you dress just a touch nicer than the standard – which could just mean adding an accessory of some sort – perhaps you’ll feel like you are on par with the the standard without needing to add makeup.

      1. A.N. O'Nyme*

        Yep – in the nails department you could get something inconspicuous like a French manicure (or learn how to do those yourself) and for clothes you could go for a nice necklace/bracelet/belt/brooch/…

    2. AnotherJill*

      I think that confidence in yourself and your abilities is more important in a work place than makeup. If you feel confident, that will show regardless of what is on (or not on) your face.

    3. Liz2*

      So here are my suggestions, but they may be useless if your skin really is too sensitive and you really think the trade off isn’t worth it.

      I found using a BB cream saved my make up life. I also have sensitive, difficult skin (oily plus cystic acne in my late 30s, yay!) and hated foundation. But BB cream is so light and easy and does all the work I need for that simple polished look that I only need a tiny amount of foundation (which if you pay more for can get super sensitive light ones), a pat of powder, a swiff of a wet foundation brush to set and I’m good to go! I also do a basic eyeshadow for shape, keep my eyebrows shaped and put on an all day lipstick.

      On warm or busy days I still feel it later getting annoying, but I wear boring clothes and shoes and hair and have bad teeth so this is my way of polishing the look all around. It’s all about your priorities and preferences.

    4. saffytaffy*

      Do you feel like foundation is the problem here? Because many women don’t wear foundation and still wear professional makeup! A lined lip filled in with lipstick and mascara might suit you, and if you wanted to add more you could go for a gel/cream/liquid blush and a single neutral eyeshadow fluffed over the entire lid.

    5. marymoocow*

      I don’t think you need to “give in”, but for me personally, lipstick makes a big difference. It instantly makes me feel more put together. I usually stick to nudes or mauve-y pinks so it doesn’t feel dramatic. I don’t know if this will work for you, but this has been a good option for me and really helps me feel better about my appearance, so I wanted to share just in case it could help.

      1. Arjay*

        I agree with this. I wear nice clothes, but that’s usually the end of any effort I make. If I have a meeting or something where I want to feel put together, I’ll swipe on a little lipstick. I’ve also started leaving a neutral and inexpensive pair of earrings and a necklace at work (seriously, like the $5 paparazzi stuff) that I can add to help myself feel more polished.

        1. JennyAnn*

          I already had a ridiculous jewelry collection, and my introduction to Paparazzi is not helping at all.

    6. Fortitude Jones*

      I don’t think you need to, but if you’re really concerned about fitting in, then try a tinted lipgloss for a pop of color. Since you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid putting anything on your face or be prepared to spend some money for higher end makeup like Hourglass (which is vegan and gluten free – I love this stuff).

    7. a-no*

      I don’t think you really need to ‘give in’ if you don’t feel like it.
      I personally wear a bit of mascara everyday and have a small thing of liquid concealer I use for any issues that pop up (and I dab a tiny bit on my finger then blend it over the issue by tapping and wear no other face make up like foundations etc).
      When you start feeling like you look nice I find you’ll present like you look nice. I take the time to make sure I look polished without putting on a ton of make up – so hair & nails.

  25. RussianInTexas*

    I don’t think my job will care either way, there are women here who do wear make up and those who do not. I do, because I like the way it looks, and like to play with make up in general. But I keep mist things pretty neutral, no smoky eyes, glitter, super bronzer or highlighter, etc.
    I also apply/fix make up at my desk if I go out after work, but always with the office door closed, and everyone who could see me is pretty much gone. Otherwise may be lipstick after lunch.

  26. Kat*

    I am envious of those who don’t need to wear make-up. I do because I don’t have good skin and I’d cry if I had to go out to my job and let everyone see that. Although I still need to find really great make-up that’ll last longer than half a day and stop drying on my skin. Basically I have the worst skin and it’s depressing. So yes, on the other hand, mascara and lipstick make me feel cheery and a bit more acceptable. If I wear lipstick it’s usually just light and not very noticeable. It just adds a bit of colour to my boring face.

    I didn’t wear make-up till my early 20s and am a bit sad about that. There’s so many fun looks and cool things you can do. I’m still learning, but I love buying a couple of make-up items and playing about with them at home. Even if I still cannot apply eyeliner!

    1. anoni for dis*

      Hi Kat, have you tried a setting spray to keep everything in place? I use Skindinavia (order on amazon, I believe it’s the same company as Urban Decay) or I think I’ve heard good things about NYX setting spray. Either way, I suffer from mild rosacea and don’t feel comfortable without full coverage foundation, so I feel your pain!

      1. Kat*

        No I haven’t, how does that work? I know there *must* be products to help, but there’s so much around I never know what to try!

        1. anoni for dis*

          OK setting spray has changed my life! You do your makeup as usual, at the very end when you are done with everything except mascara you mist it alllllllll over your face, then do your mascara. Let it dry, and that’s it! It has helped make my make-up last all day long, you can’t see my pores at the end of the day and I still look like I’m wearing makeup when I get home from work!

    2. Lilly Puddle*

      Same here. I have rosacea and have had since my early 20s. I’ve tried going without makeup, but it often leads to lots of unwanted “Hey, looks like you got a little sun this weekend” comments from people (including strangers), and it got so demoralizing to have people frequently saying, basically, I NOTICED YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR SKIN that now I just wear makeup every day to cover it up as best I can. It would be really nice to just go without, though. Don’t you envy those people?

      1. Heina*

        Me too! I even hate the positive-sounding “you’re so rosy!” or “aw you’re blushing” or ” you look like a little china doll” or whatever ridiculous, infantilizing comments people make because I have rosacea flush. I invest a lot in good skincare, green color-corrector, and creamy concealers/foundations/BB cream so that people don’t talk down to me because I have a skin condition.

        1. Anon for this*

          I think I have something similar to rosacea (I was diagnosed with *something* as a small child, and told there was nothing to be done about it, but I forget the name), and I always assumed I couldn’t wear makeup because so much would be needed to hide it. (I briefly tried BB cream, but I rubbed off on things, so that was the end of that.)

          I don’t get comments from strangers, probably due to my chronic RBF, but I definitely see people’s stares. Though, to be fair, my weight, premature grey hairs, or any number of other things could be the direct cause of that.

          I did have an acquaintance say to me once, “Wow, you’re really sunburned!” And I just wanted to say, like, “You’ve known me for what, three years? Have you never looked at my face before?”

          Anyway, I guess I’ve learned to ngaf anymore. After all, there are plenty of men who seem to have what I have, or what you guys have. And if they’re not offending the eyes of others, then neither am I!

        2. Hey, what's wrong with your face?*

          I have bouts of rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Imagine how fun it is when all three flare up at the same time… mineral foundation and tinted moisturizers are my friends, but only now that I’ve found the right skin care regimen.

    3. Lady Phoenix*

      Kat, I’ so sorry you that your skin makes you upset.

      You should first get your skin examined. Is it oily, dry, normal, or combo? I use to be oily, but I notice it has leaned towards dry now with only a little oilness around ny forehead, nose, and chin. Getting your skin examined will help you find the best skincare and nakeup to compliment your skin and its quirks.

      Another thing is that once you have the right foundation, invest in a setting spray and primer. That stuff makes your makeup last much longer. My favorite is elf for primer and nyx for setting spray.

      And for eyeliner? Use medical tape. Line and angle it from the corner of your eye to the end of your eyebrow and do your shadow and liner. When your liner dries, carefully peal the tape off for a super clean look.

      1. Liz2*

        I think your tips show the mark of a true pro. But I hear it all and just cringe at the cost, time, and layering. I grudgingly accept my desire to look polished with bb cream, foundation, powder, eyeshadow, and lipstick. But anything else is beyond my morning capacity of hand eye coordination, the time I am willing to wake up, and the money to buy more tools for THAT reason.

        On the other side, when I go out to fun events, I have tons of fun colors and glitter and will happily spend a half hour or more on my face to work for a costume or ensemble, but that’s a fun outing for me. Not my everyday gotta go and be “on” for the job thing.

      2. Kat*

        I went to Kiehl’s and she looked at my skin and gave me suggestions. I bought the stuff and it didn’t work at all. I don’t know who can tell me these things! In shops no one seems to know and they definitely have no idea how to advise someone with bad skin. I get oilier on my forehead but my cheeks are so dry. I use organic moisturiser because fewer harsh things… but makes no difference. I’ve tried various foundations that are marketed at dry skin… Nope! I tried primer! Nope! I like the primer when it goes on but it doesn’t change how long the makeup lasts.

        I literally do not know what else to do. I do my usual because I own the stuff, but I really do hate how I look. I mean, because of my skin. I could live with everything else if that could be fixed. I took medication in my 20s. I’m now in my 30s and it doesn’t seem a huge amount better. Makeup could, I feel, at least make me feel confident during the day, but how to get the right combination seems impossible. It’s overwhelming. I don’t want to keep feeling this way. :(

        1. MeowMix*

          Hi Kat!

          What is your skin care routine? Often that is the source for the types of problems you are describing.

          1. Kat*

            Ugh I just realised how much the above comment was a bit of a feelings-dump, but I can never talk to anyone about this.

            Routine… well, mornings I wash my face and apply a gentle moisturiser from Green People. It has no perfume or anything. I then just use Bobbi Brown’s cream foundation and occasionally a primer underneath, not that it makes much difference! I had a serum from Green People too but it didn’t do much and I didn’t know if it was giving me more skin problems. But recently I’ve been breaking out in areas I haven’t for a long time. It’s really depressing. Maybe it’s this product combination.

            Evenings, I use a Green People cleanser and then either apply the moisturiser again or use a Bioderma one for skin problems if I need to clear up some stuff on my face. I don’t really do a lot, actually. I want to switch cleanser but not sure what to. And I always worry that new stuff will make me break out… but then, the current stuff must be doing that somehow too. I have tried products from La Roche Posay and Bioderma. I really liked one cream by Bioderma but they stopped doing it and I’ve been panic-trying others ever since. I am now looking at Lixirskin as their cleanser looks like it might be decent, but again… no idea!

            1. Rosie*

              De-lurking to reply to Kat – I’m so sorry you have such a rough time with your skin. I’m realising myself – now it’s getting noticeably worse – that the redness I thought was just my complexion is actually almost certainly progressing rosacea (GP appointment booked…).

              So I’ve been looking into this a lot recently, and several of the dermatological skincare lines like La Roche-Posay and Vichy do BB and CC creams and foundations. It might well be worth asking a dermatologist about those, especially since you say the pattern of your breakouts seems to be changing, and might need a new approach.

              Some online retailers will let you order a pack of samples to try. Korean BB creams are also nice, I’m finding. People with acne might want to look for products marked ‘non-comedogenic’, and I’ve read that ‘allergy-tested’ on a label may be more reliable than ‘hypo-allergenic’, for people with sensitive skin.

              I’m working in Europe, and no- to little-makeup is the norm in my company., although some people wear more. I love makeup, especially with my increasing skin issues, but I’m trying not to wear it too noticeably at work because I so appreciate the relaxed, egalitarian approach to professional appearance, and I want to support it. I still find I prefer to camouflage the redness a bit though.

        2. Lady Phoenix*

          I notice that “makeup artists” you find at makeup stores like Sephora aren’t actually professional makeup artists at all — as in “went to beauty school” and such.

          Your best bet is to talk to to a dematologist first and then shop from there. You can then ask the person “I need something for dry skin” and get some choices there.

          Also, matte foundation + dry skin = dry patches. Sucks that matte seems to be the “thing”.

          1. Kat*

            Yes, I don’t use matte foundation, or at least I don’t think I do! I use a cream and not a powder. I use Bobbi Brown just now, but it’s expensive and for the difference it doesn’t really make, I need a new thing.

            I not long ago went to a department store and to a makeup counter. The girl was so disdainful looking of me when I declined her offer of a ‘makeover’. She didn’t understand that to me, having my existing makeup removed in front of a whole busy shop, and then reapplied, was a nightmare. And she didn’t get either that my skin easily breaks out when I try new stuff on it, so just caking me in new product wouldn’t be a good idea.

            I went to a dermatologist years ago for my medication for my skin. I don’t know if the GP would refer me if it wasn’t ‘serious’ enough now. I’ll maybe ask my GP, though.

            1. CA Teacher*

              I am an evangelist for Revlon Color Stay foundation. It’s pretty full coverage and legit lasts through my workouts (plus it’s like 10 bucks). I let it sit for like 5-10 minutes while I get ready and then set it with NYX set it and don’t fret it loose powder. I have never had any problems with it not lasting through the day–with no touchups, no primer, no setting spray!

    4. SansaStark*

      I second the setting or priming spray, but read the ingredients carefully since most of them contain alcohol which is incredibly drying to the skin. It took me a long time to figure out what caused the dry patches on my face. ELF priming spray is fantastic and hydrating. I actually just spray it on my beauty blender before applying foundation. It takes an additional 10 seconds and my makeup lasts the whole day. I hope you find something that works!

    5. CML*

      Part of my reason for wearing make-up is because I enjoy it and I prefer how I look with it. That being said, I don’t have great skin either. If it’s helpful, try a dermatologist office. The office I go to has a medical center (treatment of skin cancer, skin issues, etc) and an aesthetics center (laser treatment, minor surgical, but all about aesthetics of the skin. I’ve found my dermatologist to be much more helpful in taking care of my skin. I go to the medical center for skin checks annually and then if it’s an aesthetics issue (I have a lot of pock marks from years of bad acne), she can set me up an appointment with their certified estheticians in the aesthetics center.

    6. Libby*

      For eyeliner, one tip I saw from a YouTuber was she got an inexpensive brand and practiced it every night, right before she washed her face. That way if she messed up, she was just going to wash her face anyways.

      1. Alex the Alchemist*

        Love this! It’s similar to the makeup advice my Nana gave me when I was growing up- If you don’t know if a color will look good on you, buy it from a brand like Wet n Wild (or another inexpensive brand, this was just her favorite) and then if you like it, you can make a bigger investment!

    7. my two cents*

      I had mild acne as a teen, and in college I started bare minerals which I ended up using for some time. I have fairly sensitive and extremely dry skin – irritation and/or dryness will lead to oiliness, resulting in awful patches of breakout. It was good coverage, but the powdery mess from the mineral foundation drove me nuts.

      About 4-5 years ago, I switched to Korean BB creams and haven’t looked back. BB cream goes on like a tinted moisturizer, and it’ll blend to match your skin tone. You can layer more as needed, and they usually have SPF 40+. I pay about $15 for my Skin79 ‘gold’ type BB cream, and it’ll last me at least 2-3 months. IT Cosmetics makes a CC cream – I liked it, but it’s more coverage than I ever need.

      1. my two cents*

        Man, and re-reading through this thread again… I, too, have dry/easy-irritated cheeks that flush very bright against my very pale skin (due to daily medication). Like, flushing bright enough that multiple kids have asked ‘hey lady, why are your cheeks so pink?’

        BB cream is my jam.

        FIND A PRIMER YOU LIKE, TOO. I ended up using Smashbox Primer Oil, yes – oil, during the winter in Wisco.

      2. Kat*

        I will look into BB creams! I heard a lot about them but as usual couldn’t work out if they’d be a good idea for me or not. I used to wear tinted moisturiser and I liked it much better than foundation, but the coverage wasn’t quite enough for me.

        1. my two cents*

          Lots of different brands of BB creams out now. I like Skin79, and I used Missha for a long time – both are available from Amazon. Dr Jart and IT Cosmetics both make ‘cc’ creams (corrective cream I guess?) – I found Dr Jart to be a little too dark for me, and the IT one offers significant coverage.

        2. StrikingFalcon*

          If you go to a store like Ulta, they often have samplers out you can try (although not all the less expensive brands have them). Ulta and Sephora will also both take anything back as long as you are within their return windows, and consider “I am allergic to it” a valid reason to return things. I’m in the process of trying to learn makeup, and this has made it possible for me to even try – I’m allergic to a LOT of stuff that’s out there.

    8. Not a Morning Person*

      I’ve heard that IT and Bare Minerals are good makeup for people with skin problems. I think the powders are drying, but apparently for younger skin and with a good moisturizer they are amazing at covering up a multitude of problem skin issues.

    9. Mikasa*

      I would cry, too. I hate, hate, hate my eyes. I need mascara and eyeliner to make me feel like my eyes are normal, and I feel so jealous of people who’s eyes are symmetrical. They don’t need to do the weird eyeliner and mascara things I do. I wish I didn’t have to use either. I want my eyes to be pretty with no makeup.

  27. Earthwalker*

    Seems wrong that a company would expect that women paint their faces and not expect it of men as well. The demand that women wear makeup hearkens back to the days when women were employed as office decorations and fringe benefits for the men. Not that women (or men) shouldn’t wear makeup if they choose, as long as it’s not unprofessionally sexy, but it should not be a requirement.

    1. Coffee Cup*

      I mean, not that I defend dress codes (I actually find them pointless outside of security concerns) but you could make the same argument about ties, an unconfortable pointless thing that is expected of men and not of women. *shrugs* We could argue that all gendered expectations should be abolished, but in a work context I don’t necessarily thing women have it worse in terms of how to look presentable. I have seen many comments saying that “no one would look twice at a unkempt male CEO”… And yes, they absolutely would. Otherwise men would not have bothered with ties and starched collars.

      I am all for relaxing norms across the board, but I just don’t think women have it better or worse here.

      1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

        Oh believe me, I feel the same way you do about dress codes, and think ties are ridiculous, but none of those are quite the same as telling women that their actual real faces aren’t good enough for them to get a job/promotion or be taken seriously or considered professional.

  28. Sylvan*

    I’ve made the decision that if the average man’s face is good enough to be seen without makeup on an average day, then mine is, too.

    I would wear makeup if I, like a lot of women, liked using it for self-expression, fashion, or just plain fun, but I… don’t really, lol.

    2. Star*

      Yup. Sometimes my face is a bit more blotchy, or I have a small breakout, or I didn’t sleep well the night before. That also happens to the guys I work with, and no one expects them to paint over it.

      1. Bleeborp*

        I definitely agree that it’s frustrating that makeup is only expected in women but I’m a woman who enjoys makeup and have come down on the other side that I feel bad for men that it isn’t often culturally accepted to use makeup…my husband will get big honking zits on his face sometimes and I’m like ooh I wish I could just dab a little concealer on there!

        1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

          I don’t think it’s really an ‘other’ side! Men should feel just as free to wear makeup as women do.

          1. Mikasa*

            I think it is. We’re expected/pushed to wear it, and men are expected/pushed to never wear it. I see guys breaking out badly, and they probably don’t even think of makeup to conceal it while women might because that’s how the standards have been.

  29. Turkletina*

    I’m a blonde person who interacts with people mostly by video chat (I’m remote), so I always wear mascara just so that people can locate my eyes! While I personally seldom make more of an effort than that, my colleagues run the gamut from no makeup at all to fully contoured face. I’ve found that clothing has a much bigger effect than makeup on my impressions of people’s professionalism. Now I’m wondering how many other people feel differently!

    1. Junior Dev*

      Haha, I never wear makeup to work but I just gave a conference talk where I did my makeup first, and looking at the video, you would be totally unable to tell what my face was doing without it (the lighting was really bad).

      1. OtterB*

        I came here to say something like this. I never wore much makeup and pretty much gave it up altogether 20+ years ago. But a few years ago I started singing with a women’s chorus and had to learn how to do makeup for performances. We use full scale stage makeup for a few things, and “heavy street makeup” for most of our community performances. The group’s makeup chair did a demo for us once where she made up one side of her face and not the other. From across a big room, the made-up side looked normal, and the non-made-up looked washed out. That stuck with me. So now if I’m going to be making a presentation for work, I use tinted moisturizer, lipstick, and mascara, and sometimes eyeliner. Still don’t bother with it day to day.

        Re the “smoky eye” discussion, that was part of our full makeup one year. Looked good from stage distance. From closer up – well. Our director said we knew we’d put it on heavily enough when we looked like an aging raccoon hooker. ;-)

        1. Jadelyn*

          I skip makeup sometimes if I’m not feeling it, but if I have a videoconference that day I’ll wear at least minimal eyeliner and do my brows so that my face shows up looking like a face on the call.

      2. Fiennes*

        Yes—I always go big when I have a conference. You show up better in a big room/on video, photos are more likely to be taken/posted/tagged, etc. I also wear bold lipstick at events, partly for the above reasons, and partly because my personal anecdata suggests people are more likely to recognize/remember me.

    2. SheLooksFamiliar*

      Same here, Turkletina. I’m a redhead with pale lashes, and used to wear carefully applied eye shadow and mascara so my pale lashes were visible. One day I was running late and skipped the eye makeup. No one batted an eye, you should pardon the term. From then on, I maybe swiped some mascara and wore a somewhat bold lip color, and that was that.

      I agree, clothing probably makes more of an impression than makeup. But I still wear tinted moisturizer and mascara at the very least. No one’s fired me for this yet!

      1. MeowMix*

        I’m a redhead with absolutely CLEAR eyelashes. Sometimes I get mine professionally tinted (typically once a year, just before a vacation) so I feel comfortable going totally makeup-free. Otherwise my eyes can look very…pig ish…when there are literally zero visible eyelashes. Mascara forever!

        1. SheLooksFamiliar*

          I still use mascara because my lashes aren’t quite as light as yours, but they are straight and short. Mascara forever, twice!

        2. Coppertina*

          Me too! Redhead with invisible lashes. My coworkers will NEVER see me without mascara. Other than that, just lip gloss/balm. Weekends, I’m fine skipping the mascara unless we’re going out with friends. My eyebrows are quite bushy so I’ll get them waxed every so often. Sometimes my esthetician adds color before I can say no. It always looks ridiculous as she uses a blondish/light brown shade. I prefer my pale, ginger brows, just shaped.

        3. Coppertina*

          Forgot to add, I tried eyelash tinting decades ago & ended up with an eye infection. Has it gotten any safer?

  30. anoni for dis*

    Some of my peers wear no makeup and some of them wear a little more makeup. I tend to wear makeup every single day just as part of my routine, but I put it on at home and I wear neutral shades of eyeshadow to the office. I might bring a compact to touch up for a special event, but I would not make a habit of doing my makeup once I’ve arrived at work. I also despise the lady who uses the bathroom to get ready (she doesn’t work for the same company we share a floor with a different company so there isn’t much to be done about this) because I’m trying to use it for it’s intended purpose (think…office pooper) and there are only two stalls so it’s not like we have a gigantic bathroom to begin with. I think false eyelashes or glitter on the eyes would be too much for an office look, and hair extensions that change frequently I think could be a distraction. But I don’t see a problem with makeup if you like it or bare faced if that’s your thing.

  31. LadyIce*

    I’m an office person at a lumber yard, so I rarely wear makeup. I have on occasion, but I also have to get here at the crack of dawn, so that extra 20 min of sleep is nice. Even in terms of office people, it’s fairly male dominated, so while I’d love to do bold lip occasionally, I have no idea how my coworkers/boss would feel about it.

  32. Wannabe Disney Princess*

    I rarely wear it. And when I do it’s for me or because I’m doing something after work. (Or I don’t feel good – it fools my brain for a split second that I can’t possibly feel as bad as I thought.) I’m not skilled enough to do anything drastic. But I look different enough when I wear it, that people will always comment. Nothing bad. Usually just confusion, “You did something….is it your hair?”

  33. Cadbury Cream Egg*

    I do makeup for me. When I feel like I look good it gives me confidence which I then project to others. I’m pretty subtle with what I use but unless you’re makeup like Mimi from the Drew Carey Show I’m indifferent to how others do it.
    I also do it in the parking garage at work. I’ve noticed quite a few other women doing the same thing.

  34. RES ADMIN*

    Glitter is definitely over the top.

    I’ve seen people applying make up at their desk–which I find strange and off-putting, although I would never say anything to them about it.

    Having said that, I do wear makeup (albeit carefully enough that most people don’t notice one way or the other) and it never takes more than 5 min or so to apply–at home in my own bathroom. It would never occur to me to apply it at work so I am always confused when someone does.

    1. neeko*

      People wear glitter at my job and it’s no big deal. Depends on the culture of your office.

    2. All. Is. On.*

      I think it depends on what makeup is being applied at the desk. I don’t really see a difference in putting on lipstick in view of everyone vs. lip balm, but applying, say, false eyelashes or heavy foundation would be off-putting to me.

  35. Your Weird Uncle*

    One of my shortest jobs was at a very nice local spa where the owner told us she wanted us, the front desk crew, to look like we were going to a wedding every day with fancy hair and makeup. Makeup just doesn’t last on me – either it melts off from heat/humidity/running around, or I unconsciously smudge it off by touching my face too much/blowing my nose/living. Ugh. I totally admire people who can wear makeup and apply it very well, and I love to play around with it myself, but I was not happy having it ‘full makeup’ as a job requirement.

    1. Lil Fidget*

      My goodness, I hope the pay was high enough to allow you to meet this standard – full wedding requires money! I work one summer at a restaurant that wanted us all in fine clothes and looking good, but that money to do that came out of our pockets and I was totally irked about it. The Applebees I worked at the summer before provided those polo shirts!

      1. Your Weird Uncle*

        Ha, the money was definitely nowhere near that good. This was pre-recession, but definitely a geographical area where ‘you’re lucky to have a job, you’ll take what I give you and like it’ is the predominant theory about wages.

        I didn’t even mention the open-toed shoes and the requirement to have manicured/pedicured nails….since it was a spa, we were expected to use the salon on site but never for free, oh no. (I also have rubbish nails and spending my free time repairing chips and cracks did not make me happy.)

        I think I lasted about 3 months in that job, and hated every minute of it.

  36. Greengirl*

    I wear it so I look a little older (read more sophisticated). I work at a university and get mistaken for a student despite being 30 and wearing blazers. I tend to wear very understated makeup though so it looks more “office wear” than “young chic”. My routine is foundation, powder, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and blush. The eyeshadow is usually grey or purple and never smokey eyed. The blush is applied lightly. If I wear blush I don’t wear lip color because then I feel too made up. So I am wearing make up very differently than the 19 year old students (ie cat eyeliner, intense mascara, highlighter, glitter, crazy colored eyeshadows, etc). I could probably get away without wearing it but I think it makes me look a little more polished.

    I will put make up on at work before events sometimes. Since we have to change for events from jeans, etc for setting up to dress with nice shoes anyway, it’s not really frowned upon. I think doing make up every morning in the bathroom would be a little much. Sometimes I do my makeup in my car in the parking lot at work.

  37. Boo Berry*

    As someone who personally gets a lot of fun and enjoyment out of makeup, I say go for whatever gives you confidence and makes you comfortable.

    I come from a culture where you don’t go outside without first “putting on your face” and luckily it’s something I have a positive relationship with, but that’s not the case for everyone and that’s totally okay.

    I definitely have a work look and an off the clock look and that circles back to the idea of knowing your environment at work. However, I would say to keep the grooming at work to a microscopic minimum. Touching up your lipstick after lunch is one thing, resetting your curls with hairspray and doing a full face strobe is quite another.

    1. RussianInTexas*

      I am from a culture like that too! I did train myself out of dressing up and putting the full on make up for a grocery store run.

      1. Bleeborp*

        I bristled at that kind of thing when I was younger but now that I’m older and I developed a more positive relationship with makeup it’s getting more and more “oh I’ll just put on some powder real quick to go to the store…a maybe a little eyeshadow…and some foundation…and bronzer and highlight and liquid liner and 2 mascaras” and suddenly I’ve put my whole face on!

    2. Emily Spinach*

      I have a lot of fun with makeup, especially when I’m going out socially, but I definitely have a strong sense for myself of what kinds of looks are for work (for me) and which aren’t.
      If I’m going out with friends say to see a band, I might wear highlighter and gray lipstick, or contour my face or do a dramatic colorful eye. But I would emphatically NOT teach in that makeup. I avoid anything “trendy” at work–grayish/greige/dark lipsticks, highlighters, very heavy brows, super colorful eyes. And I have a lot of fun with all those things, just not when I’m teaching.
      Many days I teach in none, and most days I wear mascara and a neutral lip tint, and some days I wear a fuller face that’s non-sparkly and mostly neutral. I don’t think my students notice or care at all. Sometimes my colleagues comment–most women I work with don’t wear much makeup, so they’re very easily impressed if I do a fuller face. I sometimes exercise midday, and then it’s such a burden to re-do a full face, so… that’s another consideration!

      The area I wonder about a bit more than makeup is women’s hair: I have long-ish hair, and I often don’t do it at all. It’ll just be in a high bun or a messy low bun. I feel like I need some super fast ways to style it when it’s wet that look “nicer.” On days when I have meetings with administrators I have to add half an hour to my routine to dry and style my hair!

    3. Doks*

      My mama has always worn makeup, so I grew up watching her put it on before she went to work or before we went out at the weekend. I wear full makeup to work – usually winged eyeliner (I wear glasses so it never looks so dramatic on me) and usually bold lip (because I have huge lips that I was made fun of at school, but screw it I’m 26 now and I love them!), and it makes me feel nice. People at work often compliment my makeup, so I wouldn’t say it’s too much.

      There are also people in my office who wear no makeup, and that’s fine too. My main issue is not whether you are or aren’t wearing it, it’s whether you look polished enough. There are some ladies in my office who always look fresh and neat with zero makeup on, and some that look like they just rolled out of bed and haven’t brushed their hair. There are also ladies who wear very strong makeup but it’s tidy and work appropriate, and somewhere where it’s always a little messy (slightly smudged mascara, faded lipstick, unblended blush..).

  38. Buffy Summers*

    I wear makeup every day, but I don’t have to. I’ve just gotten tired of the “You look tired,” or “Oh, what’s wrong, are you sick?” comments.
    I think a smokey eye would be a little much. I love smokey eyes and would love to be able to pull that off, but I think I’d get some side-eye if I came in with a full on smokey eye.
    Gotta draw the line at body glitter. I don’t know that I would mention it to someone, but it’s definitely a no-no in my book.

    1. Tris Prior*

      Ugh, I got so sick of being told that I look tired, or being asked “What’s wrong?” or “Have you been crying?” because I’d gone without. Sigh, no, this is just my face. I was born with my very dark circles, you can see them in my baby pix! And yes, I’ve also gotten those “um….. do you need to talk?” comments from people who assume they’re black eyes due to domestic abuse. :(

      I feel like wearing makeup actually helps people focus on my work, rather than how I look completely exhausted or like I’ve been hit by my partner (who is the gentlest dude you’re ever going to meet, seriously). It SUCKS. But I guess I don’t think about it much any more, it’s just part of my routine and I can get it done in less than 5 minutes.

    2. Elephant*

      Oh, this reminds me of when my mother-in-law tried to compliment me that I looked better now that I was done with my master’s degree (presumably when I was working and in school I looked exhausted and horrible all the time, even though she had never said that and also I never said I was exhausted and rundown in the first place and had no issues with my own appearance). However she didn’t seem to remember that it wasn’t the first time she had seen me since graduating, and she didn’t realize that this time I was wearing makeup and the time before I hadn’t been. So while she thought the change was due to one thing, it was really due to her liking my appearance with makeup over it without, so her “compliment” was more about her preference, than about me. And I can’t imagine what she thinks now that I don’t wear it at all – I must look awful. That’s the challenge though if you tend to make comments to people about their appearance and why personally I try not to unless I’m 100% sure of what I’m getting into.

  39. Little Orange Nail*

    I rarely wore makeup when I was an actuary who interacted with nobody except other actuaries. When I moved up into management and started working with people elsewhere in the company and outside clients, I stepped up the formality of my clothes and I started to wear makeup to work – Nothing crazy, my whole routine takes 6 minutes, it’s just bb cream, neutral eyeshadow, and mascara. I don’t put on lipstick until I leave for work because I always kiss my husband goodbye in the morning and he doesn’t care to wear my lipstick :) I do not put on eye makeup at work, if I’m in a rush, I just do without. Though I routinely apply or touch up my lipstick at my desk.

    However, speaking of lipstick, I have been a serious amateur dancer my whole life, and I have some opinions about the power of lipstick and mascara. I think everyone who gives presentations in front of groups of people should wear both (And since men generally do not wear makeup, they are definitely missing out on the power of this) If you are standing more than about 10 feet away from the person you are talking to, your facial expressions don’t have the same impact as when you are up close. A bright lipstick and a good swipe of mascara make your eyes and lips stand out better, and make it easier to communicate with your facial expression to a room full of people.

    1. Marillenbaum*

      That is really a valuable point. I used to dance and did a lot of theater to boot, and the role of makeup in simply making your face more visible makes a huge difference.

    2. Traveling Teacher*

      Wow, this may be the first really good, logical reason I’ve read about wearing makeup at work in a long time, if ever (I don’t subscribe to the “polish”/”professional” reasons…). You’ve given me something to think about, thanks!

  40. stitchinthyme*

    Another non-makeup person here. Don’t like how it feels on my face, and I wouldn’t take a job the required me to wear it. (Not likely to happen, as I work in software development where I never have to interact with customers.)

    I wouldn’t care if I saw someone putting on makeup in the office bathroom. Hell, if they feel uncomfortable doing it in the regular restroom, our office has a couple of private bathrooms with showers (for people who bike to work), so they could do it there if they wanted. Long as they’re not touching up constantly at their desk to the exclusion of actual work (as I recall one LW complaining about a coworker doing that), it’s no harm.

  41. Foundation FTW*

    I have poor skin and do feel that make-up is essential for me to look professional. Although I’m in my mid-30s, I have friggin’ acne like a teenager and going without wearing anything definitely makes me appear younger/less knowledgeable/taken less seriously at work (this is amplified a million times when at conferences/trainings with people outside of my company – trying to workshop with a 55 year old guy in business suit when I look like I’m lost during “take your daughter to work day” is not conducive for me).

    I hate this. But it’s how it works for me in my industry.

    1. Rae*

      I have extremely red skin and I am in the same boat. A few times when I haven’t work it I have been asked if I was ok or had a fever due to being so red.

      1. anoni for dis*

        ditto! One day I didn’t wear makeup and the old receptionist asked me if I was sick. I said “no I’m just ugly” and walked away

        1. soon 2be former fed*

          Please, no ageism. I’m sixty-tw, and likely old to you, but the offensiveness here had nothing to do with age.

          1. Maggiekiwi*

            I kind of figured anoni for this meant old as in former, rather than old as aged.

    2. Lala*

      Same. I go without makeup around the house and sometimes on vacation, but it is a rare day where my skin is clear enough to go without makeup in public. At minimum I always wear concealer and mineral powder foundation. Depending on how much time I have in the morning/how dressed up I feel like I need to be, I’ll also do eyeliner and eyeshadow. I almost never wear mascara, though–doesn’t matter what formula or brand I use, it comes off and gives me awful dark circles under my eyes (I have tried low-to-very high end, many varieties of waterproof, etc., so I’m not looking for recommendations).

      I actually keep an emergency concealer stick in my desk and in my purse for the once in a blue moon days where I have a brain fart and walk out of the house with no makeup at all, because I feel too self-conscious without something covering my redness/acne/blotchiness. I really, really wish I didn’t have to bother with it most of the time. My workplace definitely doesn’t care about or require make-up either. I seriously envy the people with good enough skin to go without.

      1. Lala*

        Though on the plus side of having a crappy complexion, in the past when I had a boss who was ornery about sick leave, it was really easy to get them to believe me if I went in with no make up or washed it off in the bathroom. Sometimes looking terrible can have an upside!

    3. saby*

      yeah, in my workplace it’s totally fine to not wear any make-up but I have problems with (a) acne and (b) terrible post-acne marks that basically leave a small purple splotch on my face for 4+ weeks after the zit itself disappears. I always wear a minimum of spot concealer and undereye concealer for work.

      I think somewhere during my days working front-line customer service I absorbed the idea that it’s unprofessional to look particularly tired/ill/unkempt/anything other than cheerful and pleasant, so I have always thought of visible blemishes (at least in their angry red stage) and undereye circles as being on the same level as uncombed hair or wrinkled clothes. In an ideal world makeup wouldn’t be gendered, but also, even in this world, I’m not really sure why concealer is. The men I know who have started using concealer or tinted moisturizer to minimize acne or post-acne scars definitely feel less self-conscious about their appearance, just as much as the women.

  42. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

    I’m strongly of the belief that makeup shouldn’t be required to look professional. I don’t think wearing it (tastefully) is a bad thing — regardless of gender! — but the notion that it is an intrinsic part of professional womanhood I find to be profoundly misogynistic and completely rooted in the mindset that women are obligated first and foremost to be attractive. Why worry otherwise about an uneven skin tone, a blemish, or near-invisible eyelashes? (And why only worry about them for women — are female pimples somehow more visible than male pimples?)

    As for what’s appropriate — know your industry, know your company, know your face, and know your skills. I’m hesitant to draw a bright line overall, because there’s such a wide variety of what exactly you can do and what works for different face shapes. Sure, don’t wear dramatic stage makeup unless you’re in fact on a dramatic stage, but aside from that? Different people can carry off different looks.

    1. Arielle*

      It is just another way of policing women’s appearances in a can’t-win kind of way. Already in this thread I’ve seen blanket statements that “visible makeup is not professional” and “not wearing makeup is not professional.”

      I hate wearing makeup but I love buying skincare products so my goal is having skin that looks so good that it looks like I’m wearing makeup when I’m not. :) That’s just something I enjoy, but not something anyone should feel obliged to do.

      1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

        It is just another way of policing women’s appearances in a can’t-win kind of way.

        Boom, there it is. You’re either an unattractive woman who doesn’t care about herself (if you don’t wear it) or you’re vain and shallow (if you do).

        For me, I like wearing makeup when I have the time to do it, but it’s pretty much predicated on me having a short commute, because I’m not cutting into either my sleep or my wakey-uppy coffee-and-internet morning ritual to pretty up my face.

      2. Arjay*

        I love buying skincare products too, but it turns out besides just buying them, you also have to USE them. That’s the part where my master plan falls apart!

    2. Galatea*

      +1!

      re: your parenthetical statement: this is actually my go-to argument for when friends of mine want short hair but get freaked out about face shape or weight or whatever — most men have faces, most men have short hair, nobody gives THEM any problems about it, you’ll be fine!

      1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

        100% yep.

        Honestly going through a butch phase when I was in college was so helpful to me because it really helped me re-evaluate what appearance meant to me, and what standards are applied to masculinity vs. femininity.

      2. Anonymous Pterodactyl*

        OMG. In all my wondering about “could I pull off X cut?” I had never thought of it that way.

        I feel profoundly liberated now, so thank you! :D

      3. Coffee Cup*

        Eh, I don’t know. I know a lot of men who would look much better with longish hair but don’t do it because men-have-short-hair-dammit. I see a lot of comments on how worse women have it appearance-wise in this thread and I am surprised by how much I disagree. We have so much more choice on so many appearance related things.

    3. Penny Lane*

      “Why worry otherwise about an uneven skin tone, a blemish, or near-invisible eyelashes? (And why only worry about them for women — are female pimples somehow more visible than male pimples?)”

      Sometimes people care about these things because that’s how THEY want to present themselves – not because they’re worried about being “judged.”

      1. Jadelyn*

        On an individual level, yes – but I think CBF was more talking about broad expectations being applied to women who don’t inherently care about those things, but feel pressured to care because of their gender.

      2. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

        Exactly what Jadelyn said. I’m not talking about individual stylistic choices here, I’m talking about the mindset that a woman who wants to look professional must wear makeup to do so.

    4. Mike C.*

      Also, I find the calls for women never to touch up in public to be misogynist as well. It seems to go back to that idea that women should be perfect looking creatures and anything that betrays the work that goes into it spoils the illusion.

      1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

        Bingo. Women must not only be attractive at all times, but must support the illusion that the attractiveness is entirely natural and no effort goes into it.

        Sailor J on YouTube goes into a great bit about this. “If men know that we can shapeshift, they will tell the Church!”

      2. Kate 2*

        Yep, like the scolding over lipstick rings on glasses (literally impossible to avoid) or touching up lipstick at the table after a meal.

  43. RussianInTexas*

    To add, I do the whole make up – foundation, concealer, blush, powder, a bit of highlighter, eye brow pencil, eye liner, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick/lip gloss. Takes me about 10 minutes in the morning. But again, I like the way I look with it, and not telling anyone that they need to do it too.

  44. AdAgencyChick*

    I don’t wear any at all. I’m starting to wonder whether I should, since I’m approaching A Certain Age and I’m wondering whether I should try to look a little more refreshed, shall we say, for work.

    But I keep procrastinating on actually biting the bullet and doing it (that and dyeing my increasingly gray hair). I just hate the idea of adding more maintenance to my morning routine!

    1. MechanicalPencil*

      Maybe go to a Sephora or something and ask them for a Super Basic face. There are tinted moisturizers out there and the like — it’s like a 2 in 1. You don’t have to go super crazy and dive into contouring and all that (which…what is that and how).

      1. JS*

        I would stay away from Sephora as far as getting them to do your makeup. I have never liked their skills when it comes to that. They are the mecca when it comes to selection and where I shop though. I would go to M.A.C. and if you buy $30 worth of products you get 30 mins of them applying your makeup, artist at M.A.C have a lot more training and skills.

        Best way to get started imo is find a youtube video of someone’s makeup who you like and follow their steps in application. Thats how I taught myself to do makeup and now I can do a full Kim K professional contour.

        1. MechanicalPencil*

          Ah, I was thinking of MAC. I don’t have either in my area, so my brain confuses the two. MAC makeup and my skin totally hate each other so I have to go a different route.

        2. Fortitude Jones*

          M.A.C. makeup artists are terrible as well, especially for people who want a subtle, natural look.

      2. oranges & lemons*

        Obviously I am too immature to wear makeup because when I imagine asking for a basic face, in my mind the salesperson will bring out a selection of faces to suction over my own.

    2. Lil Fidget*

      That’s too bad, because I’ve always thought I should wear it because I look too young to appear professional (I’m trying to get up a level, and the people at that level tend to be older) – I was hoping when I started to get grey hair and a more mature face, I’d look the part better, and not have to face the pressure of makeup! Just goes to show, you can’t win.

      1. AdAgencyChick*

        In my niche of advertising, there’s definitely some pressure to appear young and hip, because hey, that makes you creative, right? Except we’re also expected to have deep knowledge of certain subject matter that doesn’t always come with age, but experience sure does help! *industry-directed eye roll*

    3. Kathenus*

      I don’t wear any either. I am at A Certain Age and definitely don’t look the same as when I was younger. But for me personally, this is the way I look, so be it. I have no interest in wearing make up and am happy that I’m in a field that doesn’t make me feel penalized by that decision.

    4. J.B.*

      As a fellow resident of Certain Age land, I am now wearing makeup more often. Just BB cream and a little blush. I recently gave up coloring my hair and am loving the less effort.

  45. Lab rat*

    I’m in academia, physics, where more than a line of crayon/discreet lipstick means you’ll get asked “are you giving a presentation today?”. But to be fair many men get asked that too when they wear button-up shirts.
    Here pretty much anything goes as long as you’re a good worker, don’t show your underwear, and don’t stink. A few graduates wear noticeable makeup (mascara, vivid lipstick, the occasional glitter) and it’s not a problem. I can’t say if it’d impact their credibility if they wanted to ‘rise in the ranks’ though.

    1. Nicki Name*

      I’m a software engineer and it’s much the same for me. It’s not unusual for women in customer-facing parts of a software company to wear makeup, but a female engineer putting on more than something basic and discreet would be weird. Even on the rare occasions when we may be involved in meeting customers, the expectations are more about just wearing something more formal than a T-shirt and jeans. (Same for the men.)

      1. BadPlanning*

        Indeed — you could probably pretty accurately pick out women who work in finance/law vs software at my company based on their make up level.

        I used to wear make up in high school, then only for special occasions. Then only to attend weddings. Then I realized I had a bunch of old make up that even if I wanted to wear make up, I probably shouldn’t wear that stuff. Throwing it all away felt weird. But good.

  46. MechanicalPencil*

    I have a fairly low key makeup routine, but I sometimes go for a bolder lip color when I generally don’t wear anything. I’ll do a subtle smoky eye normally (soft black, easy on the eyeliner) and then if I’m headed out that night just darken it all up. I might do something to even out skin tone, but generally no. It’s pretty much just brow, shadow/liner, maaaybe lips.

    Body glitter is always a no. Glitter gets *everywhere*. I barely wear makeup that has shimmer in it to begin with, so body glitter is me saying I’ve been kidnapped and am signalling for help.

  47. Anita-ita*

    Oooof! Tricky question. As far as not wearing make up, I do think it’s important to look professional and polished if that’s the industry you work in. I had a coworker once who had terrible dark circles under her eyes. She had big round eyes and didn’t wear mascara but wore a brown eyeshadow, which didn’t look good. She always looked tired and worn out. Her face had no color and if she had stopped using the brown eyeshadow and added in some cheek color, mascara, and concealer under her eyes, she would have looked so much more professional. Almost every person I worked with commented on her bad make up was and how tired she looked all the time.

    That said, I think if you can pull off the on make up look, then kudos to you! I like my face without make but but I add mascara, cheek color, and a bit of eyebrow mascara. If you wanted to throw in a light nude eyshadow I think that would be fine as well.

    I have never been a fan of face make up or heavy eye make up so it’s partially my opinion but also has a professionalism aspect. Unless you work in the fashion industry, at a hair salon, make up artist industry, entertainment industry (I’m sure I’m missing some…), I don’t think heavy make up is appropriate. I know some people have skin conditions to cover up and that’s fine, but 4 layers of foundation with concealer and contouring, eyeliner, 8 shades of shadow, and the whole shabang is not necessary.

    A lot of this is my opinion that less is more and adding just a touch to enhance your look is what looks best. I do have friends that are into make up and they use it as a form of self expression and artistry but I think each one of them looks better with less :)

    1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

      Out of curiosity, would you say that a man who looks tired and pale should wear cheek color, mascara, and concealer? Would you consider him less professional because he’s looking a bit grey?

      1. Anita-ita*

        The circumstances are different for men since most don’t wear make up. Like I said, it’s an opinion I have. Men can look unprofessional under a different set of circumstances and make up has nothing to do with it (clothes, greasy hair, unkempt hair, unkempt face).

          1. Anita-ita*

            Of course they do! Men and women have different face structures and they age differently. Unfortunately I don’t think women age as gracefully as men. Nothing wrong with touching up with some make up if it helps you look more alert and professional. I agree with the below comment, it’s possible for those who look more alert and professional are treated differently than those who don’t (depending on the industry).

            1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

              I think that women age just the same as men do, but we’re calibrated to expect attractiveness as a primary feminine quality, and to equate attractiveness with youthfulness.

            2. Autumnheart*

              No, men age far more poorly than women do, as anyone should know simply by looking. Never using moisturizer or sunscreen does a number on one’s skin. It’s a social convention that women are expected to always look youthful and are judged negatively for visibly aging, and men are not.

              1. Rusty Shackelford*

                Honestly, I think both of these things are true. Objectively, women age “better” than men, since they get fewer wrinkles/less sun damage thanks to moisturizer and sunscreen. Subjectively, men are considered to have aged “better,” because wrinkles are considered acceptable on men, so a man with wrinkles is considered more attractive than a woman with the same amount of wrinkles (yeah, George Clooney, I’m looking at you).

                1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

                  Yep, I find it profoundly unfair that ‘silver fox’ seems to be an almost exclusively male description.

                3. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

                  kc89 – as a lady who has to shave, I’ll report back on how that affects my aging!

                  (No lies, though, I do think it helps with my complexion. Since I started shaving, I’ve had little to no zit problems.)

      2. Little Orange Nail*

        I think most men would benefit from some makeup, and it has definitely been my experience that men who look tired or hangdog are treated with less authority in the office than men who look alert and engaged.

        2. oranges & lemons*

          Yeah, I think this is one of those ways sexism harms men as well–I’m sure there are plenty of men out there who would like to cover up their zits or whatnot, but unless you work in TV or other fairly limited areas where it’s more common, I don’t think most people would think it reflected well on them. On the flip side, men aren’t judged as harshly for physical imperfections, though.

        3. Triumphant Fox*

          Agreed. My father uses a tinted moisturizer/bronzer because if it’s winter and he hasn’t had much sun, he just looks so sick. His skin gets this pale yellowish hue and it really bothers him – I’m really glad he does this instead of tanning. With it, the color balances out any under eye circles and really just makes him look more like himself. I think it helps him be perceived as authoritative and energetic instead of old.

      3. Kate 2*

        Just look at all the commercials there are for hair dye for men. Definitely some of this stuff applies for them. Like being clean shaven. Men in more conservative fields, like finance or politics, are almost universally clean shaven. That’s just the expectation, from my experience in the field.

    2. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      And I’m sure the friends you have that do it for artistry and self expression don’t give a rat’s patootie whether you think they look better with less or not. Because it’s about them, not you.

  48. Emma the Strange*

    Nope! Haven’t written makeup of any kind since my sporadic experiments with it in middle school. I work at a tech company where shorts in summer are fine, so no one notices or cares.

  49. Katie the Fed*

    My “routine” such that it is, is about 2 minutes at most. Just tinted moisturizer/sunscreen, a little cover up for the under eye circles, eyeliner, mascara, and tinted lip balm. I don’t think it’s required at all, but I look less tired with it.

    1. Windchime*

      My makeup routine is very quick, too. Moisturizer, then CC cream, a little bit of blush, soft eyeliner, mascara. Sometimes a little neutral eyeshadow, but it’s always gone within an hour or so anyway so I often don’t bother. I don’t like heavy lip color so if I do anything, it’s a tinted balm.

  50. shep*

    I try to at least fill in my eyebrows. (Seriously considering investing in microblading so I don’t have to fill them in myself anymore!)

    I’ve also been trying to put on a “modified” full face every day, i.e., obviously not full-out glam (which I’m no good at anyway…), but enough to feel very presentable. It’s certainly not required in my office, but I know I look exhausted/grumpy/unapproachable without it. And I just feel more confident when wearing makeup, which I think in turn projects confidence to my peers and supervisor.

    That said, I absolutely don’t judge if other women choose to wear or not wear makeup! I have fun putting it on [mostly], and I like feeling put together and confident.

    1. shep*

      (Which is not to say that women who don’t wear makeup AREN’T put together and confident; just that I PERSONALLY feel like makeup helps me mentally feel put together. Haven’t had my coffee yet this morning!)

  51. Galatea*

    This is something I worry about — it’s honestly the least of the ways my appearance could hurt me (I look/present pretty noticeably Not Cishet, I have a couple of ongoing skin conditions), but it’s the one I get the most hung up on.

    I’m in tech, but I’ve found for pretty much anybody who isn’t a man that that doesn’t really mean there AREN’T rules about how you should present yourself, they’re just different and weirdly obscured — this attitude of “well we don’t care about appearance! Dress codes don’t matter!” but then also you will lose out if you step outside that norm. It’s very frustrating.

    1. Galatea*

      …Wow, well this was a wild misfire, and is just incoherent out of context.

      Not wearing makeup at work is something I worry about.

      1. Rosie*

        I think you’re so right that the ‘no rules’ rules are often based on a deeper set of unacknowledged rules and assumptions!

        By the way, your name isn’t a John Lyly reference is it? Because, if so, that’s just awesome.

  52. She who has never baked a potato*

    A friend of mine told me of a time when a woman in her office, who usually wears mascara, came to work sans mascara one day and the whole office teased her about it (the reason given was that she has quite pale eyelashes so without eye makeup she looks startled). It got so bad that she /had/ to go apply it in the bathroom so people would leave her alone.

    Okay so the applying of mascara isn’t exactly a difficult task, but to work in an office that would spend so much time reading someone over something so minor is just…uncomfortable.

  53. else*

    I think this must be a profession specific thing. I’ve never worn it in my life, and that is common in my profession (academia/libraries). Wearing makeup is also common – I think it’s personal choice. What IS uncommon is a full-on glam face, especially in the Southern style, even here in the South. It’s also position based about what the norms are, I think – professors and researchers usually don’t wear makeup, administrators or librarians usually don’t or wear natural or standard professional makeup styles, and hourly staff usually do wear it and are the only ones I’ve ever seen wearing a full face and obvious makeup.

  54. AnonEMoose*

    I usually just wear a bit of eye makeup (shadow, liner, and mascara) at work. I try to keep it to more neutral colors and nothing too dark or bright, unless it’s a really small amount as a highlight. And sometimes lipstick or lip balm if my lips are dry.

    Recommendation: If you wear eye makeup, and you haven’t tried it, the eyeshadow primer from Urban Decay is the makeup product you will pry out of my cold, dead hands. Put on a small amount, let it dry, and then apply your eye makeup normally. And it will stay put. All day. It won’t crease. It won’t run. It’s amazing.

    On rare occasions when I have meetings that involve bigwigs, I might wear a full face, but that’s rare for me. It might be different in a different job.

    But in general, for work, I’d say it’s heavily environment-dependent. If you’re a makeup artist, or appearance otherwise matters a lot in your job, then I’d say to try to conform to what your coworkers are doing. If it’s more of a regular business environment, I’d say to keep your makeup in neutral/natural shades, and make sure you know how to apply it well.

    If it’s a quick routine or a quick repair job, I’d say it’s fine to do in the bathroom at work, just try not to take up too much space. I’ve done a full application at work, but in the afternoon when I was leaving to go somewhere else. As an occasional thing, as long as it doesn’t take too long, I think it’s fine.

    1. JS*

      Further recommendation: If you have a Nordstrom Rack near you buy the primer from there. It’s $18 at Sephora but only $9 there and they usually always have it in stock. Its in all their stores as Ive bought it there on both coasts in US. They also have the all nighter spray which YMMV on but its good for dry heat environments, so-so in humidity for keeping makeup on.

      Agreed though, makeup in afternoon for after work is fine, you shouldnt be doing more than quick touch ups throughout the day.

    2. Nemo*

      Urban Decays eyeshadow primer is my favorite. I’m signed up for their email list. If there is something I want from that company I’ll put it in my cart and leave it there for a week or two and always get offered a discount. One time I got the primer, a bottle of setting spray and a travel sized bottle for $5

  55. Emi.*

    I’m curious whether people think trendy makeup looks less professional. For example, super-matte lipstick is trendy right now (right?), so does that come off as less businesslike than a more classic look?

    1. Chicken*

      Super matte lipstick is still somewhat trendy but on the way out, I think. I think makeup is similar to clothing in that ultra trendy looks are read as less professional, but dated looks are also read as less professional. Something contemporary but not too trendy is generally read as the most professional.

    2. Cookie Monster*

      I would say as long as you’re sticking to reds, pinks, and neutrals, super-mattes are still totally okay! (Red and bright pink may vary by office, in a business casual setting so long as you don’t have drastic eye make-up with it, I’d say you’re more than fine.)

    3. AnonEMoose*

      I think it depends on the trend, personally. Something like super-matte lipstick, I think it depends on the shade. I generally try to avoid anything sparkly or glittery in my makeup for work, but as long as the lipstick isn’t really bright and doesn’t clash, that probably wouldn’t register with me.

      1. Curious Cat*

        +1! I don’t think there’s a huge difference in professionalism between gloss vs. matte, but it’s all about the color and shade.

        1. Triumphant Fox*

          I remember when super glossy lips were popular, and then super shimmery lips. I can’t imagine either being very professional – they’re so distracting (more so, I think, than shimmery eye-shadows…probably because your mouth is always moving?)

    4. bb-great*

      I think it comes down to 1) unusual colors and 2) amount of makeup. Basically, is it distracting? Matte red or neutralish pink isn’t going to raise eyebrows, but dark purple or hot pink might. Likewise a subtle amount of highlighting is probably fine, but really obvious contour wouldn’t be. Of course this will depend on industry just like the makeup question in general.

    5. walkingwhilefemale*

      I think it really depends on your company and office culture. I work with mostly mid-20s – early 40s women in the marketing department of a large ($2b+) multinational company – we all sit together on the same floor, and the company as a whole skews that way in age by the sheer volume of folks we have working for us. Our office is located in a large east coast metro area for even further reference. Mostly everyone here wears makeup to some degree, ranging from nothing at all to a “natural” full face, but it’s never really commented on aside from compliments!

      I’ve noticed some people will come in with a new, trendier matte lipstick shade or a new mascara, and someone else might compliment them on it or say, “Oh, is that new mascara?” in a complimentary way. No one usually tries a new or trendier look on the days when we have higher-ups or client meetings in the office, however.

    6. Mananana*

      I wouldn’t think twice about someone wearing something like super-matte lipstick to the office, but if it was a more “out there” trend (glitter eyeshadow, spidery eyelashes, rainbow eyeshadows) I’d wonder why they are made-up for the club, not work.

      1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

        For everyday wear I prefer the least glossy lipstick I can find and have for the last 30+ years. And I’ve *always* been able to find something matte. Don’t see why super-matte would raise an an eyebrow.

    7. Kate 2*

      Most people in my experience have no clue what’s trendy! I love makeup but I don’t follow the trends myself. I think it would be important if you worked in advertising, fashion, or makeup, but in most industries the men and most of the women just don’t care, if they even notice. Exceptions for things like pastel blue eye shadow and glitter, which are joked about and used as gags on sitcoms and SNL.

  56. Localflighteast*

    I’ve never worn makeup at work. I never figured out the adulting skill required to apply it. I look like a clown if I try.
    my current workplace is pretty relaxed and it honestly isn’t an issue. To make it look like I am actually making an effort appearance wise, I do other things like dye my hair to match our current marketing colour.

    TBH I actually kind of resent the fact that women are expected to wear this stuff.

    1. Trig*

      Yeah, reading this thread, my opinion has gone from “it’s fine if people want to do it” to “THE DOUBLE-STANDARD IS REALLY UNFAIR AND I HATE IT AND I’M SO GLAD I WORK FROM HOME.” Like, all this stuff about people feeling like they must hide redness or bags or whatever (either to feel confident in themsleves, or actively judging other people!), and colleagues commenting about someone looking sick or tired when they don’t wear makeup! Because clearly if women have any blemish at all they aren’t professional and only perfect-looking women should work!

      It makes me maaaaad! I still say it’s fine if people *want* to do it, but I also lament the fact that we’re in this cultural space where women feel like they *have* to but men don’t.

      1. Kat*

        I agree – I am personally someone who prefers the look of their face with makeup but it can get really absurd how strong this social sense of “my face is unacceptable to be seen when my dark circles are visible” can get! I am a medical student, and I had a surgery rotation where I was getting up at 4:30am and working more than 12 hour shifts… and still putting on makeup in the morning (concealer & cat-eye liner*). So I didn’t look too tired, when literally everyone involved in surgery looks tired! The patients on the table didn’t care! Why did I miss even an extra minute of sleep?

        *Besame’s “mascara cake” is ideal for a cat eye that will last 14hrs, through the OR and still be easily washed off, for the record

  57. A.N. O'Nyme*

    To me it feels like it’s a mix of know your company/industry and what you’re comfortable with. I personally don’t wear a lot of make-up (usually none, occasionally eyeliner, mascara and/or lipstick) but if you feel good and don’t look like a clown? Go for it.
    That said: DO NOT APPLY MAKE-UP TO YOUR BOOBS IN PUBLIC.

    1. A.N. O'Nyme*

      (clicked submit too fast) Personally I’ll be most likely to wear make-up when I’m nervous for a presentation or something. I consider it my warpaint :) .

    2. Jadelyn*

      Applying makeup…to…your boobs…? o.O

      I desperately want to know the context but I’m kinda afraid to ask.

      1. A.N. O'Nyme*

        It’s more boring than it sounds really: classmate in high school had a foundation that was more than one tint off. So putting it on her face made it clear her neck was a different colour, so she did her neck too. But she was also wearing a slightly low-cut shirt. Thus, she put some on her boobs so it wouldn’t be noticeable. And of course the best time to apply make-up to your boobs is in class.

      2. LBG*

        Back in the ’80’s, women would add contour to their cleavage to enhance their assets. I can’t say I ever saw anyone do it for work, but more for going out on the town.

      3. Kelly L.*

        I had occasion once to be on television, and they had to make up my decolletage to make it match what they’d already put on my face! They’d matched the color pretty well, but I flush.

  58. k.k*

    I had a very similar experience. I’m a person that loves makeup as like a hobby (you can often catch me watching tutorials, I’m up on trends, and can spend too much time/money on it), and used to wear a full face every day. Then I was running low on some stuff and went with a more minimal look, and it was totally fine. My daily is now just a light BB cream, spot concealer if needed, mascara, and a lip tint/balm. I could probably wear none and no one would care, but this is my preference.

  59. But you don't have an accent...*

    I think wearing makeup depends more on your skin and personality than anything. I have rosacea and adult acne, so my skin would likely be more distracting if I didn’t wear makeup. Years of high school with a bright red face year round taught me that past October, people WILL ask you why you’re sunburned and replying “I’m not, it’s just my skin” with a glare isn’t something that make you “easy” to work with.

    As for some of the more advanced things, like smokey eyes, heavy contouring, odd lip colors (black, blue, purple), etc., is not something that I think is appropriate for most industries. And a big no to body glitter!

  60. Blurgle*

    I have so many feelings about this one. If it were in my power I would make it a federal crime to expect employees of either sex to wear makeup or to judge their professionalism or “polish” (ugh) on whether they smear expensive allergenic grease all over their face.

    1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

      YES.

      When I’m queen of the entire world, that will go right in my list of edicts.

    2. Traveling Teacher*

      +1000
      Especially from a purely economical standpoint, it’s an invisible tax. There’s this horrifying figure out there that women spend 150,000-300,000 as an average over a lifetime on makeup, depending on the survey…

      And that’s not even to mention the time! Time finding, buying, applying, removing… Once I stopped wearing makeup, I toted up the time I saved over a week/month/year (figuring in the application, touching up, removal, etc.) I was saving an average of 30-45 mins every day!

      1. Traveling Teacher*

        And, this is not to say that no one should wear it! People who like it should feel free to do whatever they like/feel comfortable with. But, if an employer is outright expecting it for “polish,”…that’s something else entirely.

  61. CLD*

    I bike to work. Then work out at lunch. Then bike home. So make up wearing is almost non existent in my work life (and in my real life if we’re being honest). I often wonder if I should be wearing it, but then I think about the effort and waste of product and this woman doesn’t have time for that!

  62. JS*

    I dont know why you would ever wear body glitter unless you worked in trendy clubs/bars where glitz and glam were expected. I think body glitter and body highlighter are two different things though, highlighter is subtle.

    I for one LOVE makeup, I hit Sephora Rouge every year but I rarely ever wear makeup to work. I work in advertising but my job isnt client facing. It would take an extra 20-30 min in the mornings for me to do it and it already takes me 10 minutes to do my skin care routine. I would have to dedicate an extra 30 mins to makeup which imo is precious sleep time as I am night owl so I average 5-6 hrs.

    1. Emily Spinach*

      The time is part of my issue: I spend a fair bit of time on skincare, so to put on “neutral” makeup sometimes doesn’t feel worth doubling the time I’m already taking to get ready. But other days it’s fun and it’s how I do want to spend that 10-15 minutes, so it just varies.

  63. Trillion*

    Slighlty off topic, but the best thing about wearing makeup everyday, especially eye make up, is that when you *don’t* wear it, you look sick. If I’m genuinely sick and need to convince my boss that I’m better off at home, I come in without the makeup. Works like a charm.

    1. k.k*

      Ha, so true. I’m naturally blessed with super dark under-eye circles. Even if I put on the rest of my face, if I skip the under-eye concealer I look on the brink on death.

      1. Trillion*

        It’s even better when the manager suggest you go home before you can even broach the subject. “Oh hey, you look terrible. You feeling okay? Maybe you should go home.”

        Result!

    2. Trillion*

      Also heads up to those that don’t normally wear makeup. If you do wear it for a job interview, your manager may know something’s up (similar to wearing a suit to work if you don’t usually).

      When I’m secretly interviewing (like now), I try to allow for a few minutes to refresh or apply makeup as part of my “get interview ready in the car so I don’t let the cat out of the bag” routine. But if something happens and I end up needing that time back, it’s infinitely better to be on-time but without makeup than late but fabulous.

      1. Jadelyn*

        This x100 – if you don’t normally wear makeup, but are going to for a job interview, apply it in the car or a public bathroom right before the interview, and make sure you take it back off before you go back to work, or else people will think something’s up.

        I tend to dress very simply in slacks and sweaters or simple blouses, with mostly flat shoes or boots. One time I had found an old skirt I hadn’t seen in years while cleaning out my closet, so the next day I wore it to work, and wore heels with it because it looked better that way than with my usual flats. My *entire team* asked me, one person at a time in discreet moments when they could get me alone, if I had a job interview that day. Anytime you look fancier than normal, it’s a thought that’s going to cross *someone’s* mind.

    3. Rusty Shackelford*

      LOL! I wear makeup even when I’m sick, but skipping the blush/undereye concealer is a pretty good “see, I really am sick!” visual aid.

      1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

        When I’m sick, I’m lucky if I feel good enough to get dressed, let alone put on a face.
        That said, if I’m only a little crap feeling, I might put on clothes and a little face to try and convince *myself* that I don’t feel so bad.

    4. Canto Bight*

      I was going to say the opposite of this! I rarely wear makeup in part because I have witnessed this phenomenon with other women too many times. I’d much rather my everyday, bare face be the thing people are used to than if I’m running late or don’t feel like spending time primping in the morning having to deal with “are you feeling okay?” and “what’s wrong?” comments all day.

    5. AvonLady Barksdale*

      Oh, this is so true! My co-worker and I both wear basic makeup every day, and one day she didn’t and I totally asked her if she was ok (and I felt bad about it in retrospect, though we’re pretty open with each other generally).

  64. CoconutLaCroix*

    I wear a full face of makeup every day. I also wear makeup — albeit a bit less — when I go to the grocery store. I’ve got my system down pretty well and can knock out everything including work-appropriate smokey eyes in 15 minutes.

    I never would apply makeup at work. Partly because my work restrooms are nasty, but also because morning makeup is just part of my routine.

  65. Berry*

    I wear makeup every day mostly because I really like it, it’s a nice taking 10 minutes to myself in the morning kind of situation.

    We did have one grad school intern (she was 27) who wore a lot of bright makeup – including wildly unnatural lipstick colors like yellow and blue! We’re a casual office but I was a bit surprised that her manager didn’t tell her off on it, though she did get a lot of compliments from people around the office.

  66. ex-pedestrian*

    In a former job, I would spend 5+ minutes putting on makeup at work. I took public transportation or walked to work, so outside of a few months out of the year when the weather was reasonable, putting makeup on before getting to work would result on it sliding down my face by the time I arrived. It never seemed to be an issue, though I also got to work early most days.

    I also generally keep my makeup to concealer, mascara, brow gel, and lip product, so it’s quick and not wildly face-changing (and therefore not a drastic difference if I skip it completely).

  67. HRM*

    I prefer the way I look with makeup and generally wear it to work daily but I don’t wear anything too extreme… just primer, foundation, lipgloss, mascara and eyeliner. Sometimes I skip the eyeliner if I’m in a rush, and sometimes I add eyeshadow if I’m in the mood. There are days where I just don’t feel like wearing makeup at all or I’m just straight up running too late to put it on. Today was one of those days actually – not currently wearing any makeup. My current position is in the manufacturing industry and there are very few women who work at my location. All of the ones who do wear little or no makeup, so I don’t feel pressured.

    My previous job was also in HR but working in a a different industry. The culture there was the opposite – most women wore full faces of makeup (along with lots of jewelry, heels, tights, etc.) and I generally conformed for the year and a half I was there. I can only remember two occasions I went into work without makeup there, the first was about a year into my employment and I remember one of the managers taking me aside to ask if I had been in a domestic violence situation – I was like nope, my eye circles are always this dark I’m just usually wearing a ton of makeup over them!

    It’s nice to be in a place that is much more relaxed about it. I don’t feel as much pressure to get dolled up every single day. I rarely straighten my hair here either. Just blow dry and straighten my bangs quick which saves me 10-15 minutes of doing my whole head. My previous job was also very big on appearances in general – gossiping about who had gained weight, what people were wearing, who was attractive, who was rewearing an outfit they had worn the previous week, etc. and it was pretty toxic for me self esteem wise. I’m so much more happy in a place that doesn’t care what I look like as long as I’m not wearing something inappropriate.

  68. Anonymous Ampersand*

    I’m surprised how many others don’t wear makeup! I thought I was a rarity :)

    1. Angela B.*

      No way! I said this in my comment below, but I’ve always been in the minority wearing makeup every day.

      1. Anon for this*

        It’s interesting that you mention race – a lot of darker-skinned women I know almost always wear concealer and/or foundation to even out their skin tone. People with darker skin tones can be prone to very dark (rather than red) hyperpigmentation that doesn’t fade easily even with a good skin care routine. Having a face that’s almost permanently spotty is a bit different from temporary blemishes here and there, so wearing makeup involves different considerations than for someone whose skin tone tends to be even.

        1. Nina*

          All of this. I’m fortunate to have pretty good skin, but I do have some hyperpigmentation and whenever I get a pimple or a blemish, the mark remains MONTHS after the pimple is gone. It’s a few shades darker than my skin tone, and sunlight exposure doesn’t help. There’s no hiding it. Hence the concealer and foundation.

          Sometimes I can’t be bothered with makeup, but I do like the difference when I’m wearing it.

          1. Anon for this*

            Man, I’m dealing with a few dots of close-to-pitch-black hyperpigmentation from a bad bout of acne I had *a whole freaking decade ago*. And I wear sunscreen religiously to stop it from getting darker. I don’t feel like advertising my skin’s history when I go to work, and it’s the kind of thing that would be obvious on caramel skin, so I don’t have uncomfortable feminist feels about using concealer.

            That said, I get that people unfamiliar with this kind of situation can’t really relate to how we use makeup.

    3. Amber Rose*

      Most of the women I know wear at least a little, so it was a bit surprising to me too. I gave up on even concealer years ago.

    4. Annie Moose*

      Me too!

      Any time a thread about makeup shows up anywhere on the internet, it seems to be full of people going, “Oh, I just throw on some mascara” and then it comes out that what they really mean is “I just wear mascara… after putting on multiple types of concealer and foundation and lipstick, obviously”. So it’s nice to know that there legitimately are some other people out there who no, really, don’t wear makeup.

      1. Windchime*

        Yes, I’ve noticed this, too. “Oh, I don’t wear makeup. I do put on some concealer and mascara and lip gloss, though.” Um. That’s makeup.

    5. FM*

      Yup, no makeup at all for me. But for me, like some other people mentioned, it’s a career path choice/dealbreaker. I decided a long time ago that I wasn’t going to go into any field that would require makeup from me. (It’s not a coincidence that the only retail job I’ve ever held was at a video game store; I would never get hired at a fashion place that wanted me to look fashionable.)

      It’s limiting, but so is deciding that I don’t want to go into construction work or become a plumber. I can enjoy makeup if someone else does it for me, on a special occasion–I like weird exciting makeup that shows itself off as a thing, like glitter or black lipstick or curlicue metallic eyeliner–but I would be regularly unhappy wearing it every day, so I avoid jobs where I would have to.

      I had a girlfriend who didn’t want to go outside of the house without her makeup on, and I respect that, too. Different strokes for different folks. I also wish that makeup would become more acceptable (though not required!) for me; it’s one of those frustrating gender barriers, that most men aren’t comfortable wearing a floral dress or makeup or glittery ribbons or any other fun fashion stuff that’s associated strongly with femininity.

    7. CheeryO*

      I wear mascara and eyeliner, and I’m definitely in the minority in my office (mostly crunchy-granola types, and some of us do a lot of fieldwork). It’s actually kind of obnoxious because every once in a while someone will say something snarky about people who wear makeup to work, and I’m like, HELLO, look at my eyeballs, this is not natural!

  69. Angela B.*

    I always always wear makeup to work, mostly because that’s just part of my routine that takes me from feeling like Angela at home in sweatpants to Angela at work looking presentable. For me, that means concealer and tinted moisturizer, eyeshadow/liner/mascara, blush, and lipstick, which sounds like a lot but I’m pretty fast since I do it every day and it brings me joy, so totally worth it. Generally I stick to neutral colors except for lippy, that’s my area to play and I will cop to wearing very dark purple/almost black lipstick to work when the outfit warrants… because I work in the kind of office where no one cares. I’m the only person in my office who really bothers with makeup, and likewise, I definitely dress the most business end of business casual among the women–for the men, slacks, collared shirt and tie are pretty much a given, whereas most of the women are more dressed down just because it’s easier to get away with it. And I would also say that even though I wear makeup every day, I’ve never thought that women who don’t wear makeup to work are any less professional or dedicated than me, and I’ve always been outnumbered in offices by non-makeup wearers, no question. You just gotta do you as far as feeling work-ready goes! One awesome lady in my last office would wear navy blue lippy occasionally and it looked fantastic and similarly, no one cared (although they might have if she had a public facing role, which she didn’t). But as others have said, probably best to do you without body glitter for your average office environment.

    1. AvonLady Barksdale*

      This sounds like me minus the blush. :) I have a work “face” and a work wardrobe; when I make certain efforts, I feel more business-y. I recently stepped my makeup routine back up and started wearing clothes from my old much more fashion-conscious job, and it went a long way to making me feel more professional. I’m also in a non-makeup-wearing office.

  70. Chicken*

    I love makeup and find applying it to be a calming and relaxing part of my morning routine, but I also hate the patriarchal double standard that women “need” it to look polished and men don’t. I wish that no one felt obligated to wear makeup, and that no was was judged (even subconsciously) for what they do or do not wear. I’m sad that by wearing makeup I am contributing to that patriarchal double standard, but I enjoy makeup enough that I wear it anyway.

    1. Drama Mama*

      I don’t think that wearing it contributes. I think contributing would be expecting it of others, telling others they need to do it to look more polished or professional etc.
      The double standard/patriarchy issues come in to it when people try to police others. As long as you’re just doing your own thing and not expecting others to conform to your way or “society’s way” then you’re not contributing.

    2. SansaStark*

      I completely agree with all of this and you articulated how I feel so well. I love makeup. I’ll happily watch hours of Youtube tutorials and spend way more $ than I should. But when my 5 year old niece “asked” if she could wear a little lipstick in my wedding, I was paralyzed. It’s fun for me when I want to, but I can’t bear the thought of this little girl thinking that she needed it to be pretty – or that she even needed to be pretty if she didn’t want to! Thank goodness her mom (my sister) reminded me that it’s really just about playing and feeling like she’s part of the crowd of girls getting ready. But I just had to comment once or twice about how none of this is necessary to feel good about yourself. It’s such a complicated issue.

  71. Amadeo*

    I work in web with two dudes who don’t give a rip whether I wear make-up or not. I’m like a few of the other commentors – I only wear it for ‘special occasions’. I might wear some light eye makeup and powder to an interview, but that’s the only time I tend to wear it in a work context.

  72. Annie Moose*

    I work in software development, and while we don’t have a ton of women in the office, we do have a range of “little-to-no makeup” to “more striking”. We dress professionally (unfortunately! ;)), so I think that keeps anyone from getting too crazy with the makeup, but it really is a non-issue. Which I appreciate, because I fall firmly in the “little-to-no makeup” category.

    For me, my problem is two-fold: first, I’m constantly running late, and second, I never learned how to do makeup when I was a kid. So I don’t want to take the time to do makeup in the morning anyway, and I wouldn’t know the first thing about elaborate looks even if I did have the time! If I do wear makeup, it’s just a bit of concealer and foundation for redness or dark circles, but lately I haven’t even been doing that unless I really look haggard. (Besides, I work with a bunch of very laid-back guys would couldn’t tell if a woman was wearing light makeup or not if you held a gun to their head, bless their hearts.)

  73. TheCupcakeCounter*

    I wear makeup every day and it consists of a powder, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. I do have some non-traditional colors and am currently wearing a very dark plum shade of lipstick. No one bats an eye. The person sitting next to me is wearing nothing. No one bats an eye. Another coworker wears fake lashes on the daily. No one bats an eye. Colors and amounts are typically adjusted for meetings, interviews, etc…
    Body glitter is probably a no-no across the board with a few exceptions such as working in the beauty or entertainment industries.
    Touch-ups in the bathroom are probably fine but applying a whole face of makeup seems pretty extreme. If you are running late maybe adjust your look for the day to keep the time to a minimum (i.e. foundation and mascara with a heavier lip, skip the liquid liner for a pencil, powder instead of foundation and contouring). I also agree with previous posters that if you do it don’t have it be a daily thing that butts into your productivity.

  74. Dovahkiin*

    I have adult acne and a young-looking face, so if I don’t wear makeup to work, I look like a stray teenager wandered in from the street.

    I wear light make-up (a natural look) in line with what other people wear in my office. My office is in a city and there are a few men who wear light makeup (foundation/bronzer/eyebrow pencil) too. I’m in Fintech, so the intersection of the finance and tech sectors plays out in weird ways – we’re pretty casual for dress (jeans everyday!), but still have some conservative norms (women who don’t wear makeup are, unfortunately, made “invisible” to a lot of stakeholders).

    I’m also a latina lesbian, and while my workplace is pretty cool/modern/down, I do feel some pressure (probably a mix of internalized homophobia and external pressure) to make extra sure that the men in my (majority male) office are comfortable with me. “Butch” is not something the culture here is comfortable with. UGH. I’ve spent my whole life “code-switching” between my personal and professional life and I’ve made my peace with it. I can’t be my full self at work, but so far it’s working out really well for me. My boss (a cool woman) adores me, and advocates for me. I’ve regularly gotten extra large raises (>9%) and promotions since I started, as well as extra career coaching and grooming.

    In my private life, I go for an androgynous/tomboi look and I don’t wear make-up at all unless it’s totally crazy makeup for cosplay or some kind of costume party (and then I go ALL IN).

  75. Amber Rose*

    Oh please don’t wear any kind of glitter at work. The stuff is called the herpes of the art world for a reason. It gets on everything. You’ll never get rid of it. Neither will the coworkers who have to handle your glittering documents.

    Otherwise, wear makeup or not, I don’t care. If you rock a smokey eye, do it. I figure if purple hair and tattoos are OK with me (and they are, and have been with most of my bosses) then it’s kinda hypocritical to complain about a bright blue eyeshadow or vibrant red lipstick. If you want to put it on at work, make sure you’re in the bathroom for less than 10 minutes. An hour in the work bathroom to do your face is unacceptable. So is making a mess that you don’t clean up.

    Personally, I only wear makeup for special events and interviews. And only interviews because it ages me up a bit, I have a baby face. I’m so allergic to most kinds that it’s impractical for me to wear it often. And the first time I found some that I wasn’t allergic to, it turned out I couldn’t handle the remover I bought and my eyes swelled shut for three days.

      1. Amber Rose*

        I have this bridesmaid dress that is covered in glitter as part of its design. I drank too much and ran around hugging people and yelling “glitter herpes!” the one time I wore it. They’re probably still seeing sparkles. I know I am. And it’s been half a year.

        1. Casuan*

          I have an aversion to glitter because once infested it’s impossible to fully eradicate. Not long ago I googled how to clean up glitter & the consensus in the results was no-can-do.

          Mostly, my aversion was when I worked at MajorThemePark. Several years in, I attended a meeting where for some reason someone decided we needed some magic so a character* was sent in to sprinkle her pixie dust all over us.
          At a meeting attended by several professionals. Who were all wearing business attire.
          Casuan was not a happy, as is evidenced by my third-person use. Thankfully in the moment I was too shocked to react negatively, although a few days later I contacted the organiser & suggested they rethink the glitter. He seemed surprised that others had been contacting him with the the same suggestion.

          *as I typed this, I realised that the character’s name kind of rhymes with “Glitter Hell”

    2. kristin*

      I will say as a glitter lover (on my eyes, body glitter I am not such a fan of) there is a huge difference between cosmetic grade glitter and art glitter. Do NOT use craft glitter on or around your eyes, even if you’re not going to work. The possibility of scratching your eye is high.

      1. Amber Rose*

        You’re right, amend my statement to “please don’t wear any kind of *body glitter* at work.” Eye glitter is tiny and doesn’t touch anything so its range of spread is at least limited. I had some body glitter once and it was exactly as contagious as craft glitter.

  76. Anonygrouse*

    I’ve never worn make-up (and my skin is not good — cystic acne scarring). I’ve been lucky, I guess, that everywhere I’ve worked (nonprofits and healthcare) I’ve not been the only woman who didn’t wear make-up and haven’t felt I’ve been at a disadvantage (though of course some people might have been forming opinions that I didn’t notice). I have a fairly androgynous presentation — not sure if that plays a part , either in that no make-up doesn’t stand out on me, or in that any negative opinions would be more about a insufficiently feminine presentation overall rather than no make-up specifically.

    In my current workplace, you would probably stand out if you had super intense makeup that looks like it required a few youtube tutorials to pull off, but I don’t think anyone would necessarily judge someone as unprofessional for it. I also don’t see it as a big deal when people put on/touch up make-up in the bathroom or at their cubicles — as long as doing it isn’t making you chronically late or something, what’s the harm?

  77. Scrumtrillescent*

    I wear mascara and lipstick every day. I wear in a public-facing position representing a city. I’d prefer to not wear any makeup at all and I have had a hard time articulating to myself why it feels necessary to wear mascara and lipstick at a minimum. I also think that it is important for me to wear a couple of pieces of jewelry, to only wear my hair down once or twice a week, and to layer my clothes. I think it’s less about looking “pretty” for me and more about communicating via my appearance that my city is effort-worthy.

    But, by that same logic, I could just wear multiple…anythings…and achieve the same result and that’s not accurate either. “Hello, I am wearing a hat, suspenders, two pairs of socks, a monocle, I love my city and it is important to me.” I’m not sure what the distinction is. I blame society. I wish I felt like my regular face was sufficient.

    2. OtterB*

      “Hello, I am wearing a hat, suspenders, two pairs of socks, a monocle, I love my city and it is important to me.”

      Love this.

  78. Boredatwork*

    I’m on team makeup. I usually stick with lighter, more neutral colors for my very pale skin. I think as long as makeup is applied in a professional manner, its work-appropriate. That said, I have worn very glittery eye shadow, a smokey eye, liquid cat eye liner, bold lip stick, including a shade of VERY hot pink, highlighter, contour. You name it, I have worn it.

    The important thing is to not do all of these things at once. No one has ever said anything about my make-up, my office is business casual and I wear the most make-up by far. 90% of my co-workers are in the no makeup or either lipstick or mascara category.

    I think the big takeaway, is if I were to wash my face, I would still look like me. My appearance wouldn’t dramatically change. Kinda like that Taylor swift “no-makeup, makeup cover”.

  79. Cookie Monster*

    I think the most important baseline is do you look professional and put-together? My standard has always been “does it look like I rolled out of bed without thought that I was going to work?”
    For some people looking put together means a little make-up, some a lot, and it can involve no make-up! But baseline, brushing hair, neat styling especially if it’s longer, clean fingernails if you don’t wear nail polish, etc. Personally, I do blush, a little bit of highlighter, mascara, bb cream, and tinted chapstick. (For reference, I work at a law firm that would be considered very casual compared to most firms.)
    That being said, I am very pro introducing all genders to make-up. If people who identified as men felt more comfortable using a little bb cream or a color-correcting product under their eyes for bags I think it would make a huge difference!

    1. Ceiswyn*

      I will legit give cash money to anyone who can style my hair neatly. It’s very fine and wavy, so tends to float randomly around my head and escape from any hairstyle I attempt to put it into.

      1. Amber Rose*

        That’s why I’ve been growing out my hair. The added weight means it’s in less of a cloud around my head.

        Still a cloud, just a smaller one.

        1. Ceiswyn*

          I actually cut it short because the pulled-straight look was terrible with my round face :) I guess I can look either professional or good but not both.

          1. Cookie Monster*

            Ceiswyn, if you recently cut your hair short, have you looked into headbands? There are some really fashionable ones that won’t make you look like a 12 year old. Also, a little bit of texturizing mousse goes a long way! (Though emphasis on a *little* bit if you have fine hair.

          2. Kelly L.*

            I have still not mastered the art of looking pulled-together without looking severe. My hair has two modes: Victorian Headmistress and Cousin Itt.

      2. only acting normal*

        Ditto except my hair is very thick and “difficult” (as my hairdresser told his trainee).
        Also, brushing my hair would be the kiss of death to any hope of looking groomed because that would turn it into a giant randomly clumpy cloud of frizz. It gets combed while wet from the shower then strictly finger styled only between washes.

      3. CheeryO*

        Fine and wavy here, too – one time I said something about my hair looking like a frizzy rats’ nest, and my friend said, “I thought that was just part of your look!” and I just about died. The lob has been working really well for me, so it better not ever go out of style. If I air dry and use a tiny bit of something to hold the waves, it actually looks half-decent.

    2. Birch*

      I agree with this—baseline looking as if you’ve thought about trying to look professional. You make a great point about hair, too. Even just a pulled-back bun looks so much better than a frizzy mess. It’s not really about what exactly someone does, just that it looks like they’ve made some effort between getting out of bed and getting to work.

      I hate to say it, but I feel like this entails mainly trying to not look distracting. I personally wear very natural looking makeup whenever I go out just because I have light colored hair and skin naturally, so I use eyeliner, brow pencil, and tinted moisturizer just to even things out. Without anything it looks like I have no eyelashes or eyebrows and huge blue shadows under my eyes–if I haven’t gotten enough sleep I actually do look ill. I think a good rule of thumb would be thinking about whether a client, customer, or colleague would think about your appearance at all when talking to you in person. If not, then you’re good. Of course, this only applies to things that you can actually change about your appearance and that have to do with hygiene and style… things like birth defects or birthmarks, injuries, diseases, etc. you can’t help and don’t have anything to do with professionalism. And in the same vein, things like bright hair or piercings could also be distracting, but I think that’s different because it’s clearly an intentional style choice. In that way it’s different than someone looking like they have no eyebrows or coming to work with messy bed hair. Although wearing a ton of makeup is also a style choice, so I guess it’s about both intention and execution, in a way? Maybe blue hair or makeup contouring is not my bag, but I can appreciate them both being done with skill. On the other hand, it’s distracting in a bad way if someone’s got layers of peeling-off makeup or their false eyelashes are falling off everywhere.

      1. saby*

        YES, I think you articulated where I ended up after working in front-line customer service. It’s not “fair” but a big obvious red zit can be just as distracting for the customer as a stain on your shirt or food between your teeth, and big dark circles can gibe a similar impression of “stayed up too late and just rolled out of bed” as uncombed hair. This goes for both men and women but women are more likely to try to correct this since some men are resistant to the idea of a touch of concealer (at least until they try it and marvel at how much it helps).

        1. Birch*

          Yeah, I think the zit thing is interesting because it’s connected to hygiene in a complicated way. Acne doesn’t necessarily mean someone has bad hygiene, but severe acne is similar to having open wounds on your face, so that really does need to be covered somehow in a workplace setting. I guess it’s about keeping your hygiene and appearance decisions to yourself, in a way–making sure they don’t affect others around you.

    3. LBG*

      Your nail comments reminds me of an old boss (female) who would downgrade candidates if they did not have a manicure or in their manicure was a mess. Thank goodness I was on board before she became my boss – my nails are unpolished because I can’t stand the feeling of polish. Clean, tidy, yes, but never polished. We are all attorneys for what that is worth – we work with clients daily in our practice – but it is a government job, not a private law firm. She’s retired now, so that criteria isn’t being applied anymore.

      1. Cookie Monster*

        Oof, that’s unfortunate. I personally don’t see any issue with anyone having unmanicured nails as long as they look neat, but the absolute worst (and one of the most unprofessional things imo) is showing up to work or an interview with a messy or chipped manicure. If your nail polish has started to chip, touch it up neatly or take it off.

      2. Fortitude Jones*

        I would have never been hired by your old boss since I never do my fingernails, lol. My fingers look weird painted.

  80. bb-great*

    I feel more put together when I wear a little makeup (undereye concealer, mascara, eyebrow pencil, maybe eyeliner, and tinted lip balm) but I don’t usually make the effort, especially as my job isn’t outward facing. My current workplace is on the casual end of business casual and it’s a mix of makeup wearers and non. My industry (libraries) isn’t super formal and is majority women, which seems to translate to a range of styles and levels of formality.

    I do think makeup makes most people look more polished, but I have a real problem with telling women they should wear it when men (who have the same zits/dark circles/untamed eyebrows) rarely do, or get the advice that they have to to succeed.

  81. Becca*

    I wear makeup, but mainly because it makes me feel polished and ready to start the day. It seems to send a message to my brain saying “Go forth and leave the house!” Foundation, powder, eyeliner, and a nude lipstick are all I use on a workday. Sometimes blush depending on the colors I’m wearing. I reserve eye shadow and mascara for evenings and weekends.

    As an aside, I learned to use makeup later in life, so executing a successful makeup routine in the morning is a nice motivation boost.

  82. Elizabeth West*

    I wear makeup when I go out every day, because I look like a sketch without it, haha. If I’m just going to the store or whatever, it’s just mascara, cover-up on circles and blemishes, and lip color. Nothing fancy. I do wear it when I take walks because in the immortal words of Lovey Howell, one never knows whom one might meet. ;)

    For work, eyeshadow/mascara/lip color/a touch of foundation and/or cover-up. Obviously, if I’m going out, I use darker or more vibrant colors. I’m not very good at the fancy stuff–I’d love to master the eyeliner flick, but I need help with that. When I can afford it, I might go to Sephora and have them help me.

    I like makeup, but I don’t think it’s necessary to appear *professional* unless you’re in certain jobs where your appearance is selling a product, or you’re a performer of some kind. If you don’t want to wear it, don’t. If you’re a dude and you want to wear it (a little daytime makeup, even to work), go right ahead.

  83. jenniferthebillionth*

    When I wear makeup at work, I go for understated. I do put it on at work, because if I put it on at home it has completely disappeared by the time I get to work (I don’t know why that is). I can do it without being seen, so it’s not a huge issue. But if I had to use the bathroom or another public place, I wouldn’t bother at all with it as there would be no point.

  84. Gollum*

    Do you have to wear it to look professional?
    Our office is business casual so I wear it when I have meetings with outsiders only. (though I have been known to swipe on some lipstick every now and again) My skin is super sensitive so wearing makeup usually means I pay for it with breakouts a few days afterwards.

    How much is too much?
    When people are looking at your makeup instead of you.

    Is a smokey eye inappropriate for work?
    It would in my office.

    Is it weird to apply it in the office bathroom on mornings when you’re rushed?
    Nah.

    Should you discreetly suggest your junior colleague stop wearing body glitter?
    If my relationship with them allows it, I might. Otherwise, eh.

  85. Babayaga*

    I do wear makeup, though I’m using less & less because my acne has majorly improved so there is less to cover. I try to keep my look pretty consistent, if nothing else. I realize the reality is pretty different in some professions, but I’m pretty much an anything goes person. Pink hair is cool with me. Tattoos and piercings: yep. I work in academia…so sue me!

    I have spent the odd 2 minutes in the bathroom applying concealer on rare occasions. However, if someone is wasting a bunch of time doing their look on the clock…yeah that’s not going to work! But that’s not exclusive to makeup at all.

  86. The Original Flavored K*

    I am an inconsistently made up person, but I do clerical/medical finance stuff, and nobody seems to bat an eye if one day I’m wearing a kind of everyday makeup look (foundation, with a little eyeliner and a neutral lipstick) and the next I’m wearing no makeup at all. One of our receptionists comes in with a full face everyday, including false eyelashes, interesting winged shadow, and full contouring; our other receptionist wears scrubs and no makeup, and the MA’s and NP vary, too.

    I don’t think that makeup is required to be professional, but I have definitely seen women who are not wearing makeup get dinged for things that might not have been a problem if they had “seemed more professional” or “seemed more organized.”

    As for body glitter… No. Your body glitter can stay the hell out of our medical office. Nobody has time to be wiping down the beds in the exam rooms more than once. Having to do it an extra time because glitter? Our MA’s might straight up murder you, to say nothing of what the phlebotomist would do.

  87. JeJe*

    It’s funny to me that people are so opposed to putting on makeup in the office bathroom. I have the kind of job where is doesn’t make sense to dress nice everyday. So, I keep a change of clothes and makeup in my desk for when I have a reason to look professional. If I’m wearing makeup at work, it was applied in the office bathroom. My office is in a building with lots of different companies sharing the bathroom. I’ve always wondered what people thought when they walk in and see me washing my face, putting on makeup and changing clothes at 2pm on a Tuesday.

    1. laseri*

      I’ve had to do this a couple of times as well because I was being sent to a fancy evening event right after work. I didn’t want to tie up a bathroom right at going-home time but needs must!

  88. Tammy*

    So, I don’t wear a lot of makeup at work, and many days I don’t wear any at all (or very little) despite being a mid-level manager. Partly this is the result of impatience on my part, and partly it’s that I ride a motorcycle and don’t like foundation smeared all over the inside of my helmet. So when I wear makeup it’s usually applied in the bathroom at work (no big deal in my workplace unless you take an hour and consume the whole counter doing it), and it’s what I can accomplish in 5 minutes or less: Foundation, neutral eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick.

    I’m not aware of any perception at my current company that I’m treated as less professional if I skip makeup. I’ve only really started doing makeup this past year, and I’ve been promoted from a technical contributor to a Senior Manager in the 5 years I’ve been here. I can see this being an issue for some industries/locations, maybe, but it’s not an issue here. Heavy/dramatic makeup is not unusual at my company, but, then, neither is walking around our tech support area and seeing people in unicorn onesies, so we’re maybe not representative that way. :-) In general, I’d say there’s a difference between “day” and “evening” makeup, but I think this norm is changing (at least in my area).

  89. RussianInTexas*

    Another funny thing, my skin actually looks better after the day of make up, then after couple of days when I don’t wear any. I used the same skin care on the makeup and no make up days, so that’s not it. I tend to have breakout (NOT FAIR I AM ALMOST 40), and the make up I use controls the oil well.

    1. Lemondrop*

      I SWEAR my skin breaks out more when I wash the makeup off my face before going to bed than if I forget and leave it on. I don’t understand it.

        1. Lemondrop*

          I use Urban Decay’s makeup meltdown spray, followed by Neutrogena oil-free acne wash. Currently. I’ve used all manner of makeup remover/soap/face washes since I started wearing makeup in high school and this has ALWAYS been the case.

          1. saffytaffy*

            Well, different people are different. For a long time I never washed my face with cleanser at all, just cold water (i didn’t wear makeup) and I had gorgeous skin. Then something changed, and now I can’t do that anymore. If your skin looks good and feels comfortable, you’re probably fine.

          2. Birch*

            Just a thought–a lot of products marketed for acne are really harsh–you might try something more gentle, or just plain water. I had terrible skin in high school and it wasn’t till I really simplified my skin care and got high quality natural makeup that it completely cleared up. Now if I use someone else’s soap anywhere on my body I break out, but my trusted brands keep me 100% clear skinned. I recommend an olive oil soap, and I don’t know if you can get it, but the brand Lumene makes great skin care and makeup products. The other thing is that there’s a huge “oil-free” push, but if you think about it, your skin is *meant*to be oily. When you strip the oils off with water based and astringent washes, it dries out the skin, which overproduces oil and freaks out your pores. I use oil-based moisturizers, even straight up shea butter, cocoa butter, and sea buckthorn oil on my face and my skin has never been better. You need moisture in your skin!

    2. laseri*

      This happens to me too! I think it’s because when I have makeup on I avoid touching my face.

  90. Case of the Mondays*

    I look so much better with makeup (and contact lenses) but I can only be bothered to wear them (particularly both) on special days. I usually wear contact and makeup when going out for fun on the weekend. Not for errands. At work, I’ll usually do some quick concealer, powder, blush, lipstick but that’s still a lower makeup look. My full look includes eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara and I really look best when I do that. I really only do that for court days, presentation days or something fun after work. It’s too much time, money and F the patriarchy for everyday lol.

    At the same time though, I wonder why I don’t want to show my “best self.” There is such a vast difference in how I look and to some degree, how I’m treated, when I wear flats, no makeup, glasses, pony tail versus high heels, contact lenses, straightened hair and makeup. This difference is even more profound the older I get.

    1. oldbiddy*

      I’m the same way, and also fall prey to wondering why I don’t dress up more often. I don’t even think I look that much different but the difference in how I’m treated is kind of depressing. I guess it comes down to the simple math of how much time/effort/money/discomfort it takes vs the benefits. If it really made that big of a difference I would do it more. For things where the difference was big enough (i.e. wearing boots on snowy days, dressing older once I started working with students in order to not be mistaken for them) I had no problems with backsliding.

  91. CatCat*

    I don’t think you have to wear makeup to look professional, but I think many people do think that. This is especially true if you are a woman in a high profile position who does not wear makeup; there are many people who will comment on your appearance and will comment even more if you are not made up.

    I don’t think it’s weird for people to apply makeup in the office restroom. Not sure if I have a great take on that as I will style my hair in there if I bicycle to work. No one has ever commented to me that it’s weird.

    I don’t know on the body glitter thing. If it was someone I was mentoring in some capacity, I would probably discuss professional appearance in general and my experience. I had such a conversation with a young staff attorney at a court where I was interning. She did it by describing her appearance, why she wore what she wore, and even had a (somewhat dated, but still really interesting) book on women’s clothing in the workplace (the book cited studies on perceptions of women, which was really great information to have). She always wore a suit, but most of the other staff attorneys really dressed down so it was hard to know what was “normal.” She had an anecdote where the presiding judge (who always also wore a suit) had an important meeting with local leaders that came up unexpectedly and he wanted a staff attorney to attend with him. The staff attorneys were all capable, talented people, but some were… unkempt. He dropped by her office first to see if she was available to attend; he stopped there first because he knew she was always professionally attired. . Anyway, I appreciated her candor and thoughtfulness. I always wear a blouse, slacks, and nice shoes at work and keep a suit jacket in my office “just in case.” If I had an intern or junior colleague I was in a position to mentor, I would have a similar conversation with them. Not “don’t wear body glitter,” but “hey, these are the norms and what I have learned” and let the person decide for themselves.

    1. CatCat*

      I do not typically wear makeup though. I don’t think that’s as much an expectation as attire. I will sometimes put on a light BB cream and a light lipstick or gloss if I know I will be making a presentation.

  92. K-Ok*

    I do a full face of makeup in the morning and a bit of a smokey eye, but I don’t use gray or black (for reference I have dark brown hair/brown eyes). Usually neutral lips. Nobody would ever think I’m wearing a ton of makeup, and it doesn’t take me more than 10 minutes (I’m fast). I do think it helps me look more put together.

    I use mostly middle-end products (Tarte, Mac, Urban Decay, Ulta, Sephora) and make sure to match my skin tone well (and no over contouring, its day time after all!)

  93. Keep Your Eyes On The Prize*

    Please clean up any mess left over from your makeup application. I know that it’s hard to scrub foundation off the sink but just because you don’t want to do it doesn’t mean that anyone else does. The same goes for the scents. Walking into a cloud of scent in an enclosed space is not a good thing.

    1. Isben Takes Tea*

      THIS. I have no problem with people applying makeup in the work bathroom, but when I get your makeup on my sleeves because you didn’t clean up after yourself, you have crossed a line.

  94. Otter box*

    I’m very blonde but I still don’t wear makeup. I figure if people at work think I’m less professional because I don’t paint my face, but don’t think the same thing about every single man I work with, then that says far more about them than it does about me. I strongly disagree with the notion that women have to look pretty in order to excel at their jobs.

  95. I'm A Little TeaPot*

    I don’t wear makeup except for a lip stain (minimizing a discoloration on my lip that otherwise gets commented on). In my industry, it’s generally best to keep things low key or natural, as it’s fairly conservative. There are generally a few women who are VERY fashionable/trendy, and typically have very well done makeup that’s clearly part of the image. They’re noticeable because people that put together are noticeable.

  96. kristin*

    I am a full on makeup enthusiast who does full on glam looks in wild colors most days. Today I wearing a lime green glittery smokey eye whereas yesterday I did a neutral eye and bright matte fuchsia lips and highlighter with a pink shift.

    That being said, I wouldn’t go into a new job doing so. I get away with it for a few reasons: my company is very much on the casual side of business casual and my position (web developer) seems to get more allowances. It also helps I am a high performer who is not looking to move out of a technical role. I also will tone it down on days when I’m leading major meetings/training people where it might be distracting.

    As for doing makeup at work, I never do in the mornings. I do it at home where I have my 75+ brushes and a makeup mirror that can adjust lighting as needed rather than the fluorescent lights in the office. I will touch up my lipstick at my desk and if I’m going out after work I’ll blot/powder etc before leaving. Makeup is my hobby, it lives at home, even though you see the results at work.

  97. MillyMollyMandy*

    I’m in the UK and work in a government agency where I and many of my colleagues come from practical professions, so they are mostly very casual, outdoorsy dressers (we have no dress code, but are all professionals who are trusted to appear suitably attired for external meetings, etc), and accordingly, most of the women wear no or very little makeup, and it hasn’t stopped any of them moving up in their careers. The more senior women in the organisation tend to have come from other backgrounds, and they (generally) display a bit more polish, but very few wear noticeable makeup. I, however, was a teenager in the 80s, and once my skin started to break out, wore foundation, powder and a little mascara every day to school. I’ve worn makeup every time I leave the house since I was about 18, so I couldn’t imagine giving it up now (currently a very pale foundation to exactly match my skin, powder, a little pale pink blush, eyeliner and mascara, and since they recently started greying, a bit of colour to strengthen my brows – I’m incredibly fair and pale and need a bit of definition!). It’s always natural looking, though, with the exception of the winged eyeliner which is my trademark, and which I’ve been wearing for about 25 years, whether or not it’s in fashion – it’s just my look. I do make sure it’s always immaculately applied, though, and not over the top. Despite this, I wouldn’t go with a smokey eye or bright/glittery colours for work – and since I wear a strong eyeliner, I steer clear of adding lipstick, which would take the whole thing into going-out territory. I often joke that no-one would want to see me without my makeup – I still get breakouts thanks to hormone problems, and my skin is rather blotchy as a result, and I have darker eye circles as I get older. People would, seriously, think I was ill if I presented that way, if only because they’ve never seen it. My makeup is just enough to even things out and make me feel like me, which enables me to present myself confidently, and thus do my job well. The way I see it, that’s just another tool to help me be the best I can in my role. I make no judgment about other people who do or don’t, as it’s entirely a matter of personal choice. I’ve recruited a lot over the 20 years I’ve been with this organisation, at many levels, and the wearing of makeup or otherwise hasn’t ever come up on interview panels. I can’t imagine it being an issue in my workplace, but as this commentariat often says, your mileage may vary.

  98. LQ*

    I’ve been trying to push toward a more leadership role and I tried wearing some simple make up (tinted moisturizer, mascara) and my face broke out so badly it still hasn’t cleared up. I get massive headaches from the mascara and I feel lucky if my face doesn’t end up looking like it’s going to fall off by the end of the day even without the tinted moisturizer. I’ve gone back to my regular (well actually trying a range of options) heavy duty moisturizer and that’s it.

    I really wish that it wasn’t a requirement because I’ll NEVER be able to “look professional” if that look is always someone who isn’t me.

    I certainly do my utmost to avoid personally judging people and to do what I can to stop others from judging people when I hear it come up. “Really? Is that what you care about?” has worked pretty well for me. But I’m sure I have some inherent bias as well on it and I’m struggling with that by me about me.

    1. saffytaffy*

      I feel like you can balance this, though! You could do more professional clothes, you could do an updo, you could do a lined, filled-in lip in a serious grown-up color, you can do a clean manicure. That will take away from the lack of makeup.
      I figure my size is always going to be a point against me, so I balance that by adding other things like great clothes and lots of eye contact, and it works for me.

      1. LQ*

        This is a good point. I try hard to do more professional clothes, though I struggle there as well. I try to aim for professional and polished in other areas to work for me. (I’m oversized in all ways, too tall, too heavy so it makes finding really great professional clothes a challenge, though I’ve gotten better, mostly by overbuying when I find something that fits.)

  99. Alton*

    Being expected to wear makeup would be a deal-breaker for me. Even if I liked makeup and wanted to wear it, I hate the sexist double-standard.

    I hate makeup, though. I’ll dab a little concealer on occasionally if I have a major breakout, but I don’t like how I look with makeup on, don’t like how it feels, and don’t know how to apply it. Feeling pressured to wear it as a teen as miserable and did a number on my self-esteem, and I’m not doing that again.

    I don’t really notice if other people wear it unless it’s really striking (like bright lipstick or dramatic eye makeup). I think visible, vibrant makeup can be okay for some fields, but I think it’s probably best to steer clear of body glitter or “evening” looks. And I think in more conservative fields, a more neutral look like a little mascara and tinted lip balm is a better bet than something attention-getting.

    1. Alton*

      Also: my skin definitely isn’t perfect. I don’t like how makeup is often framed as “needing” it or not. I have moderate hormonal acne, and sometimes I’ll have acne scars. Hiding this completely would require more makeup and makeup skills than I want to have. Trying to make my skin look perfect when I was a teen just made me feel worse about it. Sometimes I like minimizing really noticeable stuff, like a big red spot or a healing scar. But I don’t think I owe it to anyone to have a perfect complexion all the time. No one has ever remarked on it.

      1. Ex-Academic, Future Accountant*

        I also dislike that framing — my skin is far from perfect, but the same is true of a lot of men.

  100. Laura H*

    Personally I don’t wear makeup. I’ll do so for special occasions, but I’ll ask someone more makeup savvy than I am to apply it. And it’s a good chunk of time to take (worth it because I feel spiffy and special) but it’s not worth my time for an everyday thing.

    I agree that it’s a know your company thing. I don’t think a makeup “requirement” would be a deal breaker for me- it’d just push me to get some knowledge on it and find a happy medium.

  101. Lemondrop*

    My daily routine for makeup is:

    Moisturizer, foundation, concealer, powder, blush, eyebrow powder, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara. If I’m feeling sassy or wake up early enough, I will add primer, contour, highlighter and lipstick to that. This usually doesn’t take more than 10 minutes.

    I’m a 36-year-old woman dealing with hormonal acne AND I’m very fair and the natural color of my eyebrows and eyelashes is so white blonde that they’re nearly translucent. Covering the acne and defining my eyes are my big areas.

    1. Goya de la Mancha*

      ditto with the lack of eyelash color. Mascara isn’t makeup to me, it’s mandatory. I can go completely barefaced (even with my acne/scarring), but I HAVE to put on mascara.

  102. Lady Phoenix*

    I think it is inportant to meantain SoME appearance… but you don’t need make up to do it. If your face looks clean and dyou don’t look like you just rolled out of bed after a session of “Persona 5:00 AM” (playing Persona 5 until 5 am… or staying up super late).

    If you need to touch up, that is ok. But I would nix doing your entire makeup session at work. That also includes eyeliner if it takes you over an hour and to s of makeup remover to get the perfect Cat Eye.

    How much makeup you want to wear is up to your company and up to you. If you are gonna be on TV/Stage/Modeling, then sorry, you’re gonna have to pile EVERYTHING on. You may think you like a drag queen with all the stuff on, but that is the ONlY way you’re gonna actually look like a person and not a washed up ghost. That is cause performances require bright lights and bright lights can wash your face.

    But if you are a 9-5 desk job…. you don’t have to put it all on. Now because I don’t do Customer Facing Service anymore, I can sometimes get away with looking like I bathed in unicorn blood.

    As for glitter? NO. That shit is messy as fuck.

    1. Ask a Manager* Post author

      Hi! Can I ask you to rein in the fucks? They all go to moderation, meaning I have to dig them out, and you use a lot of them! (As do I in real life, so no problem with it beyond the additional work it creates for me.)

  103. HKM*

    We have a pretty casual workplace, and any amount of makeup is fine here, from none to a full face. I’ve even had cobweb patterns around my eyes during halloween. Despite this, absolutely noone applies makeup at their desks.

    To be honest, my pet peeve is when people brush their hair at their desk.

  104. Kittyfish 76*

    I would LOVE to not wear makeup to work. But I am not blessed with a good complexion. Think random freckles, acne scars, uneven tone. How lovely. So I use foundation, eye shadow, liner, mascara and muted lipstick. No powder or blush for me. I think it is more for others’ sake so they are not forced to look at my blotchy skin tone! Personally, I just feel more put together with make-up. I don’t judge those who do not wear make up at all. Wish I could do it!

  105. K.*

    I wear makeup to work every day; it’s part of my getting ready to go to work routine. It’s a neutral “the secret to wearing makeup is to make it look like you’re not wearing any” look and it takes about ten minutes. I don’t “need” to wear makeup; I have good skin, no scars, etc. I’m wearing it to enhance, not cover up. I enjoy makeup, particularly now that there are a lot more options for women of color, so I’d wear it regardless of professional expectation. (On weekends, I wear it less – I start Saturdays and Sundays with workouts, so putting on makeup to do that makes no sense. If I’m lazing around at home, I don’t wear it.) I wear different makeup to work than I do on dates or other nighttime social events. (No body glitter ever.)

    I don’t apply it at work except to re-apply lipstick if I’ve just eaten, and I either duck into the bathroom to do that or just do it in my office. I wouldn’t do it, say, right after a lunch meeting in front of the other meeting attendees.

  106. Kate*

    I wear a small amount of makeup at work. Light foundation, lipstick (that wears off almost immediately), mascara and I recently added eyeliner! My 2017 new years resoluton was to learn to apply eyeliner and I did it! (My kids are in a theater program and need to wear eyeliner on stage and I was tired of having to find another mom to do their eyes because I made them look like drunk raccoons!)

  107. ExcelJedi*

    Re: Applying make up at work:
    I’ve never done this, except for lipstick. (Even the best wear off during the day, and I’ll reapply at least once after lunch.)
    I generally do it at my desk, but is that as much a faux pas as other types of make up? Should I do it in the bathroom?

    1. The Other Dawn*

      I think it’s no big deal to reapply lipstick at your desk. If it were a full face of makeup, though, I’d probably look askance at that. But it really depends on your office/company.

  108. Hey Nonnie*

    Meh, I’m just not a fan of the sexism inherent in decreeing that women are “unprofessional” without makeup, when no one has anything to say about the millions of men who go to work everyday without it. I’d like to see our society move forward to where makeup is divorced from ideas of professionalism, and it’s unremarkable whether a man wears it or a woman does not, or vice versa.

    Also: I’m not about to give up an extra 30 minutes of sleep just to paint my face; makeup largely looks terrible on me, clumps up and looks fake; makeup makes my face greasy and itchy, and I could never get through 10 hours a day of wearing it before needing to scrape and wash it off; and I’m not interested / can’t afford to pay another “woman tax” to keep a full kit of makeup on hand and replenish it regularly. I may wear makeup for dramatic effect (e.g. going out), but that might be a couple times a year, so I might buy something new once or twice in a decade.

    1. Mary Anne Spier*

      This is important. Men don’t wear it and aren’t expected to. I know there are a few who do, and I don’t judge them either, but nobody would ever look at a man and think that he doesn’t look put together because he doesn’t have his makeup on.

    2. Penny Lane*

      No one even remotely needs 30 minutes to put on makeup. It literally would take 2 minutes to put on a hint of tinted moisturizer, swipe on blush and an eye pencil and lip gloss. Do what you like but there’s no need to exaggerate the “ordeal” of makeup.

  109. Tea*

    I am the lead client-wrangler in a front-facing position in a conservative, high end professional environment where I suspect that people would ‘rather’ have all the women wearing makeup. Despite that, and despite the fact that I do like makeup, I rarely wear makeup at work, out of equal parts laziness (I want every single scrap of sleep I can possibly wring out of the morning) and contrariness (none of the also client-facing professional men I work with wear makeup, why should I?) I’ll occasionally put it on for big client events, but that’s the limit. Otherwise, I’m professional in dress and speech, clients sing my praises, and no one has said a word to me– and I’m thankful for that, because I don’t think I could work in an environment where makeup is expected, not a bonus.

    To me, even the 5-10 minutes it would take applying and then removing makeup in the morning really add up. It’s an hour out of my week that most men don’t need to bother or even think about, four hours in a month, 48-52 hours or two full days mucking around with makeup in a year to accommodate for sexist expectations. ALSO, the makeup I do purchase tends to be expensive, so that’d be 2 days out of my year plus $$$$ on makeup products so I can look pretty for people. It’d be one thing if I did it out of sheer love for makeup, or I enjoyed applying it as part of my morning routine– and no knock against people who do feel that way– but to me, makeup is an expensive luxury to be busted out for when I’m pulling out all the stops, not a performance of prettiness and femininity people can expect out of my every day.

  110. anonymous bareface*

    I’m 37, been working in professional offices since I was 24, and I think the number of times I have worn makeup to work can be counted on one hand still and was always for special events. As long as my work and dress are appropriate for the place I’ve been, nobody’s ever cared about my face so to speak*. And while I’ve been increasingly working in more casual environments (non-video media) for the past few years, my first jobs were definitely all in HR/Finance/more formal areas of large companies, with fairly strong baseline presentation expectatoins.

    (*Except to occasionally point out that I kind of have resting murderous face when I’m really, really focused on something but, well, no amount of cosmetics will help with that haha.)

  111. Delta Delta*

    I’m a lawyer and I’m in court almost every day. Early in my career I wore makeup sometimes – just depending on the day and my mood. Nobody seemed to care if I did or not. As I’ve gotten a little older, and my practice has changed somewhat (still in court almost every day, though), I feel like I look more polished if I’m wearing a little bit of makeup. I usually go with mascara, very light shadow (I’m very fair-skinned and very light eye shadow just looks sort of shimmery without looking like I’m wearing stage makeup) and some lipstick or gloss. I happen to really like lipstick so I play with different colors for fun, but that’s just because I like it.

    All that having been said, I’m with lots of lawyers all the time. Some wear makeup. Some don’t. I don’t think in my particular practice area that it makes a big difference. I just happen to like my personal presentation this way.

  112. tink*

    I usually don’t wear much, if anything while at work. Maybe some lightly tinted BB cream and lipstick. I try for neat and clean, not obviously (aside from said lipstick) made up. It really depends on your industry and, I think to a small extent, on what your other coworkers are doing. If everyone else is getting made up, then I’m more likely to do a light but visible full face, but if most of my coworkers stick to no makeup or minimal, that’s what I’m going to do too.

  113. Elsie*

    I work in healthcare and most days, unless I oversleep, I wear a full face of makeup. I feel more confident, and due to specific population I work with (in my experience, the elderly respond better to you when you look well put together), I think it helps me. However, if I didn’t wear makeup, it wouldn’t cause any problems. A lot of my coworkers don’t wear it. But I’d never put it on at work.

  114. hsw*

    I started wearing eyeliner when I started going goth in middle school -more raccoon eyed than anything glam back then, and never stopped wearing it since. I’ve managed to develop a lighter touch these days and have a more work appropriate look, but I generally don’t go outside without eyeliner.

    I have a naturally flushed face and get redder at the drop of a hat, sometimes randomly, so I started to wear bb creams and foundations to cover it up, then concealer to hide how exhausted I look all the time (hooray for insomnia) and now it’s generally my routine to put on a full face to go to work. It only takes 10 minutes in the morning and helps me wake up to have to wash my face and concentrate on getting my eyeliner not to smudge, so I enjoy it all as part of my routine.

    My office is pretty casual so I can get away with wearing blood red lipsticks sometimes when I’m in the mood for it.

    I’ll reapply lipstick at work sometimes, but I don’t touch the rest of it up.

  115. Garland not Andrews*

    I certainly hope you don’t have to wear makeup to look professional. I’m 53 and have never worn makeup except for a few brief “try this out” time when I was a young woman. I was soooooooooo bad at making it look ok. Not quite the Mimi look, but close. I have no talent for this at all.
    Thank goodness I work in a government agency that really does not care. The lady or guy in jeans and western shirt walking across campus may well be a CPA.

  116. Jar*

    I think there is a big difference between makeup for work and makeup for going out in the evening … as there is for clothing for work and clothing for going out in the evening. (no smoky eyes for work)
    I also don’t want to be seen primping, even in the bathroom.

  117. Aphrodite*

    I work at a California community college and very few women here wear any if much make-up. I wear mascara some of the time and often lip balm but cannot be bothered with, nor do I want to buy, other stuff.

  118. Oryx*

    I’m a clinician in health care and I wear foundation and concealer and occasional blush at work, to make me feel more “polished” when dealing 1-on-1 with patients. However, I have been told by both reception staff and other clinicians (all female, but within earshot of male clinicians) that I “should” wear more make up. It does irk me as no one would dream of commenting on the male clinicians appearance, and they are still judged to be perfectly professional despite being balding/wrinkles/eye bags etc.

  119. LizB*

    I’m lucky enough to be in a field and workplace where literally nobody gives a crap if women wear makeup or not. I wear no makeup at all to work because I just can’t be bothered. I’ll wear a little bit if I’m interviewing, but it’s just not my jam. In contrast, one of my good work friends wears a full face of makeup every day and uses plenty of creative colors and fun techniques. Nobody cares either way.

  120. bookish*

    Obligatory preface (so many others have mentioned this) that this is going to differ depending on your industry and your work environment etc etc…

    I have skipped makeup a LOT lately because of a whole host of winter skin issues (super dry and flaky skin, eye styes, infections, eczema… lovely, lovely!) and that’s been fine of course. Usually if I am doing makeup for work I’m just touching up my brows a bit (filling in the sparse areas so they look a little more uniform, trying to make it look as natural as possible) and putting on a little bit of mascara. I found that just doing those two tiny things – with the right products – goes a long way toward making me feel more confident and put-together-looking and bright. At the absolute most, I’ll add some “nude smoky eye” (meaning like, very subtle highlighting of my eyelid with a light beige, and darkening the crease a bit with a darker brown, I would put this in the realm of “no-makeup makeup”) and a bit of eyeliner blended into this look to kind of make my lash line look thicker.

    Frankly I don’t know how to do much else, and don’t have the confidence to do what I call “face makeup” (foundation, concealer, blush, contouring etc) or lip color – I can be fairly confident that my eye makeup isn’t going to change throughout the day, but if I wear lipstick I’ll be paranoid that it’s gotten smudged or started to wear off in the middle, or if I try a foundation, that it’ll start to look flaky or oily or something.

    My office is pretty casual, and I’d say most women do either no makeup or a pretty subdued look, with the exception of maybe a few people who take it up a few notches. To be honest I think a lot of people settle into working here and get more and more casual in appearance over time because they see that’s the culture and they don’t feel like putting in the extra effort. I definitely dressed up a bit more and did makeup more regularly when I first started and I thought I’d always hold myself to that standard but I just got tired and there was no real reason to do it.

    As for applying makeup at work – I think quick touch ups in the bathroom are fine. I’ve done it and seen people do it. Don’t do a whole production lol. This may be slightly different but when it comes to low-effort hair styling (like, putting my hair in a ponytail/braid/bun if it’s down) I think that’s fine to do at my desk or in the bathroom. I compulsively tug at my hair and need to change the way it’s pulled back fairly often sometimes just to keep it from distracting me (because if it’s a ponytail or braid, I’ll tug at the bottom, and if it’s in a bun, it’s those wisps of hair that don’t fit and won’t be pinned down that get me). I wouldn’t do this in a meeting, but I have maybe one or two meetings per year, and most of the time looking good for higher ups or whatever isn’t a problem.

  121. Cruciatus*

    This obviously will vary by industry (I’m in an academic library)! I don’t think anyone should need to have to wear makeup to be professional. I see bare faces all the time and really don’t think anything about it. But I know other people do, which is unfortunate. And (most) men don’t wear makeup and no one dings them for their red face, splotches, or shininess! I wear a very light foundation (because of that redness and shininess). I do it for me (and my whole process only takes maybe 3 minutes: some foundation, maybe eye shadow (non smoky), and curl my lashes. Any more and I personally feel overdone (tomboy at heart, and I never developed makeup skills anyway).

    I could come to work with no makeup on and no one would think anything of it. All of the women here are different with the level of makeup that they prefer from none to a full face (though it’s not too much, but things like mascara, eyeliner, lipstick). I do think it’s weird if you need to do makeup beyond something that takes a minute or two at work. If it’s that important to you, you should schedule in more time at home. But reapplying lipstick, or a dab of foundation wouldn’t be a huge deal (at your desk/in the restroom). But not in view of customers/patrons.

  122. Genny*

    I very, very rarely wear makeup ever, including at work. I have dry, sensitive skin, so I’m constantly rubbing my face. Plus, I like sleeping too much, so I usually sleep until the last possible minute, which doesn’t allow for the application of makeup. I don’t really think it’s made any difference for me, but I do try to be a touch more conscious of what I’m wearing (and to the limited extent possible, my hair) so that I don’t give off unprofessional vibes.

    The rare times I do wear makeup at work, I always apply it in the office bathroom. I’m also not the only person in my office who does that, so it’s not abnormal for my office.

  123. What's with today, today?*

    Personally, I think you have to wear makeup to look professional. I’m in a very front facing job, and i don’t feel polished with at least a little makeup, nor do I think other women look put together without makeup. It’s something I always notice, but would never say to anyone. Probably not a popular opinion, but that is my personal view.

    1. Tea*

      I’m just curious, but do you feel that other men don’t look polished without makeup, or always notice if they don’t wear it?

      2. Goya de la Mancha*

        Maybe not without make up, but I do notice if their facial hair is unkempt (which is the best apples to apples I can think of in appearance). I think society does notice the bags and wrinkles on guys too, it’s just not talked about because it’s not a social norm for them to wear makeup or use a serum right now. Things are changing though and maybe in a little time, guys will be judged for those things too.

    2. Arielle*

      Here’s a question: imagine a person with short hair who’s wearing an Oxford shirt, a tweed vest, dark fitted jeans, and lace-up leather shoes. Does that person not look put together without makeup? Because I’m a woman, that’s what I wore to work yesterday, and I guarantee pairing that with a full face of makeup would have looked absurd.

      In other words, your perception of what a woman is or should look like does not account for all presentations.

      1. Cloud Nine Sandra*

        I think pairing that outfit with a full face of make up could look stunning if it was what made the wearer feel awesome. I actually would love to wear that outfit with work and I always wear some make up. But, as you were saying, there are a lot of ways to present as a woman.

  124. anonymoose for this*

    I work in an industry that involves being in a lab setting almost all of time. Protocol across the board means no makeup (not no makeup makeup, but none at all), no nail polish (even clear), no hair products, no perfume or scents and no jewelry or piercings

    This is heavily enforced due to the nature of our work. It’s made clear as soon as anyone gets a job in the industry. Failure to comply means being escorted out and having all work you touched or were around being written off. It applies to every single employee regardless of gender or age.

    It makes getting ready in the morning so easy. We also wear lab suits with scrubs underneath that we put on at work so there’s no having to think about or plan what I’m going to wear. My morning routine is simple and quick.

    English isn’t my first language so I hope what I posted makes sense

  125. Rusty Shackelford*

    I wear a full face of makeup, every day. If I’m leaving the house, I’m wearing makeup. Not for anyone else, but for me. I have a splotchy red complexion (possibly undiagnosed rosacea) and I just think I look awful without it. (True story… I once worked a snack bar/cafe and never wore foundation because in that atmosphere it felt gross quickly. My regular customers always commented on my bad skin – they thought it was acne. When I moved to a retail shop attached to the same business, I started wearing foundation, and those same regular customers commented that my skin had cleared up nicely since I got away from the fryer.)

    In my office, most of the women wear some kind of makeup, but less than half of us wear *noticeable* makeup (dark/non neutral colors, winged eyeliner, etc.) A few years ago, someone commented that I was the only person in a certain group who wore makeup at all, which I thought was odd, because I knew for a fact we all wore it. But if you’re not wearing winged eyeliner or purple eye shadow, it’s easy for others to just assume your face naturally looks that way, I guess. (I’d wear winged eyeliner if I could, but I have allergy eyes and I’d end up dabbing it all off.)

    Do you need makeup to look professional? No. Does makeup make you look unprofessional? Not if you’re doing it right. Is it appropriate to apply makeup at work? I don’t think so, beyond touchups.

    Body glitter at work? There are a few jobs where that would be acceptable. ;-)

    1. Jukeboxx32*

      I was starting to think I was the only person that likes wearing makeup to work! I started a new job in Feb and immediately caught the pink eye/flu combo that’s going around this year and basically wore nothing on my face for almost 2 weeks. I felt like “Sorry you hired the girl in contacts and full makeup, but here I am”! haha. Now that I’m putting on a full face again I feel like people are treating me like I have my act together.

  126. LeahV MBAMSIS*

    I work in technology but in a supervisory capacity so I wear mascara, eyeliner, & lipstick daily since I want to seem as ‘put together’ as possible. I’ve found it helps to give me more confidence, I don’t see it as sexualizing, & I also would not judge another woman on my team for not wearing any. I just feel that since I’m so client facing, I want to put my best face forward :D

  127. AC*

    Wow, I’m surprised to see all the people saying no to applying make up at work. I get not doing it at your desk, or if there’s a single bathroom that you’re blocking others from using, or of spending 30 minutes after you’re supposed to be at your desk for jobs where that’s important (like reception or retail etc.).

    But 5-10 minutes in front of the mirror in a multi-stall bathroom, before you’re supposed to be at work? I wouldn’t even think to criticize that. I used to bike to work, and in the summer when it was 90 degrees and super humid I would always put my makeup on after I arrived (typically just some foundation, mascara, lipstick). But I’m also the kind of person who puts on makeup while on the bus or sitting in traffic, so maybe my perceptions of what’s OK are skewed.

    1. Case of the Mondays*

      I put my makeup on at work at times but it is usually minimal (less than 5 minutes) and it’s a single stall bathroom so no one sees me do it. It’s usually days I decided to skip the makeup but then think I look like crap in the mirror. If I skip the makeup, I at least try to toss the bag in my purse in case I change my mind later.

  128. AnonAnon*

    Really tricky – If you wear make-up regularly, then don’t one day, I can’t tell you how many male colleagues will say something along the lines of ‘you look tired’ or ‘are you feeling ok’… even if you are totally healthy and awake it can be interpreted as somethings not right! I still haven’t worked out how to respond to these well meaning but awful comments.

    1. KarenT*

      Wow–at least my co-workers have the decency to comment on the good days, “date tonight?” or “you look nice today.” Still annoying but better than the opposite, I’d say.

    2. Badmin*

      ahh yes, I just posted about this! I think I made one coworker feel awkward when she asked if I was sick on a day I forget under eye concealer and she asked if I was sick. I said No. but made a point to look confused as to why she would be asking. In my office/experience, it is a female coworker who does this.

      I will never understand why people make a point to say You look tired.

      1. Tris Prior*

        NO ONE should ever say that to anyone without following it up with “so why don’t I do {task} while you rest?” or “so take the rest of the day off with pay!”

    3. Anonymous Pterodactyl*

      I have some mixed feelings about this!

      On the one hand, it does suck to have people basically be saying “you look like crap today”, whether that’s because you didn’t get enough sleep, or because you skipped the makeup, or whatever.

      On the other hand… I’m kind of fascinated by our ability to see sickness, sometimes before people even feel sick themselves. There’s a recent article in Time magazine ( http://time.com/5086172/sick-cold-facial-cues/ ) about researchers studying exactly that. And it makes total sense that when we’ve grown accustomed to someone’s face (or our own) looking a particular way with makeup, them *not* wearing it will trigger the spidey sense of “something is subtly off…”.

      I almost never wear any makeup, and I don’t really mind if a coworker asks me if I’m feeling ok. I generally use it as a cue to take stock of where I’m at and see if something might actually be up. Did I not sleep well last night? Am I feeling at all off? Should I take some quiet time to relax and recharge tonight? And if there’s nothing to it.. well, some days my face just isn’t looking its best. I’m ok with that.

      I will grant, I might have stronger feelings if I regularly wore makeup and those were people’s reactions to my regular face. But it does seem to be a kind of natural consequence of changing how you look?

  129. anonanners*

    I have hormonal acne, so it makes me *feel* a lot more professional to be able to wear a light foundation, some mascara, and some blush. I’ll occasionally up the ante with some eyeliner and lipstick, but I would look seriously weird if I did much more. I think I’m one of only 4 people in my (75% female, 15-person) office who regularly wears makeup.

  130. laseri*

    I’ve run the whole gamut of bare face to full face at my current job – including a period where I’d sneak off to the bathroom for 15-20 minutes to apply it. I never got dinged for that but thankfully it didn’t take long to realise it was not the best way to go about things. For a while I hoped going bare-faced would result in a magical shift in self-image, but no such luck – I still feel more comfortable and professional wearing makeup at work, and if I haven’t done it I feel like I haven’t bothered to make an effort. Minimum for me is concealer, powder and lip colour to hide blemishes, control oil and make me look less dead.

    My female coworkers vary as well and there’s no judgement of who is wearing what on their face as far as professionalism – some of us swap tips. What DOES stand out is one lady whose makeup is always very badly applied – messy red lipstick, patchy foundation, wobbly black eyeliner. People definitely notice and it doesn’t help her reputation. So I guess the takeaway here is if you do choose to wear makeup to work, it needs to be neat!

    1. laseri*

      I should add: none of my coworkers have ever commented on my makeup except other women complimenting, like, a lipstick colour. No “you look tired” or “wow, someone’s dressed up.” I’m not in the US so it could be a regional thing, but I feel like most people here would consider that pretty rude – not to mention, those that don’t wear makeup aren’t paying that much attention to subtle differences in your look.

  131. Dust Bunny*

    I work with historical papers so, while makeup isn’t expressly forbidden, it’s definitely preferred that I don’t wear any. We already ask visitors not to use hand lotion, etc., before they arrive and handle things. Nobody in my department wears makeup, anyway, and I think that’s the primary reason it hasn’t been addressed, but if we asked, I’m pretty sure they would ask us not to.

    Libraries and archives seem in general to be low-makeup disciplines. I don’t get out as much as my superiors do but I feel like when I do, most of the women I see (and it’s still mostly women in the field) wear very little if any.

    1. Dust Bunny*

      I, personally, have obnoxiously oily, acne-prone skin, and makeup is a) uncomfortable, and b) tends to sort of curdle after a couple of hours, anyway. I feel like my face has been battered and deep-fried. It’s gotten better with age and better washing technique, but I’d rather not poke that bear.

    2. cwethan*

      I work in a non-public facing role in a library (digital archivist) and while I like playing with make up and wear it every day, I do worry that others see me as putting on airs when I come in with a bold lipstick or wear nailpolish when I’ve got a few days of work that doesn’t involve collections handling. The other women in my department don’t wear any or much, so I try not to do the bold lip thing too often lest I get (unconsciously) branded as too young, too frivolous, etc.

  132. Ihmmy*

    Do I have to wear it here? No, but I wear it often enough that I get told I look tired or sick if I don’t bother for a day :/ On average I vary from liner and mascara only to those plus shadow, lipstick, and a light dusting of highlighter and blush. I’m seeing from the comments that a lot of folk feel like highlighter is unprofessional or for The Youth but, eh, I recently fell in love with it and it makes me like my face a little more. I often do a bright lipstick if I bother with lipstick. And in the winter I usually apply my lipstick at my desk (scarves plus I tend to eat breakfast quickly at my desk – before we officially open) and check it on occasion too.

    1. Madame X*

      Honestly, it depends on what type of highlighter your use or how much you use. Matte highlighters or a really soft shimmery highligther are more subtle and easier to wear for daytime looks. Really shimmery highlighters are what I typically use if I want to glam up an evening look.

      1. RussianInTexas*

        I use a very soft Locar highlighter, and barely noticeable, just a light sheen. I have another one for a night out – not really work appropriate.

  133. Michael*

    Make-up or no should be strictly for each individual wearing it (or not) to decide.
    As a general rule of thumb the make-up worn should reflect the industry you’re in. That’s very vague but look at how other professionals within and outside your company look and take that as guidance. The bounds to this are very, very vague and unless someone looks somehow unprofessional then it’s their own business. If someone just doesn’t like body glitter then that’s an opinion and it should stay firmly in their head.
    If you feel comfortable in reapplying make-up in the bathroom, in the canteen, in the parking lot, then do it. Again, it’s nobodies business but your own.

    One handy rule of thumb is, if you’re in a client facing role, then think if that’s a look that your clients would expect. e.g. If you work in a funeral directors then being glammed up might lead clients to think you’re not taking them seriously. But again, there is glammed up and glammed up, so, you’ll have to play it by ear.

    TL;DR – in the main, it’s nobodies business but your own and if you are someone who is thinking about speaking out about someone else’s make-up then have a damn hard think before opening your yap.

  134. Coffeelover*

    I think this really depends on what you usually do. If you wear a full face of makeup every day and then show up one day with nothing, you’re going to look less put together than what people are used to. If you never wear makeup (or wear very little) then showing up without makeup won’t make a big difference. Honestly the only time makeup even registers in my mind is when there’s a stark difference. I don’t even notice whether someone is wearing makeup otherwise. I do think people that usually wear a lot of make do look more haggard without but that’s kind of the point of makeup. Personally I don’t think lack of obvious fatigue = professional… But some people do.

  135. Erin*

    What a fun post!

    Do you have to wear it to look professional? I was going to say at least a little bit, but I think I’ve changed my mind. I can think of at least two women off the top of my head who do not wear makeup to work and they look perfectly fine/professional.

    How much is too much? Is a smoky eye inappropriate for work? I think you could pull of a smoky eye at work. As long as you don’t look too much like you’re about to head out for a night on the town (heavy makeup coupled with a low cut top, for instance), or it doesn’t look really clown-like, I’d say you’re probably fine.

    Is it weird to apply it in the office bathroom on mornings when you’re rushed? I also think this is fine, although I wouldn’t make it your usual morning routine. Once in a great while when you’re running late is okay.

    Should you discreetly suggest your junior colleague stop wearing body glitter? Hmm. Probably not, unless you’re in a very conservative industry and she’s client-facing and you’re positive it would come across badly in a meeting. Otherwise, as long as her work is good and her attitude professional, I’d let personal style like that slide.

  136. Starryemma*

    I’ve never been a huge makeup person, but particular as I’ve gotten older (I’m in my 30s now), I’ve noticed that for more professional roles, it’s something people typically do. It’s not required, per se, it’s just common.

    For example, I work at a university, and I noticed at a meeting at the Business School, 100% of the the female staff were wearing makeup.

    So, I’m doing really simple makeup- moisturizing (which I guess isn’t makeup), really light foundation to even out my skin tone, light eye shadow, and some sort of light lip color. Basically things that don’t stand out, but make me look slightly more polished.

  137. Madame X*

    I love makeup. I wear it on most work days (unless I woke up too late/feel too lazy). I keep it pretty simple though, usually I define my brows, put on concealer, 1-2 colors of eye shadow (swiped on with a finger), eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. Some days I wear less than that (just eyeliner + mascara) and on rare days I wear more than that (all of the above + foundation and setting powder). I generally enjoy putting on makeup because I like how I look with it on, it helps to make look more “professional”, and it’s just fun : )

  138. Blue Anne*

    I have big splotches because of skin-picking. I do feel better about myself when I cover everything up with Dermacol, but I don’t go further than that, and I don’t even do that most days. Just when I’m having a bad day I’ll even everything out so I look like a normal human who doesn’t claw at her own face.

  139. Coconutty*

    Without eyeliner I could pass for 14. I’m in my early 20s working in an office where the next youngest woman is 30, so I actually wear makeup to try to look closer to her age. Eyeliner is the only thing I wear consistently though, and if I’m feeling up to it I might add mascara or lipstick, but that’s all.

    While we’re talking about appearances, I am really interested to know if anybody has opinions on coming to work with half-wet hair (not dripping, but visible)? I shower almost every morning and my hair takes hours to dry and doesn’t respond well to blow-drying (I’m Indian and have long, thick, straight hair). I am not in a client-facing role and my hair at least looks dry less than two hours into the workday, so I don’t perceive it to be a huge deal. Does anybody else have opinions on this?

    1. Little Orange Nail*

      I have thick hair that takes a long time to dry, so I wash it at night. I would not feel comfortable going in to work with wet hair.

      1. Coconutty*

        I used to wash it at night, in fact I only switched to mornings in the last couple of years because my apartment is crazy hot, and regardless of whether I showered or not I wake up sweaty and gross.

    2. Blue Anne*

      I understand this struggle. I have really thick hair down to my waist, and while it does do fine with a hairdryer, sometimes I just don’t have 20 minutes to do it. I try to get it to a point where it’s just damp, and leave it down to air dry the rest of the way. Like you, it’s done in the first two hours at work. I don’t think it’s an issue.

    3. Rusty Shackelford*

      As a person who used to have a yard of thick curly hair, I showed up with damp hair every morning. I think as long as you don’t look just-stepped-out-of-the-shower wet, it’s not a problem.

      1. Coconutty*

        Yeah, I always shower at least an hour before I leave home (I hate being rushed in the mornings) and so far nobody has brought it up with me as an issue. I bet some of the guys come to work with freshly washed hair too, but you can’t tell because it’s short

    5. Oxford Coma*

      I think expecting hair to be totally dry is a bit ethnocentric. Many textures and styles cannot tolerate heat styling.

  140. Sara*

    I’m a makeup every day type, and on the occasional day when I oversleep a bit and don’t get to apply, I’ll apply in the bathroom when I get to work. However, I always do the bare minimum and keep it speedy when this happens (I’ve done it maybe 2 times in a year on the job, so it’s infrequent). I just feel so self-conscious when I’m not wearing it, I think that’s all I’d be able to think about all day if I didn’t put it on. Maybe something to work on in therapy? lol

  141. Nessun*

    When I was younger, I wore more makeup – I thought of it as armor or protection, which gave me a degree of separation from the rest of the world. Going out without makeup made me feel naked and insecure. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more confident and less concerned with the opinions of others. Nowadays, I’d definitely fall in the “you do you” category – for me, it’s not something to bother with, for others, it’s an essential part of the day.

    As far as putting it on at work – I really wish people wouldn’t. First, those who take a great deal of time in the bathroom are taking up space for people to wash their hands (just rude), and wasting time they should be working (if it’s 10 am and you’re not made up yet, IMHO you’re late and disorganized – if you’re here before the start of the work day, why didn’t you just do that at home?). Second, I trust the cleanliness of my own bathroom over the one at the office! Just…don’t put those brushes down on the countertop. Ew.

  142. Bye Academia*

    I work in an academic environment, and most people don’t wear makeup. I personally think it can look really cool but hate the way it feels on my face and the time/effort required to apply and remove it. I used to never wear makeup at all, but now I have a minimal routine involving clear brow gel (hey, turns out my giant unruly eyebrows that I used to hate are in style now!) and curling my lashes. No mascara because I hate it, but curling my lashes alone makes me look more awake and alert. I wear undereye concealer most mornings, but I skip it if I’m sick or just can’t be bothered. No one would care if I didn’t do any of this. I mostly do it for my own confidence. I don’t think anyone else would even be able to point out what I did, just that I may look less tired.

    I will say academia is kind of weird about this. If a professor went crazy with the makeup, I think people would just assume they were cool and eccentric. But if support staff has a dramatic look, they will judge it as silly or trashy. But I think that’s more about how professors treat their support staff than anything else, which is another rant for another day….

  143. AnonasaurusRex*

    I like makeup and fashion so I generally wear it every day that I’m at work. It’s a very neutral overall look that’s either tinted moisturizer + powder + mascara in the warmer months, or regular foundation + powder + eye shadow + mascara + lipstick. I keep a spare powder compact at work and whatever color lipstick I’m wearing always goes in a little zippered pouch in my purse where I keep band aids and chapstick and stuff. I touch up occasionally, but everything I wear is long wear or waterproof so I don’t really have to do that very often. I have a desk in a cubicle that’s reasonably private and our main office door is by key card access only. A quick touch up at my desk takes seconds so I see no harm in doing that or brushing my hair if it’s a windy day. The only things that I change on a daily basis are eye shadow and lipstick which I sort of “match” or coordinate to what I’m wearing. I find that eye makeup really makes my eyes actually show up when I wear glasses, otherwise they just look weird to me.

    I’m lucky because in healthcare a lot of women don’t wear makeup or can’t because of patient care concerns, changing out of scrubs several times a day, wearing masks, etc. If I skip a day and don’t wear it no one says anything about it, and several of my coworkers are younger women who don’t wear any at all or who only wear something like tinted moisturizer and you can hardly tell.

  144. KarenT*

    For those who want a slightly polished look but don’t want to put in any effort (me, most of the time), I can’t recommend tinted moisturizer enough!

    1. Emi.*

      Is there a specific tinted moisturizer you recommend? I currently use Mary Kay’s CC cream, and I wish I had something more sheer, because it makes me look a little washed out unless I use blush too, and I’d rather have something to just even out my skin tone a bit.

      1. kristin*

        I’m not the person you asked but my favorites are:

        * NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – These shades run really yellow though, so if your skin has a different undertone this might not work. But it is beautiful and glowy while still having a decent coverage.
        * BareMinerals Tinted Hydrating Cream – Yes, bareminerals makes non-powder makeup and this is a great easy to wear and blend formulation
        * If you’re just worried about redness. the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Color Corrector is just a little bit magical (and it is so fun to watch it turn from green to beige as you rub it in)

        1. KarenT*

          I use the Laura Mercier one. I do find colour match is important since it’s sheer but has tone, but otherwise it’s a dream!

    2. Cookie Monster*

      Yes! Also tinted chapstick, and any product that comes in stick form, which is a lot now. There are more than a few products that serve as combo lips/cheek color and they are so quick.

  145. weho*

    I don’t _have_ to wear it for work but I do, because I feel “put together” with makeup. And I do think it is more professional for women to have a touch of makeup – a little powder, a little mascara, a little color on the lips – for a job interview, rather than no makeup or a face full of it. It’s not politically correct to say so, maybe, and makeup doesn’t indicate how well someone would do at a job of course, but that’s how I feel. For the same reason suits are recommended for most job interviews: because appearances and first impressions do matter.

    Having said that, if someone absolutely does not do makeup for whatever reason, then they should skip it for an interview.

  146. rachola*

    What about men wearing makeup (concealer, brows, blush in some cases). It’s definitely a trend…We women like gender equality, but it will be interesting to see how society will perceive men in makeup.

    As for me, I use the same rule as I do with the outfit– makeup shouldn’t be too distracting just like the outfit. I do think that a little makeup makes me look more polished.

    1. saffytaffy*

      When I worked in Shanghai, it was normal for our young salesmen to all have tinted moisturizer on their skin, to tweeze their brows, and to wear tinted balm. I always loved how attractive and groomed the boys looked.

    2. Lemondrop*

      I wish more men would wear makeup. Sometimes I’ll see a guy wearing eyeliner and while I do a double-take at first, it only takes a few seconds for me to switch from, “‘Say what’ to ‘Daaaaamn, that looks amazing.'”

    3. Rusty Shackelford*

      In my part of the country, the only men who wear obvious makeup at work are men who sell makeup or those who are on television. It’s unfortunate. Guys should be allowed to cover their blemishes and fill in sparse eyebrows without judgement. Heck, guys should be allowed to rock red lipstick and glittery eyeliner without judgement. Someday!

    4. Lissa*

      I’d be about 100 times less salty about the “but we *need* makeup to cover slight imperfections” if guys wore it too.

  147. Anonymous Engineer*

    I’m a female engineer who works in a male dominated production environment (think fire retardant clothing, hard hats, steel toe boots). Doing my hair or wearing makeup are totally lost on me, as it all melts/wilts as soon as I walk out into the plant. I wish this meant I could be “one of the guys” and still be taken seriously but it’s really REALLY not the case. It’s ok with the operators, they respect somebody willing to get dirty. It hurts with the professional/management side. It’s almost like there’s more of an emphasis on “looking the part,” which translates to high maintenance for women.

    1. JeJe*

      Similar experience. I spend more time in our lab than in factories but it’s still duty enough that it makes no sense to dress up and put on makeup on regular day. It drives me nuts that when I have meet a customer, I have stop and go through a huge routine, while the guys can just go into the stockroom and change their shirt. It’s kind of subtle, but Women Engineers are not perceived the same as men when they show up to a meeting looking as though they’ve been doing the job of an Engineer.

  148. Aurion*

    My natural features are pretty good: even-ish skin tone, long eyelashes, dark/full eyebrows, and angular cheekbones. I’m sure makeup would improve it even more, but since my adult acne finally seems to be waning I don’t bother, and honestly…unless I’m going for a full face complete with heavy primer and layers of foundation, ain’t nothing going to cover up the pitted scars from my cystic acne years anyway. Cheap makeup makes my face itch and I don’t like it enough to try more expensive brands.

    I might put on a little for job interviews and weddings and such, but it’s coming off ASAP and I never feel quite comfortable with it. I work in a casual workplace and keep my professional polish with button up shirts and pants (though we’re so casual I don’t even bother with that anymore).

    1. Aurion*

      Correction: I’ve never really bothered with makeup at work, but now that the acne is waning I have even less motivation to makeup. :)

  149. Shark Lady*

    I work behind the scenes at a huge bank, and we run the gamut from no makeup to full face, with no judgment either way. I fall somewhere in the middle–usually I wear CC cream, cheek stain, powder, mascara, and lipstick. Though lately I’ve just been doing powder, mascara, and lipstick. Bold lipstick is kind of my thing, so it is not unusual for me to wear a plum or brick or bright red lip to work and I’ve gotten nothing but compliments.
    I think bathroom touchups are ok, and I’ve occasionally done my makeup in the bathroom before my shift. I don’t feel that makeup is a signifier of professionalism, and you shouldn’t be dinged for wearing it or not.

  150. SoCalHR*

    Literally, as we speak, the woman in the office next to me is still putting on her makeup. She arrived 25 mins ago, I actually was impressed she was somewhat on time for work. But really though, if you’re ‘on time’ and then put your make up on at your desk, you’re not really ON TIME (she’s been talked to before about this too).

  151. SleepyTimeTay*

    I do a full face of makeup for work every day. Nothing crazy like magenta glitter eyeshadow and dramatic falsies, but basically everything else. I try to keep it more neutral. And at most, I just touch up my lipstick or use some blotting papers during the day.

    I feel no pressure to wear any makeup–I’ve just loved playing with it since middle school. And I have depression/anxiety, so doing my makeup in the morning is a bit of self-care and helps me get a good start to my day.

    Most women in my office don’t wear as much as I do. But I’m also outside the norm being in my late 20s and enjoy wearing a skirt and heels every day.

    1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      You’re the second person here to call false eyelashes “falsies”, and both times I’ve had to do a double take, then LOL. Because when I was a little girl in the 1970s, “falsies” were false BREASTS…whether the foam rubber pads you’d stick in you bra for a major push up effect, or what “female impersonators” wore. X-D

  152. Lora*

    In my field, there are two schools of thought:

    1. Wear the Lady Scientist Uniform: no makeup, blouse, slacks or frumpy-ish skirt, cardigan sweater and funky glasses. Easy-care hairstyle (usually some variation on a blunt cut bob, although I put mine in a messy bun and that’s within the range of Normal). “I am here for my big beautiful BRAIN, not for decorative purposes”.

    2. Presenting something to clients or fancy-level managers: full makeup, but in neutral colors, and blouse, formal skirt/slacks/jacket, flats (not pumps), hair subtly styled (nice bun instead of messy bun, women with the blunt cut bob will put gel in to keep it tidy), small formal conservative jewelry.

  153. Oxford Coma*

    I don’t wear a speck of makeup. It’s incredibly impractical in my work (I spend a good amount of time crawling around in messy situations and wearing safety goggles). I also have found in my male-dominated field that I’m better off not coming across as overly fussy or delicate. It’s not ideal or PC, but I only have so many spoons.

    I do, however, spend an insane amount of time and money on skincare, so I channel my desire to pamper that way.

  154. Nonprofit Lady*

    I TOTALLY think this is sector-specific.
    I am a low-maintenance woman in my 20s, working in a casual to business casual nonprofit. On a daily basis, I wear eyeliner, mascara, and tinted lip balm or lipstick. That’s it. I rarely have my nails done. I fully realize that in other professional environments this would not slide. I think I look fine, and I dislike the feel of wearing make-up. I imagine that as I age I might start to “need” it more, but for now, I’m enjoying going au naturale.
    That said, usually, I will wear more makeup when I’m giving a presentation, going to a board meeting, or having a picture taken. For me this means wearing powder foundation, blush, and a touch of eye shadow in addition to my regular makeup.
    For as little make-up as I wear, I really could care less how much others wear, although most of my coworkers also seem relatively low maintenance. Again, I can imagine some conservative fields where bright lipstick or eye shadow would be a no-no, but it wouldn’t bug me.

  155. oxfordcomma4life*

    I started my career being team full-face for years (I have a young face. Makeup made me look less like I’d wandered in from the local high school). I used it like armour, to demand peers take me seriously. Over time though, I’ve definitely chilled on that– literally. I live north of 60 and for a good chunk of the year, my eyelashes freeze on the walk to work. Makeup literally melts off my face. After a few days of arriving looking like a racoon, I transitioned to putting on eye makeup etc once I arrived, but now I’ve just abandoned it entirely. It’s funny that what I once thought made me look more professional, actually now makes me look less, as it’s just not practical in this town!

    I should also note though I’m in a very relaxed work environment. I once accidentally wore a sweater covered in flying unicorns to a serious work event and no one blinked. Lipstick or it’s lack is probably the least of the worries up here :P

    1. Snark*

      A friend of ours is very petite, with Asian ancestry, and once had an excrutiating experience at a new job where she was managing a team, including interns. She walked into the office, and a large, hale fellow well met type grabbed her by the arm and barked, “FINALLY! We expected all the interns to be here half an hour early to go get coffee for Ms. Snarkfriend! She’ll be here any minute! Just get her a latte downstairs or something.”

      Long, awkward pause.

      And then she said something like, “Well, I actually prefer my coffee black.”

      1. shep*

        Oh my goodness, this is the most horrifying/glorious thing I’ve ever heard re: age in the workplace.

        I look pretty young for my age too, and I’m often confused for the younger sibling when I’m with my brother. He’s about a decade younger than I am. I’m not complaining, of course.

        I’d love to know what this man said/did/how he melted into the floor once he realized your friend was the person he was waiting for.

        1. Snark*

          Apparently he dropped her arm, turned scarlet and said “Ohhhh” in a way that kind of verged on a groan, then apologized in many ways.

          1. shep*

            Seriously. Incredible.

            I think the worst that’s happened to me (as a petite, young-looking woman) is when I walked into the vet’s office to ask for assistance getting our family dog out of the car. Her health was really failing and we were there to literally say goodbye. It was not a happy day.

            I was about 22 (so, young, but DEFINITELY not a child), but she looked at me, then looked at the vet tech next to her and said dismissively, “This little girl needs help with her dog.”

            I was too distraught about my dog to call her out then, and just glared at her through tears when we were signing paperwork later, but I was apoplectic with rage.

  156. She Who Must Be Obeyed (formerly Laura)*

    Putting on makeup at work? It’s better than putting it on while you’re driving to work! I’ve done that–but only at red lights, since all my cars have had manual transmissions and take two hands to drive *and* I’m really worried about sticking a mascara wand in my eyes! (I used to put my shoes and socks on while driving all the time, though. I’m not sure how I did it, since my drive was all city, but I managed).

    I don’t wear more than a waterproof base eye shadow (it helps my expensive eye cream not evaporate–really!) and mascara–plus a base, conditioning mascara. I’m too lazy to do anything else, plus my skin is too oily to wear much else. I’m not complaining since it helps me look 15-20 years younger than I am, plus it gives me a reason to not have to wear makeup!

    Working for the government in non-customer facing jobs has made makeup completely optional. In all of my jobs, there have been people around me who go from none to too much. I’ve seen people put it on in the restroom–and people putting it on while driving. Restroom is really dangerous where I work now, though, since once you’re clocked in (and there is *no* flexibility on that), your “efficiency” (time keying vs. time not keying) is measured and management watches it closely and you get a printout each week. You’d have to do it before you clock in (you might as well do it at home–there’s no public transportation and carpooling is really hard), or during your breaks (five minutes first hour, 10 second, 5 third) which means you’d probably not be done until lunch (30 minutes–almost exactly). So, no one does it at work.

  157. mrs__peel*

    I don’t bother wearing makeup to work anymore.

    In my current job, I spend pretty much all day in my own office with the door closed. I’m the only person in my department now who works in the main office– everyone else works remotely (in other states), and we only typically communicate via email or phone. And I work from home one day per week, where I wear pajamas and no one sees me except the dog.

    That said, I HAVE been getting into fancy skincare products lately (because it’s fun and it keeps my mind off politics and our possibly impending nuclear annihilation, etc. …..)

  158. Kateedoo*

    I think the key is consistency – if you do full makeup you sort of have to commit to always doing that and vise versa. You don’t want to draw attention to your looks by changing it up all the time – I think that is when you’re likely to be taken less seriously.
    I ride my bike to work so I need a few minutes in the bathroom to apply my makeup (eyebrows and mascara is all – takes 2 minutes) and sometimes to change my shirt, freshen up, etc. The key here is not to bring a huge makeup bag or lots of extras – keep it simple and no one really bats an eyelash at it. As women we understand makeup is a thing some of us wear and want to touch up from time to time but it looks silly or looks-obsessed if you have half the sephora store laid out on the sink.

    1. Us, Too*

      I think the issue isn’t the quantity of stuff you bring/use so much as the amount of space it’s taking up. I don’t think a full cosmetics bag is an issue, just take out one item at a time and put it back so that it’s not spread out all over the place. :)

  159. Us, Too*

    I’ve worked places that I wore a full face of makeup daily. I’ve also gone years without wearing much, if any, to work. I think a number of factors play into it:
    1. The industry. Some are “flashier” and more fashion conscious than others.
    2. The specific client, if I was visiting a client. Some are more “hippy” and some more “trendy” and I’d adjust my appearance accordingly to make them more comfortable.
    3. My personal life circumstances. Some times in my life I didn’t have the time/inclination and the ROI didn’t seem worth it. Or my skin was having issues or whatever.
    4. The increase in video conferences. My face kind of “disappears” on video conferences that show the entire room (rather than just a close up of my face). I wear cosmetics to help mitigate that.
    5. Large presentations. My facial features/expressions are easier to make out from far away if I’m wearing cosmetics, so I wear them for these every time. And also tend to wear more than usual.

    I don’t think I’ve ever worked somewhere that applying makeup in the bathroom would be an issue, except when the bathroom was being used by customers/clients. It would be fine in any employee-only context, though.

  160. Badmin*

    I don’t know if this is necessarily what is being asked but has been coming up for me a bit. There are days I forget under eye concealer (fair skin, prone to sort of dark circles but not the worse I’ve seen) and I will get, “you look tired.” “are you sick?” from fellow (female) coworkers, (who don’t wear makeup!!) so I wear it to “conform” to what people think I should look like. That’s a strong statement but until people stop commenting on women’s appearances I feel the need to wear it so people don’t ask me/pry about my wellbeing. I’m in my late 20s so I think it’s an attempt to show they care but it’s incredibly annoying. Surprisingly, I work in academia in a very visible space.

  161. TwoTuxedosandaMicrophone*

    I view make-up like I view dressing appropriately for work. I see my clothing options for work as elevated than my weekend clothes of jeans and a t-shirt. As such, I also see my make-up routine (minimal, but present) as elevated than my weekend moisturizer/sunscreen only routine. My husband uses gel in his hair to look nice for work, and I think make-up falls into a similar category for women.

    I kind of feel like everyone should be able to do what is most comfortable for them on a certain scale. When it comes to my make-up, my goal is to look put together, but still like myself. As long as you’re not going full roll-on glitter in the work place, by all means make-up to your heart’s content. (That said if you work at a Claire’s or an Icing type store, the glitter would be appropriate. So what do I know.)

    1. Us, Too*

      I work for a large tech company now and the range of personal appearance expression can be pretty interesting. I’ve seen glittery cat eyes with high end fashion coming from designers/creators and then there’s the other end of the spectrum in which a messy bun is paired with a company hoodie and a pair of jeans and sneakers. It’s incredible, really.

  162. Jane! Jane!*

    I come from higher ed. and most women wore none or minimal makeup. A few went beyond with full foundation, contours, liner, false lashes, bright lip–the works–but that was rare. We didn’t look on either group as more or less professional.
    My routine is simple– sunblock, primer on my t-zone, a smidge of powder, light liner, and curled lashes. 15 minutes and done. That’s all I’ve got time for and all I need to feel good.
    (I have to interject that I long for the day when no one in the workplace is judged by their appearance.)

  164. Alton Brown's Evil Twin*

    As a guy, I’m firmly in the less is more camp.

    I can say I’ve never judged someone positively in a professional context because of obvious makeup, unless it’s for a situation when they’ll be on camera. Which is weird, isn’t it?

    1. Heina*

      It takes more makeup to do an invisible look than it does to do an obvious look. So what you’re saying is subtlety is key, not “less is more”.

    2. Valancy Snaith*

      Indeed, you mean “subtlety is more.” Because I can promise you there’s much more makeup and more work involved in a “no-makeup makeup” look than there is an a straightforward “look I’m wearing makeup” look.

  165. Madame X*

    Do you have to wear it to look professional?
    Not for most office jobs, but it really is dependent on the industry. Generally, the more client-facing one’s role is the more it’s expected as part of looking “professional” (sales, entertainment, certain retail shops etc) but there is probably a lot of variation even within that.

    How much is too much?
    Again this varies by industry. I also think that a major factor is how talented one is at applying makeup. I’ve watched quite a few “no make-up” make-up tutorials that actually used quite a bit of makeup to achieve a natural look.
    Is a smokey eye inappropriate for work? I think this comes down to makeup style. A smokey eye can be appropriate if it is not too intense. A neutral smokey eye, if you will.

    Is it weird to apply it in the office bathroom on mornings when you’re rushed?
    If you keep it minimal and it will only take a few minutes (5-10), then I don’t see the issue. One should definitely avoid setting up a their entire routine if it’s going to be a lengthy session, LOL!

    Should you discreetly suggest your junior colleague stop wearing body glitter?
    Who in the year of our Lord 2018 is still wearing body glitter! LOL
    But seriously, I would only caution a junior colleague against body glitter if it is affecting their work (their co-workers or clients don’t take them seriously), then yes.

  167. Mary Anne Spier*

    I don’t bother with it. I’m a high school librarian and I have to get up early enough for work. I’m not getting up earlier for that. Nobody seems to care.

    I wear it for interviews (I don’t know why… I guess it makes me feel a little more “together” and interviews freak me out) and when my boyfriend and I go out for date nights. I know he likes the way it looks (and would never be jerky about it if I skipped it). Putting it on once a week or so is kind of fun. Putting it on every morning would feel like a chore. When I do put it on, I like it to look pretty natural. I don’t like the shiny look at all. I am lucky that I have really good skin so I don’t usually have much to cover up. (I’m chubby and socially awkward, so it’s fair.)

  168. Gadget Hackwrench*

    If anyone ever told me I needed to wear makeup to work, I’m pretty sure I’d take it to HR in a heartbeat. I bristle like WHOA under the employ of anyone who so much as implies that makeup is necessary for professionalism. It may or may not be because I’m non-binary but I see red every time someone tries to impose a gendered appearance standard to me. I once had an employer (back when I was a software dev) state that there was an important client coming to tour the office and they wanted everyone to dress their best “that means ties on the men and skirts on the women.” I came in in a 3 piece suit, with tie. I was dapper as shit and they couldn’t say a damn thing about it because if you put it in writing that an employee is in trouble for not wearing a skirt, that’s a great way to get into trouble with labor laws.

    For YEARS the only makeup I ever wore to work was a dab of concealer if I had a particularly bright zit. (I’ve got zits all the time, mostly small and flesh colored, but every now and then there’s a big red honker that needs taking down a peg to a lighter shade of pink.) Lately I’ve actually been wearing eye-liner, and a greyish tan lipstick too, purely of my own volition, in an effort to appear a bit less ‘soft’ and a bit more intimidating. I’m enjoying it, but that’s largely because it’s my own damn choice.

    1. Anonymeece*

      Not just professionals either! When I was 16, I worked at a popular fast food chain, and the dress code specified that women had to wear make-up. I thought it was completely sexist and never did, but no one ever called me on it, otherwise I would have raised an unholy fuss.

      I love the suit story! That’s fantastic!

      1. Natalie*

        Ugh, in food service that’s extra horrible given how sweaty people can get over a stove or a fryer.

        1. Kelly L.*

          Oh yes. Been there, done that. The sweat/fryer oil/makeup combination slime is horrible.

    3. Rusty Shackelford*

      I once had an employer (back when I was a software dev) state that there was an important client coming to tour the office and they wanted everyone to dress their best “that means ties on the men and skirts on the women.” I came in in a 3 piece suit, with tie.

      {loves}

  169. David Dashifen Kees*

    I’m a male presenting person who regularly (pretty much always) has his nails done in various colors. Usually, for me, it’s a good conversation piece (I need to start remembering the color names — everyone wants to know what color they are!) but I do wonder what others think of it in a professional capacity. Granted, I just interviewed for and received a new job with my nails done, so it probably changes from industry to industry as with so many of these “rules.”

    1. Jules the Third*

      Nails are getting more and more cross-gender, if I’m reading the fashions right. From Goth dark to Metrosexual neutrals, it’s getting more and more common to see men with nail color.

      I don’t see long or patterned nails yet, outside of some very alternative / arts oriented areas (eg tattoo or fire artists), nor do I see them in rural areas, but about 5% of the professional men I know (in a 1Mish metro area in the southern US) have colored nail polish. I think another 5% have clear, but that’s harder to tell.

      1. Manders*

        Yes, this is getting more common! I think it looks professional so long as the polish isn’t chipped.

        Some of the folks you’re seeing with clear but shiny nails may actually be wearing the polish that helps you stop biting your nails. My husband wears it and it has a distinct shine right after it’s applied, not quite cosmetic but it definitely doesn’t look like a natural nail.

  170. Ainomiaka*

    I wear makeup to work to push back a little on the femme presentation =unserious/unscientific. There’s a lot of “women can be scientists but only if they don’t act like women” implications that I hate. I don’t wear a lot though. And it can’t be powders, which interfere with my samples. I have worked in places where most women wear make up to places where it’s rare.

    1. Ainomiaka*

      Should add to answer the questions -smokey eye here would be odd but not disallowed, would be fine at previous place. Using sink for quick application of things like lipstick is fine, spending lots of time you are supposed to be working less fine. Glitter would be pushing the boundaries.

  171. Anonymeece*

    I personally don’t wear make-up very often (maybe some eyeliner, foundation, and lipstick if I have a big meeting or if I feel like it) and I don’t think it’s ever reflected poorly on me as a professional, but I also work in a little bit more laidback environment (academia). Also, in case it matters, I have regular break-outs, dark circles, and blotchy skin tone so it’s not like people couldn’t notice that I wasn’t wearing any cover-up!

    For the application… if you want to do a full-face of make-up, that’s something you need to budget in to your morning getting ready. Touch-ups at work are fine, like ducking into the bathroom real quick to re-apply like make-up. The only thing I would say is do it (a) in the bathroom, not in the open or at your desk, and (b) quick touch-ups, not “apply all make-up”.

    And finally, I will say that while I think it’s great that women are doing bold, cool things with make-up, I think that there is a time and place for it. I have no problems with people wearing miniskirts and go-go boots if they want, but it’s not cool for the office. Same thing for very bold make-up, like bright green eyeshadow, glitter blush, and full, obvious contouring. I once interviewed a young woman whose make-up was so heavy that it really distracted me from the interview, even though she was a great candidate. Anytime your make-up is distracting, that’s a sign that you should maybe tone it down, at least at work. On your own time, rock it!

  172. BC Enviro Gal*

    I don’t, but I work in an outdoor field. Between inclement weather and sweating, well, makeup doesn’t really work in my field. But I’ve never worn makeup to begin with, I don’t like it. It would probably make me look more “polished” and “older” (I look young) but anyone who expects me to be ready to walk a red carpet at work is not worth my time. I’m not being paid for my looks.

    As for other people, I don’t care what they do. Do whatever makes you happy, so long as you’re professional and respectful.

    1. Jules the Third*

      +1!

      I will say that mascara alone has a surprising amount of impact, and the waterproof type can be used in your work conditions, *IF* you decide you want to spend the time on it. Only mention because of the ‘older’ you mention.

      1. BC Enviro Gal*

        Thanks! I do have bombproof mascara, but it’s just not me, you know? I feel so weird every time I wear makeup.

  173. Jules the Third*

    I have never worn much makeup. Maybe a dab of concealer over a puffy eye shadow or that one freckle, mascara and discreet lipstick.

    This is on purpose. I’m a very tall, sturdily built woman in heavily male industries, and I have always consciously tried to read as ‘one of the guys’ to minimize sexual advances, harassment or assessment. Usually slacks, flats, tailored tops – I went through a vest phase for a while. I wanted to look put together but not feminine, and minimal makeup is part of that. I found plenty of room to express my personality and preferences. It helped that I’ve never really liked taking the time to do makeup.

    Now that I’m older and in a less sexualized stage of life, I’m wearing some more feminine tops, but you couldn’t pay me enough to make heels a regular part of my wardrobe. I would not ever be comfortable working in an environment where women not wearing makeup was frowned upon.

    1. Jules the Third*

      I do wear makeup for in-person interviews: light foundation, undereye concealer, mascara, lipstick, touch of blush, maybe 1 color eyeliner. However, my last in-person interview was 15 years ago, not sure what I would do now.

      I *have* all that in my bathroom, for when I want to go out, but don’t use it much – my husband prefers me with no lipstick.

  174. Lily Evans*

    I’m the only staff member at my current job who wears any make-up and the dress code here is pretty laid back. I’ve always liked make-up, and it helps me look slightly older. I have a round face and frequently get mistaken for an undergrad even with make-up on, without it I’ve had people actually think I was high-school aged.

    I also don’t apply make-up at work unless it’s touching up lipstick or adding concealer, something that takes 30 seconds or less, or once in a blue moon adding more dramatic eye make-up before leaving for the day if I have evening plans.

  175. cheeky*

    In every professional job I’ve had, makeup has always been a personal choice, and I usually do wear it. I do work in a male-dominated profession and now work in a very casual office. I’ve never felt like I’ve been held back over my appearance, thankfully. I’ve definitely gone to work without makeup (like today, because it’s pouring rain and I didn’t have time). I have put makeup on at my desk, which I prefer over the bathroom. I think it’s annoying when people spread their makeup out in the bathroom and take their sweet time applying it and, myself, would rather just apply makeup quickly and discreetly at my desk, but if I were in a customer or client-facing area, I absolutely would not do it at my desk, except for quick touch-ups to lipstick or powder. Keep it quick; I think that’s really important. I think makeup application is less offensive by far than, say, clipping fingernails or cleaning out your ears at your desk.

  176. Seespotbitejane*

    I wear glasses. I’ve tried contacts but they irritate my eyes. But my eye sight is so bad that I can’t see unless I’m too close to the mirror to really use a pencil or any implement longer than a couple inches and it’s not conducive to detail work. Sometimes I watch YouTube makeup tutorials because I find them fascinating but I’m largely incapable of replicating them. I have been in situations where I was desperate for work and panicking because I had to redo makeup several times before an interview (I always have to redo it several times if I’m trying to do anything with my eyes beyond mascara).

    I think if you’re in a position to either not wear makeup at work, or push back against those expectations you absolutely should because it is absolutely terrifying to be afraid that you won’t get a job and end up homeless because of a totally unrelated skill you can’t easily cultivate.

    1. Jules the Third*

      Yeah, glasses here too – I think that’s why I do mascara sometimes but eyeliner almost never

    2. Lissa*

      same basically, I am blind in on eye and pretty nearsighted in the other, me trying to do my makeup is …hahahaha no. I mean do I look better with my friends give me a makeover? yes I do! I look awesome! and I even like it! But I can’t do it myself. And I hate the expectation that I should learn to do it somehow, just because I’m female. it makes me want to do a little “screw that” dance. Especially because I know so much of the prejudice is unconscious, so even feminist people could well come away from me thinking I am just a bit less polished (god I hate that word) but not being able to put their finger on why.

  178. tamarack and fireweed*

    Makeup? I work in a research institution in a northern high-latitude setting, with the next larger city 400+ miles away. We count as put-together if there’s not toooo much dog hair on our clothes and have said hello to the hair brush. Typical clothes for most of the year is a fleece hoodie, jeans and mukluks or other winter boots. When travelling to a conference I *may* use a little bit of tinted moisturizer, eyeliner and a fairly neutral lipstick, but my field isn’t fussy.

    OTOH, there’s a senior researcher on my floor who wears full make-up as a rule (also has a half-secret fashion blog on the side). Putting it on at work shouldn’t be a problem as long as no one else is affected.

  179. Run By Fruiting*

    My (female) boss never wears makeup. Ever. But a couple of years ago she had to do some PR thing on TV so they did her makeup for it, and she looked AMAZING. They didn’t go nuts but just enhanced her features. I’m surprised at how many commenters here don’t wear makeup–I always thought she was a bit of an anomaly but I guess not!

    1. Pudgy Patty*

      I’m surprised too. I guess it’s all anecdotal, but everywhere I’ve worked over the past 12 years (and that’s not including part-time jobs in college), women have worn makeup. You absolutely have to look polished in a way that requires makeup to advance in the organization. It’s not so much being beautiful as it is part of the package of looking professionalism, and in my experience, makeup is absolutely a part of it.

      I of course can single out some individuals who haven’t worn makeup, but they were by far the exception from the norm.

  180. jk*

    I always wear a bb cream, concealer, eyebrow gel at least to work.

    It’s hard for me to wear mascara because I have very long, curled eyelashes so the formula has to be waterproof, smudge and flakeproof to work for me. If I don’t wear a formula like that it goes everywhere… up almost to my eyebrows and around my eyes. I’ve used one of Clinique’s long-wear mascaras which works well and just recently got the Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof and that’s working well too. I just need to dab off excess, let it dry and comb through. I can never put mascara on my lower lashes because the lashes there are also long and curl over so my skin would be covered in mascara. That’s fine though as they are already quite dark.

    I occasionally wear eyeshadow and I’ve tried experimenting with blush and bronzer recently with a light dusting – I just don’t want to look like a clown! I prefer a natural, enhanced look and can’t stand seeing women with overly contoured faces, orange lines around their forehead and Groucho Marx eyebrows.

    Luckily most of my workplaces have been very minimum with makeup and people just highlight their features naturally. I do know some women who are forced to wear makeup to work by the company which I wrong in so many ways.

  181. not so sweet*

    I’m privileged in being white, middle-aged, female-presenting, not too fat, not disabled, and ordinary-looking with curly hair. I mostly work in an office and don’t see clients. Sometimes I work on jobsites with a hard hat and safety glasses. I don’t usually wear makeup to work, although occasionally I put on face moisturiser. I have funny looking eyebrows which don’t fit current trends, and I might get them waxed once a year. I do pluck chin hairs but not the ones under my nose. I don’t put anything in my hair except shampoo, and that not every day.

    In these male-dominated industries, I think women – especially young ones – get judged for wearing “too-much” makeup in a way that totally privileges people like me who have smoothish skin and not many blemishes, and who rarely get misgendered. I think the expectation is actually more like “look nice, but in a way that people who don’t know about makeup and skin care and waxing will think means you didn’t work at it.” I also grew up in a family and culture where women didn’t wear much makeup or spend much time on it, so this expectation works for me. It is much harder for women from different subcultures (I’m thinking of Latina women and the judgement around big earrings, for example), for women who get misgendered without makeup and other presentation clues, and for women who have facial blemishes, birthmarks, or other appearance issues.

    Earlier in my life, I might have added to the judging of young women who wore makeup to university and to work, because I associated that kind of gender-presentation with lower-status pink-collar jobs and with not being sufficiently committed to a technical career. Now I have come to see that part of the freedom and acceptance I should be working towards is to respect the welder who wears beautiful eye makeup under her safety glasses as much as I respect another woman working in the shop who doesn’t appear to have done anything more to her face than the men do.

  182. Casuan*

    Makeup should not be required.
    Good grooming according to office cultural norms. If one represents the office outside of the office environment, then good grooming according to cultural norms- with the caveat that Management dictates what is acceptable for representing the organisation in question. Good grooming does not imply cosmetics.

    If one wants to do a quick [90 seconds, top] apply or touch-up at one’s desk or in the restroom, I’m okay with that, although the former depends on where the desk is located & who can see this.
    A full-on application in the restroom that takes more than a few minutes? Ummm… okay if it occurs every so often although if it’s a daily routine then I’m probably subconsciously judging that person.
    If the restroom is busy & that person is causing others to manoeuvre around to access the toilets or sinks… or if that person is using company time for this… then no. That’s just being disrespectful & rude.

    As for body glitter, one can try to discourage a new hire from this, although unless it’s during training I don’t have much confidence they’ll succeed. That probably needs to come from a supervisor.

    Personally, if I’m spending any time wondering if there’s lipstick on my teeth or if my mascara isn’t staying where it should then I’m wearing too much of it or I just need to shop for brands that behave. :)

  183. arcya*

    I definitely don’t think anyone should have to wear makeup at work to be seen as professional – tbh I think more women who don’t like makeup should go ahead and not wear it, in the sense that it might make the makeup-free look more normalized in some industries. I also think that anyone who complains that any employee needs to wear any / more makeup should be required by HR to apply a full face every morning for a month.

    As for the glitter conversation: I stared wearing a new CC cream, since that’s all I have patience for in the mornings, which promised on the packaging to be “illuminating”. I did not realize until I was at work that it had glitter in it! In regular office lighting I just look slightly sparkly but in the sun it’s the full Twilight – vampire.

    Just because of the kind of person I am I’ve been wearing it for three weeks now and so far no one has commented.

  184. Philly Redhead*

    I don’t believe you *HAVE* to wear makeup to look professional. I’ve been professional working world (office jobs) for 11 years, and I only just started to regularly wear makeup, and that’s only because I like how I look with it on vs. none (read as: I finally learned how to apply it, LOL). If I’m running late, I either go without, or cut my routine down to BB cream, blush and mascara. It would probably be fine if I applied it at work (we have a large bathroom with several stalls), but the lighting in the bathroom sucks.

  185. Heina*

    I work at a super-casual software company. It’s super common for women here to have laser hair removal, lash extensions, microbladed brows, straightening treatments, and other expensive long-lasting procedures so that they can do the whole “I look like this naturally” thing.

    I kind of loathe that rich-people expectation of looking perfect without effort and am all about my efforts to keep things like my curls and my weird lipstick colors looking good.

  186. DouDou Paille*

    The decision to wear makeup or not is very personal and depends on your office culture, personal preferences, and a lot of other factors – but here’s my two cents: As someone who is almost 50 (eek – how did I get here!), I have to chime in that I look MUCH better with makeup on as I age. When I was in my 20s and 30s I could get away with some colored lip gloss and mascara, but now I need foundation to even out blotchy skin, eye shadow to wake up tired-looking eyes, and lip liner to define disappearing lips. I don’t particularly *like* wearing makeup, and rarely do on the weekend, but I feel more put-together and professional when I wear it in the office. Not wearing it makes me look tired, rumpled and unkempt – not an image I want to convey at work. In fact, on the rare days I have not worn makeup in the office, co-workers have ask me if I got enough sleep or if I am sick. I want to respond “no I’m just getting old!” but that wouldn’t fly, so the makeup goes on!

  187. Nita*

    Definitely a “know your office” thing. In my office, if it was anything more than the “natural” look it would stick out a bit. I don’t think anyone would comment on it though.

  188. Jadelyn*

    I’m team “Whatever makes you feel good about yourself”. I wear makeup almost every day – winged eyeliner, mascara, brow gel, a light dusting of powder to even out my skintone since I’m prone to redness. But I do it because it makes me happy, it makes me feel good about myself when I walk by a mirror, not to look “more professional”. If I were going for professional, I wouldn’t do the eyeliner like I do.

    My office is casual and we run the gamut on presentation from a very butch coworker who I doubt has ever even considered wearing makeup to work, through my relatively minimal but noticeable bc of the eyeliner makeup, to a coworker who has her eyeliner tattooed on and another coworker who looks like Dolly Parton in full stage makeup every day (I’ve worked here for four years and have seen her in pants maybe half a dozen times – it’s always skirts and heels, big hair, full face makeup), and nobody says anything to anyone about it. So I really think this is a “know your office culture” thing.

      1. Jadelyn*

        Me too! We’re also very chill about piercings and tattoos, as long as the tattoos aren’t vulgar or sexist/racist/etc. I’ve got my tongue ring, we had a loan officer in one branch who had facial tattoos…as long as you do your job it doesn’t really matter all that much. I wish more offices were like that.

  189. JGray*

    I am of the mind that less is more. I wear light makeup because I am so pale. If I don’t wear makeup I look sick- and people have actually told me this. I think a quick ten minutes in the bathroom doing makeup is fine occasionally. If you take longer than that or do it every day than that’s too much. As far as the smoky eye I would say no don’t wear that at work because it’s really for a night out. I don’t think glitter is in itself bad but too much of a good thing is bad. So if you do glitter eye-shadow occasionally don’t also have glitter blush and body lotion and hair spray. Less is more in my opinion.

  190. Jules the Third*

    Let me also say: While I don’t wear it much, I don’t have *any* problem with people who wear makeup regularly, and yes, that includes intense makeup at work. How they choose to spend their time is their business, and body decoration is an art. The many many ways people are different are what makes them interesting.

    I may be biased, though, I spent several years hanging out in the Goth / Industrial / Rave scene, so full body glitter is not strange to me. Black lipstick looks bad on me, but deep purple can work with the right clothes.

    1. Jadelyn*

      I had to explain to a friend once that despite being a bunch of people who wear all black and grey, goths are nevertheless the biggest peacocks you will ever find.

      Also, I *adore* deep purple lipsticks, they are the best!

    2. Fae Kamen*

      I would love to see more dramatic and trendy (as someone mentioned above) makeup at work!! I would be impressed by the artistry, I love to see personality and creativity during the workday, and it would be an opening for a(n appropriate) compliment or small talk.

  191. CS Rep By Day, Writer By Night*

    Most days I do a full makeup routine (eye shadow, mascara, blush, etc), but it’s a light daytime look that takes somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes. Occasionally if I’m running late or just too tired I’ll skip it but at least do a minimum of foundation – my skin is very ruddy and uneven without it. For presentations, important meetings and interviews I put a little more effort in than just my usual daytime look, but not quite the level of say, going out dancing with my friends.

    Most of the women I work with in similar roles do the same as me, but there are a handful that don’t wear makeup at all and I don’t think anyone blinks an eye at it.

  192. Oogie*

    I wear foundation, eyeliner, and subtle eyeshadow. Otherwise I look like death. I do it for myself and my confidence.

  193. Cat*

    Can’t easily scroll through 480 comments on mobile so this have probably been covered but…

    If makeup is required to be professional then I have worked with very few professional men in my two decades in the workforce.

  194. NewBoss2016*

    Okay, not sure if this is exactly related, but I have a question. There is someone here in a client facing position that has been so crazy with the self-tanner for an extended period of time. We are expected to look polished and professional. They have an orange tint to all visible skin, but always have a huge build-up of product on their hands (so the palms of their hands are dyed a burnt orange), and you can see dark streaks all over their arms/neck where they forgot to blend or something. Would it ever be appropriate to say anything about it? I don’t plan to, because I personally don’t care, but I am curious if a more buttoned-up office would say something.

  195. Aixi*

    I’m a young professor in a conservative field in a conservative part of the country where the norm even for most students is light to no makeup, so I definitely don’t have to wear it (and in fact women entering my field are routinely advised not to, or to keep it light). I wear makeup anyways because it’s my own face and I absolutely loved my previous career as a makeup artist, but I keep it light and pretty natural for work. Light coverage foundation, very light blush, concealer, beige eyeshadow, light mascara, nude lipstick or clear gloss. I keep a tube of concealer and some clear gloss in my desk in case I need a touch up, and when I do, I close my office door. My commute means that I’d never go straight from work to going out, but if I ever did, I would stay late in my closed office to apply more obvious makeup, rather than a public bathroom or open door where students or colleagues could see me. I would never wear bright lipstick, glitter of any kind, false lashes, a smoky eye, or anything else that would be appropriate for an outing at work because the norm in my field is to avoid anything that draws attention to your looks over your intellect (yes, it’s sexist).

  196. MandyFish*

    I wear makeup to the grocery store.

    So yes, I wear makeup to work but I don’t think anyone else has to in order to look professional

  197. Glomarization, Esq.*

    Personally, I hate, hate, hate makeup. I hate how it feels on my face, and my 2nd-wave feminist heart just despises what it can mean culturally and oppressively. (My heart also appreciates that other women feel very differently and wants all women to wear as much or as little makeup as they wish.) However, if I know on some particular day that I’m having my photo taken, I may remember to toss a compact in my bag so that I can put powder over my zits and even out my complexion. Otherwise, though, I can count on one hand, and not use all the fingers, the number of times per year that I’ll wear makeup — and even then, maybe just eyeliner and mascara.

    I’ve probably self-selected out of industries/workplaces where makeup on women would be a norm, or required.

    On applying makeup at work: I think touching up powder or lipstick at one’s desk is OK, but it shouldn’t be frequent, and anything more should probably happen in the washroom. I’d liken it to picking food out of your teeth: if you can grab that little piece of spinach on the first try, then no worries; but if you need to floss, hie the to the ladies’.

  198. MCMonkeyBean*

    I think that, like heels, makeup is something that in theory should never be expected or demanded of anyone who doesn’t want to wear it–but the reality is that we still live in a world where many offices will expect it and women who don’t follow those rules will be judged for it.

    My office is fairly casual. We have jeans-Fridays and during November/December we are often able to donate to charity and then wear jeans all the time. I think sneakers are technically against the dress code but I see people wear them sometimes and no one seems to care. So definitely in my office neither heels nor makeup are mandatory. I believe there is at least one manager who does not ever wear makeup.

    Really over the top makeup would look out of place though. There is one woman who started recently and I confess I judged her a little because she has really over-the-top eyelashes for the office. I’m not sure if they are extensions or if she just wears false lashes every day but they are honestly someone distracting when I talk to her because they are just so big. It doesn’t actually affect my opinion of her or or work, but it’s really hard not to focus on them sometimes.

  199. Just a thought*

    I wear tinted moisturizer, blush, concealer, and setting powder pretty much everyday. My skin has issues and I just feel better with this routine. Some women apply it at work, some wear none. I don’t think anyone is fully glammed up with a smoky eye and bright lipstick, but there’s definitely women that wear eyeliner, lipstick and other products. No one seems to be taken more or less seriously in our very male dominated office.

    I experimented more when I worked in a more casual office (colored eyeliner, lipstick, etc) but nothing like I would wear on a night out. Now I mostly play with tinted lip products and neutral eye-shadows if I have extra time in the morning (rare). I think it’s mostly comfort in working with older men and my makeup skill.

    Makeup is so personal that I would never comment unless I clearly saw it impacting other’s perceptions of the person. I would never tell anyone they have to wear makeup either. I feel like it’s optional and I mostly do it for me.

  200. I'd Rather not Say*

    I’m relieved to see so many people commenting that they don’t wear makeup, and that it doesn’t matter. I’m one of only 4 women (all between 50 and 60) in a department of 12, and the only one who doesn’t wear makeup . It’s a pretty casual dress code to begin with, plus I’m rarely in a customer visible role, and not in management, but it’s reassuring to see that there are plenty of us on team no-makeup.

  201. Goya de la Mancha*

    Wearing it: Always know your office as far as amount of makeup worn. In my field, faux natural/natural is usually the best practice. For the most part, I think there are very few women who can get away with NO make-up. I don’t think most people need a full face, but generally a little concealer, mascara, or lip product can go a long way in helping looked polished and put together, IMO.

    Applying at the office: I warm my mascara between the ladies to make it easier to apply while I’m putting on the rest of my makeup – more then once I have forgotten to apply before leaving home. I think a quick application in the AM if you’re rushed is doable – but a 40 minute contour sesh is out of the question.

  202. SheLooksFamiliar*

    A long-ago office mate used to come into the office with her hair in electric rollers. She put on foundation and mascara at home, and waited till she got to the office to do the rest. She’d comandeer a bathroom for 20-30 minutes, then she’d start her work day. 30 minutes late, but hey, she walked through the door on time and that counted.

    She couldn’t understand why her new boss told her finish her toilette at home, and that she couldn’t clock in until she was ready to work. After all, she did the really tricky stuff with mascara and foundation at home! She just had to remove her rollers, fluff her hair, spray it, put on eye shadow and liner, add some lip liner and color, add some perfume, and she was READY.

    I don’t mind someone straightening their hair or putting on lipstick or gloss – outside of customer or visitor view, of course. Even Miss Manners thinks these are ladylike acts. But no one should come to work looking like they still have a lot of grooming to do.

    1. Bea*

      Unless you work at the makeup counter I’m solid in thinking that you only do touchups outside of your own bathroom! This routine smacks of disrespect for company time and hogging the bathroom in a business setting, nope. I’m glad a new boss put a semi end to that nonsense. I would seethe and fire someone for stealing 30 minutes a day of paid time to groom unless they swoop in to get ready to go meet clients I suppose but that’s a stretch.

      1. SheLooksFamiliar*

        A lot of us were seething, Bea. The fashionista was the HR department admin/receptionist. While she was in the bathroom the rest of us scrambled to handle new employee starts, interview arrivals, employee requests for info, etc. We usually had to interrupt our calls or meetings to take care of these things, and our complaints to her old boss went nowhere. He didn’t care who did the work, as long as it was done. That’s what teams do, he said, they cover for each other.

        I have my suspicions about why he let her do what she wanted, but no proof. After he left the company, I think she transferred to another department, can’t recall.

    2. Jadelyn*

      …still in rollers. And she didn’t see what was wrong with this.

      My flabber, it is gasted.

  203. IveEvenAttachedAPhotoBecauseILoveYouAll*

    In my office, some people wear makeup and other people don’t. I’ve started getting into makeup more in the past year, but I’ve only really gotten it to look a bit more polished/clean in the past few months once I started watching some videos about makeup application, and found foundation that better matches my skin.

    Before, I wore makeup 2-3 times a week, but now I tend to come in with a full face almost every day. Some people have complimented me on it, especially when I wear a really red, vampy shade (I’m just dark enough and have fuller lips, so I can pull it off).

    However, I do try to make my face look natural, and not clubby – I tend to stick to nudes, mauves, pinks, and the occasional pop of blue, bronze or green. Here’s what I’m wearing today; while it looks pretty clean and “natural”, there is a lot of product on my face: primer, foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, lipstick, and a few other things for a finished look.

    There’s one coworker who comes in every day with a smoky eye, and while there has been some comment about it, if it makes her happy, then it’s no problem to me.

  204. Alienor*

    I always wear at least some makeup unless it’s the weekend and I know I’m not leaving the house, so that applies to work as well. My natural coloring doesn’t have a lot of contrast (hazel eyes/light brown hair) and my brows have been thinning out lately, so my face sort of disappears without some help, and since I’m a quiet person to begin with I don’t need to fade into the background any more than I already do.

    That said, there’s a very wide range among my colleagues, from no makeup at all to super-heavy Kardashian-style makeup, and no one seems to care what any individual person chooses to do. I don’t mind if people put on makeup in the bathroom as long as it’s quick–I actually get more annoyed at the chick who spends half an hour every afternoon engaging in the world’s most thorough dental hygiene routine. (Seriously, it takes three minutes to brush your teeth and another two minutes to floss, quit blocking up the sink.)

    1. DouDou Paille*

      This is exactly my problem as well, Alienor (no contrast, hazel eyes, light brown hair, thinning brows, thinning lips and very pale skin). Without makeup I look like a blank white sheet. No definition anywhere. A little makeup makes me look like a human, not a featureless corpse!

  205. Bea*

    I’ve been in manufacturing my entire career, I’ve only seen sales reps make much of an importance out of such things whereas my customer service has always been done on the phone. I like makeup and am pretty low key with it so I’ll put some on occasionally it depends on my mood. I know my mom used to never go anywhere without hers on because she’s so self conscious about her appearance and has colored in her eyebrows since she was a teenager. I slowly moved her towards the less EFs to give over the years but she would never go to work without her makeup on, it makes her feel polished and the face she prefers the world see when she’s at work.

  206. I'm Not Phyllis*

    I wear minimal makeup (mascara and eyebrow pencil, and every now and then some lipstick). Sometimes my job is just a hot mess and I hate having anything heavy on my face. I also have super oily skin (and I’ve tried almost everything to make it chill the eff out, but it doesn’t work) so my makeup rarely looks good at the end of the day if I put it on.

    I do worry sometimes that I’m not being taken as seriously without it, and I know that sometimes people think I’m a lot younger than I really am. Most people guess that I’m in my twenties. Nope. I turn 40 next year. But it’s not a big enough worry that I’ll actually do something about it to be honest. I am what I am!

    1. Layla*

      Hah, I long for the day I look twenty! My mother is nearing 60 and ill and people still think she’s around 40. Good genes.

  207. Victoria Nonprofit (USA)*

    I’m not naive, and I’m aware that (for women) wearing a little bit of makeup generally improves people’s perception of our professionalism/intellect/skill/leadership/etc.

    But that’s bullshit, and I will rail against it forever.

    Women are asked to walk such a narrow tightrope — some makeup, not too much, not that color, but definitely cover that up, ooh make sure nobody can quite TELL you’re wearing makeup, just look effortlessly perfect, yes that’s right. It’s expensive, and exhausting, and it damages women’s lives (AND the rules are different and more harmful for women of color, or trans women, or men who want to wear makeup). We spend so much energy making sure that we’re acceptable to (white, patriarchal, etc.) society. I’m done.

    So, yeah. I don’t wear makeup. Eff ’em.

    1. Victoria Nonprofit (USA)*

      In case I wasn’t clear: I have no beef with folks who choose to wear makeup. I have beef with anyone passing judgment on us for how little or how much or what kind of makeup we wear.

  208. Serious Sam*

    Male point of view: In general I’d think that if you are wearing so much make-up that I, a straight male, actually notice, then you are wearing too much. If it is someone external to the company that requires a decision from me (e.g. “Is their product any good?”), then I feel suspicious, almost insulted, that you think my decision could be affected by the appearance of your face.

    1. Emi.*

      You are taking other people’s faces way too personally. There are a thousand other reasons why someone might be wearing makeup besides thinking that your decisions will be affected by the appearance of her face.

    2. Rusty Shackelford*

      I feel suspicious, almost insulted, that you think my decision could be affected by the appearance of your face.

      Huh. I’d feel insulted that you think this is why I’m wearing makeup.

    3. Lily Evans*

      That’s a completely rational outlook on why women choose to wear makeup. When I put red lipstick on I always make sure I’ve chosen a brand known for its devil’s trickery powers of male mind control. I definitely don’t just, I don’t know, pick a color that I like because I like it. Every waking decision I make is based on how men will perceive me.

      In all seriousness though, if straight men are insulted by me wearing makeup I think I might start wearing more of it.

        1. Lily Evans*

          Make eye contact and slowly blink three times and he’ll sign any contract you lay in front of him. Available in Sephora’s “Dark Magic & Deception” section.

            2. Lily Evans*

              Please don’t tell the High Council of Make-up Artists! I’ll lose my VIB status!

        1. Lily Evans*

          Wow, if that post wasn’t a blast from the past! Thanks for reminding me of its existence, it gave me a laugh.

    4. SallytooShort*

      I know it’s hard to understand but not everything is about you. People put on clothes, shoes, makeup, do their hair and exactly zero of them are thinking “what will Sam think of this?”

        1. Katniss*

          It sure is!

          But then again it’s rude to presume, as a dude, that your feelings have the right to dictate what women do with their bodies.

          1. Lissa*

            I agree with you, but I mean…this is a conversation about how people feel about makeup at work, so it’s not like he just randomly walked into a conversation two women were having on lipstick to tell them they were giant liars. I don’t necessarily think answering a thread like this means he thinks he actually gets to dictate what women do with their bodies. At least I hope not!

    6. Anon for this*

      Well, subconsciously or consciously, your decision *could be* affected by the appearance of my face (and everything else). Being strategic about my self-presentation at work – making sure I look polished but unremarkable – is a strategy to make sure that my work product is what people remember about me, not their assumptions about how much sleep I got last night/how nerdy I am/why I make the gender presentation choices I do.

    7. Victoria Nonprofit (USA)*

      You have to figure out how to stop having these kinds of reactions. Because these reactions are punishing women for trying to walk the perilously narrow line we’ve been given.

    8. Goya de la Mancha*

      Wow…harsh much? He has just as much right to comment on this question as anyone, no where does the original question state “women only”. He gave his point of view, and while you might not agree with it, there’s no need to jump all over someone (especially a minority in this case) because of it. This type of behavior has prevented letter writers (and others) from frequenting this forum.

      1. Jadelyn*

        You’re right, he has every right to comment on this question. And we have every right to tell him he’s being a self-centered prat about this topic and suggest that he get over himself. Nobody is stopping him from commenting, just responding honestly and authentically to what he chose to say.

    9. I'm Not Phyllis*

      Thanks for your comment Serious Sam! For me, my feelings on wearing or not wearing makeup are actually not about men (or rather not JUST about men). I feel that women are sometimes the worst critics of other women and I’m actually refreshed by hearing that you wouldn’t judge women that way. (Which is I think what you’re saying?)

  209. Manders*

    I’m normally not a makeup at work wearer, but recently I changed up a medication and ended up with some cystic acne on my jaw, so now I’ll dab on some concealer if I’ve got any noticeable red spots. I wear big thick-framed glasses, so eye makeup would kind of be lost on me anyway.

    I work in a non-customer facing position in an industry and area that tend to be pretty casual (no flip-flops in the office, but jeans and flannel are normal). I think coming into work with a full face of makeup would probably be out of sync in my area. Plus, it’s often drizzly in the morning and I already wake up early to catch my bus, so having enough time to put on makeup and making sure it stays fresh in the rain would be a logistical challenge.

    1. Manders*

      I should also add that I don’t have undereye circles and my natural eyebrows and eyelashes are already dark and full, so I don’t have to worry about people thinking I’m tired when I don’t wear makeup. I do take some care with my makeup during job interviews, because I tend to look very young and dark eyeliner on my top lid + a darker lipstick than my normal lips makes me look closer to my actual age.

  210. Goosela*

    I have bad skin. I need make up or else I feel self-conscious about it. Make up also helps deter me from picking at my face…a habit I just can’t seem to break. That said, many people, mostly men, don’t think I wear make up. I stay pretty neutral. I am extremely pale with very dark hair. Bright colors look clownish on me. Dark makeup makes me look somewhat “goth”. Concealer, a light powder coat, and then some light tan eye shadow to make my lids look less purple…that’s about it. I don’t touch up make up at work.

    I don’t care about people putting on make up in the bathroom, but it bothers me when they complain about people using the bathroom for its intended purpose while they are doing their makeup. Bathrooms get smelly. I try to limit my time in bathrooms as much as possible because I don’t like to smell crap and piss, but I’m not about to complain about the smells because that’s what goes on in bathrooms.

  211. Faith*

    I used to not wear much make-up to work (light foundation/bb cream, mascara, neutral lip gloss) and quite frequently would come to the office bare faced. That was primarily due to the fact that I was not allowed to use make-up as a teenager, so I never learned how to apply it properly and I thought I would look like a clown. With the explosion of YouTube and Instagram tutorials, I slowly started improving my make-up game. However, I was still hesitant to wear a bright lipstick or dark eye shadow to the office because I was always the “neutral girl”, so I felt like it would be too much of a drastic change.

    So, when I started my new job a couple of years ago and my coworkers did not have any preconceived notions of what my “normal” look was, I started coming in with a different eye/lip look petty much every day. Some days it’s bright lipstick, some days its sheer lip gloss, some days it’s just a swipe of mascara, some days it’s a look that involves blending 4-5 different colors on my eyes. I feel like if I want to get better at make-up, I need to keep practicing actually applying it. So, that’s what I do in the morning. Yes, it takes me half an hour sometimes, but I enjoy the process and it’s part of my “me” time of the day. And on those days when I need to get out the door fast, I’ll just swipe on mascara and lip gloss and will leave it at that.

    I do work in a pretty conservative field. However, nobody has said anything to me about my ever-changing eye looks, and my boss is direct enough that I feel confident she would have said something if she thought it was out of the norm. Plus, I think it’s somewhat balanced out by the fact that my wardrobe is pretty much full of neutral pieces that are the textbook definition of “business casual”.

    1. Layla*

      I think it’s awesome that you started experimenting with makeup as soon as you started the new job and continue to do so. Yay for learning and doing!

  212. threejane*

    I’m in my early 30s, and wear minimal/natural makeup (nude eyeshadow, tinted lip balm, tinted moisturizer, mascara, concealer during the acne breakouts I apparently will get for the rest of my life) – although I think this is still pretty far from “no makeup.” As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become increasingly allergic/sensitive to more showy makeup, but I LOVED makeup as a teen/college student. These days I really view makeup as a special occasion/date thing. For others at work, I don’t judge appearance past “bathed and groomed,” but being in NYC, I think there’s a general attitude of “wear what you want, just look good doing it.”

    I work in STEM education, so my guess is that I deal with more “women = secretaries” attitudes than any concerns about “professionalism”, unfortunately. With those who’ve evolved beyond that thinking, I doubt it matters (the pros/cons of STEM!).

    I don’t really mind people getting ready in the bathroom at work, although I’ve never seen it happen in my current office. The only rules I have is no commenting that someone looks “sick” or “tired” if they aren’t wearing makeup, and keeping positive comments pretty specific/about product choices rather than an evaluation of a person’s overall appearance (“I like your lipstick color”/”That’s a nice haircut” rather than “You look pretty today”).

  213. Althea*

    I don’t wear makeup in general, but I also don’t understand people who do it in public, anywhere including on the train, in their car, at work. I have similar sentiments toward people who wear casual shoes and change them at work to match with the outfit.

    Mostly I just don’t get it. If you think you don’t look good/professional/whatever without your makeup on, why are you in public without it? You realize people can SEE you before you get to work, right? All those people in cars, on sidewalks, in the building, on public transit… Same with casual shoes – if you don’t think you look appropriate without the nicer ones, why subject all the other people in the world to the weirdness of skirt/sneaker combos?

    I’ve also never really appreciated people who spend 10 min. in the bathroom doing makeup, but that’s mostly because I don’t like having other people in the bathroom with me at all. (Listen to me grunt in my constipation!) But I tend to feel that’s my issue, it just bounces off the makeup folks because they are in there for a while.

    In the end I wouldn’t do much about it. I suppose that makes it “okay” but mildly annoying to me. Not something understand, like enjoying sports, but if it floats your boat… not doing me any harm.

    1. Manders*

      For the changing out of casual shoes thing, it’s usually because someone’s commute isn’t in a car door to door. I did it a lot when I was walking 30 minutes to work and my office didn’t allow sneakers. Same with people who are coming to work in heavy snow or rain, or who have to stand for 30+ minutes each way on public transit to get to work–sometimes it’s just not possible to find an office-appropriate shoe that can stand up to that sort of activity without causing pain or wearing out really fast.

      1. Althea*

        I still don’t really get it. There are all those people who see you as you walk. I suppose it could make sense if it was an outfit you’d wear anyway with sneakers, but for me it’s so noticeable when they are mismatched that it catches the eye in a bad way.

        This is partly because I also don’t understand people who buy shoes they can’t wear all day. If it gives you a blister after X amount of time, it doesn’t fit… so don’t buy it at all. Why waste money? Any shoe I’ve ever bought that didn’t fit just sat in my closet, so it was just like burning the money anyway.

        And it’s doable! My commute includes a half hour walk each way. I do wear heels. I take them to a cobbler when the heel wears down.

        1. Manders*

          Fundamentally, some people just don’t care about whether a random stranger thinks their outfit matches. I’m one of those people.

          My commute was up and down a steep hill (it used to be called “profanity hill” because you’d swear about having to climb it) in a rainy city. No ballet flats or heels, no matter how nice, could stand up to that walk daily.

        2. Anon for this*

          Honestly, I’m fine with having some heels I’ll only feel comfortable wearing for short walks or indoors because they’re shoes I almost exclusively wear at work, in meetings with much taller people. That, and I’ve spent my entire life in places where there’s routinely snow or ice on the ground for 4-6 months, and my commute is mostly walking then standing on transit, so there’s a fairly narrow window where I can safely wear even the most comfortable heels all day.

          Really though, what brands do you find make heels that can stand up to a walking commute? I wear out everything other than Clarks in a second.

          1. Althea*

            The brand I’ve found that often fits me well and makes heels is Spring Step / l’Artiste. I own these for example, certainly not 4-inch stilletos or anything:
            https://www.springstepshoes.com/collections/womens/products/wondrous-slip-onshoe?variant=31436475075

            The initial heel that comes with most shoes of course is plastic and wears out quite fast, but once a cobbler has put on a new rubber (or whatever it is) heel, it lasts a lot longer. And then, I wear different shoes by height or by color with the outfit or by mood, so I’m not wearing a given shoe every day. My oldest pair of these is probably 6 years old? And it just got a small hole in the leather on one side near a seam that really bummed me out. It’s not a magical 30-year boot or anything, but I’ve been happy with the cost/benefit. Typically $60-100 for the shoes, and another $50 for cobbler care over several years, and my feet are comfy and I feel happy in my colorful shoes.

        3. Rusty Shackelford*

          This is partly because I also don’t understand people who buy shoes they can’t wear all day. If it gives you a blister after X amount of time, it doesn’t fit… so don’t buy it at all. Why waste money? Any shoe I’ve ever bought that didn’t fit just sat in my closet, so it was just like burning the money anyway.

          Are you young, by chance? When I was younger, I worked in an office with concrete floors, and I had to deliver something daily to a different office several blocks away. I wore heels daily (and yeah, I had to get them re-heeled frequently) and I was fine. But I’m older now, and even if my shoes fit perfectly, it’s simply less comfortable to walk long distances in heels, particularly on hard floors or pavement. I think you’re confusing fit with comfort.

        4. Alton*

          Keep in mind that people have different levels of health and fitness, and have different terrains to deal with. I invested in the most comfortable, practical, and ergonomic work shoes I could find. I’m confident that it would be hard to find anything better. But I still have issues with my knees and ankles sometimes. I need more ankle support.

        5. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

          I don’t wear heels, ever, because they cause me agonizing pain, and always have. I tried to get used to them when I was young to no avail, because I LOVE high heeled boots, but it didn’t work, and these days I can’t even wear a kitten heel.
          Needless to say I’ve never worked in an environment where heels were required. Or even the wearing of feminine footwear, actually.

    2. Clarice Fitzpatrick*

      I think in public, the social stakes aren’t as high. Sure there are people around you and generally you want to look average enough so people won’t stare at you or anything, but the standard for the workplace/picture day/special event is commonly higher than just being out in public. Plus, travel can affect appearance and comfort. If I put on makeup I usually do it before leave the house, but sometimes I’ve wished I hadn’t because the long commute with some walking makes me worry about sweat and the weather. If someone wants to wear high heels for an interview or their job where they can bear it but doesn’t want to stand on the subway for 20 minutes, I think opting to wear sneakers for the ride makes sense.

      1. Manders*

        This is a good point. A lot of people (myself included!) don’t have much reason to care about how a random stranger perceives them, but looking and feeling polished at work actually does have an effect on their lives.

        It genuinely doesn’t bother me if a random passerby thinks my bright yellow sneakers clash with my work skirt, but I don’t want a reputation as Bright Yellow Sneaker Woman in the office.

        1. sb*

          And in some areas, everyone else is doing the same thing, so random passersby are just going to think “oh it’s another high-powered financial dude in his commuting shoes”. I commute through the Financial District in Boston, and the streets and commuter rail platforms are packed with dudes in very nice suits with very nice briefcases in one hand and a beat-up duffel that almost certainly contains shoes slung over one shoulder, and brightly-colored athletic sneakers on their feet. Of course they’re not going to beat up their feet and their nice dress shoes that possibly cost more than my entire work wardrobe on the streets. (Women doing the same thing, too, but a lot more dudes, because finance.)

          1. Althea*

            I just don’t get it that people are ok with looking that way. I mean. I hate Ugg boots. I think the shape is dumpy and I’ve never seen a single person wearing them that looked better for it. I see people in them, and I think “oh, another person in Uggs” but I’m also thinking “that looks terrible.” Even when common, doesn’t mean it makes a person look better to do it.

            So in the end I also don’t understand why, if people fundamentally don’t care how they look in a general public setting, they aren’t just in PJs or whatever doesn’t look good but is a weather barrier and comfortable? I mean, if we are not caring about anyone in the public as a perception, why wear the rest of the outfit?

            1. Anon for this*

              I also think Uggs aren’t the most attractive shoes out there, but they have a decent tread to them, and in icy/snowy cities, people gotta get to work safely, and no one’s going to think highly of me if I injure myself because I wasn’t prepped for the elements. Would you find it less jarring if they put those bulky ice cleat things over their Louboutins?

              1. Althea*

                Heh. Like the last sentence. Uggs are weird to me because they are not waterproof, so if someone wants practicality they are still not really there, right? I do have some waterproof winter boots I wear for truly awful days, but usually that would be when slush/snow/mud would end up all over any shoe and ruin whatever nice effect they’d have anyway.

                1. Anon for this*

                  There’s places where you don’t need waterproof-ness so much as warmth and traction. I live somewhere where a morning commute in -30, with ice build-up rather than snow is pretty standard for winter so you don’t really need hardcore waterproof boots as often as you would in someplace with lake effect snow.

                2. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

                  I thought Uggs we’re hideous, then tried a pair back when I was working flea market and had to set up in shivering before dawn winter cold. No longer having painfully cold feet meant far more to me than wearing better looking shoe. Which in my case would not actually have been “nice” shoes but combat boots or Dr Martens or motorcycle boots or something similar -styles you will pry off my cold dead feet, I love them so much.

            2. Kelly L.*

              Because it’s a lot easier to change just your shoes once you get to work, than it is to change your entire outfit from sweats to a suit at work. And the walk isn’t likely to damage the suit, just the shoes.

              1. Victoria Nonprofit (USA)*

                Right. I’m frankly baffled that this is confusing to Althea.

                It’s not surprising that people have different standards for attractiveness/professionalism/appearance in general for their offices vs. the street (just as they do for their offices vs. a gala or the gym).

                It’s also not surprising that you may make some accommodations for comfort and not others. I don’t wear heels (at all) because they make me too uncomfortable, and I accept the tradeoffs that come with that choice; I do wear bras, even though they are uncomfortable, because the social cost of not wearing a bra isn’t worth the extra comfort I’d get (as an example).

                1. ArtsNerd*

                  Yeah, I’m confused too. Fashion and comfort aren’t all-or-nothing.

                  Also, I’m pretty sure the fact that I had my commuting shoes –in a tote bag– actually worked in my favor at a prior job interview. Upper management was in town from NYC and the COO laughed when she saw them, with a kind of “oh, good, she gets it” recognition of a fellow city snob. (I’m working on the city snob thing.)

                  p.s. I *have* stopped wearing bras, and shop strategically for tops where that choice isn’t obvious to the casual observer. That doesn’t work for everyone, obviously – but it also doesn’t add to my over lack-of-polish, which is much more deeply rooted.

                2. neeko*

                  Agreed. This is so common that I’m surprised people even really notice it enough to be this offended by sneakers and skirts. The horror!

              2. sb*

                Yep. In really terrible weather (or heat waves where they might soak their clothes from the inside) I see a lot more people (probably the same people, really) in casual clothes carrying an entire garment bag, so they do do that.

                Oh and they often don’t have their tie on, while wearing a style of shirt/suit that is definitely a tie-including outfit. Quelle horreur.

                1. ArtsNerd*

                  Actually, I find it a little upsetting how many men keep their full suits on in the DC summer, jacket and all.

                  We know you’ve got sweat spots! We do too! Please don’t collapse from heat exhaustion!

      2. Althea*

        Too risky… all I need to do is envision wearing a weird outfit while running into anyone I’d like to impress, and then I don’t do it. I don’t mind if people see me in other contexts wearing clothes that make sense in that context, but the mismatched nature of sneakers/nice clothes always made me feel … well, mismatched, out of place, and noticeable in a bad way.

        1. Clarice Fitzpatrick*

          That’s fair! Having your own preferences and sticking with them is totally fine. I live in a big city where while I know some people, the likelihood of running into someone I’d want to impress is very low, so I don’t worry much about that. And personally, I don’t do the mismatched shoes/outfit unless it’s just because I threw on some flats while wearing socks for a quick errand, mainly because I always opt for more comfortable footwear anyway.

        2. Rusty Shackelford*

          but the mismatched nature of sneakers/nice clothes always made me feel … well, mismatched, out of place, and noticeable in a bad way.

          Conversely, in an area where people typically wear comfortable shoes on their way to work, walking about in your dressy shoes might make you look out of step (no pun intended) and noticeable in a bad way. There’s no real reason that certain shoes go with certain outfits other than the fact that we’ve decided they do. So if the vast majority of commuters have decided that sneakers look good enough to wear with a suit while they’re commuting to and from work… then, they do look good enough. You know what I mean? The entire thing is culturally driven, and culture has decided this works.

          1. Althea*

            I agree about the mismatch going both ways, but I don’t agree that people can always change what looks good by doing it in large groups. Although there are fads that come and go and can look good or bad depending on culture, there are also things that look good or bad pretty much always based on our perception of beauty. Smooth curves are a fundamental aspect of beauty to the human eye across cultures. In contrast, lumpiness tends not to look so good. (This also hearkens back to the makeup, and why so much of the history of makeup is finding a way to smooth out imperfections in color and texture, regardless of the final coloring and feature heightening one is trying to achieve)

            It’s one of the reasons, from my perspective, that a sneaker (lumpy) is not ever going to look as good as a shoe with sleeker lines. Overall I think that’s why people, although they may have decided it’s practical to wear the casual shoes during commute, they have not decided that those same shoes look good enough when they are in more formal and dressy occasions.

            1. Rusty Shackelford*

              Ah, see, now you’re talking about personal taste. Personally, I think the shoes you linked above are very unattractive, and a nice black Skechers walking shoe would be infinitely more appropriate with a suit. But that doesn’t mean your shoes don’t “go” with your suit. It just means I don’t like them. (Also, they’re visually very “lumpy” compared to a smooth black Skechers flat or even a solid-colored sneaker, so I can’t say your smooth vs lumpy theory is really holding water here, sorry.)

            2. Jadelyn*

              You…you do understand that your personal ideals of beauty are not universal, right?

              And also that literally the definition of trends in social ideals of beauty is “people are doing this thing in large numbers rather than that other thing, therefore we see this thing as better”, right?

    3. neeko*

      “why subject all the other people in the world to the weirdness of skirt/sneaker combos?”

      Guess what? It’s not about you.

      1. Althea*

        We’re talking about how you present yourself in public with grooming, so yes… it is about me. Clothes and makeup always exist in the interaction between private preferences and public expectations.

        I think it does not follow logically to be dressing up but then throwing in something that is mismatched / ugly / distracting. Why dress up if you don’t care what I think? Why NOT dress up your feet if you DO care?

        1. neeko*

          People dress up for many reasons. I wear makeup because it’s fun and I like the way I look. I assure you that the people wearing skirts and sneakers are unbothered by you not liking the way it looks. Get over yourself.

          1. Althea*

            Well, you aren’t being very polite, but I’ll reply once more to say that I doubt your final look is entirely unaffected by what other people think – because otherwise you might be wearing a kimono. Or a boubou. Or any other outfit that is perfectly acceptable and nice-looking in other cultures and contexts but might look like a costume done wrong. See that famous speech from “The Devil Wears Prada” for more on how our clothing and presentation choices are framed in a multitude of ways we never see or consider by the history and culture of what people around us are also wearing… and expecting. If you don’t think you are affected by what people think and expect, show up at your next several events in something completely inappropriate for them and see how it makes you feel. You know. Ball gown at a picnic. Sweats at work. Random appropriation of another culture’s outfits at your next family get-together. Etc.

        2. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

          I think my wardrobe would give you the vapors. I wear sneakers, combat boots, and the like with skirts and dresses *all the time* just because I like to- and that includes with printed 40s rayon dresses or colorful cotton India skirts or vintage 60s/70s skirts/dresses in bright prints.
          I sometimes wear clothes that are objectively ugly/mismatched/wildly out of fashion just because I think it is funny to do so.
          I buy 90% of my clothing at thrift stores and love to play with all kinds of looks and styles. I’d much rather have fun and be experimental & creative than look attractive or beautiful or impress other people with my clothing.
          I don’t care what people do for themselves. I’m all about “you do you”. I do care when people judge me (and/or others) for not doing things the same way they would.

    4. Alton*

      I prioritize my health over looking good, and I wear sneakers during my commute sometimes because I’ve had issues with plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and knee pain. I actually wear comfortable loafers for work that are designed for people who stand a lot or need extra support, but I still have issues if I walk too much in them (I actually had to go to the doctor because I developed some sort of nerve damage in one of my toes). I also like to get some exercise by walking to my bus stop at the end of the day (I can either take two buses or one. If I only take one, I have to walk some), and I can’t always do that in my work shoes. But there was a time when even walking a couple blocks on a daily basis could cause shin splints if I wasn’t used to the terrain, slope, etc.

      Other people wear shoes to work that are even less supportive for walking (like heels or ballet flats). Weather can also be a concern–walking in heels when there’s ice or rain can be hazardous.

    5. Rusty Shackelford*

      if you don’t think you look appropriate without the nicer ones, why subject all the other people in the world to the weirdness of skirt/sneaker combos?

      You’re also making the (big) assumption that people don’t wear skirts and sneakers at work because they think it looks inappropriate. There are lots of things I don’t wear to work, but it’s not because I think they look inappropriate. I’m not wearing jeans and a Captain America t-shirt today because I am, literally, not allowed to. Sometimes it’s explicit, sometimes it’s implicit, but there is a dress code that exists in the office that doesn’t exist on the street.

    6. Jadelyn*

      Well, you see, there is a difference between people in public – a teeming mass of collective strangers who you will probably never speak to individually or ever see again, to whom you are so much background imagery (just as they are to you) – and people you work with every day.

      I care how my coworkers see me because they are Real People in my world. I interact with them regularly.

      I do not care how Rando #1,493 on the street sees me because I have no idea who they are and we’re probably never going to come in contact with each other ever again. It’s a big world.

      This is what we call “context”, and it influences people’s choices pretty much constantly. I would imagine you don’t wear exactly the same clothes to go on a date as you do for going to work, yes? Because they are different contexts, even though both involve being out in public where people can see you.

    7. Penny Lane*

      This entire discussion makes no sense, Althea.

      I don’t care who sees me running to the store in sweatpants and flip flops, with my hair in a messy ponytail, because I need to pick up a gallon of milk. I couldn’t care less what strangers in the grocery store, on the subway, etc. think. But of course I *am* going to care what people in my workplace would think of my personal presentation.

      It’s really strange that you are conflating the two.

  214. Bookworm*

    I do, because the places I’ve worked at typically has that as a standard, but not everyone did. One woman I worked with said she did for awhile but said she just got tired of it and she rarely interacted with the public, anyway. She was always appropriately dressed but she just said she was like, “eh” regarding makeup. The manager was usually very well-dressed/professional-looking unless it was the weekend and we were working OT. I don’t go overboard, just enough to cover the flaws/look a little nicer.

    I always did makeup at home because I tried doing it once in the parking lot and once while commuting on the train and that last time was ridiculous (moving vehicle is always bad). Did work at one place where there was some employee who worked in another department who would spread out across the bathroom sinks to straighten her hair. It was obnoxious. I never knew exactly where she worked but I know that on occasion she’d be in the bathroom for an hour with (for some reason) her straightener plugged in across like 3 sinks. I have no idea why she needed all that space and it got to the point where I’d just wash my hands wherever because I was not there to wait for her to finish.

  215. Layla*

    I only started wearing makeup when I became a trainee because I was worried I looked too young. Now that I’m finished, I don’t bother. Not that I mind putting it on but I dislike taking it off at night. I just want to brush my teeth and hair and be done with it and off to bed.
    I asked my boss if she minded me not wearing makeup (being in a client facing role). She said she refused to demand that of her employees because she once worked a place where that was a requirement and it was just the last drop that make her quit. She’s great.

  216. Wait, what?*

    I’m a high school teacher and the majority of my coworkers are also women. Make up is definitely not required in my field. Everywhere I’ve worked, there is a wide range of make up practices. Some people never wear any at all, some people wear a minimal amount, and some wear a full face every day. I haven’t had a male coworker who wears makeup yet.

    I only started wearing makeup a few years ago. For the first decade or so of my career, I wore no makeup at all and dressed in a pretty simple casual style – blouse & slacks or school hoodie and jeans most days. A few years ago, I had a serious illness and one of the side effects was that my weight changed dramatically. I had to get an entire new wardrobe because I had nothing that fit. I figured since I needed to get all new clothes anyway, I may as well change my look. I went in for a retro / vintage style because it really suits my new figure. I started wearing simple make up but with a very bold red lip to go with the overall retro aesthetic.

    I gave up make-up for lent this year and nobody has mentioned it.

  217. Librarian By Day*

    It really depends on the industry and the office. I don’t think I’ve ever worked at a place where too much/too little makeup was /frowned/ on, persay, but certain things outside the norm would get comments. “Are you sick? You look pale…” or “oooohhhhh, hot date tonight?”

    My current job is pretty chill. I’ve worn full faces of makeup with dramatic smokey eyes, and then come in the next day with absolutely nothing and nobody says anything. The only makeup comment I’ve ever received here was from a patron – I was wearing falsies and a teenaged boy curiously asked me “are those your real lashes? They’re so long!”

    Though my usual makeup routine if I’m not feeling a full face (which is often) but have some redness and splotching issues (which is always) is to dust on some mineral powder, dot on mascara, swipe blush and put on tinted lip balm. 5 minutes tops. I never apply makeup at work. I think that you should be ready to go when you walk in the door (in my field at least) and besides, I spend a lot of money on nice makeup and would hate to lose it somehow.

  218. mf*

    I love makeup–I feel pretty when I wear it and I really enjoy the process of putting it on. So I do wear a full face every day: foundation, mascara, liner, concealer, brow pencil, blush, highlighter, a teeny bit of contour powder.

    I don’t think women should be judged for not wearing it or for wearing too much (within reason). Makeup is such a subjective and variable thing that it seems stupid to judge for wearing it, not wearing, wearing too much or too little. But, I will say that I think I benefit from the fact that I show up to work every day made up and reasonably well dressed. People have said they think I always look professional and that I seem like I have it together–which I *definitely* don’t.

    1. mf*

      As for putting on makeup at work, I’m cool with it if it’s reasonable. I often apply brow pencil after I get to work, but it takes less than 5 minutes. I also think it’s fine to apply makeup at your desk if it’s brief and reasonable–a little mascara or lipstick, sure–but not a full face.

  219. Cats On A Bench*

    I think it’s ridiculous and sexist to say that women only look professional when they wear makeup. Men can look professional without makeup! I understand this is one of those things that has been accepted in our culture as “normal”, but that needs to change.

    1. Pudgy Patty*

      I’m not sure who is saying that. I like it, but don’t think you should be penalized if you don’t do it.

      I guess my take on it is — this will require a significant shift in norms, and it’s not the hill I’m going to choose to die on. And yeah, I’m part of the problem in keeping this a norm by not actively doing something about it, but there are other battles I’d rather fight. When it comes to giving pragmatic advice to people, I would say in certain offices/industries, this IS the norm, and you’re doing a disservice to someone by telling them they can flout the norms and succeed. In many cases, they can’t. So maybe that office/industry is not the best one for them.

  220. Lana*

    My former boss was on the younger side (and presented even younger than she was) in a field dominated by old white men. She was obsessed with being perceived as professional, so she did her makeup fastidiously every morning when she came in. Trouble was, she was really bad at applying it and used low quality products that smeared everywhere, so it had the opposite effect. I felt bad :(

    I hate makeup, I don’t wear it. I can see how properly applied makeup can complete a polished, professional appearance, but I think it’s perfectly possible to achieve that without painting your face.

    1. Higher Ed Database Dork*

      Oh that hurts! I’m very young looking and I work with mostly old white men, but I never wear makeup. My skin and eyes puff up and I look like I got stung by a bunch of bees. So I definitely look more “professional” without it!

  222. sb*

    I’m thankful that my office is pretty chill (in multiple directions) about grooming and dress standards — I don’t see people being penalized for doing the no-makeup thing (myself included) and/or the casual geek clothing (jeans and, in my case, dress t-shirts from Kohl’s/Old Navy/etc), but I also don’t see the technical women who choose to glam it up with full makeup of a visibly-made-up style and heels and skirts get penalized. Or the women who wear shalwar kameez (I think that’s the right term? The tunic-and-pants professional dress outfits common in India/Pakistan.)

  223. Harriet2*

    I can’t wear makeup most of the time because of skin sensitivities I have. I’m mostly not customer-facing either though so it’s not a big deal, and even customers that I do see regularly just know me fresh-faced.

    If there’s a really important meeting I’m going to, I’ll put some on – more to look like I’ve made an effort and to appear professional than anything. That would never be at work though, unless there were some exceptional circumstances.

    I’d be infuriated by someone spending work time doing their make-up, especially given how long it can take if you’re getting fancy. I love makeup, I appreciate great makeup on others, but I don’t expect it to interfere with the doing of actual work.

  224. Lissa*

    This is a bit of a rough issue for me. I don’t personally wear makeup except for special occasions, not to work, and I’m fine with that but it makes me so upset that I and other women who don’t could be getting subconsciously dinged for it. It is SO gendered and pervasive and something people just don’t even think about. Even here in this comment thread we have people recommending certain things to people who say they don’t wear makeup – which they would never suggest for a guy! Why is it OK for guys to have uneven skin, zits etc. but a woman has to look more “polished”? Nearly every woman I know feels better with makeup on, but no guys I know wear it. So it kind of becomes self-perpetuating where people expect to see women with at least minimal makeup to the point where people think women aren’t wearing any if it’s subtle. But people are used to seeing guys with “little imperfections” in a way they aren’t with women.

    I have no idea how to solve this though, since it certainly exists on a subconscious level. More men wearing makeup maybe. :)

    2. Cats On A Bench*

      +100! You articulated exactly what I was thinking when I posted that I found it ridiculous and sexist that our society/culture expects women to wear makeup to look professional.

    3. Alton*

      Yeah, I think everyone should do what makes them happy/comfortable, and being an acne sufferer myself, it’s not hard for me to understand why someone might prefer wearing makeup if they have difficult skin. But I find it sad how even a lot of women who agree that makeup shouldn’t be seen as necessary in general still seem to take for granted that *they* need it because of things like acne scars or an uneven complexion. Men also have acne scars, redness, uneven skin, pimples, and other imperfections, but fewer men use makeup.

      Again, I’d never judge someone for wearing makeup if it makes them feel better or if they enjoy it. But there’s often an assumption that only women who have naturally great skin can “get away” with not wearing makeup, even though few men have naturally flawless skin.

      1. Higher Ed Database Dork*

        I used to be in the “I have to wear it because bad skin” camp, but then I started to realize that makeup was causing my bad skin (and all the drugs my dermos were throwing at me to fix it). I have rosacea and an aloe vera allergy (aloe vera is in EVERYTHING), so whenever I wore makeup, my skin was a hot flaming mess. So I tried to pile on more makeup to fix that, and it got even worse. It wasn’t until I stopped wearing ALL makeup and switched up my skin care routine that my skin finally healed, and then I didn’t need to cover anything up.

        I think more women in entertainment and public-facing roles should stop wearing makeup so people can see what humans look like. I’m not advocating a total ban – I think makeup can be a fun tool for artistic expression and if it makes you feel good, then by all means wear it – but I think we just all need more exposure to real bodies as they are, instead of constantly being made up, or sucked into shapers, or air brushed, etc.

        1. LawBee*

          My rosacea is so much better without makeup. Plus I live in the deep South, and don’t manage heat very well (I know) so it all gets sweated off anyway. I bring it on every trip, every depo – and then just fail to put it on.

      2. Lissa*

        Yes, there is even a comment here about how very few women can “get away” with not wearing makeup….but all men can? Why? I’m glad to see I’m not alone in my frustration. It’s just so…taken for granted that a large number of women don’t feel comfortable leaving the house without it because of reasons…but nobody would ever use those reasons for why a guy needed makeup!

    4. Mr. Bob Dobalina*

      It is a sexist standard, and we should be beyond even asking this question. No women needs to wear make-up for any reason, much less to look professional.

  225. There's Always Money in the Banana Stand*

    My mother is a cosmetologist (think perfect hair and makeup all the time), and she ingrained in me as a teenager that one should always look their best at work or at school or whatever. I feel like I look my best with makeup on, but I also don’t really like the hassle of makeup, so I usually wear some sort of easy to apply mineral foundation, a little bit of blush, basic eyeshadow, and mascara. I have never learned how to put on eyeliner. I work in banking, so makeup is not uncommon, and compared to some of my coworkers, my full face of makeup actually looks very basic. So, I feel better wearing makeup, and I fit in with my industry, but I envy the women who go bare-faced and don’t feel insecure about their appearance, like I do when I don’t wear makeup.

    1. I'm Not Phyllis*

      I can’t do eyeliner for the life of me either. But I really just wanted to say that I love your user name!

  226. Yorkshire Rose*

    Midwestern gal here. My office dress code is “dress for your day.” Most women wear make-up, some don’t. I wear it because it makes me feel confident and put together. I will touch up my makeup at my desk and sometimes people see me do it. It only takes 30 seconds. I sit around a lot of men and they’re not surprised to see me do it because they usually have wives/ex-wives and they’re used to seeing this anyway.

    Besides, I’m salaried, my work gets done, and my reviews have always been excellent, so I don’t see an issue with my habits. I think this is what counts. If your makeup habits are getting in the way of getting your work done, that is a problem.

    Sadly, you do notice here that the women in supervisory roles wear makeup and the women who don’t wear makeup are not usually supervisors.

  227. ECx*

    I’m all for make up! I don’t wear it to look professional. I wear it as a self-confidence booster and cover up old acne scars… in fact, every time I don’t wear make-up I get asked if I’m sick.

    It’s minimal neutral colors though and takes maybe 10 minutes or less. I’ll do it at work if I’m running late for my train, but because of my train I get in 20 minutes before work actually starts. So it’s really just free time and it’s done in the privacy of my office.

    I think it’s super weird to do hair and make-up in the bathroom. I’ll fix my hair if no one is in there (I’ll go as far as using a hair brush, but never curling irons or hair straighteners). But even in a 5-stall bathroom, I like privacy. So if it’s just me doing hair and someone using the toilet, I’ll jet out of there to give them the same respect I’d want.

    …And no to body glitter in the office! lol

  228. Freelancer*

    I’d love some makeup tips as a 40 plus woman who’s spent 20 years in roles that didn’t require makeup like print journalism (my interviews were mostly skype camera off). Now I work in a front facing PR job, and seriously I’d love some tips, links etc

    1. EmilyG*

      I have two ideas for you. First, I think Armani foundation is absolutely the best (and lots of blogs agree). Pricey but it lasts a long time and is lightyears better than drugstore stuff. Department store ladies can also help you find a look that seems appropriate for you (I think they tend to be more conservative than at Sephora). Second, there are zillions of make-up videos on YouTube now. Lots of them will be younger people who are wearing more make-up than you’d want to, but they show how to apply it. I learned how to get my contact lenses out with long fingernails from a YouTube teen!

      1. Where's my coffee?*

        Agree on the Armani foundation being fantastic. When you’re over 40, the difference between less-expensive and higher-end cosmetics becomes more evident on your face. For me, foundation and lip liner are two areas where I can’t skimp on quality without looking like a clown. (I go cheap on the makeup remover, though–nothing works as well as Crisco for gently remover eye stuff on my dry skin!)

    2. Where's my coffee?*

      See if you can find a Charlotte Tilbury or Bobbi Brown counter near you. Highly recommend both brands for looking “done” but not “theatrical.”

  229. neeko*

    I don’t get the big deal with people applying in the bathroom. How is that any different from people brushing their teeth or fixing their hair in the bathroom mirror?

    1. Lady Phoenix*

      The issue is time. It is one thing to apply a little lipstick or mascara… but a WHOLE other case if the person is putting ALL of their makeup on. It takes me about 40 minutes to go full on, and it is not only 40 minutes of work lost but also 40 minutes in the bathroom when someone else might need it.

      Brushing teeth takes… 3 minutes. Brushing your hair can vary too. It is one thing to brish a flyaway, but another to try and straighten it.

    2. anoni for dis*

      well for one I think all of those things aren’t the best to do at work, especially on a regular basis, but it can take people a long time to do their makeup! If they wait until they get to the office to do it on company time? I think that’s the issue. from reading the responses it sounds like a lot of people here have/had a coworker who did hair/makeup or both after getting to work.

  230. only acting normal*

    I *love* playing with make-up but rarely wear much. I only do a full face with fancy eyes for special occasions. I’ll wear eye-liner and lipstick, maybe a single subtle shadow at weekends. But for work I only wear a tiny amount of powder foundation (because it has sunscreen and my moisturiser doesn’t, and because I had bad skin when I was younger and foundation is like my comfort blanket).
    It’s not really a big deal either way where I work. It’s a very male dominated area of science/engineering/tech. I think maybe they just don’t *have* a concept of what “professional” looks like for women in this field (beyond a minimum generic smart-casual dress level). More than a few people (male and female) have blue or pink hair, piercings or visual tats.
    That said, I’m fairly sure body glitter would be a step too far. :-D

  231. DoctorateStrange*

    I rarely wear foundation during the day. I found that putting concealer on my eyes, shadow, mascara, and red lipstick is all I need to go through a hot day (which are plenty in South Texas.) Funny enough, many people have told me they thought I wore a full face of makeup when I didn’t—this included my lazier days when I just stuck to mascara and red lips.

    Red lipstick has become my signature at work and coworkers have been caught off-guard on the rare times I went without it. No lie, if I had to pick only one item of makeup for the day, it’s red lipstick. My own lips are naturally quite pale, and, add the pale skin and black hair, I feel I can look sickly in the spring and summer.

  232. Heat's Kitchen*

    I haven’t read through all the comments. I do the same makeup routine every day, and if i’m going out, I just tend to do it heavier.

    During my first trimester this pregnancy, I went through a phase where I said I was just done wearing makeup. I didn’t want to take the time to do it so didn’t (I didn’t realize at the time it was likely related to how I was feeling due to the pregnancy). So I probably had a month or more where I just didn’t wear makeup. I don’t think it affected me at work adversely.

    I’m of the camp of be your best self in how YOU feel best. However, if you go from the smoky eye to no make up and change it up, you might get some weird looks, or the occasional “you look tired today” (urg). But you do you!

  233. Curious Cat*

    I do wear makeup every day! I just love it, and I’ve gotten more into it post-college now that I can afford nicer brands and products. It makes me feel refreshed and like I’m putting my best foot forward. I find it empowering to be able to use these products to feel my best — also I just think it’s fun. I generally do foundation, mascara, winged liner, a little bit of bronzer/blush and some sort of nude lip color.

    I think of it the same way I did in college when I was taking a test. I would dress nicer on test days because I could psych myself into performing better. I think makeup has a similar effect; if I feel good about myself, I will subconsciously do better work during the day.

    As far as applying makeup in a bathroom at work, I have no problems with that. I don’t know what someone else’s mornings or commutes are like, so I can understand the need to use a restroom to apply makeup — after all, they’re there for personal care needs.

    1. Curious Cat*

      Also forgot to add.. I have some pretty extreme anxiety, and my therapist advised that each morning I set time aside specifically to do something for myself that I love. I have friends who have used this technique, too, and have decided that they will take time to make themselves a really nice cup of coffee, or make themselves a really nice breakfast. I decided that taking ~20min each morning to do my makeup is what calms me and makes me feel ready to tackle the day.

  234. mAd Woman*

    I work in advertising. Half the women never wear makeup except for client meetings and half wear a full face every day. I saw a correlation across jobs that the women who wear makeup daily and have “done” hair get promoted faster and get better projects. So now I wear makeup daily and it’s been true for me, too. Takes 45 minutes in the morning to get ready but it feels worth it.

  235. Pudgy Patty*

    I have always found this site an anomaly in terms of makeup whenever this gets brought up. In all offices I’ve worked in, which have been 5 in full-time, professional roles in two different states, makeup is the norm. It’s not Kardashian-style full face of makeup in general, although my current office is like that for maybe 50% of the women. Which is crazy to me, but I also am a little jealous of how pretty everyone looks with it on. I just can’t muster the energy to do it (nor do I know how).

    My current routine — tinted moisturizer, powder, light blush, eyeliner and lipstick — feels like a lot of effort for me, but I wish I could do makeup nicely. Most of my colleagues have eyelash extensions, micro-bladed eyebrows, hair colored every few weeks, and have the full shebang for makeup — contouring, mascara, eyeshadow, you name it. Even though it reads like a lot, when you look at them, it doesn’t feel overpowering. They just look so much more polished than I do. And again, I feel like I do a lot! This doesn’t even get into manicure/pedicures — most people I work with change out their nails frequently also. And not just colors — they do all the designs and jewels and things too.

    I am both exhausted by it, and kind of in awe of it. I would love to have a week or two where I could live like that. But the upkeep and $$$ would do me in. I’m not sure how many of the women can afford it, given a lot of them are in more junior positions or those that don’t pay as well.

    1. Clever Name*

      What part of the country are you in? I’ve lived in the Midwest, South, and Mountain West, and women in the South wear a TON of makeup (and yes, big hair in Texas), but women in the Midwest and Mountain West wear significantly less to no makeup.

      1. Pudgy Patty*

        West. My current company has offices in every region, so I’m counting them also — everyone wears makeup.

        I think it’s dependent on field — in outdoorsy jobs, you’d probably see less makeup. For office jobs and marketing or customer-facing jobs, probably more.

  236. The Listmaker*

    I wear makeup to work, but I understand I’m choosing to play the game that way, and I don’t think anyone should have to.

    The main reason I do is because I’m a redhead, and my eyebrows and lashes are nearly invisible without. And as my wife often tells me, if you can’t see my eyebrows, you’ll miss half of what I’m saying. (Some people talk with their hands; apparently I talk with varying levels of eyebrow quirks, raises, and furrows.)

    1. Rusty Shackelford*

      I have a coworker who has very pale blonde eyebrows, and I’d love to show her how to color them in, because right now it’s like she never has an expression!

      1. HannahS*

        See, these kinds of comments drive me nuts. So much for not judging women who don’t wear makeup. It’s like she doesn’t have expression? It’s her FACE. It’s fine the way it is. On behalf of the women with imperfect faces who are choosing to not wear makeup–we don’t care that you do. But quit with the “jokes” about how we really should because our faces are somehow lacking without it.

        1. Penny Lane*

          People are allowed to have opinions about other people’s looks, quietly of course.

          1. HannahS*

            Posting on the internet about how someone who doesn’t darken her eyebrows is like she doesn’t have expression isn’t quietly having an opinion. This is a public conversation–my point is that just because that specific woman likely isn’t reading, it doesn’t mean that all of the other women on this thread who don’t wear makeup can’t hear people making fun.

            1. Rusty Shackelford*

              I’m not making fun of her. I’m saying it looks like she doesn’t have eyebrows. Have you ever seen those doctored photos where someone removes the eyebrows of famous people? It’s like that. And yes, I *am* sharing my opinion about makeup on a post where we were asked to share our opinions about makeup. If that pushes your buttons this hard, maybe this isn’t a good post for you to be reading.

        2. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

          I basically have no eyebrows anymore because I’ve plucked & drawn them for so many years they don’t grow back anymore* and I know exactly what Rusty means, especially as I go barefaced 98% of the time, and don’t always bother to draw in my brows every time I *do* wear makeup.
          Though my husband can always tell when I raise a non-existent eyebrow at him, LOL.

          *which is fine with me, as I prefer my obviously fake, thread thin penciled brows & the constant plucking was a PITA

  237. CJH*

    I used to arrive at work 30-45 minutes early because of my train schedule. I regularly did my face (foundation, concealer) at home, and would apply my eyeliner and mascara in the bathroom before work. It worked perfectly, since only 2 or 3 other people got in at that hour. I also would stay at work late on days when I was meeting people for dinner/drinks in the city and didn’t want to take the train home and back, so I was able to do a “night look” with few witnesses.

  238. Clever Name*

    I love this topic! I work in the environmental industry in the mountain west. Fieldwork is a regular part of our business, and I often wear jeans to work. I’d say more than half of the women in my office wear no makeup at all, some wear light makeup, and some wear moderate makeup. Nobody wears a full face. I consider myself in the light-to moderate category. I wear tinted face powder, light eyeshadow, light blush, mascara, sometimes light eyeliner, and I normally put lipstick on in the morning but rarely bother re-applying (laziness and lack of caring, I guess). If I have fieldwork, I normally do not wear makeup.

    1. Pudgy Patty*

      This dovetails nicely with my comment to you above! My partner works in a science-related field, and almost none of the women in his office wear makeup. That makes sense to me — if you’re out in the field, putting on sunscreen, doing manual labor, it makes no sense. But I will say that when they are attending conferences or doing a presentation, some will wear light makeup. Which makes sense to me too.

  239. Where's my coffee?*

    I like to wear medium-ish level makeup but no one cares if I don’t. My most talented employee is an outdoorsy young woman who rarely if ever wears makeup. Doesn’t impact my impression of her one way or another.

    I’ve been judged much more harshly by women than men about my shoes and clothing, however. Some women seem almost…angry…that I wear heels. I like heels. I think they’re pretty. Flats feel all floppy and uncomfortable to me. I also like very tailored clothing because lots of loose fabric makes me feel (ironically) claustrophobic or something. I don’t care if Jane Doe in accounting is wearing flip flops and an oversized sweatshirt, but she always has a snarky quip about my (very unremarkable) pumps and pencil skirts.

    1. Where's my coffee?*

      Also, I’ll add that I feel privileged to have the option of wearing makeup. I’d hate to be a middle-aged man who wanted to cover dark circles or whatever but was risking all sorts of judging from others by doing so.

  240. Higher Ed Database Dork*

    No, I don’t think you do. I don’t really like a lot of the norms surrounding the idea of “looking professional.” I think good basic guidelines are: keep up with basic hygiene, don’t wear anything that is obviously ratty or dirty, and know your office culture. However if my office culture was heavy makeup on all women…I’d still probably not wear makeup. The way I see it – everyone has to wear clothes – their most basic purpose is functional. Makeup – not functional in anyway. It is not protecting your face in the same way fabric or shoes are protecting your body. To me, makeup is more a personal and intimate choice of expression, and I don’t want my employer making that kind of decision for me. The only jobs that I see makeup as being functional is entertainment, where you need it for special effects. I don’t think it’s really “needed” just to make a person more appealing on-screen or on-stage. I think if fewer people wore non-effects makeup, then maybe we would all have a better idea of what real people look like, and not feel so insecure when we don’t look like done-up super models!

    *Just want to add that I think makeup can be a really cool tool for artistic expression, in the same way I like to dye my hair interesting colors. I don’t have anything against makeup, or people wanting to wear makeup – I’m against the idea that anyone *HAS* to wear makeup in order to be acceptable or valued.

    1. Pudgy Patty*

      I like makeup and I like how it makes me look like a better version of myself, but I can’t necessarily argue with what you’re saying. At the same time, for many fields and offices, it is a part of the “game.” You can decide not to participate, and that’s fine and it should be fine. But I don’t have an issue with those who do. It’d be great to be able to change the world, but some of us just want a paycheck, and if that’s what it takes, it’s really not a big deal me in the grand scheme of things.

      1. Higher Ed Database Dork*

        Yeah, that’s where the “know your culture” comes in. I realize I’m privileged in that I have a job in an industry where I can get away with not wearing making. In my ideal world, makeup would just be another personal choice that no one bats an eye about – you wear makeup or you don’t, you take sugar in your tea or you don’t.

  241. Quinalla*

    I almost never wear make-up, pretty much just for weddings and the occasional time when I decide to put on a little lipstick or something, but I’m an mechanical engineer so heavily male-dominated field and I’ve just fairly recently starting wearing some more feminine clothing to work as I get treated differently especially on construction sites the more feminine I’m dressed. It’s not as bad now that I’m older, but it still is there. Make-up is just one more way I would be treated differently. In some ways, I’ve been embracing that more, but I’m lazy and don’t like taking the time to do make-up, so usually still go without.

    I have no problem with people who do or don’t want to wear make-up and wish it weren’t something that were required to be polished in some jobs for women or seen as a negative (at least in some ways) like in mine, but it is for sure.

  242. Turtlewings*

    I really hate wearing makeup, but I do (resentfully) feel that I have to wear it to work (or anywhere that my appearance matters) because I have a great deal of acne-related redness and scarring. Medication has finally (at the age of 30+) more or less conquered the actual pimples, but I still feel — well, it sounds messed up now that I put it into words, but I’m so ashamed of my face that I feel like I have to wear makeup in order to be presentable. Because I hate wearing and applying it so much, I have gradually downgraded to merely a layer of powder foundation, mascara, and tinted lip gloss. I feel like that gives me just the little touch I need to look “pulled together.”

    I have to admit I end up putting my makeup on at work at least once a week… but (a) it takes maybe five minutes, (b) I’m the only one in the building for the first hour that I’m here! Literally no one will ever know, much less mind.

  243. Anon for this*

    I don’t think I need to wear makeup to look professional, per se, but it kind of seems like people treat me like I have soft skills *only* when I wear makeup.

    I’ve always held a certain type of analyst job that requires a mix of specialized technical skills and soft skills, and due to an unusual career path, I’ve usually brought more tech skills to these jobs than the average analysts on my teams. I’ve proven over the years that I’m actually pretty well-rounded, but people’s perception of the balance between my skill sets seems to rest a lot on how I perform femininity.

    I used to get a fair bit of dismissive “well, you know, the situation’s more than just about the data” kind of pushback (from men) until I started showing up to work with a more polished, femme presentation. And it was like eyeliner and a manicure softened my edges enough to get people to stop thinking of me as purely a wonk. I’m pretty sure that nothing at all changed about my communication skills when this happened, because the change took place over a month or two. It’s happened throughout my career, at different firms, with both men and women as superiors – I face trouble being percieved as someone who gets the big picture as well as the details unless I femme it up, even perhaps a bit more than some of my female colleagues with a slightly different skill mix.

    At least it’s good that I’m fine with makeup, but it’s not a great situation – I feel like’ll be pigeonholed as someone I’m really truly not unless I’m all like “I’m not just a nerd, I’m a lady too!”.

  244. Stranger than fiction*

    While I’ve always thought this should be an individual choice such as clothing and hairstyle, I currently work with some women who could use some coaching in this area.
    If you can get away with wearing no makeup and still look polished and professional, more power to you!
    However, I currently work with a couple of women that could use some help! Before y’all get mad at me, I don’t mean because they’re ugly. I mean because they constantly look like they didn’t sleep the night before and just rolled out of bed and came to work (including crumpled clothes, unbrushed hair and sometimes even wearing bedroom slippers!). I’m talking bags under their eyes and just a whole general disheveled look where a little tinted moisturizer at least would go a long way!
    But mgmt or HR don’t seem to care so I guess I shouldn’t either. But it’s like geez, I take the time to look like an adult, why can’t you?

    1. Anon for this*

      Someone should say something, it’d be a great kindness to them. If they’re at a level of disheveled that’s new for them, it would be great if a caring manager could check in with them to see if something’s going on outside of the office and guide them towards EAP services, if available. Even if they’ve always been like this…it’s hard to have something that holds you back from people taking you and your work seriously that no one will ever discuss with you.

      1. Stranger than fiction*

        Unfortunately, we’re just a small Co with no EAP. I wasn’t gonna say, but I do know firsthand that one of them has a drinking and pill problem. She knows it and jokes about it to me. The other one just has two small kids she takes to school in the morning and I think has just kinda forgotten about herself

  245. LawBee*

    I have found that people comment more when I do wear makeup (which is hardly ever) than when I don’t. If you never do, then that’s just what you look like, and there you are.

    My feeling is that if Average Brad’s face is fine to show to the world without being covered up, so is mine. Also, I’m lazy af and would rather sleep the extra ten minutes.

  246. HannahS*

    I don’t wear makeup at work, and would be irate if someone suggested it was necessary or would benefit me. There’s nothing unprofessional about my face. The whole “makeup makes you look put together” drives me up the wall because that’s code for “women need to be pretty (but not too pretty) to be considered professional.” Makeup makes your skin look smoother, your eyes look bigger, your lashes look longer, your lips look redder–those are all prettier maybe, but I don’t believe in equating looking pretty with looking professional.

    1. Mr. Bob Dobalina*

      Of course women don’t have to wear make-up to look professional. It is SAD that the question even needs to be asked. And women don’t need to wear skirts or dresses or pantyhose or high heels to look professional. Must we apply these different sexist standards to women? Aren’t we past that yet?

  247. voluptuousfire*

    I just wear powder and maybe some tinted lip balm. I cant be bothered to wear anything else and that’s always been acceptable. I have fair skin with slight rosacea, so a bit of powder is best day to day to tone things down a bit.

  248. Someone else*

    Do you have to wear it to look professional? -Nope. I have never worn makeup, ever, and never seen a dress code that prescribed it.
    How much is too much? -When it starts to look clumpy and or visibly layered. Ie, I don’t go by the old standby “if you can tell it’s makeup it’s too much” because really, taking that literally is unhelpful. But if what you see is more so “look at the makeup ON that person” rather than “that is a person wearing makeup” (ie it’s a conspicuous entity of its own rather than part of someone’s look) it’s too much.
    Is a smokey eye inappropriate for work? -Depends. I’ve seen a lot of variation in what some might call a “smokey eye”. There are smokey eye looks that would be too much, but not all of them.
    Is it weird to apply it in the office bathroom on mornings when you’re rushed? -The bathroom as a place to apply makeup doesn’t strike me as weird, but if someone were running late, showed up the office technically on time, but then promptly spent several minutes in the bathroom putting on makeup, I’d probably frown on that? Because it’s the letter but not the spirit of being on time for work if you arrive and promptly go away to do non-work things.
    Should you discreetly suggest your junior colleague stop wearing body glitter? -All forms of glitter should be banned from the office unless your place of employ is: a kindergarten OR a place where people specifically come to do arts and crafts. So yes, discreetly or not tell glitter-bearers to cut it out. And tell policy-makers to put glitter-bans in writing. Boo glitter. Worse than sand in terms of gets into everything and keeps showing up even when you think you’ve removed it and you barely touched it to begin with and HOW IS THERE GLITTER STILL HERE I HAVEN’T COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY IN MONTHS BUT THERE IT IS….

    1. Mr. Bob Dobalina*

      I’m just laughing about the glitter comment… So true, glitter lingers on and on.

    2. Stranger than fiction*

      Or a strip club, for the glitter. But half that job is making yourself up so…

  249. EmilyG*

    I wear make-up to look “done.” To me that means two things. I’m very pale and without make-up, I just look… vague and mild. With make-up I look more defined and emphatic.

    Also, I look young, and wearing make-up is an element of differentiating my business look from my weekend look that I think makes me look older or more authoritative, similar to wearing heels or a suit. I wear sunscreen, undereye concealer, foundation but mostly around the T zone, blush, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner pencil. In my organization, most people don’t wear make-up (or heels or suits) but the people on my more senior level do.

    Recently I had an interesting conversation with a friend who is also young-looking, but hates make-up and never wears it. The difference is, she is a doctor… to me, it seems like her MD gives her instant authority that my less clear-cut professional sphere doesn’t. Make-up is not the perfect tool but I don’t want to leave any on the table, you know?

    As I get older I like the way I look with make-up more, so sometimes I do wear it on the weekend now, which is kind of a pain. I’ve been getting into Korean 10-step skincare to improve my make-up-free look (there’s a rabbit-hole for a Saturday thread…).

    1. EmilyG*

      Oh, and… I never put it on at work. Smoky eye and body glitter would be way out of line where I work! I think my natural make-up look is one step away from the no-make-up look that is most common here, so taking further steps away from that norm would reaalllly stand out.

    2. Manders*

      I totally feel you on makeup making you look and feel defined. Eyeliner in particular makes a big difference, even if you’re not doing anything dramatic with it.

  250. Manders*

    Question for the folks who wear bb cream: is there a brand out there kind of in between a moisturizer and a thick, goopy cream? I think something like that would make me look more polished, but I’m having a really hard time finding something that isn’t either too sheer to be useful or so thick it makes my whole face look flat. I’m also pale but olive-skinned, and that’s kind of a weird shade to find–all the pale foundations in drugstores seem to be for people with cooler undertones.

    Right now I apply concealer just over the spots that really need to be covered up, but it would be nice to have something like a moisturizer that I could put on once or twice a day.

    1. analytica*

      Try reddit r/olivemua for foundation suggestions.

      And yes, there is an intermediary, but it’s harder to figure out that just-right consistency without going into stores. Perhaps people on the subreddit would have better recommendations for you. (I love my BB cream, but it leans super yellow which suits my needs.)

  251. Fae Kamen*

    Curious whether others do this too: My level of make-up varies day to day. I see it as part of my outfit or “look”: My clothes change every day, so to me it’s natural that my make-up would too. Some days I come in with a bare face, or just BB cream, or just BB cream + mascara, and other days I add some shimmer to my eyes, or wear red or vampy-dark lipstick.

    I have never had a problem with this at work. I imagine people might wonder if it’s jarring to present your face inconsistently; I haven’t found that it is. Maybe it would lean that way if my fullest face were more dramatic (I never do advanced tricks like contouring or smoky eyes…though if I were good at it, I just might) but so far, everyone seems well adjusted to the notion that make-up comes off!

    For context, I’ve worked mostly in small, “progressive” offices, and at the moment I’m in an office where, on my most made-up days, I’m the most made-up. I can imagine that in another office in my city—or even in my building—I’d feel pressured to adopt a consistently sleeker look, to fit in with the ladies who straighten their hair and wear blazers every day (that is NOT shade—y’all look killer.) But I sort of hope that day never comes, because my current relationship to make-up as an accessory feels True And Good to me. :)

  252. Agile Phalanges*

    I am a non-makeup-wearer, so I hope it’s appropriate not to wear makeup at work. That said, I live in an area where it’s pretty normal for women not to wear makeup, or to wear it only for special occasions. It’s also appropriate to wear jeans and a fleece jacket to literally any restaurant in town, so…

    My co-worker wears makeup nearly every day, and it is noticeable on the days she doesn’t, but it’s not like she’s ugly without it or anything, it just looks a bit different until you realize why. No biggie. My boss doesn’t wear makeup, but then he’s a man, so that’s socially acceptable just about everywhere except for on camera. :-) We only have a single-seat restroom here, but at my last job I would occasionally walk in on someone freshening up their makeup or applying it after a workout and shower, and it didn’t bother me, if it didn’t bother THEM to be doing something so intimate with bodily orifices in such a germy place.

  253. Wolfram alpha*

    Ive never worn makeup as a woman in conservative industries (banking, healthcare) and have always been complimented on my professional appearence. There are ways to look polished sans makeup and jewelry. I wear neither.

  254. Vivien*

    When I was working for a “hippie” personal care product company, I never wore makeup. The one time I did (and literally just a little brown eyeliner with a green shimmer and mascara, nothing to pearl clutch about), my male boss said I looked “like the fish!” and told me he (“the company”) only liked NATURAL looks.

    He tried to get my coworkers to agree I looked like a fish and they just stared at him like he was crazy and said no, I didn’t. I still went and washed it off, between rage and embarrassment. He also refused to look at a girl who bleached her hair blonder. Like put a manila folder up to his face to block her out as he walked by and mouth, “OH MY GOD!” at the rest of us. Dramatic and ridiculous. We weren’t customer facing, and we didn’t have any photos of the team up that they didn’t want. We had no dress code, aside from “don’t wear pajamas, please.”

    On the flip side, I was always taught by my entrepreneurial mother that wearing makeup for women was a sign of professionalism because it was lumped in with other basic grooming habits like brushing one’s hair and keeping a beard trimmed neatly. But I’ve discovered that my mother was raised with the 50s with the “get out of bed before your husband realizes the makeup isn’t your REAL face” mentality. But in her case, it’s just don’t leave the house without “your face on.”

    Unfortunately, makeup irritates my eyes and the feeling of SOMETHING on my face bugs me, so I rarely do it. I have a front desk job now, and I just do up my sparse eyebrows with light shading (one product, one minute), swipe some mascara, and that’s it. More power to people who redo their whole

  255. Lynn*

    This actually happened to me in court:

    Judge: Are you feeling ok? You look off.
    Me: No, judge. I just didn’t have enough time to put makeup on today.

    As a trial lawyer, there is a bit of performance to being in court. And I always have hair and makeup on point in front of a jury. On days when I’m just in my office, it’s a different story.

    I keep a second set of my standard makeup items at my desk (private office with a door) that I apply at my desk when I didn’t before I left the house. In the summer I walk to work, so I much prefer to put it on when I get to my office rather than before walking.

  256. J*

    I work in a spa as an esthetician. Since I’m in the beauty industry, I’m required to look my best and put makeup on. I don’t always do a full face of makeup, but often times clients will request a service with me and ask for the esthetician who has the nice eye makeup.

  257. Kendra*

    I deliberately chose not to wear makeup or while working as a web developer last summer, because I was the only female programmer on my team and I felt weird if I drew attention to that fact by wearing makeup or otherwise performing femininity.

  258. Aerin*

    I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis. Honestly, I’m too lazy for that. I’d rather sleep in or do something else with that time. When I worked at Disneyland, I did wear a bit of makeup, mainly because I was in a lot of vacation photos and video. But that was just foundation, eyeliner, and powder, just enough that I wouldn’t look awful on camera. These days I do phone support, so it’s not necessary.

    Occasionally if the mood takes me, I’ll wear some eyeliner or some lip stain. It’s usually more about how it makes me feel than about how it looks. Along those same lines, yes, I sometimes wear glitter. I got inspired by Carrie Fisher, who used it when she was having bad days. The darker she felt, the more she would sparkle in defiance. I’ve got a couple of shimmer sprays that are relatively subtle and don’t flake off. (I worked in a craft store for a while, I avoid the standard stuff as much as humanly possible.)

  259. DesertRose*

    I’m not a big makeup person in general, but when I was still working (I’m disabled now), I generally didn’t bother at work either. To be fair, I’m in Florida, which is generally a lot more casual than most of the rest of the US, and I was mostly working in industrial (like, a lumber company or a company that ran electronic systems like fire alarms and security systems) offices where the dress code was business casual. If I had ever worked in a dressier environment, I probably would have done at least powder and lipstick (which is my “I need to look put together but can’t be bothered to do a full face” makeup).

    I’m also lucky enough to have reasonably decent skin (I haven’t had much of a problem with acne since I was about fourteen or fifteen).

    I generally didn’t do my makeup or hair in the bathroom at work though, not beyond a touch-up. I might touch up my lipstick after lunch or comb/redo my hair if it got unruly (wavy hair, what can ya do? And by “redo,” I mean a quick redo). I can see coming in and doing a full face of makeup in the bathroom every once in a while (like after a dermatologist appointment as someone else mentioned up-thread), but I’d think you’d risk annoying your coworkers/supervisors by making a habit of it. Probably depends on the specific workplace, though.

    I am one of those people who can look totally different with makeup and/or a hairstyle change; I get a lot of (gently intended) remarks about, “Wow, you clean up nice!” when I do wear makeup. :)

  260. Allison*

    I don’t have the answers, and it’s not my place to tell other women what to do. My feminist side says women shouldn’t need to wear makeup to be considered properly dressed, as long as you’re clean and neat and your clothes are appropriate for the office. But truth me told, I feel incomplete and unbalanced if I put on a nice outfit but don’t at least put on BB cream, mascara, and lip stain. But what does “professional” mean? To me it means competent, serious about your work, and ready to do it, and where does makeup fit into that? Maybe it shows you’re awake and ready? That’s more or less what I’m trying to show with my makeup.

  261. Liz T*

    In my current job, if I do make-up, I usually do it in the bathroom at work. (I already have to get up pretty early, and I rarely get a seat on my hour-long commute.) My routine takes 5-10 minutes, unless I’m trying something new, and I only do it when there’s downtime between meetings. (I’m a receptionist.) I’m always twinned to a handset when not at my desk, so I’m reachable by phone and email. The bathroom is roomy enough, with a separate counter and mirror, and (sadly) we now have very few women on the floor, so it’s not a space issue.

    If I don’t have time, or just don’t feel like it, I go without. It was a big moment for me when I finally let myself attend work without any sort of make-up.

    [If you’re curious, my regimen: concealer, BB cream, eyeliner, eyeshadow crayon, mascara, lipstick, done. It only takes more than 5 minutes if I’m a) doing some transfer-proof liquid lipstick that’s painstaking to apply (but won’t need touch-ups) or b) pretending I know how to use liquid eyeliner. Otherwise I can do my make-up between the Union Square stop and the Grand Central stop, on the express.]

  262. Cloud Nine Sandra*

    I always wear make up at work and worse, I usually put it on when I first get in in the morning because I walk to work and sweat so there’s no point in doing it before I leave. But the office is pretty quiet in the morning and my make up takes less than three minutes, usually.

    I work in financial services and the men are all in suit pants, button down shirts and ties. Some of the older men will just wear sweater over that or even forgo the tie, but nearly all the men are in suits every day. Of the women who work in the more senior positions, I think all but one wear make up every day. The rest of us is such a mixed bag. Three of my coworkers wear false eyelashes or have had their eyelashes done – no one comments on it.

    Almost all the women are wearing some form of foundation and/or mascara, some of us wear bright colors, etc. It’s a conservative place, so while I will wear violet lipstick, I blot it so much it looks more like tint. On the other hand, one of my coworkers occasionally wears very bright orange lipstick – the only comments are that she looks great.

    I hate when people talk about wearing make up like every women who wears is doing it for the menz or feels forced to do it. I also hate when women do feel forced to wear it.

    1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      I used to have a beautiful bright orange lipstick by Borghese (friend worked the counter) and for me it was a “casual” lipstick when I wanted to do my version of basic makeup- pale foundation & powder, black mascara, black penciled on eyebrows, and lipstick. Nothing but that bright orange felt right when I wore so little makeup otherwise.
      I don’t do natural very well lol.

  263. Anon please today*

    I love this question but don’t have strong opinions either way. I wear a fair amount of makeup to work (mid-50s, gov’t finance) and it’s probably more than most of my co-workers wear but not overly so. We’re very much a respecting-diversity office so lots of different looks are acceptable.

  264. RB*

    It really bums me out when the women in the tech and/or male-dominated fields say they need to forgo makeup to be taken seriously at work. Even if they weren’t passionate about makeup to begin with, they should still have that option and not be professionally penalized for it. That is so dark-ages.

  265. Overeducated*

    I think I have the makeup look of my grandma: powder foundation, red lipstick, mascara, and that’s it. Any recommendations for a more modern professional look that is still quick and simple? (I only dislike neutral colored lipstick.)

    1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      That’s a classic, understated, and very attractive look. Why would you want to change it?

  266. MJ*

    I work in a hospital environment where we’re not supposed to wear make-up, but we’re also not supposed to have food, drinks, or corrugated cardboard in the area either. However, the food, drinks, and cardboard are not adhered to (and with the cardboard there’s no way for us to adhere to it even if we wanted to), so it bothers me that they’re insistent that I can’t draw on some eyebrows to be at work (I haven’t got any otherwise).

  267. Stranger than fiction*

    Tbis is an interesting thread. How about men wearing makeup? I’m cool with it and if an employer said they couldn’t, that’d be totally sexist.
    (In fact, Ulta commercials grate on my nerves because everything is about women/girls.)

    1. liz*

      that is one thing I appreciate about the newer Sephora marketing efforts is how inclusive they are of different genders, races, and bodies.

  268. bookartist*

    I don’t wear makeup, nor do I tweeze my eyebrows (though I do pluck than one damn long chin hair…) I’m also overweight and wear pants pretty much all the time. I make six figures, manage 2-4 people, and present to the c-suite at least twice a month., so somehow I have managed to be professional enough to be successful.

    And also, I never have this conversation with men. I truly believe the typical man just doesn’t care.

  269. Wren*

    A friend from Taiwan says one of the things she prefers about Canada is that in Taiwan, strangers feel they can come up to a woman and tell her she is rude for being in public without makeup. I would presume it is also de rigeur to wear makeup at work, too.

    I’ve never worked in an industry where makeup was expected and am relieved for that, but I do remember when my mother was an accountant for a large retail corporation, she wore lipstick and a bit of blush because she felt that was the minimum in her workplace to appear polished, but she wore none otherwise, nor at any of the other jobs she had during her working life. Another friend of mine from university never much during our student days, but started doing so and complained about feeling like her workplace culture required it when she began her first job in hospital administration. She’s not in that sector anymore and makeup has become more routine for her now, and I think now she wears it because she’s used to it/likes it.

  270. liz*

    I had to commute into work via train/bus so I would frequently get to the office an hour before I was scheduled to work. I would do my foundation at home before I left, but I’d do my hair and makeup in the bathroom every morning when I got there. Allowed me to sleep more and my hair usually got ruined on the commute in anyways. Worked out great.

  271. Beth*

    This is hard to answer in part because there’s such a wide spectrum of makeup. Nowadays there aren’t many industries where an obvious full-face look is a requirement for professional appearance. Heck, there are plenty where it’s borderline penalized, because it’s seen as ditzy and prioritizing glamor over competence.

    But I think there are still a lot of fields and companies where wearing a little mascara, some lip color that’s maybe a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone, and some concealer under your eyes will be seen as more ‘polished’ than not doing those things. And a lot of that attitude doesn’t necessarily attribute the difference to ‘makeup’; the people doing the observing might not even realize you’re wearing makeup, since it’s on the subtle side. But nevertheless it gets read as being more put-together and professional-looking. I think it ends up having a similar effect to how men handle facial hair–a man with either a clean shave or a carefully-groomed beard is generally going to come off as more polished and professional than a man with three days of stubble.

    2. Beth*

      In an ideal world, I would hope that most people would be judged 100% on their work and not at all on their appearance. For many jobs, there’s no job-related reason for it to matter if a woman is wearing mascara, or if a man has a little stubble; it’s just an extra hoop to jump through to look like you fit the part. Judging on appearance also opens up room for discrimination, intentional or otherwise; we all have prejudices (many of which are unconscious), and even when we try our best to be fair and balanced, some people end up at a disadvantage because of them.

      In the real world, it’s convenient to know what quick tricks make people think you look more professional. People do judge on appearances, and if there’s a five minute thing I can do to give myself a slight nudge up from where I would be without doing that thing…fine. It gets me more than it costs me, so whatever.

  272. Shrunken Hippo*

    I don’t think you have to wear makeup wit look professional, but if you want to wear it because you like it, go for it! The style and amount of makeup would really depend on your work environment.

    Personally I don’t wear makeup and I have walked out of several interviews where the interviewer told me directly that I was required to wear makeup because “no one wants a boring person working for them”, and I consider those bullets dodged. I have also worked at places that banned makeup, but it was because it was in food manufacturing and it was a policy to ensure that the products did not pick up on any scents at all, which is fair.

    As for putting makeup on at work, I would say please try not to. It can be distracting if you do it at your desk (and I mean if you’re doing more than freshening up lipstick or putting on some extra powder to fend off the oily sheen) and doing it in the bathroom can take space away from people who want to use the bathroom for it’s intended purpose (I’m looking at you annoying ex-coworker who took up the bathroom for over an hour!). However that is just my personal opinion.

  273. Liz*

    When I was younger, I never wore make-up, but as I get older (and move into roles where good presentation is required), I find my “look” gets more polished every year. (Partially because my hair is difficult to manage, so I figure that if my face is great, it’ll compensate for the bird’s nest above it.)

    I used to wear just eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss, but this year I discovered the miracle of eyelid primer — my eyes are deep-set and oily, so I’ve never been able to wear eye shadow, and often had to replace my eyeliner at lunchtime because it had migrated.

    My routine now:

    Eyelid primer, neutral eye shadow, dark brown or black liquid eyeliner with very small wings, mascara. These days, I also do my eyebrows, because the current fashion is for dark, heavy brows, and mine are more or less translucent. I use about half the recommended amount of powder, though, just enough that you can see them from a couple of metres away.

    Occasionally I wear BB cream and/or translucent powder on my face, or a tinted sunscreen in summer.

    I apply lip gloss when I get to work — my favourite is a Rimmel crayon which has sadly been discontinued — and again after lunch. (Those Rimmel crayons really did last all day, I’m devastated they’re not around anymore.) And I’m prone to dry lips, so I also apply papaw ointment throughout the day. (That’s the only thing I do at my desk, because if I got up every time my lips were dry, I’d never be around.)

    I suspect I’ll have to start wearing foundation in the next few years, as I age, but I don’t mind. I look a lot younger without make-up, but also kind of unfinished, and having that layer of paint on my face makes me feel like I’m “dressed” — the same as when I’m in my work trousers, or wearing the earrings and pendant I only wear to the office.

    1. Liz*

      …also, incidentally, one of my bosses (male) wears a matte powder on his face, because he gets a bit shiny in air conditioning.

    3. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      The current fashion is for dark heavy brows, but I still wear my pin thin penciled on brows, because I’d rather do what I like than what is in fashion. And I think those Joan Crawford/Groucho Marx brows that are “in” these days are hideous

  274. LadyCop*

    I honestly was just thinking about this, because I remember a previous letter where someone was put off about a woman who wore a full face of makeup and false lashes to an interview…

    While I do think people who wear false lashes every day have a lot of dedication, I distinctly have been upset with the sheer volume of commentators who seemed to believe that only “foundation and mascara” were acceptable for interviews.

    Ummm heck no. No. No. NO. I work in a very conservative, strict uniform, cover your tattoos, natural type hair colors only kind of place. Because of that, I ensure to wear my “normal” makeup whenever interview type things come up…because honestly I look like a cancer patient without filling in my eyebrows…and if they can’t handle a little but of neutral shadows or other stuff…then it’s not a place I could thrive. Honestly, I would think it so strange to be a stickler for little to no makeup for an interview (because yes they are more formal) but to then expect that a regular full face of makeup wouldn’t catch attention all of a sudden on a day to day basis. If it’s not okay day to day at a job, then it’s not okay for the interview.

    I love makeup, I definitely don’t wear a lot on my day to day, but sometimes I just want to enjoy it and play with it without being judged. And since most people work in far more relaxed places (in terms of outfit and appearance) then limiting people to what makeup they can wear is silly.

    Yeah, I’m still hung up on “no makeup ever” weirdos…they need a dose of reality.

  275. Poe*

    1)I definitely put makeup on at work since I walk or bike to work and don’t want to sweat it all off when it’s hot. There are many days when I don’t wear makeup at all and put some on from the kit in my desk before I go out to an event or something. I just put up a mirror in my cube. Takes about 5 minutes. no one has ever said anything or i think, even noticed.

    2) yes you look more professional with makeup. you just do. sorry not sorry for the inconvenient fact. and yes i believe men do too, we need to stop letting them get away with it! makeup is an advantage. who do you trust more, the person who looks awake with clear skin and a bit of brightness to their face or the person with undereye circles, blotches, acne and dull or dry/flaky lips? I rarely look like the first person naturally (although more often now since my acne routine has started working) so I wear makeup to avoid being the second person. a little bit goes a LONG way folks. that said, I don’t wear makeup all the time, especially on days when i know I’m going to be sitting in my cube the whole day. And I’ve worked here for a while and all these people know what my face looks like. lastly, badly applied makeup is worse than no makeup so remember that all the makeup haters.

    1. IForgetWhatNameIUsedBefore*

      I trust the person who is competent at their job, regardless of appearance.

  276. Jinxed Mink*

    I work at a middle school, and honestly I am one of those people that fluctuates on whether or not I wear makeup on any given day. Sometimes I just wear a bit of neutral lipstick, other times I wear full on dramatic glittery eyeshadow looks (not the kind of glitter that spreads, though, that’s the worst). I use makeup because I find it fun, not because I think I have to wear it. I often do full on eye looks without covering blemishes on the rest of my face. I feel like part of my job is to be confident and be myself, and some days I am more “tomboy” athleisure and other days I’m dresses and glitter and some days I feel like both. I don’t think anyone at my job cares whether I have makeup on or not, and the kids have never commented one way or another.

    1. Hillarz*

      That sounds fun. I get pretty stuck in routines, and whenever I step out of it (wear a skirt, change my hairstyle, etc.), people comment on it so much that I go back to my routine just to avoid the commentary. I know they mean well, most of the time, but whether it’s the fifth “You’re wearing a skirt!” or the more clueless “Wow, you look so much BETTER with your hair that way!”, I just burn out on having people talk about my appearance at all. Sounds like you’ve gotten everyone to just expect the unexpected!

  277. Filofox*

    I wear makeup to work most days, partly because I like to wear makeup and partly because I have a chronic disabling illness and it gets exasperating to have people point out that I’m looking tired (I AM TIRED, THAT’S WHY I LOOK TIRED). It’s usually red lipstick and brow powder, maybe sometimes some eyeliner as well (think Dita von Teese if she had much scruffier hair). I worried that a red lip was too strong for my last workplace and then a couple of women started working there with the full contour, fake lashes, glittery manicure Kardashian thing going on and no one said a word about it. I sometimes worry that a certain type of person will be dismissive of me for wearing makeup or *not* wearing makeup but I’m female and look younger than I am so I think the misogynists will get me whatever I do.

    The women at my current office are pretty split between makeup/no makeup and I’m too new (six weeks) to get a sense of whether it affects how they’re treated. I personally don’t care how ‘extreme’ someone’s makeup is but I think most places are still reasonably conservative and so I stay away from anything too bright/glittery/heavy.

    1. MT*

      True! People will judge you for wearing makeup, and judge you for not wearing it. Just do what you like :)

  278. ZucchiniBikini*

    I’m a freelancer who works usually 4 days a week from my home office and 1 day a week at my client sites. I don’t wear any makeup at home (unsurprisingly!) I do apply a light foundation and lipstick when on site to my clients – I also dress in professional work clothes, whereas at home I wear jeans and tees.

    I do not think wearing makeup should be an expectation or requirement unless your job is in an industry where it is clearly part of your professional duties (eg modelling, stage or camera makeup for actors / tv presenters etc). I do think it is still the reality that for certain professions, at least in Australia, it is seen as part of the professional polish they expect employees to have (I’m thinking Big Law, Big Accounting, consultancies etc). I have friends who work in big firms in these fields, and they say it would be noticed – not necessarily remarked upon – if a female-presenting person turned up completely bareface. They also say that going bare-legged for any gender is verboten (no shorts, no going without pantyhose for skirts and dresses) and that men who don’t wear button-down shirts are looked at askance; and that non-natural hair colours and wild styles are frowned upon.

    At least a lot of these fields are finally giving up their obsession with female-appearing people wearing high heels though! My lawyer friend wears boots in winter and business flats in summer now and says it is such a relief.

  279. MT*

    I don’t think women should HAVE to wear makeup at work to look professional. However, the reality is, society has conditioned us to feel that women’s faces without make-up are “unpolished”or “incomplete”. It’s a tricky double-bind.

    I have small eyes, and without makeup I can look like I am bored or uninterested. I guess the natural shape of my eye is one that people associate with expressing the emotion of boredom, much like some other people have “angry resting face”.

    I use eyeliner to make my eyes appear larger and more alert/awake. So I feel the make-up is not to make me more attractive or anything, but to make me look more professional, in that “alert eyes” are more desirable at work than “bored eyes”.

  280. Cornflower Blue*

    Most people at our office have a 1-2 hour commute to office (I live 10 minutes away) so whenever I get into work , the women’s bathroom is always full of women putting their makeup on.

    There are 5 sinks, they’re all occupied and I’m taking my post-breakfast poop in a stall with full humiliating awareness that it’s a crowded bathroom where everyone will hear me. That includes my superiors.

    I’m also the only woman in the company with short hair, so I think they let me get away with not wearing makeup as a weird ‘foreign’ thing where I’m held to less feminine standards than the others.

  281. Themiscyra*

    I actually hardly ever wear makeup at work, with the caveat that I’ve worked in the tech industry for the past decade (as an engineer, not as anyone front-facing) and it hasn’t really been a concern, though even while I was temping I rarely wore makeup into the office. I actually have some serious issues with the idea that women have to wear makeup or do any more grooming than men do in order to maintain a professional appearance, but that’s a rant for another time.

    When I do wear makeup, it’s usually because I’m going out later or dressing up for some other reason, and even then, particularly if I’m only going out or whatever after work, I will generally bring my kit into the office and, after my shift ends, apply it in the bathroom. I don’t think I’d ever dream of applying it in the office bathroom before work or during business hours – if nothing else, I’d be hogging one of the only two sinks in our rather small women’s bathroom while other people are working, or taking up an entire accessible restroom, solely to apply makeup! Waiting until my shift ends at 6 means that most people will be gone and I’m not inconveniencing anyone. My going out clothes generally fit business casual dress codes well enough that I don’t have to worry about changing, at least.

    I don’t think body glitter is ever particularly appropriate for the office, though I’ve been guilty of wearing it, by accident — a few years back, while I was working for a game company, I ended up with a bunch of glitter stuck to my hands after trying out some body shimmer/body lotion stuff I’d bought at Bath & Body Works the previous night. It took two or three days of scrubbing in the shower and when washing my hands to get the last of it off. The dress code at most game companies is ‘Clothes should cover your body and otherwise we don’t care,’ so I didn’t get in trouble, though my team lead (also a woman) joked about the glitter a bit.

  282. Morag*

    I did make up for a few years in my thirties but always hated it and just stopped. I think it has become more acceptable since that time to go either way. I do make an extra effort to be well-groomed and tidy, which doesn’t come naturally! No nail polish, but nails taken care of, etc. Hair at least somewhat under control. Sometimes you just have to be who you are.

  283. kible*

    I actually wore more makeup at my retail job than I do at my corporate one. Maybe because I was facing people all day and I never see clients now. But back then I’d have my nails painted with at least a clear coat, foundation/cover up on my face, and a light brown eyeshadow with some green highlights and black creases (to match my uniform). Nowadays I usually just stick cover-up on my chin to hide my rampant hair problem there.

  284. bohtie*

    I don’t wear makeup at work, but I’m also butch, so no one expects me to. Sometimes I’ll throw on a little bit of powder if I’m feeling super shiny, but otherwise, that’s it. No one has ever commented on it; in fact, many of my female friends talk about the pressure to wear makeup at work but I can honestly say I’ve never felt it.

  285. D*

    I don’t wear makeup and never have.I have worked for different corporations for years and never felt penalized by the company for not conforming. I hate that there is so much pressure put on women to wear makeup just to be acknowledged. In my experience its the other women who make the snide comments. One of my personal pet peeves is when people put their perfume on in the office or bathroom.

  286. L-Boogie*

    I have a BFF who’s constantly complaining how she feels run over and disrespected in her position, etc. She has vast experience and I didn’t get it…..until she came to my house right after work. We’re both in our 40s, but she looked downright frumpy and tired and she refuses to wear any makeup there bc, in her words, she’s “Not trying to impress anybody.” I wear it at my position b/c it helps with polish and confidence, wish she would consider doing the same. JMO.

    1. lailaaaaaah*

      Seems a bit judgmental of you- most of the men I know in their 40s look frumpy and tired, and nobody would ever hold them to a different standard for it. The problem is sexism, not your BFF (who may have reasons for not wearing it beyond ‘not trying to impress people’- my mother would give the same reason if asked, but the root issue is that her skin is extremely sensitive to anything but a tiny, carefully-tested range of skincare products, and her polish and confidence definitely wouldn’t be helped by a skin condition flare-up).

      1. L-Boogie*

        I didn’t tell her to start wearing make-up (she used to wear it actually) and it wasn’t the lack of it that made her look frumpy, it was her clothing as well and I do think it makes a difference to look presentable no matter what the person’s sex happens to be. I think that, at her place of employment, they use her appearance against her, esp. since she tells me that people around her dress up more, etc., and she feels like she has to ‘play the game’ or else. I work in an environment that doesn’t put that type of emphasis on appearance (business casual), but hers does and I think she has more to gain while working there if she were to ‘do as the Romans do.’ At least while in Rome. Again, JMO.

  287. Lalla*

    I usually don’t wear make-up to work but occasionally I will. How much I wear depends on why I’m wearing it.

    If my skin’s misbehaving I might apply a BB cream or light foundation to even out my complexion.
    If my lips are drying out I’ll apply a lip balm – sometimes tinted, sometimes not.
    If I happen to get up early in the morning and feel like doing it, I’ll add a neutral eyeshadow and some mascara.
    If I have an important meeting, presentation or interview, I add a small amount of eyeliner, a light application of bronzer or blusher, and a muted lipstick.

    Some of my colleagues never wear make-up. Some of them turn up to work every day with a fully made-up face. Nobody seems to care either way. I’m sure there’d be comments if someone turned up wearing make-up in garish neon colours or an excess of glitter, or if it was noticeably really badly applied (smudged, wobbly lines etc.). But other than that, no-one bats an eyelid.

    In most jobs, I don’t think there should be any expectation to wear make-up (I appreciate there will be different expectations if you work in some industries, i.e. beauty or fashion). You should be expected to be clean, tidy and dress smartly within your company’s dress code. Like perfume, jewellery or high heels, make-up should be your own decision and there should be no negative connotations of choosing either to use it or not use it.

    Sometimes I will make a decision to wear make-up because it helps me feel more confident when dealing with particular situations or people. But that’s about my own comfort and how I feel in certain interactions. I certainly wouldn’t judge a colleague for making a different decision about make-up in the same scenario.

    Applying make-up in the bathroom before work or during a break is fine by me, but I’d be wary of doing so at my desk or in view of my colleagues as that would seem to give a message of preoccupation with appearance and distraction from work tasks. Strangely, it’s often the people who seem to believe everyone should have a full face of make-up at all times, who are most likely to frown upon actually seeing someone applying make-up.

  288. lailaaaaaah*

    I have extensive acne scarring over my face, so I kind of have to wear a full face of makeup if I want to look even vaguely professional. I hate it though- it takes up so much time in the mornings that could be better spent on other things (not to mention making the acne problem worse), and it’s such a relief to get home and wash it all off again.

    I’ve applied/reapplied it in the bathroom before, especially if I’m working late or there’s something on in the evening after work, but I’d never do more than a quick swipe of lip balm/hand cream at my desk (and probably not even that). I wouldn’t want to look so concerned over my appearance that it’s taking up work hours.

  289. Topcat*

    No woman or man should ever have to wear any kind of makeup to look “professional”.

    Smart, clean hair and clothes is sufficient.

    If you want to wear make up, that’s fine, but too much make up can look unprofessional.

    Ultimately when you go to work you are not “dressing for you”, you are dressing for your company. That is why you wear a suit, not pyjamas.

  290. Anxa*

    I don’t sleep well at night (example: it’s 4am and I have to be up at 730am) so most work days I’m going in on just a little sleep.

    I miss the little lift I felt wearing lash tint. I would trade every other makeup fave for 1 more tube of Neutrogena lash tint. It was perfect for me. It felt very light, looked very understated, and was definitely “everyday” and “daywear” friendly. I’m blonde so 2/3 of my eyelashes are faint.

    I wear glasses and use microscopes and it was very comfortable there, too. It was perfect for my casual workplace.

  291. MJ*

    I almost always wear some make-up to work – due in no small part to reading an article which showed a correlation between make-up use and the perception by others of attributes like competence and likeability, not just attractiveness.
    The study the article came from was “Cosmetics as a Feature of the Extended Human Phenotype: Modulation of the Perception of Biologically Important Facial Signals” by Nancy L. Etcoff, Shannon Stock, Lauren E. Haley, Sarah A. Vickery, & David M. House.

  292. Sebastian*

    I wish I could get away with wearing makeup at work. Once I’ve been in a role for a few weeks (I’m a career interim) I’ll sometimes start wearing nail polish if the culture feels fairly relaxed, but I’m conscious that even that could make me look unprofessional.

  294. Unprofessionally wet hair?*

    Going to work with wet hair…unprofessional or not? I work in a library, and I have long hair that I just let air dry (otherwise I look like a poodle crossed with a tumbleweed) is it unprofessional to go to a meeting with drying hair?

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