How Much Makeup Do You Wear to Work?
How much makeup do you wear on a daily basis to work? How often do you change it up? I saw a recent quote in the Huffington Post about how the editor of Elle Magazine says that makeup for work isn't as necessary as you think, and it's better to wear less when you're young.
We've talked before about what makeup to wear for interviewing, whether makeup makes you look more competent, and in this blog's early days we had a really poorly constructed poll about what makeup you wear daily.
So I thought today might be a fun open thread: what makeup do you wear on a daily basis? Are there days when you step it up at work — for example, will you wear more makeup if you're giving a presentation or have a big meeting? Do you change your makeup on a daily basis, such as to better match your outfits? Do you change your makeup for the seasons? On the flip side, have you ever judged a coworker for her makeup choices?
{related: how much makeup do you wear for work?}
My Makeup for Work
For my $.02, I always consider my bare essentials to be curled eyelashes, blush, and concealer under my eyes — it's a rare day when I leave the house without those on. For a daily makeup look, I usually wear (in addition to blush and concealer and curled eyelashes):
– eyebrow pencil
– eyeliner
– mascara
– lipliner
– lipstick
As for changing it up on a daily basis, I almost never change it, at least intentionally — I may grab a different blush in the morning, or end up with a smokier eye than intended because I screwed up my eyeliner, but the concept of matching my makeup to my outfit isn't really something I do.
I do change products over time as things run out or I fall into different ruts, and I do change products with the seasons (for example, right now switching from the powdered NARS Orgasm back to Benetint, and from liquid eyeliner back to a pencil).
For a big meeting, or when I was working on a trial, the biggest change I'll make to my makeup is to make it more long lasting — I'll use a waterproof eyeliner or an extended wear lipstick — but it's my way of removing makeup from the list of things to worry about so I can focus better on the meeting or whatever.
As for judging coworkers… yeah, I'll admit I've done it, at least in terms of first impressions. Some people (with very made-up faces) just seemed vain, like they prioritized makeup and their appearance over other things… other people (with horrible lipstick colors, repeated day after day) seemed lacking a certain level of judgment. Like I said, though, these were just first impressions — but I do think makeup matters in the workplace.
Readers, your turn — how much makeup do you wear to work? Do you change it up? How does makeup affect your views of your coworkers?
As of 2024, my short makeup routine is pretty boring — curled eyelashes + concealer + blush (Nars Orgasm) + powder, with a different lipstick and eyeliner depending on my mood. If I'm feeling extra fancy I'll add mascara, highlighter, and/or do my brows with this cream and a brush similar to this one (here's my review). (I also add eye shadows in the “extra” days but it's a huge variety, maybe 25 or so different ones.)
Some favorite lipsticks include Clinique (Graped Up), NARS lipstick (Damage), Fenty (Goji Gang), NARS gloss (Orgasm, Fast Lane), and Clinique (Black Honey). I use this NYX lipliner (Natural) for almost all of them.
My favorite eyeliners as of 2024: Chanel (Espresso), Urban Decay (Sabbath, Smoke), and Clinique (Intense Chocolate & Plum). I also really like NYX and Sephora's eyeliners.
I wear the same thing every day:
Light foundation (used to wear Clinque Almost Makeup until they discontinued it; now I wear Superbalanced Makeup)
Eyeliner, top lid only
Mascara
Chapstick
And that’s it. Sometimes I add a light blush. I feel really uncomfortable going to work without foundation on because my skin tone is very uneven and a bit splotchy, but I will go without any of the above to run a few errands on the weekends, go to the gym, etc., and I have gone to work a couple times with foundation but nothing on my eyes. I did not start this routine until after graduating college and before that I only wore eyeliner + mascara for parties and otherwise nothing.
I have naturally pink lips and I am incredibly pale so I think lipstick looks very made up on me, so I rarely use it. I occasionally add some lip color if I go out at night on the weekends, but something very light. I love the look of red lipstick on other people and wish I could pull it off but the few times I’ve tried I felt like it was SO BRIGHT and so awkward.
I think everyone should wear whatever makes them feel most comfortable, and definitely do not judge anyone for wearing too much or too little or no makeup at all. Many guys I have dated who have watched me put makeup on will say “why don’t you just skip it, you look great without it” which is of course very sweet, but also a little annoying because it makes me feel confident and happy to wear it so I think I should do that.
I’m young enough to still get some acne, so I wear concealer on days when I have blemishes and/or mineral powder foundation if my skin is getting really blotchy.
Most days, I wear:
Josie Maran Argan 30 SPF sunscreen
A really nice, low-key purple eyeliner (brings out my green eyes, and definitely isn’t party purple, more of a brownish amethyst color)
Mascara
Slightly tinted balm
Wow, long-time lurker/first-time poster, but I felt compelled to comment because I feel so completely in the minority.
I had good skin as a teenager, but now at 25 yrs. old, my skin has freaked out. So some sort of coverage on the face is an everyday thing for me. Also, I really enjoy applying make-up- it’s quiet, “me” time in the morning and I enjoy applying it (it’s kind of an art form to me), so I do change up my colors and products daily. That being said, I wear very neutral shades to work (i.e. Monday may be more rosey-brown, whereas Tuesday may be more sheer coral-based). I aim to look polished but subtle and “natural,” like the best version of myself.
So, on a daily basis I wear tinted concealer, tinted moisturizer, translucent powder, blush, highlighter, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick. A lot of these are sheer or cream-based, such as eye and cheek products, particularly in the summer. I also wear appropriate bases as necessary- primer under foundation and powder eye shadow- for longer days.
I don’t think everyone needs it, and I honestly don’t judge people, unless it’s an extreme case (i.e. the person who cited Jersey Shore). I wear it because I enjoy doing it and it makes me feel more confident, end of story. Also, I work in BigLaw (just a clerk currently) in Boston, so most of my co-workers are very “done” and I end up looking very natural by comparison.
I guess I wear a “full face” of makeup but it’s all with a light hand and very neutral colors. I have had people ask me if I wear makeup, so I guess it looks pretty natural. My complexion is very uneven and I have pale eyelashes so I think I look really tired with zero makeup on.
For work:
– Foundation (with primer underneath if it’s going to be a long day)
– Undereye concealer (and on blemishes as needed)
– Powder
– Blush
– Neutral eyeshadow
– Mascara (and I curl my lashes)
– Lip stain
If I have extra time in the morning or just feel like it, I’ll add a dark brown eyeliner OR eyeshadow near the lash line.
I consider my “bare minimum” makeup:
– Undereye concealer (and on blemishes as needed)
– Powder
– Mascara
– Maybe blush in winter
What about re-applying throughout the day? I reapply lipstain/balm throughout the day and use those oil-blotting papers. I get pretty oily (you’d think by 30 my skin wouldn’t look like a teenager’s…) and I prefer the papers to adding more powder.
Re: reapplying, I reapply concealer if I need to. I find myself watching my makeup like a hawk on those really bad skin days. Otherwise, I use blotting papers and if I’m going somewhere after work I will touch up.
What eyelid primer do you ladies use? My monster skin is so oily – it consumes eyeshadow primers, bases, regular primers, foundation, powder and shadows. Everything disappears into these gross crease lines. A lady monster has some pride, you know? What am I doing wrong? RAWR
I use Laura Mercier’s eyelid primer, and it’s pretty great (the first I’ve used ever, and the difference in eyeshadow staying power is fatastic), but as summer’s ramping up in DC, it seems less effective. I bought Sephora’s to try next – will let you know!
Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion – if you haven’t tried it, give it a shot – I have really oily eyelids, and this stuff works for me.
Honestly? I use Wet N Wild’s, it’s in their Fergie collection. It’s like $2, and sticks eyeshadow to my greasy greasy lids.
I’d love if women weren’t expected to wear makeup to look professional – but in 90% of cases, a bare face DOES look less professional, in much the same way that washed-and-brushed hair with natural frizz and wave but no body looks less professional than a blow-out or an updo.
Some women can pull it off – particularly those with great skin, naturally dark eyebrows and eyelashes, and short/low-maintenance or very straight hair. But for the blonde-lashed, blonde-browed, blotchy pink skinned, kinda-wavy but baby-fine long-haireds among us (ie me), makeup is necessary to look awake and polished. It also makes me look less like a child ghost.
Running late day: BB cream, concealer, eyelid primer, neutral shadow, eyebrow pencil, mascara.
When I feel like it, I add translucent powder, blush, and eyeliner.
That’s my complexion. I often go natural. Make up might be necessary for you to feel polished, but I’m pretty content with lip gloss and professional skills most days.
Wow, you ladies wear a lot!!!
I usually wear some kind of lipstick to work (chubby stick or sim.) and *sometimes* mascara and eyeshadow. For big occasions (concerts, out to dinner.) I wear eyeliner and eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, sometimes blush, sometimes powder.
I also haven’t ever found a foundation that looks right on me, and I don’t have the patience to put it on anyway.
That’s why I like the powder foundations because it takes like two seconds to put on and is really light – it really just evens skin tone.
(I owe you an e-mail, expect it by COB today).
I’d say 95% of the days I wear no make-up to work.
The days I do, I put a cream foundation under my eyes and on the sort of birthmark I have on my forehead (the T-zone area) and then powder foundation elsewhere. Then I put a light peach blush on with a bit of toner on my jaw bone. I put on usually a purplish hue of eye shadow, or sometimes just a cream or white, I use my Covergirl Exact Eyelights mascara for hazel eyes and then a light pink lipstick that has usually worn off before I finish my morning coffee.
I’m very fancy. :-P
I think it may be more useful to discuss WHY we’re wearing certain kinds of makeup rather than just WHAT we’re wearing.
My makeup goals for work:
* Even, clear skin (a light foundation and powder to prevent shine)
* Looking alert (mascara & eyeliner, sometimes highlighter and concealer depending on my sleep the night before, and I think blush serves this function as well)
* Draw attention to my eyes (I’m up here, and there’s a brain back there)
To that end, I keep my everyday lip quite neutral, often with just chapstick. But if my goal for the day is to look extremely polished, I might add a flattering (but not aggressive) lipstick.
Sunscreen as a base, concealer under my eyes blush (Benetint), curl my eyelashes, and some lip gloss. Sometimes I line under my eyes with a gold/tan crayon. I wish I was more like Crimson Clover sometimes and could do more with make-up, but I’m not very skilled and usually end up looking worse.
varies. today i have eye shadow, mascara, eye pencil, brow pencil, concealer and bare minerals on. often times I skip the eye shadow and mascara. I have acne scars on my chin and imperfect skin.
I don’t wear any makeup to work. I think that’s the norm in the New England area.
If I’m going out, I’ll wear a little lip gloss. Yesterday I went to a cocktail party and wore gold lip gloss with my tan.
Oops I’m in moderation for coc*tail.
I don’t wear any makeup to work. I think that’s the norm in the New England area.
If I’m going out, I’ll wear a little lip gloss. Yesterday I went to a coc*tail party and wore gold lip gloss with my tan.
Daily, to work, I wear foundation, concealer, mascara, a little pale neutral eyeshadow, and blush. To me, I feel my best and feel like I look my best when wearing this.
Of course, my husband thinks I look “better” or “the same” with no makeup on, and while I appreciate his opinion, I wear makeup for myself.
Concealer, foundation, blush, eyeliner, lipstick. Often eyeshadow and mascara as well. The thing is, I have a pretty light hand with all of the above – I bet a lot of people I work with would never ID me as very madeup (if they ever thought about my makeup). I do like an occasional bright lip though.
I have extremely fair, oily skin, dark hair, and strong features. It’s a hard face to make up because there’s a lot, visually, going on already. I have really long dark eyelashes, and mascara just tends to wind up making me look like a raccoon. Everything else the oil wicks away (perhaps to deposit it in a crease or wrinkle).
So:
Mineral veil in SPF so as to decrease the oil and have sunscreen
Colored Burt’s Bees chapstick thingie
I grew up in NJ in the 80s and we tend to be either preppy or Tammy Faye’s northern cousin, so I went with the safer look. Also, see, Working Girl.
I have rosacea so my skin always looks like it has a blush to it, so I never wear blush. I found that the less I wear, the better. So I stopped wearing any kind of foundation, powder, or blush years ago, and I only wear a bit of eyeliner, maybe some eye shadow, every day. However I am religious about keeping my eyebrows groomed, which I think goes a long way, and I can skip makeup altogether if my eyebrows and hair look nice.
Daily I wear loose powder, eyeliner, blush and a bit of eyeshadow. Whenever I have a big presentation or a court appearance (typically in our state supreme court) I add BB cream and eyeliner and more eyeshadow. This is kind of dumb, but I get nervous for oral argument and sort of treat it like I am acting or something and so putting on my suit (costume) and adding more make-up makes me feel more confident.
This! For me, makeup is part of my “court day costume”
Daily for work, I wear moisturizer, foundation, translucent powder, blush, bronzing powder, eye shadow & eyeliner. It takes about 5 minutes to put on from start to finish, in part because I know exactly where everything is and what to do. When I didn’t wear makeup regularly, it took a lot longer to apply when I did wear it.
On the very hottest days of the year, when I know I will sweat off foundation as soon as I step out the door, I don’t bother with it, but I do find I have to reapply powder multiple times each day.
I didn’t used to wear makeup to work regularly, but I developed what is sometimes referred to as a red butterfly on my face a few years ago. The body is on my nose, with wings spreading out over my cheeks. The wings are raised up, like it is trying to escape my face. Covering it with foundation is the only way not to have people staring at me, trying to figure out what is wrong with my face. If I wear foundation, I have to wear powder to control shine and blush to carve out cheekbones.
I always wear a little eyeshadow and eye liner. I use concealer on the discolored bits on. I am getting better about remembering to put on some lipstick. I rarely wear mascara because I got sick of it ending up places I did not put it and my eyes drying out. I do curl my lashes pretty faithfully.
I look forward to the day when I can defiantly stop wearing all of it.
CC cream or concealer/foundation and lipstick. Sometimes I’ll wear NARS highlighter. I wear big nerdy glasses so I generally don’t do eye makeup — not worth the effort.
Daily, I just do the Smashbox primer, some type of very sheer tinted moisturizer foundation, (I’ve been using Laura Mercier and Smashbox “Camera Ready”) and light powder. I curl my eyelashes but no mascara because I tend to rub my eyes. Usually a very light neutral eyeshadow. Concealer if I’m breaking out.
If I’m being lazy I just do primer and the smashbox pressed powder. For lips I just do Burt’s Bees chapstick.
My goal is just to look awake and neutral! For “big events” I’ll do eyeliner and a “full face,” but that’s a rare occasion.
I used to do foundation/concealer every day, but I’ve been having such good luck with my skin since adding a retinol serum to my routine that I haven’t really been wearing any makeup at all to work for about a year now. From what I can tell, almost none of the women in my department wear makeup either (unless they are so very good at invisible application). For interviews, big meetings or presentations, though, I’ll sometimes add a little lip gloss and blush. Generally, though, I don’t feel that much different with or without it so it’s not worth my time most days.
I don’t wear any make up. My skin isn’t perfect but I prefer not to spend time on this. The rare occasion I’ve worn make up, my SO thinks I look “good but different.” Also, I work in a mainly male office and have been asked more than once to explain why my two other woman coworkers paint up their faces for work. Of course I always say, “i think it looks good!”
Lipstick (an 8-hr gloss)
Eyeshadow
It’s funny how I assumed, until I read this thread, that that was the bare minimum that was acceptable in the corporate world. It seems that we all have our ‘bare minimum’, but it’s a different two or three things for each of us!
I think they should have added – how old are you and what make-up do you wear? I am in my late 40’s… I wear some concealer, sheer fondation, blush, maybe mascara and always lipstick that I reapply all day. (I would love a suggestion for a lip stain that works – all the cheap brands wear off just like lipstick)
I advise college students on how to present themselves professionally. I tell them… I want to see that you did something to yourself to get ready…. some students wear no make-up and throw their wet hair into a pony tail. I want your hair brushed and neat… I want to see that you have some groomed… if that means some mascara or lip gloss… just something to show you put forth an effort beyond your clothes. Do you ladies… agree or disagree?
I have totally judged women on their makeup but that’s usually when they also are sporting a bitchy attitude.
Absolutely agree.
Reading through this thread, I keep thinking of a few of my female collegues who are fairly butch/androgynous. They don’t wear makeup, but their clothing is professional and their hair is impeccably well-groomed. I think that meets your criteria.
Also an INTJ here. I do transactional tax work in DC. Some of my peers really hate conflict and actually hate aggressive women. I thought it was just a DC thing, where the “making the men comfortable” job requirement can be huge. But I have heard that it is just a litigator personality vs. a transactional personality issue. Anyone else have this issue?
I wear BB cream, brow pencil, dark brown mascara, bronzer, blush daily. I am very fair with blond lashes, lighter brows, with some rosacea. The BB cream evens out my complexion, the eye makeup and bronzer/blush keeps me from disappearing. When I was in my twenties, I wore no makeup at all. I have joked that as the estrogen has been sapping from my body, I just feel better with my new routine. I do not know how to do professional eyes, but would welcome tutorials and resources.
Also, DC women seem to wear a lot more makeup than those in Chicago. I blame all of DC’s former pageant queens, debutantes, and sorority girls. Is wearing a lot more makeup a Southern thing?
It might be, but DC is NOT the South.
Technically, it is.
Is it as traditionally Southern as Alabama or Georgia? No. But DC does fall into the boundaries of the South.
I wear no makeup on a daily basis to work unless I really feel like I need a boost (court, meetings). Then I wear foundation, under eye concealer, neutral eyeshadow and minimal liner, clear mascara. I have really rosy cheeks and unless I want to layer on the makeup pretty heavy and re-apply occasionally, I can’t fix them, no matter how hard I try, so a couple years ago, I just gave up. I also really hate putting it on in the morning, even if it only takes 5 minutes.
Biglaw west coast firm, ~ age 30. I often wonder if it’s unprofessional, but I’m not sure what else to do. I just hate the way my face feels when I have to wear makeup the entire day. And rarely do I see women around me who have for-work makeup looks that I like. Seeing the range of approaches posted today has been really interesting.
This has been a fun read and I’m sad I’m so late to the party. But daily I wear:
SPF/moisturizer mixed with a dab of Stila one-step bronzer (got it in a Birchbox and loved it)
Translucent powder
Mascara 80-90% of the time
Eyeliner about half the time
– Makeup Forever HD foundation brushed onto my nose, chin, and the dark blue parts of my eye sockets (mmm, attractive eye sockets)
– Nars Orgasm stick on my cheekbones
– “natural” eyeshadow… Nars Orgasm stick when I’m in a rush
– blended blue or brown eyeliner on the outer corners of my upper eyelids
– eyebrow power
– black mascara
– one of the ever-revolving collection of lipsticks, stains and glosses that I carry around in my purse
*silently envying those who don’t “need” foundation*
*clutches HD foundation to chest*
As a young college prof, I wear makeup on the days I teach (and hold office hours). It doesn’t make me look older, really, but I look more polished, which does wonders in the classroom.
Teaching days: Primer, TM, concealer, MAC mineralize skin finish, mascara, chapstick/gloss (whichever is in my bag)
Feeling jazzy? I’ll add eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, and fill in the brows
Low Key/Weekend/running late: concealer, MAC skin finish, mascara, chapstick/gloss
To each his or her own. Though I do hate to see lipstick stains on teeth. I tell people when I see it…surprisingly I’ve gotten a few eye rolls and “who cares.”
I wear minimal makeup on a daily basis (usually just lipstick/lip gloss). If I do wear makeup, it’s to cover up spots or because I have a networking event. That means I wear: tinted moisturizer, concealer, and lipstick.
I don’t know how to put eye…stuff and blush on. I am inept when it comes to most makeup.
You guys!
I used to have some freckles, but then kind of grew out of them. I’m 32.
I got some sun the last few weekends – and guess what! I found some faint freckles on the tops of my cheeks! I’m so happy to have them back. I’m not wearing makeup there all summer. :)
Wait until the age spots appear. They start to look like freckles, but they’re on odd spots for freckles. Fun stuff, and I’m only 42!
I’m another one of those people with essentially nonexistent eyebrows, and I recently got permanent eyebrow tattoos, and it’s the best beauty decision I’ve ever made. Now my workday makeup routine is a little foundation, lipstick, mascara, and blush. Penciling in my eyebrows was always at least as time consuming as all of those other things put together, and it yielded varying results and looked tired by the end of the day. On weekends I just wear a bare face and lipstick. The blush that I add for workdays makes me look (or at least feel) more sophisticated and less wan. I can’t recommend the eyebrow tattoos highly enough.
I wear foundation (bare minerals) everyday b/c I have really bad melasma (big brown blotches) that are pretty noticeable since I am quite pale. Even that does not entirely cover up the problem, especially on my lip and cheeks. Are there other ladies out there with this problem. My doctor thinks it is a side effect of my birth control. Does anyone have any OTC recommendations for this type of discoloration? The prescription stuff can only be used for one month, which makes me question whether I should even be using it at all.
Have you tried Strivectin? Its the best thing I’ve used so far to even out my complexion some. I’m also thinking about trying that in-office laser treatment…
BB Cream or tinted moisturizer, pressed powder, masacara.
I’m not a lawyer, just a professional but I never go to work (except for the occasional unscheduled Saturday – if I’m scheduled, then it’s as if it’s M-F for me) without makeup. I wear Bare Minerals, blush, and mineral veil, lip gloss or lipstick. Some days I’ll wear eye liner, mascara, and occasionally eyeshadow depending on what my day is. I’m almost always in a suit (except for Saturdays), and most of the time in a skirt or dress suit with heels.
Most people don’t realize I’m wearing makeup when I wear BM. I keep spare in my desk drawer for touch-ups, and one day last month I was in a hurry and decided to do my makeup at the office – everyone thought I wasn’t feeling well. I have great skin, but there’s something about the polish of just mineral “foundation” and a little blush that makes me look put together.
It literally takes me 2 minutes to do my makeup in the morning. I think that women who don’t wear makeup for the most part don’t look as professional as those who do. But to me, the way I dress (and makeup is part of that) puts me in the frame of mind that I’m an executive, I’m here to do my job, and I do it well. It’s almost like putting on a costume.
Most days I can go to work in jeans and a cute top and I wear sunscreen, foundation, blush, eyeshadow and mascara. When I have to wear a suit, I feel more polished and dressed up with a full face. Maybe it is my idea of how women should look in a suit based on models from the 60’s or 80’s. Anyway, I will wear eyeliner with my eyeshadow, eyebrow pencil, and lipstick.
Can I add something? Whether or not you choose to wear make-up is totally your choice. What you should wear everyday without debate is sunscreen. Please please…if you have to choose just one thing to put on your face each day, please make it sunscreen. Its for your skin’s health. Your skin will thank you.
Bobbi brown pressed powder foundation topped up with her loose powder
Powder blush on most days
Lippie
Powder shadow on brows
Eyeliner on some days