Guest Blogger I’m definitely not a make-up-nista. I only wear makeup to work on occasion and when I do its usually just concealer and lip gloss unless I’m going out after work. Otherwise, I only wear make-up when I’m going out or for special occasions. But, I’ve always read in magazines that women should wear makeup to work as it makes us look more professional.
Editor-in-chief of Elle magazine, Robbie Myers, is shattering the notion that women should wear makeup to work.
She says, “Here’s the problem with makeup at work, and I tell this to people in my office: if you start wearing makeup when you’re young, you’re going to be wedded to it. You get used to seeing your face that way and then you feel naked without it.”
I have to agree with her on this statement in general.
Personally, I know women who started wearing makeup as teenagers and now they refuse to leave the house without it. From admittance or observation, they were so insecure about anyone, even their boyfriends, seeing them without makeup. This was because they felt “ugly” without it.
I understand what Ms. Myers is trying to say, but I don’t think it should be relegated to work exclusively.
I think it’s just a rule in general.
Yes, anyone can look better with a little bit of makeup.
A little. Not caked on.
I think I look much more fierce with makeup on, BUT I know I’m still beautiful without it.
There’s nothing wrong with wearing a little makeup if you want. Get your life!
But the issue is when it becomes a crutch. This can mess with your self-esteem and when you think you are hideous and not worthy of being seen without it.
Now, that speaks to a deeper issue.
I say wear makeup to work if you want or don’t. That shouldn’t affect your performance. But, do keep it classy and subtle during work hours. The nightclub makeup at work is not cute. But, most importantly, be OKAY with yourself and how you look with AND without it.
Read the full story here
Do you wear makeup to work? Are you a slave to makeup or are you au naturale? Love to hear your thoughts!
Depends on the redness of my skin (rosacea) and where I have to go. To building sites (about 90% of workweek), not always, when I have to go to the office, always.
whatever you feel like doing, just dont go overboard
I’m a makeup artist and I don’t wear makeup to work every day to my full time job and I have skin blemishes and I don’t have full eyebrows and I feel just as beautiful as when I beat my face.
I do just because my skin isn’t great. Very minimalist just a lil foundation blush and maybe gloss or mascara.
I do. It makes me feel better
I do anything from simple to full face every day at work. Sometimes it helps me bond with my teen girls–we talk highlight, brows, etc.
I’ve worked in many industries, for non-profits and for-profits, for men, for women, and I can honestly say, it doesn’t matter to anyone. What matters in business (perhaps not all but most) is the contributions you bring to that business. Results matter. Makeup shouldn’t. If makeup brings you confidence, wear it like armor. If being fresh-faced is your thing, be bold in it. Let your WORK speak for you, not your lip gloss.
Precisely. I have never had any sense that I should or must wear makeup in work. I do so because I want to but its as natural as I can get it.
Do whatever makes you happy.
I worked in a diesel garage/towing company a very dirty environment and wearing make up and lot of hair product just made matters worse. So just tinted lip gloss & masscara.
It’s extremely rare if I ever wear makeup at all because I just don’t care, but I agree with Gorenc and the author about not going crazy with it if you’re gonna do it.
its very perfect to wear makeup to work. i do it everyday, when am on morning shift or night call. i enjoy it
If you want to…yes. If you don’t want to…no. It’s all part of maintaining bodily autonomy. It’s your choice. I know in some areas it’s an expectation and in some work environments almost a condition of employment but like anything else you have the right of choice and it’s up to you.
I only wear eyeliner to work.
I wear makeup to work but I do work with some ladies who don’t – I need concealer under my eyes especially and the rest of my makeup is fairly light on. I think I look better wearing makeup to work and as I’m representing my workplace, I like to look presentable. But, to each their own – if you can rock no makeup at work and look awesome, then more power to you ðâ¤ï¸ðâ¤ï¸
Personal preference on any given day.
I am not giving up my makeup. No way. No how.
Personal preference. I don’t wear it at all unless its a special occasion so i can’t tell someone else not to do what makes them feel beautiful
Same here.
I am far too lazy to put on makeup every day. I can barely make it to work on time as is anyway.
My dilemma exactly!
Do whatever the hell you want, I say. And don’t we have better things to talk about?
That’s 15 minutes I could be sleeping instead. 😀 Only on special occasions. But I don’t care what anyone else does. I don’t think it should be *expected*, though.
Nope. Not because i dont want to. I would sweat it off within the first 10 minutes or wipe my eyes and have racoon eyes.
I don’t cuz I wake up with enough time to shower, make coffee and throw clothes on
I have to wear make-up to work. It’s in my job description. LOL (I’m a cosmetician and make-up artist.) But even when I didn’t have to wear it, I did. If I worked in an office, I’d still wear, though likely less dramatic than I do at my current job. But it’s my personal style and choice, so I respect that it’s not for everyone.
No. I get up early enough as it is.
It’s a personal choice. I have varied degrees from my everyday work face, to very little on the weekend and full glam for special occasions.
Interesting. Work is somewhere I think you should wear make up–putting your best face forward and all that. I have been asked if I am ill or told I look tired when I don’t wear it, and though I find that enormously frustrating, I certainly don’t want to look ill! I have a job that involves interaction with the public, and I want to feel like I am making an effort. Not sure about the teenage thing…I did not wear lots of makeup as a kid. My skin is quite blotchy and that isn’t pretty, plus I have small eyes. I feel like I am doing the world a favor by trying to improve this mess!
I love wearing makeup. I’m not a particularly creative person but makeup is where I like to experiment. It’s not for everybody and no one should be made to feel as though they should be wearing it, but I enjoy cosmetics and getting dressed up for work.
Personal preference, but too much makeup for work I think is a thing.
I am a hairstylist, being in the beauty industry I kind of have to. Some days I wear less when I’m in a time pinch, some of my co workers don’t wear much more than mascara but I pretty much choose to wear a full face daily.
I wear makeup to work whenever I can. It makes you look very professional and put together.
Yes I always wear makeup to work but keep it neutral and toned down.
To wear make up to work, I’d have to give up sleep. NOT happening.
I used to wear makeup to work until I got a job managing a warehouse that doesn’t have air conditioning. One day I decided to stop wasting my money and quit wearing it because I was just sweating it all off.
If you like makeup, wear it. If it gives you confidence, wear it.
If you don’t like it, don’t wear it.
Why is this even up for debate? Why are women still telling other women what they should and shouldn’t do?
So more enlightened women can tell us what we should or shouldn’t debate about ð
For me, yes! Not overdone and a natural look…
I can’t be bothered tbh. My patients wont care and I can sleep longer. I was mistaken for 19 yesterday anyway and I am 37. I don’t need makeup to mess with people ð
I barely wear make up. But for an important meeting with other partners I go for nude lipstick, mascara, eye liner and nude powder. In regular days just got the mascara and gloss on ð
I am a registered nurse and I usually wear makeup to work because I like to look polished and pulled together but I rarely wear makeup on my off days.
Do whatever you want. The end.
Haahahahahahahahahahaha! Worry about yourself.
love this clip. she’s too funny.
I work from home so I don’t bother unless I am going out to meet clients. Tinted BB cream, mascara and red lippie are all you need!
That’s my go to look, but I will fill in my brows to be more polished
i know that i am treated better, listened to more, and complemented more when i wear make up. i usually don’t wear make-up, but i have noticed a very stark difference between how i am treated when i do wear it versus when i don’t. makeup is basically a signal of obeisance to patriarchy, so women who wear it are seen as more respectable than women who don’t in a patriarchal society.
Why does it matter ð? Does EVERYTHING HAVE to be an issue these daysð ??
ikr?
Do what you want. For myself, I believe it depends on what job I have. No way in hell am I wearing makeup at my current job. A cleaner . ill just sweat it all off xD
I can’t think of a reason either way other than personal preference and workplace dress code. I’ve worked at places that say excessive makeup is a dress code violation. But I’very never seen it enforced.
oh that is such a wide range of what people think make up is — for me it’s very limited … even when going all out some claim you can barely see I have any on ….. but others it means heavy colors. I think make up like clothing is part of our personalities and that I believe is part of why you are often interviewed more then one time — so I would go with doing what you feel is right and more then likely it will be right for work too — because they hired you 🙂
I like wearing makeup to work. It’s something that helps me get psyched up for the day. ððð ðð
I wear bronzer, mascara and blusher for work and that’s my go-to every day makeup. I love dramatic makeup for when I’m going out, but I’m equally as happy without a scrap on, and I certainly don’t worry about people seeing me without it!
Depends on the workplace, and whether or not it’ll keep all day. I can’t find mascara that won’t make me look like a freaking raccoon, ending up under my eyes. So, for me – it depends on how often you can check your makeup, how hot it is, etc.
I love to wear make up and be creative but I’m not wasting my make up at work. I’m a cook, I sweat over a grill all day long. So yeah.. no. â¡
I NEVER wore makeup to work. As a barmaid, or when I worked in an office.
Both. Whatever. You do you.
Whatever I feel like… I usually wear at least concealer but sometimes a full face… I don’t need other people’s commentary however. A few weeks ago I got “omg you are wearing makeup today!” from a coworker. Ugh.
I wear makeup when I want. I am 100% secure in who I am with or without make up. I am beautiful. Make does not make me more or less beautiful, just like what I wear does not. I use it as an accessory.
Do what you want, of course! I wear makeup every day and have fun with it.
Should be ones personal choice to wear make up. Part of my job is selling make up so I wear it to work. I feel it makes me look more professional.
It depends on the job, as a teacher, no I dont wear make up. As a retail sales associate I do.
I wear 50% of the time depending on weather ð
Skip it.
Why is this a question? Let people do their thing, geez
Do what makes you feel good. And mind your own business about others.
Either way, I’m fine… I know that as an interpreter, I prefer to keep my courtroom makeup light and simple, but I will never try and dictate anyone else’s look.
Do whatever makes you happy and don’t believe wat anyone else thinks – case closed
Whatever makes you happy! I like wearing makeup and so I do. My best work friend doesn’t wear makeup. It’s really no big deal either way.