"Makeup makes women appear more confident"--should I bother with it? - YouLookFab Forum

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"Makeup makes women appear more confident"--should I bother with it?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

As you know I rarely wear makeup or do anything with my hair. I'm so busy trying to get dressed and out the door that I never think about hair and makeup. But I recently saw an article about a study that showed that wearing makeup makes you seem more professional and competent to others. They showed pictures of women in various levels of makeup (bare faced, natural, professional and glamorous). The ones with makeup were judged as being more confident and competent, even with the heavier "glamorous" makeup (although apparently the "glamourous" women are rated as slightly less trustworthy, LOL).
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10.....study.html

I know Angie has suggested makeup to me before. So I thought I'd give makeup a try today. I dug up a makeup set that I got at Nordstrom for Christmas but hadn't really used yet.

Here are my pics with different levels of makeup (ignore the wet hair):
1. Bare--washed with Olay exfoliator brush (like Clarisonic)--that was new for me! With foundation on but no makeup. This is already more than I typically do!
2. Natural--with Clinique Black Honey sheer lipstick
3/4. Professional--with eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, blush, and powder. This felt pretty heavily made up to me looking in the mirror, but the pictures make it look less bright/made up.
5-6. My outfit and how the makeup looked at a distance.
7. Levels of makeup used in the study--bare, natural, professional, glamorous

I have to admit that I don't know if I want to bother with makeup. It takes extra time to get ready in the morning (and I'm usually running late as it is), plus it needs re-application several times in the day so that's more time spent. And today I went to the restroom and discovered my mascara was all smudged (I'm not used to wearing it and I sometimes rub my eyes) and I had raccoon eyes. And the lipstick needed to be reapplied multiple times. So it's a lot of fussing!

So my question is--should I bother with makeup? Is it worth it? I've usually done no makeup or just a swipe of the sheer lipstick. My eyes are hidden behind specs--does it even matter if I wear eye makeup? Should I be going for full makeup every day at work? Do I look more professional, competent and confident in #3/4 as opposed to #1/2? I have to admit I do think #3/4 looks nicer. But are there any ways to cut down on the time spent applying and reapplying makeup?

And do you all wear makeup at work?

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Dressing

52 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Elly

Veteran

I wear makeup--- if I had perfect skin and no dark circles like I did in my teens, I probably wouldn't bother since I have naturally very dark eyelashes and brows and fairly pink lips, which all add definition to my features without makeup.

I wear makeup because I don't like to look in the mirror during my day and see a angry red pimple or dark circles/tired eyes looking back at me or at anyone else I interact with. For me wearing at least concealer is kinda like having well-kept hair or clothes, it is a way of showing respect and professionalism on the job, which is important in the particular community I often interact with. I don't wear much beyond concealer or foundation on most days, but find the difference for me is even more subtle than on you unless I go for a much more made up look.

I deal with chronic illness that I try to keep separate from my professional life. I got tired of trying to explain why I looked poorly without sharing things about my illness that could potentially be damaging to my career with co-workers. I often got asked if I had the flu, had been out late partying, or one particularly odd employer insisted that I was obviously being abused---- she thought my dark circles were bruises on more than one occasion! Having a little makeup on keeps the focus on my ideas rather than on my sometimes greyish pallor, flushing, dark circles, ect.

I think you have beautiful skin and features. I do like you with a little makeup but realize it can be a pain. The more you apply it the faster it gets (I can do a full face in 3 minutes, no reapplication except lipstick). The right products and formulations go a long way. You have to decide if the mileage is enough for you. You may find that since you have dark lashes, mascara is just a pain and you prefer to spend those 30 seconds doing brow powder instead.

I think if you decide to do makeup I would stick to a light foundation or just concealer with a little powder, brow powder, and light blush---- no touch ups, no fussing with eye products which are the hardest to use and most likely to end up all over your face. Once you practice a bit the black honey will go on without a mirror and you could literally put it on like chapstick. Even just concealer, brows, and lipstick would make a big impact.

Either way you are beautiful and look very nice. A bit of makeup would bring the polish level up to match your outfits, but it isn't the end of the world to chose not to do so.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Well, I guess it depends on whether or not you think that makeup makes you *in particular* look more professional, and whether or not you feel comfortable wearing it. I would agree that makeup does look more professional in a business environment, like a law office, say. But everyone is different. I have a friend with flawless skin and naturally dark lashes, who really does look great without makeup, but she's the exception. Most of us look better with at least a little -- blush, mascara, a touch of lip colour, that sort of thing. From your picture, you appear to have lovely, even skin, so I don't think you "need" (for lack of a better word) much face makeup.

If I worked in an office (I do not), I would wear a touch of foundation to even out my unwanted red areas, some undereye concealer, a light application of eyeliner, mascara, blush and lipstick. As it is, I lead a casual lifestyle, so most days I skip the undereye concealer and the eyeliner. I usually wear, at the very least, the foundation and blush. Maybe five days out of seven I also wear lipstick and mascara. (I find that if you wear mascara often, you learn not to rub your eyes!). But that's just because I like the way I look with a bit of makeup, and it's my longstanding morning routine. Also, I have fair skin and gingery eyelashes, so even a light application of mascara makes a big difference in how much my eyes show up. And the blush just makes me look healthier.

Even if I do the "full works", including liner, eyeshadow and eyebrow pencil, it still only takes about ten minutes. My usual makeup routine -- blush, foundation, mascara, lipstick -- takes maybe five minutes. Not long. I think you get faster the more often you apply it. And the only think I ever seem to need to reapply is my lipstick -- they eye makeup stays put.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

You look beautiful to me in both the natural and professional pictures of yourself. I think the lip gloss adds instant color to your look (if you're in a hurry). The full-on treatment in your pictures 3 and 4 does not look heavily made up! You would have to wear a lot more make up to look heavily made up. You look really nice in those pictures too.

I do wear eye make up to work (pencil and mascara) and I put on lip gloss (Burts Bees) when I remember to. I don't wear a lot of make up but I usually wear some make up if I'm leaving the house.

As for the study, I personally don't think that women who wear make up necessarily look more confident. If anything, women who don't wear make up look more confident! Their lack of make up says they might have a stronger internal sense of self, so they care less what others think of them. That spells confidence to me.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Hell, Natalie, if I looked like you do bare-faced, I wouldn't need make-up to boost my confidence. Sorry for rushed reply, but short answer is: ONLY if it DOES make you feel more confident!

Kiwichik

Veteran

Hmm I'm actually having trouble detecting anything but the lipstick which makes me think with your skin & clearly defined brows lashes & lips you don't need to do a lot except maybe lippy or loss.

When I was young I used to wear full makeup every day but now stick with roll on foundation on nose (to cover redness) & lips as a base for lipstick plus cheek tint. I hate wearing mascara cos like you I always forget & rub my eyes.

christieanne

Veteran

I do feel more confident with makeup but have been wearing it for so long that it's a habit and just feels like me. I actually think I look better with just a very light foundation and some concealer and correcting dark circles. A little blush (I like a stain but it's harder to work with but lasts all day) and powder. I do curl my lashes and wear mascara and usually a little liner even if nothing else. Some days I will do errands and things with just sunscreen, powder and a little blush (I am pale).
I have a ton of lip stuff but am so bad about reapplying. The easiest thing for me is to carry a tinted lipbalm in my pocket and slick that on (Dr. Pepper Lipsmacker - the perfect red) occasionally.

I think a little can go a long way but too much just looks like a crutch. But some women can rock the really made up eye so....your mileage may vary?

I do remember seeing my very busy and somewhat stern (I didn't think so but the staff at hospital whispered about her reputation a lot) orthopedic surgeon one day when she was wearing not more than a coat of pretty lipstick. I thought she looked more relaxed but the fact that she took that minute to put it on meant she was slowing down enough to care how she presented herself (and maybe to perk herself up!). I did notice right away.

Keep it simple. The Clinique Black Honey is one of my favorite classics but it is a thin, sheer lip balm-y formula so won't last. You might want to check out a stain or long wearing lip formula. YSL and Chanel have great ones but also at drugstore you can find Revlon or Maybelline.

Anonymous

Echoing others, you don't need much to look done. Your complexion is beautiful, that means that you can leave the correcting aspect out, which is what takes the most time, IMO, and just do a simple concealer for dark circles ( if you have them), a little blush, a pressed powder ( Like a BM Mineral Veil) and lip gloss or lip stain. You can up the polish level by grooming your brows - you can even do it professionally, it does make a difference. If you don't want to wear mascara, you can do a clear mascara that will give you definition but will not run, since is clear.

I no longer wear foundation but for my "everyday face" I do concealer, eye liner, nude eyeshadow, mascara, and lipgloss or lipstain. I do use a bit of mineral veil, to matify some areas, from time to time. I do have very mild rosacea, so my face has a pinkish tone in the areas I would normally put blush. Often times I can skip the blush, as a result.

Anonymous

I personally think numbers 3 and 4 are beautiful. I would definitely recommend wearing makeup. Now, having said that. I find I agree with the article you read. I seem to carry myself differently when I wear makeup. I appear more finished.

Yet, I too struggle with the time and effort it takes to put it on in the morning. I seem to have the hardest time with the mascara. It takes so many coats to make my lashes visible and I just don't seem to have the time. I now carry my makeup in my bag and put it on in the office after I get to work. That helps a little.

Oh, and I never wear makeup outside of work. I just don't bother at all.

Final note: having seen your post I am going to make a more concert effort to wear makeup in the work place.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I think your "professional" level routine can be condensed to 1-2 minutes. In the past you have said that patients often mistake you as much younger, ask you if you're old enough to be a doctor and sometimes do not feel confident with you. In your case, I think it is worth the extra 1-2 minutes of effort to look more polished and professional.

I have a Trish McEvoy kit. The kit organizes your make up into one very compact bag in the order that you put everything on. Just having it organized and and in order makes a huge difference for me when I am in a hurry.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Makeup is an industry.

It is expensive, it can be time consuming. It takes time and effort to discover what brand/colours/shades/textures work the best with your skin. And it's never 100% perfect.
If men had to do it, I bet there would be better solutions.

It's also a false impression of control, IMO. While you control a little bit what you project visually to others, do you nevertheless control situations? No. Not any more than sans makeup. But it gives you the false impression that you do.

This said, makeup will affect how others perceive you.

In the study, an author says, “The quality of my teaching shouldn’t depend on the color of my lipstick or whether I’ve got mascara on.” But unfortunately for her, and for us, it does.

Here is what I learned:

1) Shaped, clean brows will frame your face. It's more important than one thinks. I get my done professionally and from time to time have them died. I have very sparse, shapeless blond brows naturally. After that I can go a month without doing anything to them and look more pulled together right away.

2) Moisturiser, primer, concealer, powder. Lots of steps now but better products. You don't have to do all this. But some primers are so performing nowadays that they can act as foundation. Especially on your flawless, glowing skin. Strategical use of concealer also allow to skip foundation.

3) Hairstyle... will do A LOT to "reveal" eyes, frame face, "lift" jaw line, etc. Yes, I do have to go back every 6 weeks, but in between I don't need to do much to look right. Because my cut is always relatively fresh, I pretty much let it air dry or give it a quick blow dry and voilà. . If I let it grow too much then I find I spend more and more time in the bathroom fussing over it and using all sorts of products.

4) Curling the lashes does a lot. But in my case, I also have to put mascara on them, otherwise you can't see them. However sometimes just an eyelash treatment will be enough.

5) Yes, even with specs, eye makeup does make a difference, if only mascara. An encapsulating mascara such as Kiss Me or d.j.v. Beautenizer: it's the best recent invention for eyes! You apply it like mascara. When you wear it, it doesn't feel as heavy as mascara. And to remove it, just use water! The encapsulating microscopic "tubes" will slide off your lashes. No sting. No smudge. EVER! It cannot smudge. If abuse happens to them, the little tubes might start to slide off, no mess.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Natalie you are lucky to look great both ways. I would never leave my house without at least mascara and these days some kind of tinted moisturizer or foundation. For work it is foundation (BE), blush, mineral veil, eye liner and mascara and lipstick and/or gloss (reapplied throughout the day). I feel naked without it and my eyes look like I'm sick without any mascara. I think you should get your eyebrows shaped and when you feel you want to be more polished a little mascara and the black honey lip gloss goes a long way to making you look more professional especially as a doctor. I think there are special ways to make makeup look best behind glasses. I wouldn't add an enslaving routine to your already busy life, but give it a try and see how it makes you feel. If you end up not feeling any better then you haven't over committed to products and have some for special occasions.

Sona

Veteran

Natalie: my husband and I also read this article which was also featured in the WSJ. He made the comment that all the women showed in 1/2- natural/minimal make up appeared tired looking. He is always encouraging me to wear lip gloss at the least before I step out of the house. I usually apply serum and moisturizer but no makeup most days. I agree that 3/4 make you look healthier and somehow more put together? I plan on giving lip gloss and eyeliner at work a try in the coming weeks. Do you want to try the experiment together and report back in 2 weeks and then 4 weeks if we noticed any changes in how we were 'perceived' by coworkers or got comments?

teeandcee

I have to agree that makeup completes a woman's image if she's dressed (rather than shorts, flops, and a tee in the grocery store). I see it as the male equivalent of coming to work with ragged hair and unshaven. I see a lot of women out and about and dressed without any makeup on and it just looks odd to my eye, uncompleted, as if she keeps her head stored in a closet like a hat and tossed it on as she rushed out the door. Having said that, I'm guilty of it myself. No makeup that is, not keeping my head stored in the closet.

You have beautiful skin and features (I love your lips!) so I think you could easily get away with a super quick makeup routine. All the made up pics look great!

Comments on your being old enough to be a doctor may just be due to the age of your patients. As I've grown older all my docs look younger and younger and now I'm convinced I'm seeing high school students half the time.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Natalie, I think you have beautiful skin so don't need any foundation or powder. I do like the look with a bit of a clear gloss with color.

I am always in a rush too so I put a bit of a powder eyeliner, blush, and a bit of gloss. I used to wear mascara on the upper lashes but stopped a few months ago and just started again. I don't think it takes me any more than a minute or two for the make-up I wear.

I find eye liner can be a bit of a pain and the fastest, easiest, and most color options are available if I use a quality angle brush and eyeshadow instead of a pencil or liquid. I use MAC for both. With your coloring, a deep blue/grey would make your brown eyes pop without being too "out there". That's what I use. For blush, MAC has one called DAME that seems to work well with most skin tones and is soft enough to wear without being too obvious.

Just a touch of blush, eyeliner and gloss would add to the features in a manner similar to how accessories make a beautiful outfit even better.

Having said all that, I do think you look extremely pretty without any makeup so it is a personal choice.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I'm glad to hear someone else say they have raccoon eyes by the end of the day. This is why I never wear eye makeup.

I always wear lipstick and eyebrow pencil. That takes less than a minute. I often add concealer, powder, and blush. I think foundation is the most time-consuming part, and you have great skin.

Natalie, do you ever wear your hair up? That might be something else to try if you want to look older/more polished/more professional. I think of it as two birds with one stone - looks professional plus no one can tell if you haven't washed your hair in days.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think you have such beautiful skin and dark lashes you don't really need it. A nice lipgloss and maybe just a touch of blush can go a long way if you want to define some features. I do wear makeup but in a very natural way - many people assume I don't wear it.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I love all the responses I am reading! Natalie you have lovely skin so foundation doesn't seem to be too necessary. The pics 3-4 are just right makeup wise! I do wear a liitle makeup but since mine consists of tinted moisturizer, brow powder,eye liner, powder sunsunscreen, and lipstick. It takes 5 minutes tops to apply. If I don't do these steps and get to work, I get concerned comments about whether I got enough sleep the night before!

Makrame

Veteran

You look great in all pictures and it's hard to detect differences, although 3-4 look the most flawless and defined to me. However, for me personally I am not sure that "full makeup" is worth it. My mother never wore makeup so I only started trying it a few year ago and keep it minimal.

I am with Elly - for me, makeup is mostly great if I want to mask some signs of tiredness or skin flaws - that's why I find under eye concealer (I have a roll-on concealer that takes a couple of seconds to apply) and mineral concealer and foundation to be my best friends. I feel like slightly more even complexion, lack of dark circles and red spots does give me professional appearance. I also noticed that I like it when other women I work with wear a subtle lip gloss - it makes their faces look fresher to me, and I see the same effect in your pictures 3-4. So I started occasionally wearing lip gloss. However, my DH dislikes all makeup and will ask me "why did you put "stuff" on your lips" so not everyone's reaction is the same. He does not notice mineral makeup and concealer so I guess those look perfectly natural.

I find that for someone like me - work long hours, often cannot take a bathroom break "at will" because of an ongoing experiment, and have to use microscopes - makeup can be challenging because I cannot always check it throughout the day and if I wear it for very long time, my eyes start getting irritated, no matter what I wear. I don't know if your work situation is similar but I think it might be.

Isis

Veteran

Photos aren't the best way to judge makeup as almost everybody looks better with more makeup in photo's than in real life.

I would only wear makeup if it makes you feel better and more confident. The little bit of "a more confident look" that you might gain with makeup will be nothing compared to your competent and professional demeanor when you meet your patients in person!

I think you look great in all iterations.

I don't wear makeup (beyond chapstick and sunscreen) because I am always late running out the door, I touch my face during the day, rub my eyes, chew my lips, and drink a lot of water through the day. I'll wear some lip gloss and eye shadow for a party.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I firmly believe that a little extra "face polish" looks better on us all. Note the word *LITTLE*.

This does not mean eye shadow or foundation. It means healthy skin, groomed and highlighted brows, and a bit of mascara and lip treatment (even if it's just balm).

MsMary

Veteran

I agree with Rita that a little makeup would go a long way towards addressing your "my patients think I'm too young to be a doctor" issue. A completely bare face is a very young look and some makeup would add instant authority to your look. I wear foundation, blush, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, and lipstick. It takes a total of maybe two minutes in the morning and one lipstick touchup at lunchtime, and badda bing, badda boom, I'm good to go. It really doesn't have to be time-consuming at all once you get your routine established.

MNsara

Veteran

I need to go back and thoroughly read everyone's responses because there's always such great advice and experiences. . .

For now, I just wanted to add my makeup 'journey' and thoughts. I'm pretty minimalist and natural at heart.

In my 20's I had young skin. enough natural lip/cheek color, and enough lashes to define my eye without adding make-up. Makeup was reserved for special occasions.

In my 30's I started looking 'tired' if I didn't add mascara and I looked even better with a subtle bit of eyeliner (eyes were losing definition).

By my 40's, my lips were losing color too, and adding a soft lip color helped me look healthier. I also found Bare Escentuals and realized that not only did my skin look better with a 'dusting' but avoided more blemishes if I used it!

Now in my 50's I'm very willing to take the 3-4 minutes each morning to swipe on some power, lip color, and mascara and/or liner. I *think* I keep it very light and natural, but I DO feel much more confident knowing I don't look as tired and faded as I would otherwise

From your pics, the only one that I really noticed the difference was when you added the soft lip color. It is flattering and not attention getting. It simply complements you! Some of the other pics are probably too far away for me to make out the differences. . .

cciele

Veteran

You look great with or without makeup Natalie. But I agree with the fact the others' perceptions about professionalism and competence are affected by appearance -- in particular, polish--and that tends to reflect itself in makeup. You seem confident without makeup (good for you!), but again, it's the perception of others that you seem to want to address.

I'm echoing the others that you don't need a heavy hand -- just a light touch. Maybe a quick swipe of powder foundation or tinted moisturizer, groomed brows, blush if you feel you need color in the cheeks, and some tinted lip product. Should take less than 5 minutes!

Blue Skies

I am so glad you posted this. I don't wear makeup to work, but I had been thinking about it after seeing that article. As I work in a relatively casual office, I figured that because I made more of an effort with my clothes, that going without makeup wouldn't matter. In addition, my husband encourages me to go natural, I have some skin allergies, and I have concerns about the chemicals used in these products. I have clear skin, but it's not nearly as nice as your complexion. Now, after reading everyone's responses, I am wondering if I need to start wearing makeup again.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Everyone has an opinion!

I wear very little makeup. I do like eyeliner and eyeshadow and a bit of lippy, and on occasion blush. Honestly I stink at application so I go with things that are brainless to apply.

- Stila lipcolor
- urban decay eye pencils
- Face Stockholm eye creams
- Lorac cheek/lip stain

I find it hard to go wrong with these, so long as you pick the right colors. They tend to be subtle and just-enough.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I'm a proponent of polishing up one's appearance, mainly because it's a form of self-respect. However, when it comes to anything in the realm of fashion and beauty, I believe one should choose authenticity over kowtowing to convention.

If makeup makes you feel uncomfortable (itchy eyes, for instance) or annoyed because you constantly have to check on/reapply it, or rushed because you took a few more minutes in the morning getting ready than usual, or it makes your skin break out in cysts or some other allergic reaction--then why bother?

All of that will undermine any attempts at projecting confidence! Do your job well and throw about a bit of attitude if necessary.

On the other hand, I know wearing a nice jacket and a good pair of shoes automatically makes me feel ready to take on an army of co-workers and clients almost as if I'm wearing armor. If makeup helps you get that extra little boost in confidence, then by all means wear it.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

My make-up for work is minimal. Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, blush, L'Oreal Double Extend mascara (it's a tube mascara and lasts through my 10 hour work days http://www.amazon.com/LOreal-P.....B001IAINFU ) and lip balm. Admittedly I wear scrubs and when I see someone with a full make-up in scrubs it looks a little weird for me.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm with MNSara - as the decades progress, so does the makeup application! In my 20's I almost never wore it except for 'going out' maybe 2 or 3 times a month. Then in my 30's mascara gradually became a daily routine. Now in my 40's my complexion is really taking a hit from the sun, between running, living in FL, and working outdoors. Blotchiness is the bane of my beauty routine. I now use a tinited moisturizer every day and sometimes add concealer and/or powder on top of that. I'm bad with lip tint, but agree it makes the biggest difference to one's face, especially from a distance.
So, in short, yes, I believe a little bit of polish is a good idea, as long as it's not irritating on your skin and it truly only takes a minute or two. If nothing else, I'd go for tinted lip balm or gloss.

Diana

Veteran

Honestly, I think you look good in all the photos. I think in general you have good skin and full lips, and you do not look tired without makeup. I could see that if someone had dark circles under their eyes, for example, a little makeup would help a lot.

I almost never wear makeup. I can't bear the feeling of foundation on my face so I don't even own any. (If I'm going somewhere fancy, I just use my regular moisturizer plus some tinted powder.) On occasion, I'll wear mascara (always waterproof! I have almost no bottom lashes so my top ones with mascara touch my face and make a mess if it's not super waterproof). I know i look better with eye makeup (I have pretty sparse eyelashes and smallish eyes that are enhanced a lot by eye makeup) but usually I can't be bothered. I wear lipstick on occasion but not regularly.

I also look very young. FWIW, I don't actually think that makeup makes me look older at all. I wore specs exclusively for many years because they make me look older though (now I just wear them because I like them). Short hair also made me look older, especially because I am very limited (because my hair is heavy) in the types of updos I can wear all day. (Now I'm finally at an age where I've stopped worrying about looking older, and I'm growing my hair longer.... because I really do like long hair).

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