https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:56:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025419 Wed, 08 May 2019 01:55:31 +0000 K.M. 2025419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I rarely wear makeup, and almost never to work. Maybe tinted lip gloss once in a blue moon. The few times I wore it to work, it was a "no-makeup makeup look." I don't stand out, but I work in academia and I see it all: students, faculty, and staff of all ages run the gamut from bare faces to fully madeup. I think this diversity is great. Everyone can feel comfortable in their skin in the way they most prefer.</div><div><br /></div><div>PS. One day I put on my "no makeup makeup look" and my husband joked that since I don't use makeup that often, when I do it is such a wow effect.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025417 Wed, 08 May 2019 01:48:46 +0000 Cindy L 2025417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I live in a big city, i hardly wear makeup at all (foundation, eye shadow) but i always wear lipstick.. so that my face lighten up and look more lively haha otherwise i just look like just got out of bed </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025318 Tue, 07 May 2019 17:41:35 +0000 Diana 2025318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear almost no makeup most days. &nbsp;The most I ever do is a swipe of lip gloss or a bit of mascara if I'm looking particularly tired that day. &nbsp;I work in an academic lab, with lots of younger people and it's very casual. &nbsp;Even women who wear makeup daily go for a very natural, understated look and the majority are like me and wear hardly anything. &nbsp;The few women who wear heavy foundation, bright lipstick, or similar really stand out and not necessarily in a good way. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025305 Tue, 07 May 2019 17:12:18 +0000 Helena 2025305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a bit like Angie - I wear natural-looking makeup everyday, regardless if I'm cleaning the house, sick, going to work, going out ... it just feels like part of getting dressed to me.&nbsp; Occasionally I'll wear a brighter lippie but usually a tinted balm does the job. When my son was born, I would put makeup no matter what else didn't get done - including, some days, a shower!&nbsp;The odd day I'll skip it if my eczema is bad and I want to slather layers of moisturizer all day, but that's about it, and that's rare.&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree that young people around here either seem to be fairly au naturel, or else full-on photo-ready makeup. I think it's such a shame when I see these beautiful young girls covering every inch of their skin with foundations, contours, and all - but I try to restrain judgement as I'm sure my mom didn't love my 90s all-brown lipstick/eyeshadow/liner look back in the day either </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025232 Tue, 07 May 2019 14:01:53 +0000 Windchime 2025232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So interesting to read everyone’s responses! </p> <p>I actually wear less makeup than I did when I was younger. My eyebrows have thinned as I’ve gotten older, so I use an eyebrow pencil every morning and a light foundation/sunscreen blend. And that’s it. I would wear a bit of lipstick every day, but, like Momo, find it dries out my lips so save it for special occasions. The other staff in my workplace are very casual; I may possibly wear more makeup than any of them! The youngest is 29; I’m the oldest woman on staff, in my mid-50’s. </p> <p>I used to wear foundation, blush, eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025183 Tue, 07 May 2019 10:26:43 +0000 Momo 2025183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear makeup to work and sometimes not on weekends<br /> Lipstick for me is hopeless! I like it but I can’t keep it on my lips and I have never found one that doesn’t dry my lips out... but I keep trying! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025180 Tue, 07 May 2019 10:07:17 +0000 Mainelady 2025180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a bit of make up daily. With my lighter hair (and lightening eyebrows) I like the color and contrast that an eyebrow pencil, mascara and lip color give me. I almost always choose a bold lip color. I apply sunscreen and will sometimes mix a tinted moisturizer with it. I wear eye liner about 50% of the time. Without some makeup, I fear I might look colorless.<br /> On the weekends I sometimes skip the lip color.<br /> I don’t apply a full face of make up (foundation, blush, eye shadow) unless going to an event. DD is an aesthetician and will often do my make up for me.....what a treat and I never look overdone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025177 Tue, 07 May 2019 09:48:37 +0000 Grace 2025177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear make up almost every day. The only exceptions being when I do not leave the apartment complex that day, which is rare.</p> <p>I use foundation, blush, lipstick, eye shadow and brow pencil. With foundation I use a light to moderate amount. Lipstick to me is very essential. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025141 Tue, 07 May 2019 01:59:37 +0000 kellygirl 2025141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is fascinating. I’ve never really thought about it but I’ve always worn makeup unless I’m going running or to the gym at 4:30 in the am. Foundation, eyeshadow, liner, mascara—the works with a light hand for a natural look. Like Lisa, my ”soft” features need definition especially as I get older. I know a lot of younger people who don’t wear makeup to work but do for going out socially. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025110 Mon, 06 May 2019 22:46:45 +0000 Laurie 2025110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Being in sales and therefore in front of people a lot for work over the years, I always, always wear makeup in my professional life. But reading through this thread and reflecting, I admit that I actually almost always wear makeup if I am leaving my house! Other than 6:30 a.m. yoga, or when I used to seriously train for running and cycling, I will wear a little make up. For most of my life I wore eye shadow every day, as well as eyeliner, mascara and blush. Over the years I added foundation, then cut back to cc cream with sunscreen.&nbsp; I use a concealer under my eyes now, prior to the cc cream.&nbsp; I only wear serious eye shadow for evening in recent years. I do use a cream eye shadow that is almost skin tone, just to even out the veins that are visible. I recently discovered brow gel, and love it. I apply lipstick, but forget to reapply. It wears off so quickly.</p> <p>I think makeup, applied correctly, makes everyone look more polished. I used to watch What Not to Wear, and when they spun those ladies around after their hair and makeup session, they always looked so much better and put together.</p> <p>I am personally not a fan of the Instagram look, as someone so aptly put it, that many young women are into -especially the super defined heavy brows and fake lashes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025062 Mon, 06 May 2019 19:18:54 +0000 Toban 2025062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my 40s and I rarely wear make up. Occasional use of eyeliner, eyeshadow and brow defining powder, but rarely bother because of my glasses masking the effort. Sometimes mineral powder to conceal redness for official photos. I have rosacea and my skin is highly reactive. Almost never lipstick because I hate the search for one that I like. So, au naturel is my normal. The complete opposite of my mom who never leaves the house without half an hour applying make up. Perhaps my au naturel is a rebellion. I want to be wash and go, easy maintenance. Even my hair is wash, then finger comb leave in conditioner and go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025057 Mon, 06 May 2019 19:11:25 +0000 Angie 2025057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>....I don’t wear earrings :)</p> <p>Whatever floats your boat. It’s all good! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025049 Mon, 06 May 2019 18:53:46 +0000 Anonymous 2025049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, I totally relate. A bare face just seems unfinished-like being without earrings. Silly cause men do it all the time and look normal. Maybe men have more contrast, or broader features, or thicker brows (and often lashes -grrr)? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/3#post-2025044 Mon, 06 May 2019 18:31:13 +0000 JAileen 2025044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nemosmom, when I was in my 20s I worked with a woman who had been beauty queen. I distinctly remember studying her face across across a conference table during a meeting. Her makeup was designed to be seen from 20 or 30 feet away. The contouring was interesting to say the least. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2025040 Mon, 06 May 2019 18:05:23 +0000 nemosmom 2025040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting question and observation! I WFH for the most part, but I do wear <i>some</i> form of makeup daily. It's usually brows and mascara (my natural brows and lashes are a pale strawberry blonde), concealer, and a Chubby Stick lip, which is like a pale wash of light color. I will add a BBcream, blush, and eye pencil if meeting with a client, going on date with DH, or for some special occasion (like wedding or other event where photos will be taken). I tend to grab a darker/brighter lip on days when I feel the most disheveled - (hair in a top knot or low bun, casual-leaning outfit) maybe it makes me FEEL like I have my sh*t together?!&nbsp; </p> <p>Where I live, other women seem to be extreme one way or the other, regardless of age - either ZERO makeup or full (thick) face with contouring, highlighter, etc. Lash extensions and microbladed brows are popular here, too.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2025037 Mon, 06 May 2019 17:48:58 +0000 Gretchen 2025037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nodding along with so many of these comments. I think it’s great that we are at a point where a lot of choices for makeup are aligned with personal style vs a specific expectation. </p> <p>For me, daily routine is sunscreen, foundation, brows, eyeliner, mascara. I love having makeup done professionally, as it creates such a great look, but I don’t have patience/inclination to spend more time on makeup. </p> <p>DD will contour and have false lashes as her standard, but has a much broader repertoire thanks to YouTube, and loves playing with different looks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2025035 Mon, 06 May 2019 17:32:44 +0000 AndiB 2025035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa this is s good description just grabbed from random google. BBL really is an effective process. The results were seriously noticeable. I did it first to get rid of tiny red capillaries but it removed brown spots and freckled too (which at my age are sun damage and not cute). My dermatologist said doing it yearly is one of the best things you can do to maintain young skin. It’s not cheap (1,000 for three treatments). But when I keep in schedule with it I need only 1 a year. I’m convinced</p> <p><a href="https://www.idealimage.com/services/bbl-broad-band-light/" rel="nofollow">https://www.idealimage.com/ser.....and-light/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2025032 Mon, 06 May 2019 17:21:27 +0000 shiny 2025032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work in technology for a company that's fairly diverse (including age range and ethnicity) yet still predominately male. It's all over the map but yes the younger women do tend to wear make-up. One of my late 20s/early 30s) employees once joked to me, "see this face? It's $1000 worth of product to get this 'natural' look." They also like to have colorful manicured nails, and dress stylishly. Lip colors are usually nude or MLBB. You will see eyeshadow, bronzer, blush, even contour as a day look. And women amp up the make-up for the after hours events.&nbsp;</p> <p>That said there are some senior women that do not wear any make-up... and they'll be dressed in jeans, tee, sneakers. So I never had the impression that wearing make-up was compulsory if you wanted to get ahead. For every senior leader who wears makeup and dresses stylishly, there's an example of one who doesn't.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>As for hair coloring and covering grays, I've never felt pressured to do so. The younger and older women dye their hair all kinds of bold colors. Many older women rock the grey. Some younger women dye their hair grey. I stopped dying mine last year and have no regrets or concerns in regards to how it'll affect my career at this company.&nbsp;</p> <p>In my last company we had a senior technology leader who was giving a speech. As I was acting as her exec comm for the occasion, the corporate folks wanted me to ensure she put on make-up before it. Driving over to the event, she took out her make up bag, and sighed. Turned to me and said, "Do you think this is really necessary?" And I said "No, do what you want and what makes you feel most confident. I'd rather you worry about what you're going to say than how you're going to look." She skipped the make-up and knocked the speech out of the park.&nbsp;</p> <p>As for me, I wear make-up when I leave my house (except when going to the beach). Light coverage foundation to even out skin tone, mascara to darken my light lashes, and something on the lips. Lately I've added brow gel as my brow color is fading. I love lipstick and that includes bold colors, dramatic colors, and brights. Not just nudes/MLBB, but I tend to stick to those for work most of the time (not always).&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024994 Mon, 06 May 2019 14:37:58 +0000 Christina F. 2024994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I have fallen out of the habit it wearing it daily. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Most of the women I work with, who range from mid-20's to mid-40's, either wear very little (or it looks "natural") or none at all. A few wear more noticeable makeup, but only if it's part of their look; for instance, a few people cultivate more of a retro look.</div><div><br /></div><div> It also depends on the person and their role. I work in fundraising, so people who regularly meet with donors tend to be a little more polished, especially on meeting days. I don't have external meetings, so this isn't a concern for me. <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024993 Mon, 06 May 2019 14:36:16 +0000 JAileen 2024993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear makeup - foundation to even out my face, eyeliner for top lids, and mostly natural color lipstick. My husband and I had a fun outing yesterday, flying in an antique airplane and then had our pictures taken in front of it afterwards. In the picture, I was squinting, but still thought my eyeliner looked too much. I’m going to cut back. My husband doesn’t wear makeup, of course, and he doesn’t even shave anymore, as his retirement looms. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024989 Mon, 06 May 2019 14:31:14 +0000 Angie 2024989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>April,</b> YES. That's howI feel. High Five.</p> <p><b>Jules</b> and <b>Liesbeth</b>, I see wearing makeup or wearing no makeup as part of your signature style. Like it is for <b>Lisa P, Suz,&nbsp;April</b> and me for example. Men have the choice to wear makeup too. Many of them wore makeup in the '80s, actually. We forget how gender fluid the decade was.....waaaayyyyy ahead of its time.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Peri,</b> I'm torn too. Fashion and grooming routines are different across men and women, although the is a LOT more overlap these days. Gender is extremely fluid on sooooo many levels. I see teenage boys wear nail polish very regularly. It's become something worn by all genders these days. I think makeup will be the same.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024986 Mon, 06 May 2019 14:25:15 +0000 Anonymous 2024986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some thoughts as I read the comments here:<br />1. societal expectations for what women should look like = never even considered it. I don't feel any pressure nor weight of any expectation at all. &nbsp;<br />2. young women are of two camps here: the Instagram makeup look, or none at all. My own 23 y/o daughter is really skilled at makeup ( I think she spends hours looking at youtube videos when I think she's asleep ) but only wears it when she's headed out socially.&nbsp;<br />3. I thought about how I style my hair and the kinds of clothes I like to wear, and wonder if anyone else relates to this: &nbsp;an undorned face &nbsp;would be like something is left out of the picture. I have statement hair (well, in my world anyways) - precision cut and coloured , and wear clothes that indicate a love for fashion . There is nothing casual and " simple" about my look. Thus, makeup is a necessary component. &nbsp;</p> <p>AndiB - what is a bbl treatment ? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024985 Mon, 06 May 2019 13:59:45 +0000 texstyle 2024985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear what I would call "natural" makeup - most people don't even think I'm wearing any (like others above, I've had comments about it). I don't see much "heavy" makeup here in smaller town Texas unless it's a more festive occasion. Lipstick seems to be more in the natural category - not many bright red lips or frosted or other noticeable lip color. This is based on people I see at work and at play. Many of the younger girls wear very little if any makeup. I think a "clean" and tidy look is more in style here than a noticeably made up look. I would feel out of place wearing a really "made up" look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024982 Mon, 06 May 2019 13:50:38 +0000 Sara L. 2024982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear light makeup - a little powder, eyeliner, natural lip color.&nbsp; Makeup among the younger women around here is as Angie notes - common with lots of heavy eye makeup and very defined brows. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024975 Mon, 06 May 2019 13:19:27 +0000 Peri 2024975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have mixed feelings on the sexist double standard issue, because in a lot of ways I'm wondering if that is the full story. Down deep, is it really? There are aspects of grooming that are gender specific, and professional men have their list too...shave or at least trim that beard into something neat and groomed looking for instance. A lot of women like me think the act of putting on makeup is fun. I've never heard a man sing the joys of daily shaving his face. Way more trouble than legs (since I know that's coming).&nbsp;<b></b><u></u><u>If</u> it<u></u> isn't fair that a woman wearing (just the "right" amount of) makeup is seen as more professional, is it then also unfair and sexist that unattended facial hair growth in a man is seen as unprofessional?&nbsp;</p> <p>Another thing that gives me pause on the sexist cry is that men do care what they look like, and care <i>a lot</i>. <i></i>I have zero doubts that many men with acne wouldn't love to dab on some concealer and foundation if they thought they wouldn't get flack for it. If women are expected to, men are expected not to, so saying it's only unfair to women doesn't sit right with me. Both genders are judged on looks in this world, equal unfairness all the way around.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024974 Mon, 06 May 2019 13:14:41 +0000 April 2024974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I worked outside my home, yes.&nbsp; Now that my workplace is my home, yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I tend to think of makeup in terms of how I like to look, not where I'm going.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024970 Mon, 06 May 2019 12:36:52 +0000 RobinF 2024970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The generational thing is an interesting question. I have always been a light makeup wearer and I remember my mom trying to convince me to wear a little lipstick for a high school function because for her generation that was the most necessary part of makeup but I was a Chapstick girl and nothing would convince me. Now my lips have faded a little and I found a long-wearing lipstick that I can put on twice a day (very neutral color - me but better) and call it good. I also wear some powder, eyeliner and mascara but that's it. </p> <p>My 26 year old daughter wears very little in her daily life but she is an outdoor hiking guide and it would seem very out of place (not to mention hard to maintain since she camps in rustic settings with no running water), so not sure that is an example of her generation. She does wear it for going out and it seemed to me that her college friends wore quite heavy eye makeup.</p> <p>Lisa, you always look great in your pictures, not overly made up at all. I say do what makes you happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024966 Mon, 06 May 2019 12:25:00 +0000 Angie 2024966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz</b>, I nodded along with every word. HIGH FIVE. </p> <p>Interestingly, teens and ladies in their 20s here wear a lot of makeup! There is an epidemic of false eyelashes. Leggings, sweatshirt, sneaks - and lots of eye makeup. Less lippie. It’s a lot more makeup than in my generation.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024963 Mon, 06 May 2019 11:58:19 +0000 Aquamarine 2024963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve worked from home for the last few years, but when I do leave the house during the day I tend to wear mascara, some eyeliner, and a bit of lipstick (just to deepen my own lip color). Generally, people I know wear little or no makeup, and what they do wear is subtle. In other words, I do not notice the makeup but if they don’t wear it, they look tired. I agree with gryffin...to me the point of makeup is simply to present a better version of ourselves, not to see the makeup! (Nighttime/special events are different however, and I will add eyeshadow and a deeper lip color, occasionally foundation to even out skin tone.)</p> <p>Lisa, you do not look dated or overdone at all....always classy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/makeup-in-the-workplace-do-you-wear-it/page/2#post-2024961 Mon, 06 May 2019 11:31:27 +0000 AndiB 2024961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love make up and pretty much wear every day. I love lipstick too and wear a range of colors including some fairly robust pinky reds. I’m mid 50s so I do like to sharpen my features but I’ve always loved makeup and save for when my kids were really little and I was home for a couple years I’ve been a consistent makeup lover. </p> <p>Daily I start with a lid primer, and use a barely there pallet of soft Matt brown, pink/rose, and natural colors. A brow powder always, if I were stranded on a desert island that’s the one product I’d have! I use a soft liner in a mushroom color that glides on (urban decay?) top and bottom. Mascara waterproof. Some days foundation, hourglass stick formula, but rarely these days. Since I use a retinol and have a bbl treatment every year my skin is in better shape than ever and I like a bare face. For an event - I run a non profit and am often in front of hundreds of professionals - I usually do foundation, blush and a bronzer. Lippy almost always and I do carry with me and refresh when I remember. In my industry I see fewer women in make up generally. My daughters - 21 and 22) love make - up but mostly simple or none during day and a creative lot when going out. </p>