Makeup in the workplace. Do you wear it? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Makeup in the workplace. Do you wear it?

Anonymous

I noticed the other day that among , say, 25 ish women at my part time workplace (ages 24 - 62 ) , I was the ONLY ONE wearing lipstick. And really, any makeup beyond mascara. This group includes fitness, managerial, and administrative staff....and still, it was just me wearing lipstick. Now I understand the fitness staff not wearing coloured lipstick, but that accounts for fewer than 1/2 of the women that day.

I'm really curious about this, and of course started second-guessing myself and wondering if I'm stuck in some overly made-up, unmodern look. I LOVE makeup and feel too plain and unpolished out in the workplace (and workplace) without it. Do you wear makeup to work? Lipstick? What about the women you work with ??

General

73 replies

Latest reply was from K.M.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

When I do shows, I'm about 50-50 on lipstick. Honestly, this is mostly because I live in a dry area and sometimes my lips end up so dry from all the talking/smiling that I revert to just lip balm.

I have really mixed feelings about lipstick, though!
1. I love the way it looks and think it makes me look 100% better, especially in photos, but
2. Most women in my social circles don't wear it, and
3. It often makes me feel, like you say, overly made-up.

I usually compromise by wearing a muted "my lips but better" color, but honestly, I love a red lip, and wish rich lip color were more in style.

bj1111

Veteran

I like my warpaint although I have lightened up in general. Dior addict lip balm, NARS concealer over sunscreen and I’m done

If I have to be “on” I’ll break out the primer, semi sheet foundation and a red lip

In most places I’ve traveled to recently , young women were wearing kardashian levels of cake on a random weekday afternoon. Not so much a red lip.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Gosh I thought that makeup was practically compulsory for the under 30 s these days.l suppose it depends what job you are in ,as a physio I wore very little,in retail a shed load more.Now I m older I tend to wear some in public all the time ,so as not to frighten small children but the amount depends on the situation.

BrieN

Veteran

I work with a lot of women - in my office only the older woman I work with wears lipstick.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Disclaimer: Europe based, so probably not your reference point.
I wore makeup through my twenties but stopped after baby. It came to a point where I didn’t dare leave the house without it and I started envying women who go makeupless as a statement, like the manrepeller. So I took the chance after my maternity leave to return makeup free. Nowadays I occasionally wear very light makeup again because it still makes me feel more finished. I’m glad I seem able to take it or leave it without too much concern.
That’s for my own experience. Lipstick in my circles is a rare sight. A bold lip can make an appearance at semi-formal to formal parties (office, wedding) since a couple of years (when lipgloss went out of style). But it is still uncommon, and for daily wear I only see it in the shopping street on the occasional fashionista (young women) or on fully made up women over 50. Sorry if this confirms your suspicions, but remember I’m in a differnent place and context and I do believe you should wear what makes you feel good. I don’t think a full face of makeup on a woman over 50 looks dated, I just wouldn’t feel comfortable like that myself.

Liesbeth

Veteran

cardiffgirl

Staysfit

Veteran

Almost no one wears lip color where I work but a lot of the younger women wear eye makeup. I see foundations of various levels, eye liners and shadows, mascara and blush.

I used to wear more makeup than I do currently. I have simplified my regimen so it takes less time. When I do wear makeup it is most likely to be a barely there sort if look so my lip color will closely match my lips. I do wear lip color when I go out to shows, to an evening event, or on a date with DH. I do not see a place for that sort of look in the work place, its distracting.

Kathie

Veteran

I rarely wear make-up at work, but I do for events and when I travel. I am trying to save some time for a combined moisturizer/sunscreen/tint, in the morning, but that’s about it. Most of the other women with whom I work wear none or minimal make-up. But, I work in academia, and with a lot of scientists, so not exactly a representative sample. The women I interact with externally tend to be patent lawyers, angel investors, and entrepreneurs, so there’s a certain polished, but serious/subdued/professional look. Updated hair cut, but natural color (including graying), neat (unpolished) nails, suit, contemporary shoes, no make-up is certainly in the range of what I see, but so is subtle highlights, light make-up, manicured nails and heels. It definitely comes down to the firm handshake, smile, and being able to speak intelligently and project confidence, whatever that means for the individual.

kkards

Veteran

Yes, I wear makeup everyday to work. That includes lipstick, foundation and blush... But I work with mostly under 30 young women..and I’d say about half don’t wear any. The other half wear eye makeup..and as far as I can tell, only that. I think they reserve makeup for going out, quite frankly I don’t think they feel work is important enough to put that much effort into how they look
Wow, that sounds harsh and like I’m some old fart.

Jane

Veteran

Yes, I wear make up every day. Got to. I am on the same plight as CardiffGirl!

I have just committed, last four weeks or so, to putting on a lip stick now that I will reapply during the day. I use Max Factor Lip Finity brand both relatively neutral. I am enjoying it. I feel polished with it on, more polished than without.

The women I work with tend to be a mixture of both. We have good make up stores where I work and Nars is a particular fav. They sometimes put on a little event for us about updating our look, and that is always fun and the sales assistants are generous with their time and care.

rachylou

Veteran

It’s the opposite for me. I work in a nanoplant bakery factory. You are really not supposed to wear makeup, but the young’uns do sneak makeup on their date nights. Also, not to be sniffy but to be sniffy... I don’t know if it’s inexperience or that it’s just so wrong in our workplace, but they tend to do clown makeup. Like they’re going for natural and miss...

ophelia

Veteran

I don't think I've seen more than a handful of women, at work or anywhere, not wearing obvious makeup in the past decade since moving to this city. The younger the woman, the heavier the application.
I live in the deep south.

gryffin

Veteran

LIsa this is a very interesting question to me. The purpose of make up, to me, is to enhance and correct structure but be invisible. I'm the ultimate nude make up girl. I wear sunscreen, a light dusting of powder and blush, eye shadow, brow gel, mascara and sometimes tight line my eyes but very subtly but most people think I wear no make up at all. In fact I've had comments on that. It's amazing how many minutes it take to make it look like you're wearing nothing at all!!! I don't like color on my lips. I've spent way too much time trying to find my perfect lip match. I do have a couple of gloss for going out and really formal events. I like Bobbi Brown extra lip tint, Dior addict color reviver, but I normally only wear balm - Burts Bees orginal peppermint. Personally I actually like plain balm best. But that's me. I think your make up always looks stunning. Polished, elegant, sophisticated.

elpgal

Veteran

Most of the women I see in my professional life (science, some interaction with industry) seem to wear eye makeup and foundation and no jewelry. Rarely see any noticeable lipstick on the younger set. The older crew tends to wear brighter lipstick and more accessories (mostly because they don't do much lab work).

Most moms in my age group (late 30s/early 40s) are in athleisure, foundation/tinted moisturirzer and mascara at school events but lipstick is rarely seen.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I do wonder if lipstick is generational to a certain extent. I got used to lipstick in my 20s and my mother also wore it so to me that was a “normal” thing. I feel comfortable without any makeup but start the day with a light amount of blusher and yes, lipstick. And in the past 6 months a tiny spot of concealer on a dark patch on my forehead plus two broken capillaries on left cheek. Sorry if TMI! I never got used to lip gloss which came about in ?? my 40s.
I don’t reapply through the day so when worn off that’s it. Also agree with kkards that maybe work is not a place to worry so much about how you look for many younger women? But I really don’t know.

Carla

Veteran

I'm seeing make-up in fashion or style oriented workplaces (retail clothing stores, hair and aesthetics, pharmacy, jewellery) that is akin to a mask - contouring, lash extensions, stencilled brows, and matte nude lips extended with lip liner outside the lip line. In fitness and health care/body work (gym, physio, massage, chiro, dental) a more 'natural' approach with maybe a little foundation or tinted moisturizer and the eyes (including brows) done. However, this is where I'm seeing innovative hair styles - undercuts, asymmetry, dreds, spiky pixies.

I do hang with some fellow retirees (60's on up to 90's!!) and for women it is 50/50 on make-up. Those who do make-up do eyes and shiney coloured lips. I haven't seen anything garish, and most is quite light touch and pretty, but it IS different than what the younger set is up too. I'm personally doing more this year than in the past - mineral sunscreen as foundation, brows, mascara on upper lashes, MBB lippy (but it wears off and I forget to reapply.) For special, I'll use a little purple/plum shadow on eyes, an extra lick of mascara, and a touch of highlighter in strategic places.

FWIW - really extravagant lash extensions are still a thing with 20 somethings. A lot of self care seems to fall by the wayside when kiddos get added to the equation and make-up and hair seems the first to go. I see so many MOTG with grown out blonde highlights (like 6 inches - not the purposeful 1/2 inch look) thrown up in a messy bun, and maybe some mascara. Can't say that I blame them...

Oh! When I was in the workforce it was a mixed bag - and there were at least two guys who were into make-up and nail polish!

Kate

Veteran

I normally wear lipstick every day because I love lipstick. If I’m not wearing lippie, I’m wearing lip balm. I have lightened up on the colors I use.

On a day to day basis, lipstick is the only makeup I wear, unless I’m going out. Then I add brow makeup and blush. I don’t wear foundation, and only add mascara for special occasions. In my city I see a lot of makeup on young women, but it tends to be concentrated on the eyes, and can be very exaggerated.

The Cat

Veteran

Oh yes, I wear at least a little makeup (mascara and lipstick or coloured lipgloss = my minimum) ANYWHERE (except at home, where I sometimes go barefaced for a few hours).

Some of my colleagues-- and other women I meet at my workplace--wear a little makeup, others nothing at all.

Perhaps many women feel too busy to apply makeup early in the morning every day in the week. When I meet the same people past 6 p.m. or at special occasions on weekends, most of them wear makeup.

lisa p, from the photos I have seen of you, I can assure you that you absolutely don't look overly made-up or unmodern. You look very polished and stylish.

Anonymous

This is really interesting! Thanks for all of these comments. I don't recall wearing makeup - or not- when I was younger, but I'm thinking my 'need' for it comes from being in front of the public, or in front of retail clients every day. I am not going to an office and just coexisting with the other women there. If I did, I bet I wouldn't wear as much. I also believe that because I have such undefined and "soft" features, that without makeup, there is no definition anywhere and I feel underdressed somehow.

kkards - laughing at your comment. I'm a harsh old fart then too The young women at my workplace look like unmade beds some days - makes me feel even older and crabbier. I keep whatever gloss or lipstick I am wearing that day in my jacket or sweater pocket - I like to keep on top of it

Sal

Veteran

I wear some daily - but I go to the gym barefaced (abs sometimes with bed hair) and will be seen bare faced. I prefer a light foundation or tinted moisturiser, mascara , Brow pencil and something on my lips. I have streamlined my makeup considerably- it just accumulated as I do struggle to use it up except for foundation and mascara.

There is only one other female in our workplace and she is similar to me.

My main concern with my skin is blotchiness and sun damage.

I see your makeup as classy and sophisticated Lisa. Def not aging or stuck in a rut. My friends are a mixed bag from zero to fully made up.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I BRIGHTEN MY FACE WITH MAKE-UP EVERY DAY. Sick, work, yoga, work at home, walk, plane travel, beach, hike, holiday - EVERYTHING.

My make-up is very natural. Mascara, tight line, brow pencil, very light lippie or lip balm, and sometimes blush. No foundation, bronzer or eye shadow. Never ever wear dark lippie.

Bennett

Veteran

Makeup every day unless I am not leaving the house. I am very fair so I am invisible without it. Changes due to aging have made me tweak the colors and formulas over the years, but I'll probably always feel more "me" when I have a polished face on. Even-up the skin, enhance the brows and eyes, and yes, lipstick! I look like a corpse without some color on my lips. I can't apply blush properly or something, so I never wear blush because that's the thing that makes me LOOK madeup. At work, across all ages, it looks like no one bothers to do their face but me. What's funny is they ALL color their hair, while I have gone naturally white!

SarahD8

Veteran

Interesting to see the comments about lack of lipstick. As someone who doesn’t wear much makeup, I find lippy (not really distinguishing between different types of products here) both the most fun — playing with colors! — and the lowest skill barrier to entry.

I have worked at home for almost my whole career so no insights into makeup in the office from me.

Katerina

Veteran

I wear makeup to work every day. If I am late in the morning, then I apply makeup at the office. My minimum is foundation, mascara and blush. But normally, I wear eye shadow, eye liner, brow shadow and lipstick as well. I choose my makeup for the day based on my mood and how much time I have in the morning.
Most of the women I work with wear makeup, although some very subtle. I was trying to recall if they wear lip color. I could only recall one colleague of mine who wears red lipstick and one who wears berry. I think most of the others wear nude or gloss perhaps, because I cannot remember now. Strange.

Anonymous

gryffin - I can absolutely picture your clean and polished look. Suits your striking hair and features. Also your professional environment .

hereforthecake

I wear make up every day for work, and even a little when I'm just hanging at home. I always have a red or fuchsia lipstick, but blot it until it looks more like a stain.

All of the women I work with wear some form of eye makeup daily, and statement lipstick occasionally. (20s to 60s)

I wonder if it depends as well on whether or not you live in a big city, rural area or town? In Toronto I can safely say that most women wear makeup of some kind everyday.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

I do wear makeup to work, but I try for subtle no-makeup makeup as I’m guessing a lot of the women around me do too. It helps me look and feel less tired. I wear tinted moisturizer/sunscreen, brow pencil, cream blush, mlbb lip crayon and curl my lashes. I can tell when looking at coworkers if they are wearing makeup because the fluorescent lights at work make the makeup look obvious. Maybe it’s the texture of powders. So, I stick with creams and avoid powder formulations.

StyleDetective

Generally not, I spent most of my teenage years and 20s completely unable to wear it due to facial eczema, and even now that it's calmed down a bit it's a hard habit to get into. Plus I don't want to get people used to it as I'll get the 'you look sick' comments when I go bare-faced. Occasionally I wear mascara and a sheer lipstick or gloss.

Of the 20 or so women I work with, it's about half and half on who goes bare faced and who wears minimal makeup, with two ladies who are always beautifully done. One of our most senior women is always completely natural. I like this as I think the we all probably feel we can be as natural as we want and not be judged for it.

Anonymous

I live in a fairly big city . I also NEVER wear dark or bold lip colours. And nodding in agreement with Aliceinwl 's comment about fluorescent lights. They can highlight every bad thing about your skin, makeup and hair .

12 3