To wear make up or not
Off topic question for the handful of women on here (and to guys - wouldn't mind if you chipped in with your opinion on this as well) - Do you wear a full face of make up to work?
(FYI for guys - full face of make up means primer, concealer, foundation, bronzer/highlighter, blush, mascara, lipstick - maybe potentially more).
I'm starting work at a HF soon. I used to do a full face of make up, and interviewed for my new job like that. (Not for vanity reasons - I've just had insecurities about acne and redness in the past). Considering that you lose 30 minutes a day (let's say 20 minutes putting on, 5 minutes throughout the day in the bathroom, 5 minutes taking off at night), I'm strongly considering going natural in the future.
There are a handful of studies showing that people perceive women wearing make up as more competent and socially dominant...But something tells me the pro of an extra 30 minutes every day may outweigh the social penalty described. Especially in higher finance where offices have fewer people - relationships are naturally more intimate, and people are more able to recognize you for your contribution.
What else would you be doing in those 5 minutes at night that would change your life dramatically? What's the opportunity cost of doing your makeup?
My job or sleep, obviously. Work tends to be 16-17 hours a day.
Go for your own personal comfort level, which may vary, due to your time schedule or time of the year. If you think your insecurities might impact your work or your interactions with co-workers, then wear it. If sleeping an extra 30 minutes or giving yourself time for the gym or tackling some work-related element, do as you see fit.
Myself, I’m mostly an eyeliner-and-lipstick sort and alternate between a moisturizer with SPF or a primer. I rarely wear blush in the warmer months – I tend towards daily blush and eye shadow more in the cooler months when I’ve lost my summer glow.
Eye shadow and mascara are no longer daily items, now that I discovered lash extensions. I probably now only rock eye shadow once or twice a week just because I love to play with colors.
Oh and welcome to WSO, from a fellow estrogen-based life form. :)
Any advice on how I can get girls?
Confidence... not cockiness or arrogance... there are differences between them.
Whether you're having a deep conversation or when you are simply flirting, pay attention to her answers/questions... don't just count the seconds til it's your turn to talk. React to her, don't act.
Being funny, playful and joking is almost always good, just don't tip over into class clown territory where you attempt to make everything you say a punch line.
And it may seem corny or contrived, but getting girls is much like getting an M&A deal done, you shape and customize your pitch somewhat to each individual and the social setting, but you should still play to your own personal strengths.
Hey! Thanks. TBH I've just started to see a dermatologist and am trying to clean up my skin. I have a feeling that make up will slow the process. Deciding to throw out the foundation...maybe keep concealer just for when I look too tired.
I ALWAYS moisturize in the morning. It's like I can't move my face until I've done that, I've gotten so use to it.
I wish you well with the dermatologist. I have some acne scarring and hyper-pigmentation that I've battled with over the counter items and have seen some results, but it's a sloooow process - I may go the route of seeing a skin specialist.
One tip I would offer - drinking more water. It truly helps from the inside out with so many things and it's one of the easiest and cheapest habits to incorporate and stick to year-round.
have u tried benzoyl peroxide? some people think it causes wrinkles but i mix it with moisturizer and does wonders (it always works) you don't want it near eyes though
I wonder if men consider concealer to hide the circles and bags under their eyes.
I have two male friends that use concealer for that purpose actually
Why not want everyone to know that you have been grinding?
Keep in mind that with a full face of makeup you’ll probably have to reapply at some point in the evening
Guy chiming in, senior-level role at a younger age.
You have to do what works for you. This is a subjective answer and is the output of a formula that includes maintenance, presentability, and appropriateness.
Your full face regimen doesn't sound like a Youtube-tutorial level of cake stuck to your face, so presumably you've already answered the appropriateness piece.
Maintenance seems to be the primary issue. Is this a regimen that will stand up to a 16-hour day (7-11)? It doesn't sound like it. You don't want to be walking off the floor to adjust too many times, and you don't want to have to worry about how you look before getting pulled into impromptu meetings or out-of-office events.
You want to optimize for the marriage of convenience and coverage.
It's an unfortunate fact that women are judged on appearance way more harshly than men are, so yes, acne isn't something you can realistically afford to ignore.
I've talked about this with girls I've dated or am friendly with. The consensus was that less is more in terms of product, and that the real investment needs to be in skin health. Visit a dermatologist; add an esthetician if you can afford it.
The girls with a look I appreciated the most said they used just tinted moisturizer and eyeliner. Some used BB cream over tinted moisturizer because they wanted the built-in primer. I think it depends on your natural tone and the level of hydration you need. Lipstick varied. Some girls look better with natural lips.
(And for what it's worth, I know numerous guys who use concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, or other makeup products.)
Thanks, this is surprisingly helpful.
MD over 40 here...
Keep it minimal.....if you wear too much makeup people might think of you as a secretary (oops, I mean administrative assistant). Eyeliner should be fine. Concealer as well. However, a full face of make up every day?
You don’t have time for that shit.
I’m insanely far from a make up expert, but you should look mostly natural, as far as I’m concerned. I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to appear feminine.....but, this isn’t 1980 and insane amounts of make up are not only not expected, but kind of frowned upon.
Always focus on looking professional....as long as you keep that in mind you will be fine. As sad as I am to say this, showing cleavage and wearing ‘fuck me’ heels or boots isn’t actually good for your career.
Neither is a huge amount of face paint.
Are you a female? Because if so, well done with the secretary comment.
I didn’t know women called people who answered the phones, set your calendar, and did your expenses secretaries more often than men did. Is that a thing? I’ll tell my secretary to put it on my calendar to remind me if that’s the case.
Thanks, not bad advice. I mean previous make up I was wearing wasn't to seem hot, it's just covering up poor skin. Seems to be in recovery as of late, so fuck make up forever more
I'm with Fuld on this one. I think you want to avoid drawing extra attention to your looks on either end of the spectrum.
I think the stuff you use to cover up acne (concealer?) is a good idea, and maybe even some mascara for the eyelashes. I would avoid eyeshadow and lipstick. To me, the latter two signal "I'm trying to look sexy." Fair or unfair, I think that might subconsciously cause me to take a woman less seriously. Cleavage is a definite no.
With heels, there's a world of difference between simple, professional 3" black heels that bring a 5'4" girl closer to eye-level with the fellas vs. something like a peep-toe pump or a heel with straps around the ankles, etc. Idk exactly what constitutes a "sexy heel" but I think it falls under the old "I know it when I see it" convention, and I think any businesswoman should already know the difference better than I do.
I was calling on companies the other day and asked for the secretary of the CEO. Operator (woman) responded with "We don't have secretaries here sir, we have administrative assistants"
She could probably hear my eyes roll through the phone
Personally feel that makeup is not for others, but a way to please yourself and adapt to the occasion.
2 years into my full time job i can count my fingers on how many times i actually wore makeup to work. as long as you look clean and tidy, i realized that my work speaks louder than how i look, nobody cares about whether you wear makeup or not if what you produce is shit, generally speaking.
I cannot stand women who wear thick make up. It's like their face has been gang banged by a box of crayons.
can not agree more
Is it acceptable for men to wear makeup? (Originally Posted: 01/05/2013)
Apparently it is commonplace in South Korea.
Slim down your makeup routine and you'll be so much happier. You don't need 30 minutes to apply it in the morning when a quick 5 minute routine would do.
I can apply tinted moisturizer/foundation, conceal, powder, apply simple eye shadow/liner, bronze, and blush in ~5 minutes. I don't wear mascara but the extra 10 seconds for 2 coats aren't going to break the bank. I apply a sheer lipstick throughout my day at my desk and never need to do a touch-up in the bathroom.
Anything longer for a full face means you are either using the wrong colors and requiring too much blending/correction or the wrong textures for your skin type. I certainly wouldn't forgo make-up over a 5 minute morning routine with a minute in the evenings using a make-up removing wipe. You may just need to revisit what you're used to :-)
P.S. Take men saying "they like no make-up" with a grain of salt. I'm personally convinced that they don't know how many products go into a naturally refreshed look vs. rolling out of bed and heading out the door. https://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseamarshall/this-is-whats-really-going-on-…
i'd say no unless you're that ugly.
Well...I don't live in South Korea...so I don't think I can accurately answer this one. Are you currently wrestling with this decision?
Yeah if you have a sort of facial deformity that makes you lose self esteem in the workplace.
nope, not ok at all, at least in the US.
With all the plastic surgery that goes on over there I don't think anybody would notice or care.
South Korea has men? All look like girls to me
Straight American men should not take fashion advice based upon mens fashion in South Korea. I am not trying to be offensive, but South Korean mens style would certainly send the wrong message in the US.
What exactly are you trying to use makeup for? Is there some facial flaw you're trying to mask? All makeup will do is draw attention to yourself (unless you have some nasty-looking scar or a birthmark you want to hide, but then there is cosmetic surgery for that).
No, fuck no.
It was ok for Bozo the Clown, but for you, I'm guessing no.
If you have a neat hairstyle (shave it off if balding badly), clear skin and lowish bodyfat, your face will look better than the vast majority of men.
It would probably look more appropriate to have marks or blemishes on your face than to have an interviewer notice you are wearing make up.
Only actors and news anchors cake that shit on.
lol please do and make sure to post pics!
Not like eyeliner or mascara, maybe some of that subtle junk for skin tone or something.
Well if you are in South Korea, then sure it is. It's what the specific society makes it up to be (pun?).
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