I hate the “wear makeup” rules in society because makeup tends to turn my facial skin into oozing sores. Yes, even the hypoallergenic stuff. I slap colored mud on my face to make it look better, with the result that my skin turns into a suppurating rash? And if I don’t, I don’t get hired or promoted? Oh, yeah, I can get behind that…:rolleyes:
Makes me glad in a way I’m working in construction these days.
I’m loving the replies, and want to thank everyone for posting.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever given make-up so much thought!
I do feel more comfortable with my decision to just go lightly for the interview, and reading the opinions here really helped me with that.
I do have one more question. Can anyone recommend a good lipstick? Here’s my problem. Every time I wear lipstick, it dries out my lips. Really bad. I can put it on once, and the next morning, my lips are dry and peeling. The last brand I tried was called Thirst Quencher, or some such. Still dried out my lips. I’ve tried using chap stick first, multiple times throughout the day before applying, but that doesn’t work, either.
I can’t be the only one with this issue. Can anyone give me tips on that?
Oh, and Scout1222, I do own make-up. I bought some not long ago, but never opened it.
Try a tinted lip balm - like Burt’s Bees. It has the advantage of being not too expensive as well.
Well I’ll be. I didn’t even know they made tinted lip balm! Where would one find such a thing? Would that be a grocery, drug or department store kind of thing?
Sounds like the perfect solution!
I’ve hired a lot of people, and none of them looked as good on the job as at the interview, so no problem with doing so. You aren’t being false, you are being deferential, and bosses appreciate that in a prospect.
I’ve seen the tinted Burt’s Bees stuff at grocery stores and drug stores. It’s more likely to be with the chapstick and over the counter medicines than in the makeup aisle, but if you don’t see it ask a clerk.
I don’t wear makeup anymore, and about 50% of the women in my workplace don’t wear makeup. It is definitely not a factor in getting promoted in this workplace.
Makeup causes various mild allergic reactions for me, so consider your own reactions to wearing makeup. If you think it’ll make you look more professional, and it turns out that it makes your nose itch, you’re not doing yourself any favors wearing it.
I think you can put your fears to rest that they’ll hire you based on your makeup and then feel cheated if you don’t wear it every day.
Where do you live and what kind of job?
Because the answer is “it depends” on a number of things, including regional bias, job sector, your age, the corporate culture for that particular company, etc.
A note to the OP - Most of the Burt’s Bees tinted stuff contains peppermint oil. I know two people who can’t wear it because the peppermint makes their lips break out. Try a minimal amount before the day of the interview if you go with this.
I have no problem with it, but if lipstick leads to dry and peeling lips… it might not be optimal, and there are other tinted lip balms. Neutrogena makes one that one of the people I know who can’t use Burt’s Bees really likes.
Thanks. That’s what I was trying to say but you put it much better.
Dusty Rose: Your reaction to the lipstick sounds more like a skin sensitivity/allergy than just dryness. So I doubt any one lipstick will be less “drying” unless you find one that doesn’t trigger this reaction. Tinted lip balm is a great idea, but you should test it a few days beforehand to make sure it doesn’t trigger a reaction. If all else fails, use a little Vaseline. Do they still sell it in little tubes to use as lip balm?
You have my complete sympathy. I can wear some makeup, but it’s a matter of trial and error. I always do the crook of the elbow test on new makeup, and won’t even consider buying anything that doesn’t have a tester or sampler size available.
Perhaps you should get a job as a hypoallergenic products tester? I mean, since everything makes you break out anyway, maybe you could get PAID for this ability?
Yeah, avoid Burt’s Bees if you have dry lips. The peppermint oil dries them out terribly. I also have dry lips and don’t like lipstick. If you have a Sephora in your area, try Lorac’s gloss sticks (a bit pricey at $14, they last forever) or Korres Lip Butter ($9, very natural-looking).
Are you a dude? If so, then the answer is “No.”
I’m also 33, younger that just about everyone I work with, and I’m about the only one who doesn’t always wear makeup (I do generally use lip gloss). I work in a freaking factory with a bunch of women, so I don’t really see the point of dressing up. (However, I also have dark brows and lashes, and I guess that’s what many of them are worried about.) I would dress up for a job interview, though.
I like Neutrogena Moisture Shine lip gloss. It comes in all kinds of colors. Doesn’t last terribly long, but long-lasting lipstick feels too dry to me, too. I buy it at Target.
I think that if you want to wear makeup, go ahead. That being said, I truly hope that the presence of makeup would not be the deciding factor of getting hired. I think that clothing in an interview is alot more noticable. And on the job too. Because I tell you, I have never once reacted to lack of makeup as innapropriate/unprofessional, but will have that reaction to clothing in an instant.
FWIW, I work with mostly females who wear quite a bit of makeup, and I wear none. I do dress to the nines though, and have been told I have the most professional appearance.
Something else bothers me about this whole thing too. Maybe it’s just me, but when I think of someone wearing makeup, it’s all about being visually appealing to someone else. Now, obviously clothing has this aspect too, but not always. For example, I work overnights in a rehab, and dress uber conservative and professional: usually dress pants, nice shirt, vest/blazer, and nice shoes. So do I look attractive in these clothes? I hope so, but my intent is to command respect with my apperence, not to be overtly attractive. Granted, not every work situation is like mine, but if I were to wear makeup, what does that achieve? Why am I trying to be visually appealing?
Ha, I told myself not to open this thread and have been resisting it for days! I’m probley over-analyzing, being in recovery has taught me to look at the “motivation” behind everything 
Vaseline Rosy Lips is fantastic if you can get it. It softens your lips, gives them a lovely, subtle pink tint, and has a gorgeous rose scent. I use it every day.
I think a little eyeshadow and eyeliner shows you care about your appearance. No need to go overboard. It’s more important to dress professionally.
As for lipstick, I think that depends on age. I’m 20 and can’t imagine wearing actual lipstick (as in not lip gloss or balm) during the day. I don’t wear it in the evening either, but I can at least see myself doing so. Opinions, dopers?
Probably…just set it to “natural” instead of “whore”.
Damn. Now on top of everything else, I have to find a new outfit, too. 
Well, that’s a major factor. I’m a redhead with glasses, and without a little bit of eye makeup, my eyes just sort of disappear. I don’t color my brows, but I do have to make sure that the waxer-lady doesn’t make them too thin or else they disappear, too.
It seems like you’re using “visually appealing” and “attractive” to mean “sexually appealing.” That’s a mistake.
People like attractive people, even if they’re not of their preferred gender or if they’re just not sexually attractive to them. A little makeup makes me look a whole lot better, and so it benefits me in every way. My “date” makeup is still light, but more geared to looking sexually attractive than my work makeup.
I think women are extremely lucky to have the option of using makeup. It’s easy and cheap and socially acceptable, and it can make us look a lot better. 3 minutes in front of a mirror is a very small price to pay to feel so much more confident.