A make-up question for the ladies...

[Dastard Stepchild]

So, my friend and I were chatting today on the bus, and she inquired as to whether I would ever wear make-up on a daily basis. I said, "uh, no." To which she replied that she thought I would get more respect and be treated more professionally if I did. She was alluding to the fact that people take a gal in makeup more seriously.
Thoughts on this?

I've taken pleasure in not wearing makeup for two reasons:
1. a lot less fuss
2. everyone expects chicks to wear makeup, which causes me to stamp my 'lil foot, shake my 'lil fist, and say "no, make-up industry, no!"

So, must a gal be made up to get ahead in business? I've heard this incantation in various forms over the years, but I just don't know.

[silverweb]

1. It all depends...

...on whether the people who call the shots in a particular industry or business are sexist pigs or not.

:shrug:

[Misunderestimator]

3. How very true.

[Dastard Stepchild]

20. I'm in academia...

The assumption is that it is laidback and earthy, but really, it's not always so.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

2. I never wear makeup ... blessed with youthful appearance and clear skin ..

[Dastard Stepchild]

21. I too, look young and have good skin...

So I can technically get away without wearing it, but I'm wondering if it would be a boon to my professional life to do so.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

25. I LOATHE Makeup ...

I don't own any piece of makeup nor do I have a makeup case . But often wish to be granted the opportunity to have my face done by a professional makeup artist one day to see who enhanced makeup can really make me look .

[redqueen]

4. I think so

In most businesses, yes... it's considered as much a part of a 'professional appearance' as stockings and suitable sandals.

I hardly use any, so it lasts forever, so that's a small blessing I guess.

[Dastard Stepchild]

22. Technically, we can get away with not wearing it...

and I don't think my immmediate colleagues pay attention, but I am about to be taking some bigger steps over the next few months and wonder if it's time to look a little less undergrad...

[daligirrl]

5. If you have a high profile job. . .

Yes, it is important. Not necessarily right, but that's the reality. It's also important to know how to apply it correctly. But anywhere else, f**k 'em.

[Dastard Stepchild]

31. I should do one of those free Marshall Fields makeovers

just for the heck of it.... just to even see what my best colors are.

[likesmountains 52]

6. makeup

I have had this same dilemma and finally figured out that just a little lipstick can make you look like you're wearing makeup...buy some of the more expensive stuff so it doesn't glop up.

[Dastard Stepchild]

30. Yes ... I might try to use a little lip color

see if it makes a difference. Since I'm vegan, it's hard to find good cosmetics, but perhaps Whole Foods carries a vegan line in stores. I've seen it online, but ya never know how the color will look on yer face.

[Hoping4Change]

7. Try wearing lipstick, blush and mascara and see for yourself

how people react.

[tandot]

8. You get a different response from people if you wear make-up.

I hate this but I found that people who wear make-up and dress nicely are just treated differently. Appearance seem to be everything. Studies have shown that if you are perceived to look more attractive (make-up, nice dress, nice hear, nice figure, etc.) you'll have more chance to get a job even if you are less qualified.

This is extremely sexist and I wish it wouldn't be like it.

Here is my experience with a coworker. I think that we are equally attractive and equally nice to people. She is dying her hair blonde, is slim, always wears make-up, and always dresses extremely nice (e.g., expensive). I don't go through that hassle. I but some make-up on, but not very much. I don't spend one hour a day doing my hair with curling irons and all the other stuff. I dress neat but not as nice as her. I weigh a couple of pounds more than she does. She has less education than I do but she has a higher position. Everybody at work adores her and ignores me. They are extremely friendly to her (especially guys) and usually rude to me. Some guys actually asked me to tell her how beautiful and smart she is...

I don't know if this will change any time soon, but I sure hope.

[Dastard Stepchild]

32. Interesting observation -

My supervisor and I both don't wear makeup, and we were talking about this. We wondered if people in business meetings would be more receptive to our ideas/proposals if we looked polished, or if we portrayed authenticity by staying true to our images (think thrift store chic sans makeup). We're doing good, but would it get us ahead that much further to put some blush on these cheeks and heels on these feet. Prolly yes, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to go down that road. I love my quasi-platform shoes. :)

[supernova]

9. Well-applied makeup can aid the over-all good grooming effect

you want to project. I wear makeup to work because I look better. I'm quite pale and makeup gives me a little color, espcially under florescent lights.

But around the house and small errands, no I don't wear it.

[Dastard Stepchild]

33. I'm pale as well...

in fact, I think it is quite lovely :)

[Flaxbee]

10. Some makeup, yes

YOu don't have to apply it with a trowel, or even wear much color. But a little foundation or powder to even out skin tone (and reduce shine), mascara and lipstick (my favorite is actually in a chapstick tube from the health food store -- Terra Tints in "Blaze". It's part of looking well-groomed, unless you're blessed with flawless skin and rosy cheeks and naturally dark eyelashes. I'm a lawyer and in business, and it does sorta add to the whole effect. I refuse to wear pantyhose, though, so to each his/her own. But -- you don't want to see a guy with a forest of nosehair growing out of his nose, and that kind of male grooming I think makes men look better (also controlling a unibrow situation). A little makeup I think also adds to the professional look. But you don't need paint. You'd be surprised how much a smooth complexion, a little blush, mascara and tinted gloss can make a difference. And none of those items need cost much. But it depends on your job, I think, too. My sister is a marine biologist and ain't no way she's gonna lug foundation and mascara when she's out tagging seals or examining scats. But she does wear very light makeup when she's got to run the board meetings. And some of the products are much better now, too -- foundations with SPF, lipstick with SPF, etc.

I don't see it as male domination. I expect men to look pulled together, too, and frankly, some of them should use "products" (good cleansers and lotions) to look better.

[Dastard Stepchild]

34. I asked my husband about this...

I asked him why he shaved every day. He said it was because he had to in order to look cleaner and more professional. I told him that the same could be said for women wearing makeup, and he said that he thought I looked nicer without it.... course, he's only seen my wear it twice in five years :) I think I can get a little lip color, and start small. Baby steps :) Is Terra Tint vegan, perchance?

[curse10]

11. When I had a job I wore makeup everyday

and when I go back to work in a few weeks I will again. It takes me 15 minutes to do it, and it's well spent. It's a science, really. And can be done quickly and correctly.

For me it's part of looking neat and professional. If someone has a bad haircut, doesn't dress professionally, and doesn't have a polished appearance it matters. Like it or not. And I don't think this applies only to women. Men are also expected to comb their hair, wear a tie, have unwrinkled clothing and not smell like ass.

Heck, women have been wearing makeup for thousands of years, it isn't a new institution. And what I find more irritating than a lack of makeup is what passes as "business attire" for women. Flowery sundresses are not business attire, ladies! If men have to wear suits, so should we.

[supernova]

12. It's worth it to have your face professionally done

just once even to see what are the best colors and way to apply it for your shape face and eyes.

[latebloomer]

15. men shouldn't "smell like ass"?!?

I'll go along with that! :evilgrin:

[curse10]

16. LoL- well, some do!

they should know about it!

[Dastard Stepchild]

35. My work environment is more low-key

so "looking professional" is really a matter of preference. I think I mostly notice this outside of work - I am young-looking, and sans makeup, I get the impression people aren't taking me as seriously. It looks like others have found this to be true as well... I suppose for me it's a semi-childish reaction to expectations. The expectation is that I am supposed to wear it to look professional, so I don't want to. Time for some thinking on my part.....
:)

[Raven]

13. When I was practicing law full time

I wore blush. I haven't worn lipstick since I was in high school (which was a century ago!). I think that if a woman in business has a neat and clean appearance she can do without makeup if she wants to. Ultimately, it's what you say and what you do and the quality of your brain that counts.

[Sperk]

14. I admire people with flawless skin and good color. I, on the other

hand just simply look WAY better with makeup...so, I wear it every day (that I'm going out). I don't think it's any different that having your hair cut and colored and/or highlighted. Which I do that too...damn, this is getting expensive! :-)

To each his own.

[stanwyck]

17. You have to be comfortable

with how you look or you won't project confidence. If you're not a person who enjoys experimenting with makeup, then forget it. It's your life. My friends are 50-50 on the makeup issue...and the makeup wearers have no discernable advantage. You'll save time and money not wearing makeup. But you might miss out on a little fun. I enjoy playing with makeup. But, that's me. I have a 21-yr. old daughter. I think she has a healthier outlook on her appearance than I've had. She doesn't wear makeup on a daily basis...not to her college classes or to her job. But she does get all girlie fixed-up occasionally when she goes out. She seems to enjoy the change.

[sushi]

18. Make-up does improve one's look

but some people use so much it makes them look ridiculous. I do think a little will improve any girl's appearance. I have tons of "prettying-up" stuff in the bathroom, but I don't use them all the time. When I'm in a hurry, which is very often, I use only moisturizer, powder, curl my eyelashes (mascara and eyeliner etc. take far too much time), improve my eyebrows, walk through perfume, and I feel good and ready to face the world. It takes a few minutes, doesn't cost much, and you will feel good.

[Habibi]

19. Make-up is "dress-up" to me

I only wear it on special occasions. I'm also a belly-dance hobbyist and when I perform in public I lather it on, complete with false eyelashes, and I feel like someone completely other than myself. It's fun.

When I had a regular job, though, BB (before Bush), I almost never wore make-up to work. As a PC technician, it didn't seem worth the effort.

What kills me are the news bimbots on CNN (and probably other channels, but CNN is usually what's on the tube in the cardio room at my gym): man, is their makeup overdone! That Robin Meade of Headline News (a.m.)is so tricked out it looks like she's headed for a night of serious clubbing. Ugh.

[TrogL]

23. I saw a woman downtown in full war paint the other day

With a really stern, business-like "power" look on her face.

She looked ridiculous.

[Piltdown13]

24. Necessary? I think it depends on the business involved...

...as well as the individual's coloring, skin health, etc. Some women are fortunate enough to have perfect skin, needing only to put on moisturizer with sunscreen before going to work; others may need to use additional products to present a similar appearance. And, of course, in some job situations it's not even part of the culture to wear makeup at all.

For instance, when I first started teaching (as a second-year grad student just a couple of years older than my undergrad students) I always wore makeup on teaching days. I look young for my age, and makeup actually made me look older (well, closer to my actual age, anyhow). I do understand that ultimately the important thing is what's between your ears, not what's on your face, but I really preferred not to spend the semester working against the fact that I appeared to be younger than most of my students! This is also why I dressed more formally than my older and/or male colleagues (no, I didn't wear a suit to teach discussion sections, but I didn't wear jeans, either). I got quite a bit of teasing from other grad students at first, but eventually they got used to it. :-)

What I found was that I actually look quite a bit better with very light makeup on -- not so much so that I won't consider leaving the house without it, but I usually do spend the time to put it on because I *like* knowing that I look better. What really makes the difference for me is the under-eye concealer; I usually have fairly dark circles under my eyes, regardless of stress or amount of sleep, and a little skin-tone concealer really helps, along with some powder to cut down on the shine from my sunscreen.

My advice is to experiment with makeup. See if makeup, however minimal, (a) really makes a difference in your appearance and (b) more importantly, find out if it agrees with your sense of yourself. Although I do think that in many situations, women who wear minimal makeup are taken more seriously than those who don't, I can think of any number of exceptions to this. In addition, if it really feels unnatural, I would think that the discomfort/preoccupation thus caused would more than cancel out any increase in perceived professionalism that you might reap from wearing the stuff. YMMV, of course, from someone who went from pretty much where you are right now to actually enjoying the makeup process (perhaps because mine takes less than 5 minutes....).

[Dastard Stepchild]

36. We seem to have a similar background...

I am in academia as well, and even though I am 29, I am repeatedly mistaken for our undergrad research assistants :)

There has been a lot of good advice and observations given on this board. Definite food for thought.

[Skittles]

26. I wear mascara to work

because I get tired of people telling me I look tired (I am blonde). But I do not feel women need to paint themselves like hookers and I really pity women who "can't go out without makeup".

[onebigbadwulf]

27. Make up what a strange thing

I can think of a few ways it can change your life and improve your business opportunities

1. improves your self-esteem and confidence
2. makes you appear younger and healthier
3. gives off an aura of organization
4. shows/hides your good/bad personal hygeine
5. people like being around attractive people
6. people like rewarding attractive people

[LynneSin]

28. For work, I wear enough make up to clear up the blotches

I can barely wear eye makeup anymore because in the morning my eyes are so freaking dried out I'd just water off the makeup. But I like putting some sort of foundation on because my skin is so freaking blotchy. Plus I do like wearing lipstick

[RebelOne]

29. I have worn makeup since I was in my early teens.

In fact, I won't even go out to walk the dog without makeup.

[niceperson]

37. a little can go a long way

There's probably no need to wear it in lab, but when I have to teach or have meetings with people who decide my future (i.e. department heads, deans) I wear some makeup. Depending on what you're comfortable with, and with what looks good on you, you could try wearing just lipstick or eye makeup. Just a little so you look professional and "grown up". If vegan products are important, you can try mineral makeup which is just ground up rocks so very vegan friendly.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

38. I go to court without makeup all the time...no difference

Especially if you are in academia, I see no reason to wear make-up...hell I've seen what passes for MALE fashion in academia...they've got nothing on you.

The only time I would wear makeup is A) when I WANT TO and B) when I am getting my picture taken and that is because film makes everyone look washed out.

[Nikia]

39. I still struggle with this

I work in position of authority in manufacturing. The floor is male dominated. With few exceptions, men hold all the supervisery and more skilled jobs. Most of the lowest paid jobs are held by women, and most women there hold the lowest paid jobs. Most of the men there put women in one of two categories: women who they see as sex objects or women who they consider ugly and not worther anything to them. I don't want to be in either category. Wearing make up puts me more firmly into the first category which I am uncomfortable with. I want to be taken seriously, but I don't know which way makes me be taken more seriously. We all wear uniforms and hair nets so make up is the only way to affect one's appearance at my work.
I wear make up when I feel like it. I am somewhat inedpt at some make up stuff. I can't put eye liner on straight. I can't apply blush in a proper way. I can't find foundation that will match my skin or doesn't accent what few lines I have on my face. I wear brown or gray eye shadow, mascara, basic skin care stuff, and sometimes lipstick. My lips are redder than most people's as it is though. Whether I am well rested or not seems to make more of a difference of what I look like than make up.