Job Interview Makeup Do'due south and Don'ts

Updated on February fourteen, 2021

When you're doing your makeup for a job interview, think soft and natural. Overall, a practiced rule of thumb is to choose shades within a close range of your peel tone. You want to make a good impression without overdoing it. It'due south better to alloy in than it is to stand out by overdoing and wearing too much makeup.

Beyond the basic idea that your interview makeup shouldn't be loud or distracting, what else works and what doesn't? Can yous wear cherry-red lipstick to an interview? What about a cat-eye? Are faux eyelashes a good idea?

Here are some do'due south and don'ts for wearing makeup to a job interview, so you lot make the best impression.

Match Your Makeup to Your Peel Tone

Woman with nude makeup

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This woman is wearing nude lip gloss, light bronzer, and dusk rose eyeshadow. A pale lady would want to avoid heavy magenta blush, and a deeper toned woman would want to avert bright pink lipstick or light beige eyeshadow.

Your goal is to accept your makeup blend in, non stand out.

Be Primed Against Blush

Mineral makeup cosmetics kit

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Remember that job interviews can be stressful even for people who have done many of them.

If you're prone to deep flushing when you're nervous or flustered, and conceptualize an intense interview, yous may want to go low-cal on the blush you use and opt for a sheer bronzer or highlighter instead.

And if yous're seriously concerned about getting red, considering using a green-tinted primer earlier you employ your makeup. Though it won't be outwardly noticeable, it volition aid annul any redness should blood start rushing to your cheeks.

Skip the Simulated Eyelashes

Woman with false eyelashes

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Although false eyelashes might make y'all announced awake and wide-eyed, save them for the company holiday political party, non for the interview. Tin you imagine if your simulated lashes came off during your meeting?

You don't want to exist worrying as well much about your appearance, so yous tin can focus on acing your interview questions. Rather than falsies, opt for a glaze of blackness, waterproof mascara (that way information technology'll be weatherproof, sweatproof and tearproof) instead.

Avert Clumpy Mascara

Close-Up Woman Eye Make-Up

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That being said, don't get crazy with the mascara and end upwards with clumpy lashes.

Y'all want to look professional and polished, not similar you lot just got habitation from a hectic night at the social club. In the example of interview makeup, less is much, much more.

Consider Natural Lip Gloss

Woman applying lip gloss

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If yous are inclined to use lipstick or lip gloss, proceed the shade inside a reasonable range of your natural lip colour.

Be careful with gloss: you lot don't desire it to wait viscid, go smeared, or dry up and leave nasty white residue. A thin, moisturizing lip gloss or even lip balm is a condom choice.

Exist Classy About Your Blood-red Lipstick

Smiling businesswoman seated at office workstation

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Carmine lips are a glamorous classic simply maybe not for your interview. Here's the thing: ruddy lipstick isn't a terrible "don't," information technology's only something to approach with caution.

So when can it work? If the rest of your look is understated—an all-black clothes and shoe combination and minimal middle makeup, you might exist able to get away with it.

Only your lipstick must be applied with care. Blank lips would exist better than blotchy lipstick or smudged lip liner. And you probably don't desire to exist worrying about that during your interview.

Here'south a secret: a sheer red lip stain might only be your best bet. Merely use it with course.

Mineral Powder Is the Antidote to a Nervous Sheen

Brush With Powder

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An interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it'south important to keep your cool and perform nether pressure.

If y'all're prone to sweating or getting ruby-red when you're stressed, a lightweight mineral powder volition come in handy. Just dust information technology on your face, either over your foundation, concealer or bare pare if yous aren't wearing a base afterwards, using a large brush like the one pictured.

The benefits of powder: This will help dry up any sweat, so you don't await greasy and volition likewise lend an even tone to your face up.

Try Pencil Eyeliner for a Softer Look

Close up of eyeliner on a woman

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If you're used to doing true cat eyeliner, tone it down for your interview. Rather than extending your eyeliner past the outer border of your centre, end it right at that place.

Yous can also use a pencil, every bit opposed to liquid liner, to achieve a softer, less harsh look.

Forget Almost the Crazy Eyeshadow

Woman with bright, bold eyeshadow

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Forget about the crazy, colorful eyeshadow. If you lot cull to wear eyeshadow, it should hardly be noticeable. You lot want to be able to brand house, confident centre contact while you answer questions, and your interviewer's attention should be on your answers themselves, not on your loud eye makeup.​

Choose Natural Tones for Your Eyeshadow

Close up of woman's natural eyeshadow

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That being said, opt for natural tones if y'all choose to wear middle shadow for an interview. Earth tones are a condom bet; and easy to apply. Just use a lighter, slightly luminescent shade (close to your peel tone) on your lids, so add some depth with a medium shade on the outer corners of your eyes.