Q: What does job interview-appropriate makeup look like?

Wed, 10 August 2011 4:51PM

I recently received a very important question courtesy of PRIMPED fan, Bernie which I thought was most definitely worth sharing. It went a little something like this…

I am applying for jobs in a couple of months and would love to know your suggestions for hair and makeup looks that are suitable for an interview. How do I style myself as serious contender for an office job, with my personality intact?

Bernie, you are not alone here my friend. Just like picking your outfit, there are a few important things that you need to consider when deciding on your makeup. It’s all about finding a balance between looking professional, without hiding your personality.

Softly, softly does it.

As a general rule, if you’re going for a 9-5 office job, it’s best to play it safe. And by playing it safe, I don’t necessarily mean boring. You can’t go wrong with a subtly-smoky eye in a neutral palette, like brown, caramel and taupe’s, or you can amp up the drama a tad by blending a muted gold or bronze shadow over the top. Whatever you do, avoid wearing near-black shadows and steer clear of candy-colours like soft pink and mauve.

Above all, you want to feel confident.

Yes, a true red lippie does scream power, but if you’re not a lipstick wearing kind of girl, the morning of a job interview is not the time to test out a new look. If you’re worried about having to reapply your makeup, opt for tint-based formulas for the lips and cheeks. They’re longer lasting and won’t feather or bleed like a lippie can.

Remember the forgotten territory: your nails. Nothing finishes off an outfit like perfectly manicured nails. If you have decided to play it safe with your makeup, opting for an out-there-shade of nail polish is the ideal way to give a drab office-outfit instant personality.

Keep it job-appropriate: The same way you wouldn’t wear knee-high boots and a mini to a law firm, I suggest you keep your glitter-packed shadows and glosses for the weekend and stick with subtly shimmery formulas that won’t crease as easily or cause fallout.

Here are 4 fool-proof job interview makeup looks that won’t let you down.

Follow Miranda Kerr‘s lead and keep things simple, but expensive-looking with a wash of gold shadow and slick of pink gloss.

 

Or inject a little colour into the mix with a soft lip tint, a la Ms Belle

Or test out a little red tint/gloss like The Palmer

I’ll be back tomorrow with some interview-friendly hairstyle options, but in the meantime, it’s over to you now, Primpettes…

If you had an interview tomorrow, what look would you go for?
Have you ever busted out a bold lip for an interview?
Have you got a makeup nightmare story to share?

Posted by: Eliza Ashe

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Tags: bold lipstick, camilla belle, easy makeup, gold eyeshadow, job interview, lipstick, makeup, makeup trends, miranda kerr, miranda kerry david jones, natural-looking makeup, red lipstick