Makeup and Interviews

[Abby_Normal]

Fellow females, I was wondering your opinion on the importance of wearing makeup for interviews. Ordinarily, I don't wear makeup beyond a little concealer and wasn't planning to start, but pretty much every job interview article I read advises women to wear a little make up to look "complete." Is this really necessary? Just wanted to get some other opinions.

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[TraumaLlamaMD]

I've never been one for makeup and frankly am pretty sure I'd do more harm than good for my look if I went experimenting before an interview. Unless you have noticeable acne or something else that might distract an interviewer, I don't buy that it's necessary, especially if you don't have experience applying it.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I've never met anyone that didn't look better with some on and I happen to agree with the job interview articles that suggested it. This is especially true in the case of women who might be very young appearing; make up will give you an air of maturity and almost always looks more professional.

It's really not that hard to do and no one is suggesting that you do multicolor eyeshadow or complicated smoky eyes and facial contouring.

If you're really clueless and live in a moderate sized city most department stores, MAC, Ulta or Sephora can help you with this. You need to make sure they know this is for a conservative job interview. This would typically mean concealer, light blush, mascara and a low gloss lip color.

 

[yetanotherusername]

But be careful with lip color. You don't want to be that person that has lip stick smudges on their teeth...

 

[AMEHigh]

Obviously not necessary, but I do think that minimal make up makes you look more polished.

I wear tinted moisturizer, eye liner, mascara and neutral eye shadow daily, so obviously I'll do that on interview day.

I think that eye liner, mascara and covering up any blemishes/smoothing out complexion with concealer or a tinted moisturizer is a good look for interview day.

If anything, it would be a good opportunity to learn to apply eye liner and mascara as I think it's one of those "life skills" that is good to have and can come in handy throughout your life to help you look more polished.

 

[mvenus929]

Wear lipstick. Not a bright shade, just one close to the color of your lips when they are not chapped or dry. It seriously does a lot to your face. Then, apply some concealer, a bit of powder foundation (easier to get even than a liquid foundation), a light brush of blush on your cheekbones, and a color on your lids to complement the shirt you are wearing.

Eye liner really helps bring out eyes, but if you're not good at makeup, it can be challenging to do at times. I don't bother with mascara because I hate the feeling of my eyelashes clumping together, and I play with them constantly whenever I wear it.

 

[rokshana]

just an fyi…down south we like make up and you're not quite complete without a little makeup! lipstick make the world of difference.

but like WS said, if you don't know how to do it go to a makeup counter and tell them you have an interview and you want something that looks natural.

 

[Doctor Bob]

I know this thread is aimed at women, but guys...

Please don't wear makeup to interviews. If you have more product on your face than in your hair, that will definitely set you apart... and not necessarily in a good way.
I mean... a little concealer is one thing... but foundation and eyeliner... no. The medical field is just not that progressive yet.

I am saying this, having sat on the other side of the table from someone who thought this was a good idea.

 

[AMEHigh]

I know this thread is aimed at women, but guys...

Please don't wear makeup to interviews. If you have more product on your face than in your hair, that will definitely set you apart... and not necessarily in a good way.
I mean... a little concealer is one thing... but foundation and eyeliner... no. The medical field is just not that progressive yet.

I am saying this, having sat on the other side of the table from someone who thought this was a good idea.

Huh? I know plenty of female attendings that wear make up.

Also, I don't put any product in my hair, so does that mean I can't put any make up on my face? That's a weird thing to compare.

Anyway, I don't put on my everyday make up like I'm going to the club. Clearly the person you interviewed was doing things a little differently if it stands out that much!

 

[Doctor Bob]

Huh? I know plenty of female attendings that wear make up.

Also, I don't put any product in my hair, so does that mean I can't put any make up on my face? That's a weird thing to compare.

Anyway, I don't put on my everyday make up like I'm going to the club. Clearly the person you interviewed was doing things a little differently if it stands out that much!

... Are you a woman?
Because I was talking about guys... men... male humans.
I have interviewed guys who put on makeup for the interview...

Perhaps I was vague in my use of familiar pronouns

 

[gutonc]

... Are you a woman?
Because I was talking about guys... men... male humans.
I have interviewed guys who put on makeup for the interview...

Perhaps I was vague in my use of familiar pronouns

No...you were pretty clear.

 

[AMEHigh]

... Are you a woman?
Because I was talking about guys... men... male humans.
I have interviewed guys who put on makeup for the interview...

Perhaps I was vague in my use of familiar pronouns

Ha, oops I missed that small detail 🙂

 

[Mass Effect]

Wear lipstick. Not a bright shade, just one close to the color of your lips when they are not chapped or dry. It seriously does a lot to your face. Then, apply some concealer, a bit of powder foundation (easier to get even than a liquid foundation), a light brush of blush on your cheekbones, and a color on your lids to complement the shirt you are wearing.

Eye liner really helps bring out eyes, but if you're not good at makeup, it can be challenging to do at times. I don't bother with mascara because I hate the feeling of my eyelashes clumping together, and I play with them constantly whenever I wear it.

I wouldn't wear eyeliner if you're not already good at it. I also disagree with matching your lid color to your top. This can be a really bad idea if someone is wearing a red, teal, orange top, etc. The best thing for interview day is to wear neutrals. For your lids, you should shade the crease with a neutral/tan color and a shade lighter for the lid, then blend, blend, blend. You want your entire look to totally blend together so that they're not focusing on, say, your teal lids when you're talking about your research experiences.

 

[evilbooyaa]

I know this thread is aimed at women, but guys...

Please don't wear makeup to interviews. If you have more product on your face than in your hair, that will definitely set you apart... and not necessarily in a good way.
I mean... a little concealer is one thing... but foundation and eyeliner... no. The medical field is just not that progressive yet.

I am saying this, having sat on the other side of the table from someone who thought this was a good idea.

As a guy, should I be wearing a little bit of concealer for blemishes? What if the interviewers think I have terrible skin and don't rank me for that reason! (not going into Dermatology, fortunately!)

 

[Mog16]

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...secrets-of-dating-from-the-experts-at-okcupid

Skip to the bottom graph, somewhat relevant (if you feel that make-up increases attractiveness)

 

[Winged Scapula]

I wouldn't wear eyeliner if you're not already good at it. I also disagree with matching your lid color to your top. This can be a really bad idea if someone is wearing a red, teal, orange top, etc. The best thing for interview day is to wear neutrals. For your lids, you should shade the crease with a neutral/tan color and a shade lighter for the lid, then blend, blend, blend. You want your entire look to totally blend together so that they're not focusing on, say, your teal lids when you're talking about your research experiences.

She said wearing an eye shadow that complements, not matches. Two related but different concepts.

 

[Mass Effect]

She said wearing an eye shadow that complements, not matches. Two related but different concepts.

Women who don't usually wear makeup probably won't differentiate, if what I see on the wards is any example.

 

[jakeislove]

I know this thread is aimed at women, but guys...

Please don't wear makeup to interviews. If you have more product on your face than in your hair, that will definitely set you apart... and not necessarily in a good way.
I mean... a little concealer is one thing... but foundation and eyeliner... no. The medical field is just not that progressive yet.

I am saying this, having sat on the other side of the table from someone who thought this was a good idea.

Manscara is very popular! 🙂

 

[mvenus929]

Women who don't usually wear makeup probably won't differentiate, if what I see on the wards is any example.

I choose my words carefully. I did not say match, I said complement, precisely for the reason that you 'disagreed' with me. But yes, when in doubt, go neutral.