makeup on the wards?

[lipstikisntfood]

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Do you feel like it is expected that women wear makeup during their rotations? Some services more than others? Inpatient vs. outpatient? Just trying to get a sense of different expectations at different places. Thanks.

 

[Cuteasaurus]

I really can only speak from personal experience here, but I don't wear makeup "in life" and I don't on the wards either. If you're the kind of person who wears makeup ...As a general guideline, less makeup on the wards, more in clinics, but never "going out tonight" makeup.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Do you feel like it is expected that women wear makeup during their rotations? Some services more than others? Inpatient vs. outpatient? Just trying to get a sense of different expectations at different places. Thanks.

My sense is that there is more of a problem with wearing TOO much makeup (a la "club glitter eyeshadow" etc) than not wearing any at all. But in general I've really seen little of either be a problem, or an "expectation".

Wear what makes you comfortable, and looks appropriate. As long as you are clean and your hair is brushed I doubt anyone will make much notice of your makeup or lack thereof.

 

[babyruth]

I usually wear a little when I have to wear the non-scrub clothes (i.e. dress pants and white coat) and if I wear scrubs, I go au natural. Somedays I'm just too tired for makeup anyways, so it is up to you.

 

[hippiedoc13]

I almost never wear makeup on rotations and I don't think it matters at all...I have done well, been taken seriously, and been complimented on my consistently professional appearance, even without makeup. I think the choice about wearing makeup is about what makes you feel most comfortable. Don't sweat it.

 

[abc56]

totally doesnt matter .sometimes i wear makeup to cover up the dark circles under my eyes. sometimes i wear it just to make me feel good. sometimes i just dont care and wont wear any!! i dont think anyone can tell the difference to tell you the truth

but everyone is right. just dont wear too much, then you look unprofessional

 

[somedude98317]

Just don't look like you are going into a PORN shoot...then you are good to go.

just one man's opinion..

 

[babyruth]

You mean naked? Yeah I wouldn't suggest doing that either; only if you want pass with honors I guess...

 

[t33sg1rl]

Makeup???

I do like to wear makeup when I go out at night. But I don't wear it to school. There are four girls in my class who wear makeup. None of them need it. Why risk people assuming that you're just a pretty face more concerned with your appearance than doing your job well?

 

[SBlanc]

well, i'll chime in a different perspective... i wear makeup daily - concealer under the eyes and powder/foundation, a bit of eyeliner, and lip balm, at the bare minimum. i don't have bad skin, but it's not dermatology-perfect, and i just feel more confident with makeup on. when i'm not wearing it, people remark that i look tired (not evaluators... just friends, classmates...). so i've worn makeup daily throughout my "nice clothes" rotations (peds, medicine, neuro), and have never had anyone comment on my makeup or appearance in general. i always err on the conservative side, which i think is just a good rule for professional dress in general. the trick has been with "scrubs" rotations - in ob/gyn, a lot of the female residents seemed to "dress up" more, wearing makeup whether on L&D or in the OR or whatever. in addition they wore a lot more jewelry too (bling on the finger and in the ears), so i tended to wear a toned-down makeup and some plain pearl/diamond (CZ) studs while there. on surgery i was a bit more uneasy about the makeup situation, so i started out not wearing any, but then had both an upper level and an attending who wore makeup to work, so i ended up doing a very bare minimum makeup there.

from the amount i've just rambled about it, it might seem like i'm some makeup-obsessed crazy person, which is not true... i just do believe that it's useful to share ideas on these more ambiguous aspects of med school, which are just as likely to affect others' impression of you as your knowledge base (like it or not). in general i think evaluators are much more likely to call out men on appearance snafus than women, because of the risk of sexual harrassment-type attitudes. so the likelihood of getting called out on your makeup is slim.

 

[DOtobe]

I wear makeup to work every day, and so do most of the female residents in my residency program. As long as your makeup is subdued I don't see a problem with wearing makeup. I wear lipstick, eye shadow, everything...except eyeliner, which I'm not very good at applying without looking like I have two black eyes. As long as you don't look like you're ready to go clubbing, there's nothing wrong with wearing some makeup.

 

[goodies]

bump

 

[Ypo.]

Why bump this thread?

Ah well, my two cents is that it doesn't matter either way. As long as your clothes are professional and you look clean.

 

[Hard24Get]

I love makeup. I was the only med-student post-call to wash up, apply perfume, wash my face, and reapply makeup in addition to brushing my teeth. Just don't feel natural without it. Had to get up earlier, but I'm sure it contributed to my "wow, look at all her energy" comments

 

[domer621]

Wow, putting on perfume, too?

It's great that you take care of your appearance... Most girls look like a different person post-call.

 

[goodies]

I love makeup. I was the only med-student post-call to wash up, apply perfume, wash my face, and reapply makeup in addition to brushing my teeth. Just don't feel natural without it. Had to get up earlier, but I'm sure it contributed to my "wow, look at all her energy" comments

lol 👍 do u ever feel any animosity from other female residents who are looking all haggardly?

 

[angel80]

When I'm in scrubs, I usual go with no makeup, or very light makeup. When I dress up (most days), I wear makeup(usually some light, natural-looking eye makeup and a light colored lip gloss), jewelry(small earrings-usually studs or small hoops, a simple necklace, and a nice watch), and a spritz of a soft perfume. I figure that if I am going to wear a nice outfit, then I should really put together a whole outfit. It adds less than 5 minutes to the getting ready in the morning part. Post call, I always wash my face and brush my teeth. I used to keep a little makeup and body spray in my overnight bag, but I never got around to using it.

 

[Acherona]

makeup looks dirty. I guess it can look OK from far away but from up close it looks greasy and unhygienic, like all the dust particles are sticking to it and it's a nidus for several nosocomial infections.

Eyeshadow is the one I really don't understand. How can putting glittery blue paint on your eyelid possibly make you look "better". It makes you look like you put glittery blue paint on your eyelid...

I tend to assume that if a woman is wearing too much makeup in a context like a hospital, it's because she is overly concerned with her appearance, and therefore is probably judging my appearance. This makes me feel uncomfortable esp if the woman is my doctor. I prefer to have someone treating me who is overly concerned with knowing their medicine.

 

[mules05]

I always wear makeup, both in and out of work, just because it's something I do. I don't cake it on to the point that it's dirty or slutty or anything, so I don't think it's a problem. I think whatever makes you look and feel professional is appropriate for the hospital setting.


from Acherona:
"I tend to assume that if a woman is wearing too much makeup in a context like a hospital, it's because she is overly concerned with her appearance, and therefore is probably judging my appearance. This makes me feel uncomfortable esp if the woman is my doctor. I prefer to have someone treating me who is overly concerned with knowing their medicine. "

On the flip side, one could argue that someone who can't take time to put on some makeup or make herself look presentable would be someone who won't take time to concentrate on patient care. I don't think it's ever appropriate to judge someone based on their personal appearance, including whether or not someone chooses to wear makeup.

 

[efex101]

Do what is best for YOU ..I mean WHO really sits there (and who cares) and agonizes about what other folks are doing when you are busy enough as is?

 

[Hard24Get]

To mules05 👍👍👍 Great post to the hater. Most people who think of makeup that way have no idea how it is supposed to be used. Very little should be detectable. And I chose to great my patients at am rounds with confidence and energy, and for that I need to bathe and freshen up. It is just that simple.

lol 👍 do u ever feel any animosity from other female residents who are looking all haggardly?

Nope.

Do what is best for YOU ..I mean WHO really sits there (and who cares) and agonizes about what other folks are doing when you are busy enough as is?

 

[goodies]

i always wear makeup... and i usually tone it down for the wards, but i notice that none of the female residents wear any... or other med students... so was just wondering if i was the only person who does. glad to hear u guys feel the same way about makeup. 👍

 

[bowser brown]

All of you are beautiful people inside and out!! I'm so excited to know you all! I love everyone here!!

 

[Bito42]

I sometimes where it to look older.

 

[pagemmapants]

Tinted moisturizer, undereye concealer (of course), translucent powder, eyeliner, mascara.

No eyeshadow/blush/lipstick.

Some of the residents on my rotations go full-out with greens and blues for their eyeshadow and pinks/berries for their lips, but that's usually on clinic days. Some of the other residents barely brush their hair.

To each her own.

 

[chocomorsel]

I don't like wearing makeup. Except when I go out and every once in a while if I am wearing my contacts and I'm in clinic clothes. I have oily skin and when I put on makeup, it doesn't help. In fact it's worse, because it gets more shiny, and I have this bad habit of rubbing and picking at my face that I get it all on my hands then on paper, and I've even got it on my white coat. I hate that. But I've let myself go since I second year of medschool. I used to think that I was kinda pretty but now, I think I'm "butterface". My face has been breaking out more than usual and I feel makeup just aggravates the situation. I have a great body, but my face these days, EH!!!! I just don't care anymore. It sucks that med school is doing this to me, but I've become cynical and very non-chalant about my appearance. On the rare occasion that I do go out and dress up with makeup, I am pleasantly suprised at my appearance. 😍

More props to all those who take the time to put on a pretty face. I know it helps with the self confidence, but I Just don't care anymore. And I doubt this will change in residency. Especially since my job will require me to wear scrubs daily. Thank God.

 

[kronickm]

This thread makes me happy that I am a man...get out of bed, shower, put on scrubs.

 

[Shinken]

I only wear makeup on the wards whenever I want to feel pretty. For example, if I had a particularly rough day in my inpatient rotation on Tuesday, I'll show up on Wednesday wearing some makeup.

Although last time I did that my attending sent me home. Apparently some patients are freaked out by guys wearing makeup. Go figure.

 

[Arctic Char]

i guess i just find this funny because no one gives a $hit how you look if you are incompetent. in fact, the more makeup you wear, the more you'll probably be under the microscope. but that being said, no one wants to be treated by, or work with the female jack kerouac.

 

[randomedstudent]

Makeup???

I do like to wear makeup when I go out at night. But I don't wear it to school. There are four girls in my class who wear makeup. None of them need it. Why risk people assuming that you're just a pretty face more concerned with your appearance than doing your job well?

I find this very surprising and am wondering if you were actually exaggerating b/c in my class it is probably more like 4 girls who don't wear makeup. I think many of the people who claim that most girls don't wear any or the ones who do look unprofessional or whatever probably just don't realize that many of the girls who they think aren't wearing any likely are, it's just that it's so tasteful and natural that it is essentially undectable, as good makeup should be. I for one wear makeup every day, including post-call on surgery when I rolled out of my call room bed at 4:00. I just think I look much more professional and put-together with it but to each her own. If I had good skin I might only wear mascara and lip gloss, but unfortunately I have not been blessed in that department so must wear foundation and powder daily so as not to appear unkempt.

 

[deleted29780]

dont be too concerned about your makeup...be concerned about the management of your patients...thats what you are in this profession for.

 

[Snuffleupagus]

i would keep the makeup to a minimum. the saying is old but sooooo true: the best makeup is never seen.

i always thought it was weird when doctors walked around the wards wearing gucci and prada, with tons of makeup on their face and jimmy choos on their feet. thats fine on fifth avenue, but not around a bunch of people whose urine are collecting in a bag on the side of their bed. too incongruous for me i guess.

 

[lil pook]

call me conservative, but anything you do to your appearance that actually calls attention to it is probably not cool at work.

if you're a hot chick, ya gotta tone it down at the hospital...chill with the makeup...chill with the skirts and high heels....believe me, it CAN work against you

 

[MadameLULU]

I don't see anything wrong with some eyeliner or eyeshadow as long as it doesn't "shout" out anything. I've seen attendings and residents all do it, so it's fine.
I do agree with the above comment about what you wear. I once heard some residents comment about a fellow female students clothing and how distasteful it was. I don't think we should wear skirts that are really short or that are so low on the waist that a thong can be easily seen, and don't have too much cleavage bursting out...it's just not professional

 

[Trooth]

#1 reason you shouldn't wear too much makeup...takes time - most probabbly precious sleep time.

Unless you use this...

 

[MadameLULU]

Hahaha! Nice!

 

[Samoa]

I'm a surgery resident, and at my program the makeup level runs the entire gamut. It's a personal decision, and no one seems to care as long as you're competent.

I admire the women who take the time to put a full face of makeup on every day. But I value every single extra moment of sleep in the morning, so I'm not one of them. The most I EVER wear is powder, eyeliner and mascara, and that's been the routine since my sophomore year of high school. Much to my mom's chagrin ("sweetie you'd look so much better with just a little bit of lipstick!" lol).

However, the flip side of this is that because I've never worn makeup or smoked habitually, I look 5-10 years younger than I really am. It used to be 10-15, but then I started residency...

 

[cbass1350]

Most women that I worked with typically wore makeup on clinic days and went without it on OR days. That being said, I really doubt that there is a rule against wearing makeup whenever you feel like it. As others have mentioned, most residents don't always have the time/energy for this kind of stuff.