Back to work beauty

If you work in a corporate environment, you’ll know it’s important to invest in a working wardrobe. Thing is, it’s also just as important to ensure you’re wearing the right make-up. Still, making your face up for work doesn’t have to be boring and don’t listen to anyone who tells you you’ll be taken more seriously if you don’t wear make-up. Studies show that women who wear make-up to work are more likely to be promoted and if you skip it, you’ll only end up feeling less confident. So, here’s how to get the balance right between looking beautiful as well as office appropriate.

Office make-up do’s

Create a look that enhances your beauty, but in a natural way. This means saving the fuchsia lippie for later and going the Bobbi Brown route; choosing make-up that’s just a few shades darker than those already on your face. Keep your look simple so it’s easy to put your face on within ten minutes. (This way you can spend another twenty minutes in bed before your alarm goes off…)

Think about maintenance. You don’t want a make-up look that requires a lot of touch ups or isn’t likely to stick around past lunch, so make a point of looking out for longwearing formulas.

Office make-up don’ts

Save smoky eyes and anything too shimmery or glittery for the evening or you’ll set yourself back in any effort to be taken seriously. Worse yet, colleagues might think you were too lazy to take off last night’s make-up!

Don’t experiment with new foundation shades or, worse yet, facial self tanner, during the work week. If it ends up looking dreadful, you’re stuck with it for the day.

Nail art is fun if you work in a creative or casual environment. In a conservative office, however, it’ll just be considered tacky.

Look sharp

The perfect office make-up bag should contain any the following: Longwearing foundation and concealer that goes the distance between 9 and 5. (Revlon’s ColourStay range is fabulous and has great shade options for all skin tones.)

Natural-looking blush. (The best way to pick this is to look out for a colour that emulates the shade your cheeks turn after just a little bit of exercise.)

Blotting powder or oil-control tissues to keep your look fresh and matte-looking throughout the day.

Lipstick or lip stain that matches your lips or is just a few shades darker. Ideally you want this to be a matte or satin-effect shade; you can save your gloss for an after work drink with the girls.

A neutral matte or satin-effect eye shadow palette.

A longwearing waterproof eyeliner like Smashbox Limitless eyeliner, R190. (It promises eight hours of budge-proof wear.)

A soft, pretty-looking mascara, something like The Body Shop Define & Lengthen mascara, R85

Other articles you may be interested in:
Apply foundation flawlessly
Choose the perfect mascara
Step-by-step French manicure
Lip service
Fixing perfume overload

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