Task Interview Makeup Do's and Don'ts

Updated on February 14, 2021

When you lot're doing your makeup for a job interview, remember soft and natural. Overall, a good rule of thumb is to choose shades within a close range of your skin tone. You want to make a good impression without overdoing it. It'south better to blend in than information technology is to stand up out by overdoing and wearing too much makeup.

Across the basic thought that your interview makeup shouldn't exist loud or distracting, what else works and what doesn't? Can you wear blood-red lipstick to an interview? What about a cat-centre? Are false eyelashes a good thought?

Here are some practice's and don'ts for wearing makeup to a job interview, so yous make the all-time impression.

Match Your Makeup to Your Skin Tone

Woman with nude makeup

Frank P. Wartenburg / Getty Images

This woman is wearing nude lip gloss, light bronzer, and dusk rose eyeshadow. A stake lady would want to avert heavy magenta blush, and a deeper toned woman would want to avert vivid pink lipstick or lite biscuit eyeshadow.

Your goal is to accept your makeup blend in, not stand out.

Be Primed Confronting Blush

Mineral makeup cosmetics kit

JulyProkopiv / Getty Images

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

If y'all're prone to deep flushing when y'all're nervous or flustered, and anticipate an intense interview, you lot may want to go light on the chroma you lot employ and opt for a sheer bronzer or highlighter instead.

And if yous're seriously concerned nearly getting red, because using a greenish-tinted primer before you apply your makeup. Though information technology won't be outwardly noticeable, it volition help counteract any redness should claret start rushing to your cheeks.

Skip the Imitation Eyelashes

Woman with false eyelashes

DigitalVision / Getty Images

Although false eyelashes might make you appear awake and wide-eyed, save them for the company holiday party, not for the interview. Can you lot imagine if your false lashes came off during your meeting?

Y'all don't desire to exist worrying too much about your appearance, and then you tin can focus on acing your interview questions. Rather than falsies, opt for a coat of black, waterproof mascara (that mode it'll be weatherproof, sweatproof and tearproof) instead.

Avoid Clumpy Mascara

Close-Up Woman Eye Make-Up

RUNSTUDIO / Getty Images

That being said, don't go crazy with the mascara and terminate up with clumpy lashes.

Y'all desire to wait professional and polished, not similar you only got home from a hectic night at the club. In the case of interview makeup, less is much, much more.

Consider Natural Lip Gloss

Woman applying lip gloss

Moment Images / Getty Images

If you are inclined to utilize lipstick or lip gloss, keep the shade within a reasonable range of your natural lip color.

Exist careful with gloss: you don't want it to wait gluey, get smeared, or dry upwards and go out nasty white residue. A thin, moisturizing lip gloss or even lip balm is a condom selection.

Exist Classy Well-nigh Your Ruddy Lipstick

Smiling businesswoman seated at office workstation

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Red lips are a glamorous classic simply maybe not for your interview. Here'due south the thing: red lipstick isn't a terrible "don't," information technology's but something to arroyo with caution.

So when tin it work? If the balance of your look is understated—an all-black dress and shoe combination and minimal eye makeup, yous might be able to get away with it.

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

Here'southward a underground: a sheer cherry lip stain might just be your best bet. Simply use it with form.

Mineral Powder Is the Antitoxin to a Nervous Sheen

Brush With Powder

HighImpactPhotography / Getty Images

An interview can exist a nervus-wracking experience, but it's of import to go on your cool and perform nether pressure level.

If you're prone to sweating or getting red when yous're stressed, a lightweight mineral powder will come in handy. Just grit it on your confront, either over your foundation, concealer or bare skin if you aren't wearing a base subsequently, using a large brush like the i pictured.

The benefits of powder: This will help dry out up any sweat, then y'all don't look greasy and will as well lend an even tone to your face.

Try Pencil Eyeliner for a Softer Look

Close up of eyeliner on a woman

Jamie Grill / Getty Images

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

You tin can also utilize a pencil, equally opposed to liquid liner, to accomplish a softer, less harsh await.

Forget Virtually the Crazy Eyeshadow

Woman with bright, bold eyeshadow

Pamela Oliveiras / Getty Images

Forget about the crazy, colorful eyeshadow. If you cull to wear eyeshadow, it should inappreciably be noticeable. You want to be able to brand firm, confident eye contact while y'all respond questions, and your interviewer's attention should be on your answers themselves, non on your loud center makeup.​

Choose Natural Tones for Your Eyeshadow

Close up of woman's natural eyeshadow

PeopleImages / Getty Images

That beingness said, opt for natural tones if y'all choose to vesture center shadow for an interview. Earth tones are a prophylactic bet; and like shooting fish in a barrel to apply. Just utilise a lighter, slightly luminescent shade (shut to your skin tone) on your lids, then add together some depth with a medium shade on the outer corners of your eyes.