Once we start to understand the new office dress code another challenge presents itself- what makeup is acceptable? The short answer is, it depends on where you work. However, there are a couple rules you can follow to ensure that your cubicle mates never start chatting about your over-the-top eye shadow job…
1. Take cues from other people who work in your office. Observing what other people are doing may give you a good idea of what you should be doing.
2. Take into account the industry you are working in. For instance, f you are working in the beauty and/or fashion industries it may be more acceptable to pile on the makeup. However, if you are working in a more conservative industry like banking or consulting, you should not really be able to tell that you are wearing much makeup at all. These industries are more conservative, and your makeup job should consequentially be more conservative too.
3. Too little is always better than too much. Though layering on makeup is very tempting you don’t want your makeup to distract others from getting to know you or your work. Stick to the basics: a tinted moisturizer or base, a light layer of blush or bronzer, a neutral shadow, a light coat of mascara, and a light coat of eyeliner (if any).
4. Stick to nude and more natural hues. Sticking to nude and neutral colors will make your look more natural to ensure that it doesn’t look like you do applied too much. Darker shades of eye shadow and thick lined eyes are more of a nighttime look and should probably stay out of the office.
5. Go bold with a fun shade of lipstick. The one makeup item you can definitely have fun with is lipstick or gloss, so grab a poppy shade. A tube of lipstick is the quintessential makeup find for any working lady and can even make you look a little more adult. Though stray away from patterned, glow-in-the-dark, or sparkly lips (unless you work at an electric music festival)!
Remember you don’t want your makeup to distract from the awesome job that you are hopefully doing on your internship! So let your actions speak for themselves and not let your makeup get in the way. At the end of the day it is always a better decision to opt for less makeup rather than more, so your supervisor is chatting about your amazing excel skills, and not your thickly coated lashes.