Many women face a major challenge every day: creating a makeup that fits their work environment. Sometimes it is not easy to understand what is acceptable and desirable in a professional setting, but as the results of a study conducted at Harvard in 2011 show, wearing makeup can be very important. Generally women who use makeup, in the right quantities, are in fact considered more competent, pleasant and reliable. This article will help you create a suitable makeup for any workplace.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Selecting and Preparing Make-up Products
Step 1. Analyze your work environment and your way of being
Are you a woman who does regular make-up or have you only recently started using make-up products? Do you think you "have" to wear make-up to go to work or is it your wish? While research findings at Harvard show that women who wear makeup are often seen as more competent and welcome in the workplace, there are exceptions. Many powerful women don't wear make-up while they work, but that's no less serious. You should do what is best for you and that makes you feel more comfortable.
Step 2. Evaluate which products you would like to use
Foundation, concealers, mascara, eye shadows, lipsticks, blushes, the world of make-up is really vast, so you should try to understand which points of your face you want to enhance, to avoid overdoing it. Think about which features you would like to improve or highlight.
- Whatever products you choose, make sure your look can last a long time. Having to continually touch up your makeup can be unprofessional as well as a nuisance.
- Decide which part of the face you want to highlight the most. Generally, professional make-up artists recommend focusing on the eyes or the lips, but not both at the same time. You also need to evaluate the intensity of the color contrast between the skin and the eye or mouth makeup. Do you remember the story of Snow White where the protagonist had snow-white skin and lips as red as blood? This concept is still very popular and recent studies have shown that to make a woman look younger you can increase the color contrast between the eyes, mouth and facial skin.
Step 3. Analyze your position and your work environment
A woman in the role of CEO should wear makeup differently than a bar owner. It is important that the look is appropriate for your role.
- Try to understand if the environment in which you work is conservative (very formal, in which an elegant dress-code is required), business casual (more informal, but still refined and professional) or casual (in which no particular dress code). If your workplace belongs to the casual category, there is no reason to worry, you can do your makeup however you like. Nonetheless, the following tips may provide you with some interesting ideas.
- Pay attention to the most popular women who work in the same field as you and notice what kind of makeup they wear every day.
Step 4. Get the necessary products
After you decide how you intend to do your makeup, you need to check which makeup products you already own and which ones you need to buy. You'll probably want to use foundation, neutral-toned eyeshadow, mascara, and lipstick. If you are an expert in the field, you can also use a few more products.
If, on the other hand, you are a neophyte in the field of tricks, you can ask for help from an expert professional in a perfumery to receive personalized advice. This way you can be sure you are choosing the right products and colors for your skin type and facial features. Selecting the correct textures and tones is what allows you to enhance your natural beauty rather than risk getting the classic mask effect
Step 5. Prepare in advance
On Sunday evening you decide how you intend to dress and make up during the work week so you don't have to waste time thinking about what to wear and what kind of make-up to go with your outfit when you are in a hurry in the morning. This way you won't risk arriving late for work.
Select a couple of eyeshadows, some lipstick, a blush, a mascara and the products to create the make-up base and put them in a make-up bag to keep next to the bathroom mirror. By preparing in advance you will avoid having to rummage through drawers looking for a particular color and risk being late
Part 2 of 4: Uniform and Color the Face
Step 1. Start by applying foundation to even out the complexion
You can use your fingers, a specific brush or a small make-up sponge. Distribute it evenly all over your face and remember that when it comes to applying foundation it is better to use it in small doses rather than abundant.
- If the tone of the foundation does not match that of your skin, an unsightly and unnatural color gap will be created between the neck and the face. So try to choose the right color or blend the product over the jaw, downwards, to obtain a more homogeneous result.
- Make sure the foundation layer isn't too thick. Rather than risk obtaining a mask effect, it is better to create a light base, even if not all imperfections will be perfectly covered. Also remember that using too much of it will risk having to touch up your makeup frequently throughout the day.
- One of the latest make-up trends is the "dewy" effect which gives the skin a luminous appearance, as if it were wet with dew. Be careful though, as the face may start to look shiny rather than bright as the hours go by. For this reason, using a matte effect foundation is the best choice.
Step 2. Use a light powder
A thin layer of powder applied to the base allows you to further even out and mattify the skin of the face. In addition to keeping the problem of oily skin under control, the powder fixes the foundation making it last longer.
If you have oily skin and are concerned that it will become oily or shiny as the hours go by, put some sebum-absorbing wipes and face powder in your bag to touch up your makeup mid-day
Step 3. Use the blush to give color to the face and define its features
Take a specific brush and apply the blush of the tone of your choice on the cheeks, then blend it towards the top of the cheekbones.
- Even if you like the healthy and sunny look that blush brings, you should try not to overdo it to maintain a professional look. In excessive quantities it could be unnatural and too flashy.
- Think of blush as a tool for adding a pop of color to the clear, even base you just created. If you want you can use a slightly glittery product that will create nice reflections under the fluorescent lights in the office, however being careful not to overdo the quantities. For once, artificial lights can be beneficial by giving definition and emphasis to the cheekbones.
- It is always best to use a blush of a soft shade and repeat the application as needed.
Part 3 of 4: Make Up Your Eyes
Step 1. Start with an eye primer
Its function is to make the eyeshadow last longer and to prevent it from accumulating in the creases of the eyelid during the day. Using it is essential to avoid having to go to the bathroom frequently to touch up your makeup.
Step 2. Apply eyeshadow
Apply it to the lid with a clean brush. Start with a small amount, you can always add more if you deem it necessary. Blend it to obtain a homogeneous result, making sure that there are no too noticeable color gaps.
- In most cases it will be better to opt for a not too intense and articulated eye make-up, which is generally more suitable for free time. You will be able to show off your make-up artist skills in the evening after work.
- Eyeshadows in warm earth tones look good on almost all women and are brighter than classic browns. For example, you can choose a bright bronze, caramel, biscuit, brown with reddish or gold highlights or even a warm gray with a purplish undertone. The possibilities are really many thanks to the many shades available.
- It would be better to avoid using glitter eyeshadows, as well as those with too bright, fluorescent or sparkling tones. You can always show them off on the weekend!
Step 3. Define the look with pencil or eyeliner
You can use a liquid, gel, or cream product to apply with an angled brush. Start at the inner corner of the eye, the one near the nose, and draw an even line along the lashline. Stop when you reach the outer corner of the eye.
- A thin, even line along the upper edge of the eye makes lashes appear thicker and more voluminous.
- You can try using a gray or brown pencil or eyeliner instead of black for a more delicate and natural effect, ideal for daytime eye makeup.
Step 4. Apply mascara
Slide the brush from the base of the lashes to the ends so that they are defined, elongated and separated. A single stroke of mascara is enough for an office look.
- Don't skip the mascara! Of all the eye make-up products it is probably the most important because it makes the lashes longer, defined and voluminous by creating that color contrast that allows you to make your eyes appear larger and make them stand out.
- Make sure your lashes stay apart after applying mascara. Make sure they don't stick to each other and remove any lumps with a clean pipe cleaner or comb.
- If your lashes aren't naturally curved, you can use an eyelash curler to curl them before applying mascara. Thanks to this simple gesture, your gaze will immediately appear more intense and magnetic.
Step 5. Take care of your brows
Their function is not only to protect the eyes, they are also a focal point of the face and increase expressiveness. It is certainly very useful to keep them neat and defined.
- Style the natural arch of your brows with tweezers, but be careful not to thin them too much. In addition to tweezers, there are many other methods to remove unwanted hair; if you do not feel able to shave them yourself, you can rely on the expert hands of a beautician. It will also help you determine which shape is best suited to your facial features.
- If necessary, you can define the sparser areas with a pencil or a powder or gel product. For them to still appear natural, it is better to add just a little color where it is needed rather than completely redesigning them. This way you will have a neat and professional look.
Part 4 of 4: Make Up Your Lips
Step 1. Choose the color of the lipstick
Unlike what is recommended for eyeshadows, in this case you can experiment with even brighter tones. However neutral or medium colors are the most appropriate to have a professional look.
- A light pink or nude lipstick goes well with almost any skin color. Matte neutral tones are very popular and give a natural, refined and sophisticated look by highlighting the lips rather than just coloring them.
- Remember that if you choose a lipstick of a deep color it will tend to fade over the course of the day, so you will need to check it frequently and reapply it when necessary.
Step 2. Apply lipstick directly or use a lip brush
In the second case you will get a more precise and uniform result. Be careful not to go beyond the natural contour of the mouth so as not to appear unnatural or vulgar.
- The brush is especially useful if you have chosen a brightly colored lipstick. In this case, start by applying it to the center of the upper lip, then apply the color towards the outer corners of the mouth.
- Remember to check that the lipstick has not ended up on the teeth. There are few things more embarrassing than talking in a meeting having lipstick stains on your front teeth and noticing it only at the end.
Step 3. Add a veil of lip gloss
Especially if you used a matte lipstick, a touch of gloss will catch the light and create beautiful reflections. If you have a habit of licking your lips often, it will also act as a protection for the lipstick underneath.
- Lip polishing and moisturizing products are also particularly suitable for women who are not comfortable with lipstick. Some are even lightly colored.
- A scented lip gloss can be a good idea even if your favorite lipstick smells or tastes you don't like.
Advice
- Remember that makeup should be used to enhance your strengths and not to cover up flaws, so try not to overdo the quantities.
- Makeup should help you feel more beautiful and comfortable. If you can't concentrate while you work because you are worried that your eyeliner will smudge, it means that it is better to change your make-up style.
