We spend a lot of time, deciding what to wear to work. This matters even when we work from home. Have you ever thought about your makeup for working from home? Knowing what makeup to wear to work from home is important for your overall professional image. Once when I walked into a makeup store, the makeup artist told me that your face is like a “business card”. It is the first thing people see when they meet you at work and conveys a lot about you.
For working from home, makeup matters most when you do a lot of work meetings on the computer, telecons, or zoom calls. Here I speak to makeup from a ‘appropriate for work look’ perspective. However, you can consult professional makeup tutorials for suggestions on how to apply products properly.
What makeup is appropriate for work?
You want your makeup to be light and natural. It should be different than the more dramatic makeup you might put on to go to a party or a night on the town. It should enhance your features and make you look polished and professional.
Makeup starts with healthy habits
The best way to look great on a call, starts with good health. Eat well, exercise, and get a good night’s sleep. Having healthy habits and feeling energized and good, makes for a great base for makeup. If you are exhausted, haven’t eaten well, and don’t feel well, then all of the makeup in the world won’t cover this up.
Plan your ‘work from home’ makeup routine ahead of time
Experiment with different products ahead of time to see the ones that really work well. Wearing makeup for business calls on a camera can be really different from wearing makeup for in person meetings or your fun activities. Also, right before your call check your appearance in the computer camera and make any lighting, computer, or makeup adjustments. One trick is to actually apply your makeup in front of the computer while looking at your face in the camera. This way you get the lighting and look right.
You may want to visit a department store makeup counter or makeup store. Talk to a makeup artist about what cosmetics are best for a natural look. Many times, you can test products or have the makeup artist apply products to your face.
What is an everyday makeup routine for working from home?
Since you want to keep things light and natural, the beauty of a work makeup routine is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time doing it. Just a few minutes in front of the mirror with a few products should do the trick.
If you don’t have work telecons or zoom meetings, you could choose to wear no makeup or maybe just some moisturizer. However, the makeup I suggest is if you have telecons or meetings.
Moisturizer – this is a great idea for telecons as it keeps your skin hydrated and appears better on camera.
Foundation – find a color that blends into your skin and looks natural. The texture is important. For work, you don’t want it too thick or caked on. Also, pay attention to the weather. If it is really hot, you don’t want to sweat on your face because your foundation is so thick and uncomfortable. Sometimes I use a light liquid foundation, applied evenly with a makeup brush. If it is really hot, I opt for a powder foundation or water-based foundation. One thought is to experiment with a tinted moisturizer if you want a lighter feel.
Eyeliner – I always use an eyeliner in black or brown. I do a light application on the lid and under the eye. Keep it natural and the line neatly drawn and not too thick. For work, I would avoid brightly colored eyeliners (think hot pink, sparkly new years eve silver or blue). I use pencil because it keeps in neater. If you are good at applying liquid eyeliner, and can do so without making a mess or doing it too thick than this is okay.
The one thing to watch for with eyeliners is to make sure they don’t smear or bleed throughout the day. They should not be smearing down the eye. If it does, try different brands to find a good one.
Mascara – a light coating on the top and/or bottom lashes, in black or brown shade. Don’t apply it too thick like you were going to the Holiday party.
Lipstick – Try a neutral shade or one that is “cheerful” and pretty without being too bold. I like coral tones. For work, I also opt for plum, pink, or magenta shades. The old days of saying you should wear a bright red lipstick as a power move are long gone. I try not to call attention to my lips by having an ultra bright pink, fire engine red, etc. However, wear a color you like that makes you feel confidant. If you love a bold red lip, by all means go for it! Your confidence will shine through to your job.
Optional:
Pressed powders – it is nice to apply some powder to set your makeup. However, be careful to make sure you don’t have so much powder that it “washes you out” or glows.
Concealer – concealer is a great option for telecons because if applied well, it can really cover up undereye lines or other blemishes you may have. However, you really need to test it with your computer camera. The color has to blend in right, or the camera can make the color look more prominent and make you look like you put colored cream under your eye. Really try different concealers, and colors to make sure you have the right combination before your calls.
Hair root touch up products – although these fall into the hair category, I still touch up my roots as part of my makeup routine. I cover up any exposed grays. I use a combination of root touch up powders and sprays.
With caution:
False eyelashes – I love false eyelashes. However, for work if you choose to use them, make sure they are not too long or ‘showy’. Again, you want to look natural, and professional. Also, if you wear them all the time, are comfortable with applying them and wearing them, then they maybe a good option for work. However, I am not great at applying them, and I feel a little uncomfortable with them. So I save them for special parties, but don’t use them for work. When in doubt, leave it out.
Blush – Apply blush with caution for work calls. Only because if you put too much on, or the color is too prominent you can get that “clown effect”.
Eyeshadow – Eyeshadow can be flattering for work, if you can keep it to natural tones, that match your skin tone or just blend in. Work is not the time for a smokey eye or bright blue shades on the lid, that might be more appropriate for a night out or a party.
Eyebrow pencils – if done neatly, this an be a nice enhancement. However, try not to ‘cake’ it on too thick or be messy with the line.
Lip liners, bronzers, other cosmetics – if you enjoy applying these and can keep your look professional and natural, then by all means use them.
When should you do your makeup for working from home?
Either you could do it as a routine when you get dressed in the morning. Or you could do it 30 minutes or so before a work call. I used to do it an hour before, but lots of times, my colleagues would cancel the call. Then I have a face full of makeup and no call. (this is my pet peeve). I figure within 30 minutes I don’t get too many cancelled meetings and my makeup stays ‘fresh’.
Can you not wear makeup for working from home?
Of course! If you are not having any calls, or don’t have to run any errands, then you don’t have to do so. Even if you have calls, you can opt to be natural. This is especially great if you are on a call where there are 40 people on camera and you will show up as less than 1x 1 inch square. However, I find a little makeup makes me feel more confident and put together. At least put on some moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
I love applying makeup. It is my grown up version of the 64 crayon box of crayolas I had as a child. However, for work, I try to keep it natural and toned down, accentuating my nice features, but not calling unwanted attention to distractions. However, applied well, it can give you confidence, finesse, and polish. That always makes for better work.
