If image counts too, why not plan your make-up for that job interview?

You’ve researched the company you’re interviewing with, gone over the skills required for the job, rehearsed the questions with friends and even chosen your outfit. So why leave the make-up to the last minute?

While you don’t want to be hired on appearance itself, you do want to look confident, professional and well-groomed. Of course, image counts too.

The key is to keep your make-up subtle and look as natural as possible. If you have too much make-up and so much foundation that it looks like a mask over your face, you may not be revealing your best self. Look for long-lasting make-up that will help you overcome anxiety, sweat and heat in this humid weather, plus of course, some glitter.

So what kind of make-up should you wear to an interview? what to wear and what not to? If I wear false eyelashes every day, should I also wear them for the interview or will it look weird?

There are answers to all these questions. I will explain below. After several experiences with job interviews, the most advisable thing to do in this type of situation and the most common thing to do when “asking for a job” in a company where you are not yet known, is to take care of the first impression, as this is the one that counts.

1- Get a simple and natural foundation

It’s a complete distraction when your make-up is overdone. What you want to achieve is to look like you, and be comfortable with who you are. The goal is to look radiant, but natural.

Be mindful of the shade of your foundation. Don’t go for a lighter or darker shade, find the right shade of foundation to match your skin tone. Set aside time to find one in your shade that also matches your undertone. This is a crucial step. It’s best to stay away from foundations that are shimmery or luminous. Instead, opt for one that is long-lasting and works for your skin type.

2- Make sure your eyebrows are well-groomed

It’s no secret that well-groomed brows frame the eyes and highlight your best features. You want natural looking brows, not dramatic ones like you see on TikTok or Instagram.

Well-groomed, beautifully shaped brows will soften the shape of your face and say a lot about your look, and this is important during an interview. Thin eyebrows or no eyebrows make you look like a less confident person.

3- Add a light blush

Just a few dabs of blush can help you achieve a healthy, radiant look. For a natural blush, choose one with the same undertone as your skin. When it comes to choosing a new one, go for pink for cold undertones and peach for warm undertones. Be sure to brush it hard for a healthy glow.

One that’s trending right now is NARS blusher in the shade Orgasm. Many celebrities fill their social media profiles boasting about this gorgeous blush and how much they use it. Maybe now is the time to take the step and give it a try.

tips job interview

4- Say goodbye to eyeshadow in a job interview

The best option is soft, neutral shades if you still want to wear eyeshadow for a job interview. You want to make eye contact with the interviewer and the interviewee’s attention should be on your answers, not on your dramatic eye make-up.

Brown tones are a safe choice. Start with a lighter, slightly luminescent shade (close to your skin tone) and your eyelids, and add some depth with a medium shade in the crease and outer corners of the eyes. Stay away from anything too bright or intense. These are bad choices for this type of meeting.

5- Skip the dramatic “cat eye”.

Eyeliner helps to open up or brighten the eyes. If you’re used to a dramatic cat eye look, perhaps a good option is to simply tone it down on the day of the interview. You can opt for a smaller eyeliner or try tightening your eyes instead. This technique will give your eyes definition without looking over the top. You can also use a pencil, rather than liquid eyeliner, for a softer, less aggressive look.

 6- No lashes on top, please.

Be subtle with mascara. Opt for a coat of black, waterproof mascara (that way it will be water and sweat resistant). I recommend L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise mascara. It’s affordably priced, and in addition to a very charcoal black, it’s super long-lasting.

If you plan to wear false lashes, choose a pair that make you look as delicate and natural as possible, avoiding being too thick and heavy.