Makeup Look Tips for Your Next Work Interview
Work interview makeup is as important as your resume, and goes hand in hand with your outfit, of course. Whether you’re interviewing for your first job or changing jobs amidst a long, successful career, the process can be pretty intimidating. You want to present your best self—and that includes your best work interview makeup.
Different jobs require different looks, so you should change your makeup to match. It may be a typical practice to wear a red lip when interviewing for a creative job, but when interviewing for a corporate role you might want to look more natural.
Wouldn’t it be helpful if you had a guide to help you figure out about applying makeup tips for an interview? We’ve heard you. Check out our picks for the best job interview makeup ideas & looks below to help you get the job
Neutral and Natural
Keeping things neutral will help you shine in any job interview in a corporate setting. When it comes to perfecting the natural corporate makeup look, you must find a balance with glowing I-woke-up-like-this skin and bushy brows that fit perfectly.
To achieve this interview makeup look:
- Start with a natural base by replacing your heavy-coverage foundation with a tinted moisturizer or a CC cream.
- Accentuate your eyes by filling in your brows and applying a nude shadow on the lids.
- Keep things simple by applying a thin line along your upper line rather than drawing a winged eyeliner.
- If you want, add some perky glow with a dash of blush on your cheeks.
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- To complete your natural corporate makeup look, you should choose a lip color that doesn't stray too far from your natural lip color.
Color and Confidence
When it comes to creative job interviews, confidence is key. And what better way to show it off than with a bright lip? If you want to look your best during an interview, go for a liquid matte lipstick—so the pigment is strong and the formula doesn't budge, and there's no need to reapply mid-interview.
To achieve this interview makeup look:
- Prep your face with a lightweight primer and cover up any flaws with your favorite concealer. Next up, apply a smoothening matte foundation for an even skin tone.
- Use a radiant bronzer to contour your face around your cheeks, jawline, and temples with a light hand.
- Brush on some lengthening mascaras for a fuller brow appearance. Leave the rest of your eyes bare, since lips are the focal attention of this look.
- Finish off the look with a bright pop of color on your lips. If you’re in the corporate sector—or if red is too bright a shade for your preference—go with fuschia or berry lipstick.
Also read 6 ways to use liquid lipsticks other than on your lips.
The Inner Glow
Is the natural makeup too light and the pop of color too bright for your liking? Make a great first impression as you walk into your next interview with a lit-from-within professional makeup look like this one.
Also read how to get classy professional office look everyday.
Your soft glow not only makes you appear more awake, but it also makes you appear composed, even when you're feeling nervous.
For this makeup look, we suggest reaching for all your liquid and creamy products. To achieve the look:
- Prep your skin with a hydrating serum and moisturizer to create an even base. Next up, apply a layer of primer.
- To get that glowing-from-within look, mix some highlighter with your liquid foundationon a makeup palette. Apply this mix to your face for a bright yet subtle glow.
- Go for light eye makeup with a liner and some mascara. If you want to play it up a bit, add a dash of golden eyeshadow to your lids.
- Dab a touch of pink blush on the apple of your cheeks.
- Add a peachy or light pink lipstick to complete the look!
Job Interview Makeup Do's and Don'ts
Here are some professional makeup tips you should keep in mind to make sure that you don’t mess up your first impression with the interviewers.
Do Consider the Atmosphere of the Company
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to job interviews. As with your cover letter and resume, you will need to customize your interview makeup look for each new job prospect.
If you're trying to land a job at a fashion boutique or a makeup products company, you may want to adapt your corporate makeup look to suit the current fashion, so you can show you can keep up with the newest trends. It is definitely safer to wear less "out there" makeup for an office job with more professional company culture.
Don’t Wear Heavy Perfume
Wearing perfume can be tricky since you don't really know how strong your scent is for others. If you don't know how strong your smell will be, always err on the side of "less".
Do Match Your Makeup to Your Skin Tone
There’s nothing worse than showing up to your interview with a splotchy foundation or a lipstick that’s a stark contrast to your skin tone. Similarly, pale women should avoid using heavy magenta blushes, while women with deeper skin tones should avoid using thin pink lipsticks or light beige eyeshadows.
Find out your skin's undertones so that you can purchase makeup products that compliment them. Remember, it’s important that your makeup blends in, not stands out.
Don’t Test Out New Makeup Products on Your Interview Day
No matter how excited we may be to try out new beauty products, we must keep in mind that there's a time and a place for experimentation.
If you are investing in brand-new products, you aren't sure how they will perform or if they will look good in an hour's time, which is why saving these items for the future is the best idea.
Do Be Classy about Your Red Lipstick
There's nothing inherently wrong with red lipstick during interviews, it's just something to approach with caution.
Also read about perfect lipstick shades to pick with office wear.
The Bottom Line
There you have it! A list of our favorite professional corporate makeup looks and interview makeup tips to help achieve them. Ensure you look professional in your next interview by following the above interview makeup ideas and tips.
Have any more “how to make makeup look professional” or “how to apply makeup for work” questions? Don’t hesitate to ask away in the comment section below!
