Light Makeup for Interviews
13 Tips for Perfecting Your Interview Makeup
If you wear makeup, deciding how to style your look before an interview can help you create a confident look that
reflects your best qualities. Some workplaces expect subtle, attractive makeup as part of their dress code while
others allow for more freedom and self-expression. Regardless of
how you put on makeup to fit your personal style at home or in the
office, there are a few best practices that can keep you looking
professional at an interview without distracting from the
conversation.
In this article, we’ll review a list of tips for applying interview makeup
to help you leave a great impression on a prospective employer.
What is professional makeup for an interview?
For makeup to be considered professional, it needs to be subtle
enough to enhance your features without incorporating distracting
dramatic elements. People who work in the beauty industry or entertainment have a wider range of makeup
styles that could be considered professional for their field, but in general, a more natural look is the standard
professional style for interviews.
Tips for your interview makeup
Use these tips to apply interview makeup to boost your confidence while interviewing and cultivate a put-together,
professional aesthetic:
- Moisturize
The best base for professional makeup is healthy, moisturized skin. In the days leading up to the interview, take
extra care to moisturize your face as part of your nighttime routine. Using a good moisturizer formulated for your
skin type can help your skin look brighter and more firm, giving you the perfect canvas for a subtle, natural
interview look. Paying attention to your skin care evens out bumps and blemishes so that your foundation goes
on smoother. Moisturize on your eyelids and under eyes to address any discoloration that could make you look
tired or bored. - Stick to neutrals
Neutral colors are the ideal palette for an interview because they complement any skin tone and take advantage
of your face’s natural contours to enhance your features. Pinks, browns, creams and tans add a warm contrast to
your face without calling attention to the fact you are wearing makeup. Neutral colors also coordinate well with
professional clothing to help you look trustworthy, responsible and practical.
When choosing a color palette for your eyeshadow, blush and lip color, be sure to choose shades that match the
undertones of your skin. Some people have cool undertones while others have warm undertones, and your
makeup will look more natural if you find shades that suit your complexion. A best practice for eyeshadow is to
pick out one light shade, one medium shade and one dark shade that you can apply based on the natural crease
of your eyelid.
Read more: Best Colors To Wear to a Job Interview
- Don’t forget the primer
Before putting on your makeup, apply a light primer to help it stay on and in place throughout the interview.
Primer can help keep your eyeshadow from smudging and your foundation or blush from flaking away. It also
evens out your skin tone and gives your makeup a smooth surface to stick to, resulting in an even and natural
application that minimizes the appearance of your pores. Natural ingredients like aloe vera and coconut oil can
be a great substitute for traditional makeup primers if you don’t have any available. - Color correct
Before applying concealer over blemishes and dark spots, try using a color corrector. Even perfectly moisturized
skin can have discoloration from time to time
but color-correcting makeup can make your
skin appear bright and even for your interview.
Color-correcting concealers use color theory to
neutralize redness, dullness and inflammation.
The idea is that you can reduce the intensity of
skin discoloration by adding makeup of the
opposite color on the color wheel. For
example, green-yellow color corrector cream is
often used to cover up the red-purple look of
acne scars.
Add purple or red under your eyes to reduce dark circles, then use green and yellow to cover up redness. Only
use a small amount of color corrector in each spot to prevent excess pigment from coloring your foundation and
use a beauty blender or fluffy makeup brush to blend out the edges between problem areas and the rest of your
skin. 5. Apply light foundation
Use a light, breathable foundation that blends in with your natural skin tone when applying makeup for your
interview. Having a thick, caked foundation can make you look sweaty, which can be an issue if you get nervous
when interviewing. A small amount of liquid, powder or cream foundation can go a long way, evening out your
skin while supporting its natural glow. Heavy foundation not only looks unnatural under fluorescent office lights,
but it can also easily wear or sweat off, leaving streaks or red patches.
Related: 7 Things To Avoid Wearing In a Job Interview - Opt for subtle eyeliner
Adding a gentle swipe of eyeliner can emphasize your eyes, helping you look more engaged at an interview.
Anything from light brown pencil eyeliner to a small cat eye can add subtle definition to your eyes while still
looking natural and professional. If you decide to do a wing, keep it small and delicate and consider using brown
instead of black. Focus on your upper lid and only put a small amount of eyeliner on your waterline to avoid
drawing attention to dark circles or bags under the eyes. - Avoid dark lips
Lipstick and bare lips can both be part of a professional look for an interview. You can finish your natural look with
chapstick or a light nude lip gloss, or use lipstick that helps you feel confident. Even a subtle red lip can be great
for an interview if you prefer something brighter. When choosing lipstick, avoid going too dark in an interview.
Deeper or starker tones can come off as intimidating and edgy, particularly on lighter skin tones, which may not
leave the best impression for a professional position. - Emphasize your brows
A strong brow can make a big impact on your overall look, making you appear more powerful and confident.
Shape your eyebrows and pluck away stray hairs to create a strong arch that draws attention to your eyes. Use a
brow gel or powder similar to your natural eyebrow color, defining your eyes without looking severe or unnatural. - Leave the lashes at home
False lashes can be a tempting addition to a full face of makeup but they can be a risk during important moments
like an interview. Lash glue can come unstuck and leave you with an itchy, uncomfortable and unattractive loose
eyelash in the middle of your interview. Instead, look for a volumizing mascara that doesn’t clump together. You
can also consider tinting your eyelashes and using an eyelash curler to add a delicate refinement to your look
without mascara. - Do what you know
A job interview is a good time to stay in your comfort zone when it comes to makeup. Makeup is an art that takes
practice and precision, so don’t try out a new technique or a new product for the first time the day of your
interview. Using shades, methods and tools that you are comfortable with can help you feel more confident and in
control. It also limits the chance of you needing to take off your makeup and try again if it doesn’t turn out well.
Practice your look the day before, making note of how long it took you to get ready so that you can plan to be
prepared well before the interview starts. - Use setting spray
Finish off your look with setting spray to keep everything in place throughout the day. Using a setting spray can
help your makeup stay in place even if you absent-mindedly touch your face, which is a common nervous habit
during interviews. Knowing that your makeup looks great can help you stay focused and confident during the
interview regardless of how long it lasts.
- Check your hairline–Before you step away from the mirror, do a quick
scan of your hairline to make sure the edges of your foundation are fully blended and
there aren’t any streaks of product in your hair. Use a damp washcloth to wipe away
excess product and comb the hair framing your face so that you look confident and
open.
Related: How To Wear Your Hair for an Interview - Bring touch-up supplies
Pack a few essential items in your bag before leaving for your interview, just in case
you need to make any touch-ups. This is especially important if you have other
obligations right before your interview or have a long commute to the interview
location, giving it more opportunities to wear away. Bring your lip color, foundation and a few cotton swabs or
tissues to help clean up smudged lines. A small compact with a mirror is another great item to have because it
allows you to check your teeth for lipstick and other stray marks before meeting your interviewer
