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What's your go-to look for a job interview?


What’s your go-to look for a job interview? Share!

I would define and groom my eyebrows, apply a light-medium coverage foundation (and set with powder), a rosy brown blush, light mascara on eyes, brown eyeliner, and then a soft pink lip color.

Thanks to reader Adriana for today’s question idea Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.

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Maggie Avatar

Hmm…it really depends on the job but for me, similar to Christine’s look. Professional to me is basically “no makeup” makeup–with an emphasis on looking alert and put together. So definitely defined brows, curled lashes with mascara, dark brown eye pencil, concealer and corrector, foundation, natural looking blush, and MLBB lip color. I might do some subtle matte highlighting and contouring as well. Glasses and hair pulled back.

Laura-Lou Avatar

MAC Brule on the lid with Wedge in the crease, Lancome Doll Eyes mascara, Bobbi Brown Powder Pink pot rouge, Dior lip glow balm, MAC face and body foundation.

I’ve been to a lot of interviews recently!

Ryou Avatar

Usually something like tinted moisturizer, peachy-pink cream blush, lightly groomed eyebrows, Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded and/or Bad to the Bronze, brown eyeliner, light mascara, and either Jordana Twist & Shine in Terra Crave or Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Naturally Chic.

Kris Avatar

Perfect! The only thing I would swap or skip is the lip colour, especially if you tend to lick your lips when you’re nervous like i do. Simple lip balm (or a tinted one if you want to get fancy) is the way to go.

Mariella Avatar

I had to laugh, reading this. My last “job interview” was in November of 2013 and, because of board of education policy where I teach, every “long term” position (which means 10 or more consecutive days in the same job) requires an interview. I was taking over for a colleague who was going on maternity leave but I was also teaching that day so my interview actually came in the middle of class (another teacher was sent in so I could go down for the interview which was mercifully brief). All I can recall is that I was wearing an apron that was probably smeared with flour (probably the best look for an interview for this job!). Beyond that, it’s been 15 or more years since I interviewed for a job but I would bet that I was wearing MAC Plumful on my lips!

Joanne D. Avatar

Depends on the job you are interviewing for. For the corporate world less is more. I would wear a “no-makeup” makeup look. Tinted moisturizer, neutral eyes, mascara, soft cheeks and a “my-lips-but-better” color on the lips.

Jennifer Avatar

Neutral shadow with a bit of shimmer shaded with a darker mattte, touch of lip stain under balm, fill in brows, and a light going over for complexion perfection. And all the tricks for looking awake – under eye concealer, nude waterline, shimmer on inner corner… etc.

Kimmy Avatar

I’d probably keep everything neutral but polished, a solid base that isn’t too high coverage and mask like, something champagne on the lids, rosy nude cheeks (a light wash of Rocketeur perhaps), a more natural mascara (Covergirl Clump Crusher) and a my lips but better colour like MAC Syrup. 🙂

Samantha Avatar

I go for a polished look for job interviews. I look very young with no makeup on (as in people think I am in high school when I am 27), so wearing makeup actually makes me look older and in turn, more reliable. I do keep the look subtle, but cover up the little summer freckles and contour to de-emphasize the softness of my features. I usually opt for a light eye, and a nude lip.

Nikki J. Avatar

Ha! I can definitely answer this because I’ve been interviewing for a new teaching assignment all summer long! I prefer a clean, subtle look. The following is my go-to look, and I’m a NC50 for reference:

Foundation: MUFE HD
Brows: NYX Single Eyeshadow in Black
Eyeliner: UD 24/7 Pencil in Whiskey
Blush: Rock & Republic Shameless
Lips: MUFE Rouge Natural N9 lipstick

Kat Avatar

Last time I went for a job interview, I wore medium coverage foundation with satin finish, no blush, matte neutral eye shadows, lightly defined brows, brown eyeliner (but I didn’t line my lower lashlines), mascara, and an MLBB lipstick (YSL Luscious Pink). I got the job 🙂

Vanessa Avatar

Nothing.

I would put concealer on serious pimples if there are any, maybe at most a tiny bit of shade to my brows or the tiniest touch of eyeliner.

I like to look serious. Haha

Laurel Avatar

Since I’m in college, I want to wear enough makeup to be taken seriously as an adult without looking like I’m trying too hard. Normally a matte ivory eyeshadow on my eyelid with a skin tone color (like UD Naked) just to emphasize my crease, black waterline liner, mascara, brows, Bare Escentuals foundation, under eye concealer, a pink/brown blush (I save my special Cle de Peau blush for this so that I have an added boost of confidence), and Nars Dolce Vita lipstick

xamyx Avatar

Light coverage foundation or TM (I’m fortunate to have pretty good skin), fill in my brows (product depends on what my hair color happens to be, but definitelyna soft powder), matte neutral eyeshadow (something like NARS Madrague duo), mascara, natural shade of blush (NARS Douceur), MLBB shade for lips (perhaps L’Oréal Frieda’s Nude). Hair pulled back, simple jewelry, and dark suit/white blouse, and moderately high heels.

aeri Avatar

Glowy, highlighted skin, barely there shadow (just highlighting mostly), peach blush, tightlined upper lashline with black, lots of mascara and a red lip!

Rachel Avatar

Medium coverage foundation and powder, light rose natural-looking blush, neutrals on the eyes, brown pencil eyeliner, black mascara, fill in brows, pinkish-brown lipstick.

Karen Avatar

That sounds about right but if that’s not your usual style then go bolder on the lip color or heavier on the liner or mascara because they’re expecting the person they met at the interview once you start working.

xamyx Avatar

Yes, but many work places also have dress codes, which include makeup, so until you get the guidelines, it might be wise to err on the conservative side.

Karen Avatar

That’s true it is better to err on the side of cautionbut what I meant is that if your usual style is heavier make up then it’s better to so a full face no makeup look than to skimp then show up on your first day with a full face of makeup. For example, I wear my nails and hair long so I wouldn’t cut those for an interview is all.

judy Avatar

barely taupe eye shadow, groomed brows, trace of brown eyeliner, mascara (done very neatly) natural blush, a your lips only better shade of lipstick, an extremely neat, clean manicure with natural light rose or pink polish, moiturized hands and NO LONG NAILS!!

Diana Avatar

I’ll go with the me, but better look: light foundation to even tone and concealer to cover permanent undereye circle, matte beige/bronze eyeshadow, thin brown eyeliner (for definition), black mascara, soft peachy/rose blush, rose/brown lipstick. No sparkle nor too much gloss. Hair in a simple style (mine is a long bob) nails short, painted in neutral tone like Essie Urban Jungle or Lady Like. No perfume because you don’t know if your interviewer is allergic to X aroma.

Lulle Avatar

I have dark under eye circles and lids, so I focus on brightening up my face and concealing to avoid the tired, sleepy look.
So I apply concealer, a brightening neutral eyeshadow (a beige or something with soft shimmer and yellow undertones), and mascara. Peach and coral shades also lighten up my face, so I opt for a blush and lip color in that shade family, very soft and sheer.
For the skin, I usually don’t have too much to hide so I apply a sheer powder foundation to even out and mattify at the same time (my go to is Clinique Almost Makeup).

Chi-Chi Avatar

Eyeshadow, in my skin color but a shade lighter and with shimmer, cream eyeliner, one coat of mascara, and a flesh toned lip gloss, that I blot a little to remove some of the shine. I also use some BB Cream and an HD powder.

I like to look fresh, bright, and alert, but not made up. It is important that they focus on my words, not my looks.

Peta Avatar

My go-to look for an interview or any time I need to be taken really seriously is: I wear a light foundation but carefully conceal any blemishes etc, make sure I contour properly but subtly, wear a neutral creme eyeshadow base & look with a bit of dark maroon eyeliner. I wouldn’t usually bother with blush, but do highlight, make sure my eyebrows are groomed and usually apply a ‘mlbb’ lipstick or just chapstick. And mascara, obviously.

Sylirael Avatar

Conceal any particularly egregious spots (if I have one – and there’s almost always one when it counts :-P) or really dark undereye circles.

Dust over a light layer of powder foundation just to keep me looking smooth and polished.

Fill brows with soft dusting of matte brown eyeshadow.

Sheer pink/MLBB lipstick

Curl eyelashes and apply a ‘natural’ coat of mascara. Maybe a matte brown liner on the upper waterlines to help the lashes.

Pretty basic and neutral!

Nicole Avatar

My last interview season was in 2012 and I remember wearing Burberry Rosewood on my lids.

Today I would wear something similar to my daily office look. This contains a tinted moisturizer or light cover foundation, powder, a blush like Armani No 5 (the old one), Nars Deep Troat or Luster, nude eyeshadow with no glitter (e.g. Laura Mercier Slate, Bamboo, Sandstone, MAC Patina, Shroom, Blanc Type, Copperplate), black mascara. On the lips something soft pink, nothing to bright to shock the interviewer.

Meg Avatar

I have several, for positions that have a multiple interview process. One it a matte neutral eye – like Brule on lid, wedge in crease, black liner softened with mystery, paired with a mlbb that has a little oomph. Like Creme in Your Coffee. Another pretty yet sedate look I like is a satiny nude wash on the eye, like Grain with very thin eyeliner, and a soft red lip like Hot Tahiti.

fuji Avatar

Defined light brown brow. Black eyeliner with the most trustable waterproof power in my collection, with primer. Two coats of waterproof mascara. Natural eye shadow in pearl/satin finish. (beige, light brown with just a little shimmer)
Face primer with light foundation, with setting powder/MUFE HD powder.
Subtle blushes just enough to give me a nice smile.
Orange pinkish lipstick but blot it 1-2 times to mute it. If it’s a career fair that lasts several hours, Revlon Colorburst Balm lip stain is the best, as underlay or just go with it.

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