How to Create a Perfectly Polished and Professional Makeup Look for the Workplace
Creating a professional makeup look for work doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. The goal with most workplace environments should be to look put-together and refreshed without overdoing it. Your makeup should boost your confidence to help you perform your best at work!
Now, of course, it goes without saying that you have to know your audience. I think individuality is always key and you should never lose yourself when it comes to what you wear at work. However, say your role is in a doctor's office or law firm, chances are that a dark smokey eye or fluorescent hot pink lip with really thick fake eyelashes could look a bit out of place or even off-putting to clients.
But if you’re in a creative field like marketing, fashion, or magazine work, well then you might get away with more flamboyant looks…Ha!
Just remember that whatever your role is at work, wearing even a little bit of makeup can signal to potential clients/employees that you are competent and meticulous and that you value a professional image.
This guide today will outline how to achieve a work-appropriate makeup look, along with tips and types of products I suggest one use for a long-lasting, 9-to-5 look. Can’t you just hear Dolly Parton now…
And if you need to invest in some new makeup brushes to help you achieve your polished work look, check out my previous post on “11 Makeup Brushes You’ll Actually Use.”
TL;DR
Jennifer shares How to Create a Perfectly Polished and Professional Makeup Look
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
How to Create a Perfectly Polished and Professional Makeup Look
Defined + Clean Eyebrows
Well-groomed, clean, and tamed brows are the framework of your face and add balance. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in any sparse areas that skin shows through. The NYX Micro Brow Pencil, $11, is excellent for creating natural-looking, hair-like strokes. And it even comes in “grey” if your brows are starting to turn that color. Which is sometimes hard to find in pencils.
If you prefer a quicker option, try a tinted brow gel like the brand new Anastasia Beverly Hills Volumizing tinted brow gel, $25, to add volume and define your brows with minimal effort. It has this tiny wand with two sides - a short bristle side for defining and then a longer bristle side to add volume and grab at even the tiniest of hairs to make them appear thicker while depositing color.
Here’s a very in-depth step-by-step post I did on “how to fake fuller brows over 40.”
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Focus on Foundation with a Natural Finish
When it comes to foundation for the workplace, less is more. Choose a lightweight, breathable foundation with a natural finish. L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Tinted Serum, $17, is seriously the perfect option. It evens out your skin tone without feeling heavy or cakey and works for most skin types. But if you really want one with an included SPF, you know what I’m going to say - the It Cosmetics CC Cream, $47, is it!
Concealer for Brightening and Spot-Covering
Keeping with the skin, make sure to use a creamy concealer to spot treat and cover any blemishes, dark circles, or redness. The Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer, $30, is perfect for covering imperfections while looking natural, especially due to its pointed foot applicator.
Apply it sparingly over darkness under the eyes, to clean up outer corners of liner and shadow. And on any areas that need a little extra coverage like age spots. For extra longevity, tap on a veil of translucent loose powder like the Wet n Wild Photofocus powder, $7, anywhere you use concealer to keep it from sliding or fading during the workday.
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Subtle Eyeshadow and Defined Lashes
For workplace-appropriate looks, stick to neutral eyeshadow shades. A palette like the Morphe 9T Neutral Territory palette, $13, offers a beautiful selection of soft warm browns + bronzes with a good mix of mattes and shimmers that are perfect for everyday wear. I just bought my second one of these palettes. Which is kind of unheard of, I love it that much.
Swipe a light ivory shade along the brow bone for lift. Then take a slightly darker neutral cool or warm brown shade across your lids from the lash line up to the crease. Lastly take the next darkest shade. And create a sideways V shade along just the outside crease for subtle definition. Use the black or deep brown shadow as liner to create soft definition along the lash line if liner makes you uncomfortable.
If you do want to add a bit of flair to your makeup - I do think choosing a colored liner like a forest green, plum purple, or navy is definitely a subtle enough way to add a bit of pizzazz! I know they’re pricey. But the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liners, $32, are seriously THE BEST. Just be sure to soften that line with a liner brush, $30, to blur any harsh liner edges.
Finish with a quick eyelash curler to the lashes then top with two coats of mascara to open up your eyes. I recently picked up the elf cosmetics XTNDR tubing mascara, $7. It is supposed to be a dupe to the Thrive Cosmetics mascara. It creates the perfect polished look for the office with no smudging!
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Blush and Bronzer for a Healthy Glow
If you could use a little warmth to your face, lightly dust bronzer along your hairline, cheekbones, then under the jawline. L’Oreal’s Infallible 24-Hr Freshwear Bronzer, $10, is ideal for adding just the right amount of definition and warmth without looking too heavy. I’m wearing shade light-medium here.
DO not forgo blush - especially if you’re over 40 - you need some healthy color! Add a touch of color to your cheeks with a soft blush that also includes a bit of warm shimmer. So you can forgo the highlighter step, which can sometimes be too obvious. Choose a subtle, peachy or rosy shade from the Milani Baked Blushes, $9, for a natural flush that brightens your complexion. These drugstore blushes are truly incredible. I own 4 shades of them. And you should definitely give them a shot if you haven’t already. Wearing the shade “Berry Amore” here.
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Polished Lips
Finish your look with a neutral, work-appropriate lip color. Opt for a hydrating lipstick in a soft pink, nude, or mauve shade. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips lipstick in “Glowing Jen” is one of my new faves that seems to work on almost everyone! It's a beautiful slightly warm soft rose shade that is a perfect everyday color that speaks to flattering and professional. I use the $2 elf glide on cream lip liner (it’s truly incredible y’all) in shade “Baddest Beige” to line my lips to perfection so the lipstick doesn’t go ary along my lip line.
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Final Touch: Setting Spray
Lock in your makeup with a setting spray to ensure it lasts ALL day in an office environment. I have been really enjoying the fresh watermelon scent and feel of the newest Urban Decay All Nighter Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid setting spray, $36. This definitely helps to make my dry mature skin feel more hydrated and plump but while also setting the entire makeup job. If you struggle with oily skin, try the 5 star NYX Matte Finish Setting spray, $10.
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Pro Tip: Pack A Small Makeup Bag. Keep a small touch-up bag at the office, like these clear Beauty Pie bags, $22. Including just the essential beauty products you’d need to freshen up your look during the day. Things you might include: a pressed powder, blotting papers if you’re an oily gal, a multi-use lip + cheek color product for touch-ups, a brow pencil, and a mini face mist. You can use the iconic travel-sized Evian Natural Mineral Water face mist, $8, to simply refresh your skin.
The rest of my look details in this post: A red + white striped button-up is the ultimate power shirt! There are so many options out there like this relaxed popover shirt from French Connection, $74. This Shopbop pick from Favorite Daughter, $150, or this We The Free Freddie shirt, $128. My gold all-weather Buddha bracelet knockoffs you can find on Etsy here, $35. Red Peeper’s reading glasses are always a big hit for the face. And I get more compliments on these $29 readers than anything! I love the pockets on these stovepipe utility jeans that are similar to the ones I’m wearing in this post, $48. My large gold teardrop earrings, $55.
By following these simple steps and using the right products, you can achieve a polished, professional makeup look that’s perfect for the workplace—helping you feel confident and ready to go!
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In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared great ideas for your next tailgate party on Fridays with Oscar. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Your makeup looks stunning on you. Love it.
Why thank you SO much Pam!!
Jennifer, I’m interested in the Charlotte Tilbury lipstick shade “Gracefully Pink” but would love to find this shade in a much more affordable price point. Any suggestions?
Hey Louise! I am not super familiar with this exact shade, but after snooping around the internet, a close match that is only $8, is the shade “topanga” by Colourpop Lippie Stix. Not going to be as matte, more of a cream finish, but looks very similar. And you’re only out 8 bucks if it’s not perfect! Let me know if you try it >> https://bit.ly/4e5HlN1