A bit ago, the NY Times published an article about a study involving makeup. Specifically, how people at work perceive a woman differently depending on her level of made-up-ness.
Both "natural" (you are not obviously wearing makeup but look better than you usually do) and "professional" (enough to look polished, makeup is obvious, somewhat more defined eye and lip makeup) looks increased others' perceptions of a woman's competence, likability, and trustworthiness. Turns out also that people generally don't trust you if you're wearing a lot of obvious makeup.
On the one hand, people should just let women do what they want with their faces. I don't like how makeup is something else society can make up rules on, and then call rule-breakers freaks. I'm glad makeup isn't expected of all of us all the time (I've gone out for work and play barefaced).
On the other hand, I can understand why someone might want to keep the makeup subtle at work. I work at an elementary school, and kids notice everything. So at work, I tend to keep things neutral. I'll break my colors out over the weekend.
What do you think? Is your work look significantly different from your leisure look? Why or why not?
My work look is usually very subtle too, if only because I don't want to spend very long doing my makeup in the morning before work. For leisure days, I don't tend to be in as much of a hurry, so I'll spend longer and do something more exciting :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I don't know how I feel about this. Being someone who loves to wear bold looks from time to time, I really like to see others that do so also. To me it gives a sense of personallity and creativity. I would never trust a person less who wear a lot of makeup. And I guess it depends on the work environment also if a lot of makeup is acceptable or not. I never wear makeup to work do to the nature of my job.
ReplyDeleteMy main question after reading the piece was "where does lime green fit into this?" Lime green eyeshadow is my FAVORITE.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not one to judge someone negatively for wearing makeup - no matter how much there is or isn't. I will, however, inwardly sneer at poor application and/or blending of said makeup. I want to tell some of my coworkers about eye primer, because I see so much shadow creasing.