Office-Friendly Beauty Tips that Aren't Too Bland

Every girl wants to go to the office with her best face forward. We spend so much money and time on makeup and hair products, we should be able to flaunt it, right? Well, maybe, maybe not. Our way of primping may get us bonus points with our girlfriends and on a date night, but when it comes to the office, less can definitely be more. We spoke to Human Resources Recruiter Angel Ulanday to find out the scoop on what looks might get us ahead and which ones could hold us back.

By Danielle Gray

Ulanday's job is to recruit human resources professionals-a career she's been in for thirteen years. Our appearance at work is extremely important, even more so during the interview process. "As a recruiter the first thing we're looking at is someone's appearance. It's like when you meet for a date. I always look to see how well-groomed they are because as recruiters we're thinking, Is this person vested into it? Is the look too forced? Is this a natural look? Is this a look for today and not their regular look? I always look at how their makeup is applied. Appearance is always your first selling point," she says.

And with that said, let's go into some do's and don'ts when it comes to office beauty.

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Makeup
Keep it simple, yet polished. Stick to neutrals-you may want to leave the red lips and loud nails for the weekend as it can be distracting in some industries, particularly conservative ones like banking. Neutral doesn't have to mean boring! Keep the brows groomed with a fuller, more natural brow that works with your facial features. Don't overdo it with the foundation-you don't want to be too dewy or too matte. Try a lightweight foundation like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, $43, or for even easier and faster application, a buildable powder like Make Up For Ever Pro Finish, $36, works well to even out the skin. Look alert and ready to handle any task that comes your way with a brightening blush in peach for lighter skin tones or coral for darker tones, two coats of mascara and liner on the eyes and finish with a neutral gloss on the lips.

Hair
Hair can be quite the touchy subject at the office. Do you wear your natural curls, do you straighten it, should it be long, short, etc. While Ulanday says she wears her own really long and full head of glorious curls pulled back because it's so big and could get in the way during work, she also agrees that you should own your look. You can have a very close like barely anything there crop, but as long as your look appears to fit you and is neat and clean, you can use your judgment when it comes to the workplace.

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Nails
Nail art is all the rage right now, but can you get away with bedazzled digits at your cubicle? "It depends on your position," says Ulanday. "If you're working more in a back office type of position, you could get away with some of the bolder colors, but it can be way too distracting if you're in a more frontline type of role." Keep your nails short and neat and once your polish starts to chip, remove it immediately. Steer clear of excessively long nail tips and crazy colors. You can sneak in a little fun while still remaining safe with a soft shade like Essie Master Plan, $8, (it's described as a mischievous soft gray).

Fragrance
Again, the name of the game is to be neutral and not offensive. You want to be very mindful that someone in your office could have an allergy to your scent. Who wants to be in an enclosed office space all day inhaling a fragrance they can't stand? Try something understated yet still fresh like See by Chloe Eau de Parfum which features notes of jasmine, ylang ylang, vanilla and musk. But again be very careful not to overdo it-that means two sprays instead of ten, chica.


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