Going to a job interview is so nerve wrecking that most people wouldn't know how to prepare themselves for it (especially if it's their first time!). Some people would panic-slather NEOGEN beauty treatments the night before so they would look better in the morning but there's no such thing as an instant fix where appearances are concerned.
Interviews are crucial because the management only gets 5 to 10 minutes (sometimes less) to determine if an applicant is a good fit for the company culture. Sometimes, appearance-wise, a person could fail the interview because she wore too much makeup or too less. Here are the tips on how to apply your makeup for a job interview:
1. Make your look last the whole day with a primer and spray.
Remember that you may be in the waiting lounge for a long time so it's best if you start your makeup off with a good primer and concealer, and set it with a good makeup setting spray. These products are subtle and they won't do much to affect your look, but they are a big help in making sure that your makeup stays on during the entire recruitment process.
Lasting the whole day doesn't have to mean thick or expensive, it simply has to mean that you have to choose the products that won't smudge or smear during long wear. Avoid the use of mascara or thick eyeliners because these could melt when combined with sweat. If you still look fresh after a long day, it would leave an impression on the management that you're not one to easily become stressed.
2. Less is more.
Use a BB cream that's either your exact skin tone or one shade higher. A Blemish Balm cream is one of the things that people use to exude a natural look. Having a thick makeup base could become problematic once it's combined with heat and sweat so make sure that your base is light like a BB cream or a CC cream (if you're confident about your skin). Set your base makeup with a light pressed powder.
Don't worry too much about hiding all your facial imperfection because if you're good enough, it won't matter to them anyway. The important thing during an interview is that you look clean and natural. Let them know about your qualifications without putting too much effort or without looking like you are going out on a Saturday night.
3. Stop the sweats and oils with oil-control films and powder.
This tip has little to do with how you apply your makeup but a lot more to do with how you make sure that your makeup stays on. The recruitment process gives you a lot of idle time especially if the big company is accepting a lot of applicants at a time. During this time, you can take the opportunity to remove unwanted oils (like sweat) from your face, since people tend to sweat a lot more when they're nervous.
4. Choose your lipstick wisely.
Matte lipsticks are chic and awesome, but the recruitment office or interview is no place for it. Some matte lipsticks dry up your lips pretty quick and could cause chapping. Choose a moisturizing and long-lasting satin lipstick instead of a matte one. Aside from moisturizing properties, the lipstick should not have a strong hue (avoid bright red, a shimmery lip gloss, or too unnatural lip colors) and it should have a shade closer to your actual lip color.
Remember that the company doesn't care that you have the latest MAC lipstick, it cares that the applicant knows that there are a place and time for everything (including, brightly-colored lipsticks).
5. Choose colors that are pleasing to the eye.
In applying your makeup you just need to think soft and natural. This is how you tell your interviewer that you're competent, neat and have the attention to details. Choose a light pink blush instead of a hard red shade. If you're wearing BB cream, a lip and cheek tint could be a good mix since it allows your blush to look natural.
You can tell them more about yourself with less makeup on. And with that, you must be confident with your looks and present to them along with your qualifications. Your goal is to get the job and nothing else. When you get to the room for an interview, never forget to start it out with a smile.
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