Tips for office-appropriate makeup

Use concealer to hide imperfections

You can hide blemishes, dark under eye circles and other imperfections with a good concealer. Less is more when it comes to concealer. Don't apply too much or it will look caked on. Cream formulas go on smooth and silky in comparison to stick concealers.

Apply a matte foundation

Even out your skintone with a matte foundation to create a flawless face. Apply a light dusting of finishing powder over your foundation to set it. If your skin doesn't need much help, you can use a tinted moisturizer instead of liquid foundation. Tinted moisturizer hydrates your skin while delivering beautifully sheer color.

Check out our favorite tinted moisturizers >>

Keep your eye makeup simple

Many women make the mistake of too much eye makeup at the office. You don't need mile-long, thick black lashes and a smoky-eye -- it's not appropriate. Keep it simple with neutral eye shadow and eyeliner, followed by a coat or two of brown mascara. When applying your eyeliner, to soften your look use a thin, slightly smudged line rather a harsh, thick one. Pencil liner is usually a better choice than liquid eyeliner. View the makeup tutorial video below for the perfect everyday makeup.

Use soft colors

When it comes to cheek color, apply your blush with a light hand. Pick colors that highlight your cheeks and enhance your facial structure, but don't look bold or streaky. Rosy pink and pale peach are fantastic choices. Nude lips are "in" and perfect for the office. We love Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick in Charming (nude pink) and M·A·C Lipstick in Fleshpot (pale muted pinky-beige). With nude lipstick, make sure your lip liner matches.

Blend thoroughly

Our biggest tip for office-appropriate makeup is to blend, blend, blend. You don't want your foundation to look like a mask or your blush to appear as if you painted it on. To achieve a beautifully natural look that is professional, blend your makeup thoroughly with a makeup sponge. Check your makeup in the mirror from all angles to make sure that there are no harsh lines.

Skip the sparkle

We all love a little sparkle in our makeup, from shimmering bronzer to glitter eyeliner. However, glitzy makeup has no place at work. Skip the sparkle at the office and wait until after hours. If you are going straight from work to Happy Hour or a special date, carry a shimmery eye shadow or a little glitter gel in your bag to add some sparkle to your look before you go out.

Check your makeup often

We don't expect you to pull out your compact every hour at the office, but you should check your makeup before heading into a meeting with clients or staff. Double check that you don't have lipstick on your teeth and that your skin isn't getting shiny. Carry blotting tissues to absorb oil and shine without disturbing your makeup.

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