How to Do Interview Makeup and Hair

Whether it’s a new job, internship, or school leadership position, interviews can be pretty intimidating. You want to put your best foot forward and that means your interview makeup look and hairstyle are important. From in person introductions to video meet-ups, all interviews call for makeup and hair that makes you feel your best. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to do job interview makeup and hair, plus dos and don’ts to get everything just right. 

How to Do Simple Interview Makeup

1. Prime Your Face

It’s important to start your look off with makeup primer to create a smooth canvas and extend your makeup wear time. Try L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Pore Minimizer to blur the skin and minimize imperfections. 

2. Use Your Favorite Foundation

When you're getting ready for your interview, reach for your favorite foundation that makes you feel your best.  If you want to keep things light, L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable Makeup is a liquid foundation that will give natural, buildable medium coverage. It’ll provide a fresh glow, but you’ll still have the option of building up a little extra coverage in the areas where you need it.

3. Apply Concealer

To brighten your eyes and make them appear more lifted, use a concealer that’s one to two shades lighter than your skin tone and apply it only to the inner corner and the outer corner of your eye. Use a lightweight formula, like L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, and blend it in with a damp makeup sponge. 

4. Add Light Blush

To keep your face from looking flat (especially if it’s a virtual interview), a soft flushed cheek is a must. Use a light-colored blush, like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush in Fearless Coral, on your cheekbones for a soft pop of color.

5. Opt for a Neutral Eye 

When it comes to eye makeup, it’s best to keep things neutral and subtle. L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Boudoir Charme is perfect for your interview. Apply the lightest brown shade to your lids, the cream color to the inner corners of your eyes, and the darkest brown to your creases, so your eyes can be defined without looking over the top.

To finish your eye makeup, define your lashes using a black mascara, like L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara. If you want to wear eyeliner, opt for a brown shade, like L’Oréal Paris Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Brown Denim, for subtle definition. 

6. Pick a Lip Color 

To keep things professional for your interview makeup, your signature lip color is always a good idea. A sheer lipstick is a great way to give your lips subtle color while also keeping them hydrated. Try a shade from L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract — you can think of it as a lip balm and lipstick in one.

7. Set Your Makeup 

You can’t forget to set your makeup, so grab L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray, and spray it over your face in an X and T motion. This will help your makeup last and prevent it from settling into fine lines. 

What Lipstick Color Is Best for an Interview?

A neutral shade of lipstick like a nude pink, a coral shade or a berry pink are a few approriate options for a job interview. That said, it’s totally okay to wear red lipstick to a job interview if it’s for the right industry and audience. If you're working in a creative industry, it shouldn’t be an issue, but the same may not apply to something in a corporate setting. If you’re having a hard time deciding, a nude pink or berry shade will never fail. 

Is it Okay to Leave Your Hair Down for an Interview?

Yes, it’s totally suitable to leave your hair down for an interview. Long gone are the days where a low bun is the only fitting choice. The goal should be for your hair to look presentable, and there are many different ways to achieve that while rocking your hair texture and type. 

How to Style Your Hair for an Interview

1. Choose a Style

As far as interview hairstyles go, it’s ideal to keep things simple, whether that be wearing your hair down or opting for an easy ponytail. 

If you want to wear your hair down, a bouncy blowout is a great option — and so is sporting your natural, air-dried hair. Whatever you decide on, just make sure to apply a frizz-controlling leave-in, like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free 21-in-1 Color Caring Spray, Leave In, so your hair is shiny and free of flyaways. 

If you decide on an updo, a simple low ponytail is always a safe choice. Just brush your hair back and tie your hair in a ponytail, slightly above the nape of your neck.

2. Lock Everything in Place

Once your hair is styled, seal everything in with hairspray like L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray - Unscented. This will help keep your style in place and avoid any flyaways. 

Interview Makeup and Hair Dos and Don'ts 

Do Know Your Audience

The previous rule of thumb for interview makeup and hair was to keep things natural and simple, after all, you do want the interviewer to see you. But over time, shunning red lipstick and raging against sparkly eyeshadow has gone the way of the old guard. Know your audience and what’s appropriate for the role you’re interviewing for. If you’re applying to work the makeup counter at a cosmetics brand then that cut crease may be impressive, or a red lip may make you stand out for a hostess gig but not for an executive assistant role at a real estate agency. Tailor your look to give the interviewer a glimpse into who you are and what they can expect once you’ve secured the job. 

Don’t Experiment

When you're getting ready for an interview, go with your everyday makeup and hair routines that you know best. Now is not the right time to test out a new skill. If you never wear winged eyeliner, a job interview is not the time to experiment with it. The last thing you want is for your makeup to go south (or make you late) because you tried something new.

Do What Feels Best

Confidence is a must when you head into a job interview, so opt for the makeup and hair routine that will allow you to look and feel your best. Similar to what we mentioned about not experimenting, an interview is not the time to stray from your go-to routine. Your go-to routine is your tried-and-true for good reason.

Don’t Rush

Make sure you give yourself extra time to get ready for your interview. If you’re rushing, it’s going to make you stressed and you’re not going to feel your best. If you know it takes 40 minutes to get ready, give yourself an hour just to be safe. 

Next: 3 Tips for Applying Concealer for Dry Skin

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