There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to wearing professional makeup. Experimenting is key, but even at that, you still need to be careful about your choice.
One of the many challenges women face in enhancing their appearance is choosing the right work makeup. Being professional makes you competent, but it doesn’t mean you must compromise to enhance your natural beauty.
Successful women in the workplace have always stood out with makeup looks that boost confidence and enhance their appearance. It’s tough choosing a makeup look that feels good and shows your professional side simultaneously. That’s why we came up with the best professional makeup looks that will serve as an inspo for your next work glam makeup.
These makeup ideas are not only easy enough to complete, but they won’t need retouching now and then – and if you want to take your look from the office to happy hour, keep scrolling to discover low-maintenance, statement-making makeups that are easily achievable.
Professional Makeup Looks For Work That Are Easy To Do
List of Professional Makeup Looks for Work
Nude Eyeshadow with Mascara
We believe you can always experiment with colors when it comes to makeup, even in the office. This nude eyeshadow with mascara combo is too cute a combo. If you want your makeup to stand out, then you’ve got to invest in a good eye color and good mascara.
The eyes serve as a good base for makeup. So, you need an excellent eyeshadow product like the ELF Eye Shadow Primer. Of course, the nude color will be a fantastic choice.
Mascara will also give your eye more definition and attention, but you must ensure it lasts long. Sometimes, your eyes will get dry and itchy, and you may want to rub them. This may mess up your mascara. What should you do? Get a mascara like the Covergirl LashBlast for a lasting effect.
Thick Eyebrows with Blush Cheeks
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of elevating your eyebrow game. Eyebrows play a massive part in makeup looks, as they help to frame the face. They show you can be a badass chica and a professional at the same time.
You must keep your eyebrows as tidy as possible. Strong bows are incredible, so that try to overpluck. You can fill yours with powder and set it with wax or use a clear brow gel. Either way, your brows look thicker.
What about the blush cheeks? This is another way to enhance your beautiful face – and what blush color does it better than rose? Rose glow is gorgeous because it’s not shimmery. You don’t need shimmer cheeks at your workplace – that would be a bit excessive. You just need to maintain a natural glow, which the rose color will provide.
Peach Tones with Lipstick
I fell in love with this professional makeup combo because of its peachy color, which created blushy cheeks. The sheer color can be built upon to create a more solidified and blended blushy cheek.
The lip color perfectly complements the cheekbones. So when experimenting with this makeup idea, the blush and the lip color must be matching. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the same color. As long as they complement, you’re good to go.
Avoid distracting lip colors like red when trying this peach tone. You could try nude brown shades like the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Super Nude Collection or pink nude shades like the Urban Decay Vice Hydrating Lipstick.
The eyebrow should be thin to keep the focus on the peach blush and lips.
Bronzed Look with Thick Brows
This bronzed look is all about the eyebrows and creating the perfect contour. To create this contour, apply a small amount of bronzer two shades deeper than your natural skin tone on your cheeks, hairline, and nose sides. Of course, blending is essential to avoid harsh lines.
And if you want to look bolder going to work, the Maybelline Colossal Mascara will do the magic. This is an excellent alternative if you don’t fancy falsies. Although it does make you look bolder, you’re within your professional boundaries.
Pair this look with a pink nude lipstick, and you’ll create the perfect work ambiance. You could also try a rose pink shade or coffee color as an alternative.
Radiant Glow with a Satin Finish
This makeup look is better for the ebony ladies. This minimal makeup will make your dark skin glow beautifully, just as in the case of this picture. Two things are needed to create this radiating look – a foundation with a satin finish and a soft contour.
A brown eyeshadow is needed for the eyes to create this look. Begin applying from the outer corner of your eye and all the way to your temple. If you want to make your eye pop a bit, finish off with a shimmery silver eyeshadow on the eyes’ inner corner and add some mascara.
Shimmery Eyeshadow with Peachy Nude Tones
You all know how I feel about peachy and nude tones – they give an exquisite appearance without making you look overly ridiculous. The earthy, shimmery peach eyeshadow is perfect for a workplace, even if you have an event to head to afterward.
To create this makeup look, apply a peach shimmer eyeshadow all around the eye. Keep any shimmery highlighter away and maintain a fresh face all through for a blended, natural look.
For the lips and blush, choose a light-nude shade to complement the shimmery eyeshadow to enhance your beauty. Wearing a lash is optional, but if you’re bent on wearing one, double down on a thick mascara. Another option is to use a gray liner on the lower waterline.
Never try combining a thick mascara with a gray liner – that will be too dark and the eyes will be concealed in them.
Thick Brows with Orange Lip Shade
Take your makeup to the next level with this simple, yet elegant recipe. I love this makeup idea because it isn’t over the top – it focuses on the eyes and lips.
The thick brows help to accentuate the face, especially the eyes and the jawline. The orange lip color adds a certain level of vibrancy that adds more liveliness to your work appearance.
If you want to make a bold statement or make a good impression on clients, all while looking subtly appealing, I suggest you try this makeup recipe out. Add a thin mascara, contour your face a bit, and you’re good to go.
Natural Makeup with Neutral Eyeshadows
This is one of the professional makeup looks for work that will give you an effortless appearance. It improves your features subtly and gives you a radiant appearance that complements your natural beauty.
What you need to achieve this is a light foundation, neutral eyeshadow like nude, blush, and soft pink or nude lip color. Also, must thicken the brows to add more definition to your face.
Natural Smokey Eyes
Smokey or cat eyes create a bit of a dramatic appearance around the eyes, and you may wonder if this is good for work. Well! It is. You just have to keep it simple, and this is how.
First, focus on layering the lids with the right neutral eyeshadow. I recommend the nude shade in this aspect if you don’t want to dab the eyeshadow further. Apply black eyeliner at the outer corners of your eyes for a sharp tone.
As for the lip color, stick to brown nude or light brown to enhance the lips with a warm glow. It doesn’t matter if you’re ebony or brunette, this makeup recipe will surely light up your professional appearance.
Soft Glam with Light Blush
Sometimes, all it takes to achieve a simple professional look is not to go overboard. This soft glam recipe shows you can still look for work and happy hours.
Your foundation must be on point, and the brows must be sculpted nicely and lightly to complement the facial structure and hair. The cheekbone needs to be contoured for a natural look, but not heavily – and your mascara need not be thick.
I recommend the NYX Professional Makeup Thick it Stick It Brow Gel for this look. It contains essential makeup tools, such as skin foundation, primer, eyeshadow palette, etc.
Chic and Simple Everyday Glam
This recipe is handy for someone who doesn’t know much about combining the right makeup colors or has some skin to protect. Two things are used in this makeup – Beauty Balm or BB cream and concealer.
BB cream will provide a sheer, natural coverage and hydration. That’s why I recommend it for this makeup recipe, as applying a typical foundation will create a heavier look.
To start with, spray a dollop of BB cream on the back of your hand. Dab the cream with your fingertips evenly on your face. Then, even out your skin tone with a concealer.
Use a nude or muted brown shade for the eyeshadow to elevate the eye. The lip color should be subtle coral or pink, depending on your preference.
Soft Matte Finish with Nude Lipstick
It doesn’t get better than a nude lip color with a soft matte finish. The brows need to be thick enough, and the blush needs to complement the natural look of your skin.
A cool gray eyeliner is also needed on the lower lash to create a bold appearance. It’s essential to keep the skin natural with a satin finish. Use nude tones for the cheeks. For the lash, opt for separate lashes and layer them from the outer corner.
Light Contoured Face
This is all about creating a contoured face that mimics a natural look. You need a bronzer to create the perfect contour. Sculpt your face with a matte cream bronzer from brands like Elf Cosmetics and apply a corresponding lip color to create the perfect blend.
Flawless Natural Glam
The simplicity of this makeup recipe is jaw-dropping. It’s proof that you don’t have to go the extra extra to look extraordinary for work. This makeup inspo gives you a smokey eye and gives your skin more radiance.
Start with light contouring and perfect the complexion with a concealer. Add an eyeliner to the lower lash and a muted brown eyeshadow. This combo complements your skin beautifully. It’s ideal for the sweet ebony ladies out there.
Dewy Makeup
This healthy and flawless makeup requires an excellent base to stick and create uniformity with the skin. To start with, you need a primer to set the foundation. Gently apply with a brush, working from the middle to the outside of the face. Remember to blend as you go to avoid harsh foundation lines.
For the lips, soft or rose pink would suffice – and if you need full lips, use a lip scrub followed by creamy lipstick. I recommend applying additional layers for more intensity. Finish with a plumping gloss to achieve the full effect.
No-Makeup Makeup
Oh yeah! Sometimes, less is more. That’s the case with this no-makeup makeup recipe. This is perfect for anyone who wants to look minimal or look more natural.
Don’t think this is easy peasy. If you want to take this minimal approach, you must prep your skin properly. This starts with exfoliating and moisturizing the skin before applying the makeup. Exfoliation removes trapped impurities from your skin pores.
I recommend the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant as a base, followed by the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30 for deep hydration.
If you want blushy cheeks, apply blush in a spiral shape from your forehead to the cheeks. Accompany with a brown lip color.
Dewy Freckles
This look recipe is perfect for anyone who loves minimal makeup. The freckles around the cheeks and the bridge of the nose create a beautiful sun-kissed look.
The makeup tends to focus on the eyes and skin. But how do you achieve this? You need a MAC Cosmetics Strobe Dewy Skin Tint as a foundation or tinted moisturizer. This is followed by adding concealer, contouring, and blush.
You can use a small amount of the Tint to brighten the eyes and elevate its features.
