How to: Job Interview Makeup

If you’re in final year then graduate schemes, job applications and the inevitable assessment centre and interview is an overwhelming reality of everyday life. Personally, the ‘oh my god I can’t wait to finish Uni and be done with homework forever’ has evolved into a definite ‘I want to stay here forever and hide from the real world’ existential crisis.

Equally, if you’re just looking for a part time job, perhaps in a bar or (like me) in fashion retail alongside your studies, then you too will ultimately face the dreaded job interview, and whether we like it or not, first impressions count.

Here’s my guide to an interview-ready make up look that’s minimalist, professional, and oh so easy to achieve.

1. Base

The base is so important! The whole theory behind this look is that it’s not cakey and it stays on. Whether you’re travelling to London for an assessment centre or getting the 142 into town, it needs to look as fresh and flawless as it did in the morning.

To start, do your morning skincare as normal. I am a devout follower of the Clinique three-step system but it doesn’t matter as long as you cleanse with a facial soap, follow with a toner and moisturise. After you’ve moisturised, use a primer that’s right for your skin type and apply all over preferably with a flat foundation brush. I use Illamasqua’s Hydra veil which is part-primer and part-skincare and just made for my dry skin. This creates a barrier between the skin and foundation and ensures it lasts way longer. I then go in with my MAC Pro Longwear foundation and buff with a Zoeva 104 buffer brush which gives an even, diffused finish that’s medium coverage, flawless and anything but cakey. I then use half a pump of my MAC Pro-longwear concealer, I place product with a Morphe concealer brush and blend with a fluffy MAC eye brush. I then powder using NYX HD loose, translucent powder and a Zoeva luxe highlight brush to finish.

2. Eyes

I’d go really simple and understated with the eyes, either Make up Geek’s Latte or Motives Frappe; think coffee coloured nudey-browns, blended out with a fluffy brush paired with a not-too-dramatic black winged liner, using a MAC 266 or any angled eyeliner brush for the flick with any gel-based liner. Then pair with natural hair lashes in a wispy style, Morphe DW lashes are really underrated and a steal at £2.75 a pair and look gorgeously fluffy with the winged liner. For the brows, a natural but groomed look can be achieved with a gel-based product to fill in any missing hairs or to create shape, I use Illamasqua’s Precision Gel in strike or MAC’s Fluidline in Dip down for a dark brown brow, I prefer a natural, faded look towards the front so I use a brown powder from Morphe’s brow pallete and I apply all of this with a 266 angled eyeliner brush.

3. Lips

Lipstick can be high maintenance so I’d definitely go for a fuss-free but beautiful nude colour. I’d recommend MAC’s Stripdown, Spice, Oak or Whirl if you have any of those in your collection. Wear on its own or pair with a complementary lipstick shade. For this look, I’m really enjoying Stripdown liner with Taupe lipstick; for an even more subtle look, Oak or Spice looks fab with Honey love.

4. Highlight

Go in with a subtle, medium-toned bronzer. Hoola by Benefit and MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Medium are both a good place to start, use with a generic powder brush and apply sparingly to temples and cheekbones. I then spray my Zoeva luxe highlight brush with MAC fix plus spray to intensify the colour and apply my highlight. At the mo I’ve been loving The Balm’s Mary-Lou Manizer and MAC’s Soft and Gentle for a gorgeously honey-toned shimmer. Ta-dah, beautifully highlighted understated, flawless perfection!