Women’s physical appearances have long been dictated, whether implicitly or explicitly, in the workplace. Traditionally, makeup has been viewed by many as a non-negotiable aspect of presenting a professional, polished image. In 2024, is that still the case?
We surveyed women on our platform about their makeup habits at work: whether they wear it or don’t, how often they apply it, and how they believe makeup influences their opportunities and the way they’re perceived.
Highlights from our data include:
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Only 28 percent of women wear makeup every day to work, whereas 38 percent of women rarely (19 percent) or never (19 percent) wear makeup to work at all. The rest of women range from wearing it a few times a week to occasionally.
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Of women who do choose to wear makeup to work, 56 percent wear it to feel more confident, 42 percent wear it to enhance their physical appearance, and 34 percent wear it to cover up imperfections. Only 6 percent of women say they wear it because they think it’s expected of them.
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When asked if wearing makeup affects their professional image or how they’re perceived by others in the workplace, responses were nearly split, with 37 percent of respondents saying it positively impacts their image and 39 percent believing it has no impact at all.
Perhaps the most surprising takeaway? 75 percent of women don’t feel there’s an expectation to wear makeup in the workplace at all anymore. If this is true, what factors are contributing to this shift in attitude about makeup in the workplace? Are workplace cultures truly evolving to promote authenticity and individuality?
Read more: The Perils of ‘Professionalism’: How Dress Codes at Work Discriminate & Exclude
The changing attitude toward makeup in the workplace
Despite progress, traditional beauty standards still influence career opportunities in the workplace. Dr. Erica Alcantara Aros, a leadership and workplace culture consultant, explains how makeup plays a role in this bias.
“I've heard about research that points out ‘pretty privilege,’ the idea that those who are attractive by society's standards have more privilege and opportunities in the workplace,” Aros says. She’s right—it’s proven that employees deemed attractive are often more likely to be hired, promoted, and earn higher salaries.
“In many cases, makeup can contribute to the idea that someone is attractive, so makeup can definitely influence daily interactions in the workplace,” Aros says. In fact, a recent TikTok details how a woman, Melissa, was denied a job for not wearing makeup in the interview. Despite having all of the professional qualifications necessary for the job (and wearing professional clothing), her lack of makeup led to questions about her competence.
Obviously, Melissa should’ve been judged on her ability to do the job, not her appearance. The fact is, the pandemic influenced the way many women approach makeup. We have a few theories as to why: mask-wearing, the skincare revolution, “clean girl” aesthetics, etc. With the extra time the pandemic afforded and the isolation of the lockdown, many women nixed makeup for the time being and began paying closer attention to the products they used, sparking a shift toward skincare-conscious routines and a preference for cleaner, more minimalist makeup looks.
The transition to remote work especially altered how women approach makeup. For example, Gen Z employees, who entered the workforce during the remote work era, embraced a minimalist, casual approach to workplace appearance due to their lack of firsthand experience with traditional office attire.
“Since 2020, the formality of how we show up at work has decreased,” says corporate trainer and career strategist Jennifer Brick. “Similar to how we realized how much time we could get back in our day when we didn’t have to commute to the office, skipping a full-face of makeup in the morning saves you time.” While virtual meetings still require professionalism, it’s easier to embrace and prioritize comfort when you’re not meeting face-to-face with colleagues and clients
But the movement toward minimalism isn’t just about convenience—it's part of a broader reconsideration of how women are perceived in professional settings. Most recently, another woman, Jools Lebron’s viral TikTok advocating for a 'demure, mindful' approach to workplace appearance. She promotes a subtle style and emphasizes how “demure” extends beyond appearance—it's about how you engage with others and carry yourself with assured confidence. Behind her playful video is a meaningful message: Professional success should always be based on skills, expertise, and job performance rather than surface-level aesthetics.
Read more: 50+ Questions to Ask the Interviewer About Company Culture
Do workplaces have explicit guidelines on makeup usage?
Makeup’s influence on perceptions and opportunities in the workplace is evident, yet formal policies around makeup are scarce. This creates a complex catch-22 where women are forced to balance their personal choices with the implicit demands and biases of their work environment, often leading to stress and uncertainty about their professional image.
“The expectations in most organizations don’t formally outline expectations regarding makeup, but often convey certain professional standards such as dress codes,” Brick says. “That said, there may be unwritten expectations relating to makeup, hair, and nails, which puts pressure on women to show up a certain way. Interestingly, this ‘certain way’ often involves wearing enough makeup but not too much, making the balance somewhat of a Goldilocks problem, because what’s the right amount?”
Aros points out that crafting specific guidelines for makeup in professional settings is challenging due to the nuanced and personal nature of makeup: “There might be men in leadership positions crafting these policies who don’t fully understand makeup. Plus, there’s limited published research on how makeup impacts organizational success, and because makeup is a personal and often artistic expression, it’s challenging to regulate effectively.”
According to women, here’s how attitudes toward makeup in the workplace have changed in the past five years
We were curious to hear how women think makeup usage has evolved over time. We asked our audience to anonymously answer, “In your experience, what ways, if any, have attitudes toward makeup in the workplace changed in the past five years?” Here’s how they responded.
The post-pandemic era ushered in more freedom and authenticity
“In my experience, attitudes toward makeup in the workplace have become more inclusive and accepting of personal choice. There is a growing recognition that professionalism is not tied to wearing makeup, and employees are increasingly encouraged to present themselves in ways that feel authentic to them. This shift reflects a broader trend toward valuing diversity and individuality in the workplace.”
“My own personal attitudes have shifted about wearing makeup in the workplace. Previous to the pandemic, I wore business attire everyday with heels and a full face of makeup, as it was expected by my employer. Since working from home for an extended period of time, my values have shifted. I now wear makeup rarely during the workday and save it for more social events or date night. Instead of spending time putting on makeup in the morning, I'd rather spend it reading the news or catching up with a family member or friend before the workday. This shift has made starting the workday much more enjoyable. I do believe workplaces overall have become more relaxed about dress and makeup.”
“Over the past few years, I care less about fully dressing up, including [putting on] a full face of makeup. I want to be judged on my abilities and outputs.”
“I used to put on a full face of makeup when working. Now, I just use it to cover imperfections and enhance my natural beauty. I feel it helps me feel confident in meetings and presentations.”
Despite positive changes, subtle pressures and standards persist
“Though my department did not necessarily make me feel pressured to wear makeup, I feel as if my colleagues perceived me as more professional when wearing it.”
“There is an expectation of the ‘no makeup, makeup’ look. When you don't wear any makeup at all, it is immediately assumed that you are ill and therefore unable to effectively do your job.”
“I think pretty privilege is still prevalent. Those that are physically fit, dress well, and groom themselves, including wearing makeup, are treated exponentially better than those who are more focused on attributes other than their appearance…Being clean and professional looking shouldn't mean that you are forced to wear makeup, spend a fortune on clothing, or…be a certain size.”
Read more: Why That Feeling of Belonging in the Workplace Is So Important
How to address makeup and build inclusive, authentic workplaces
The policing of women's appearances at work has long reinforced gender stereotypes and perpetuated inequality, but the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion has challenged biases by promoting a more holistic view of individual worth and talent. By focusing solely on professional outputs and skills, organizations can create more equitable, productive, and supportive work environments that truly value employees for their abilities and contributions.
“Company culture is shaped by the leaders at the top of the org chart,” Aros says. “They have the ability to shape employees' decisions about personal appearance by the way they model their own personal appearance and how they talk about expectations on personal appearance. I personally tell my team members during onboarding that the attire and personal appearance expectation is, ‘wear whatever makes you feel confident and at your best when you are interacting with others.’ This allows for people to choose how they want to be perceived in the workplace and promotes inclusion and diversity.”
“The way we show up to work demonstrates respect,” Brick says. “I don’t think makeup and business suits are required to convey that respect or command it. The best thing leaders can do is be clear on their brand and their values and how they are expressed.”
Here’s an example of how leaders can clearly address makeup usage in their company policy:
“We value a professional and respectful work environment where all employees feel comfortable and accepted. While we encourage employees to present themselves in a manner that reflects professionalism, we do not have specific requirements regarding makeup usage. Employees are free to choose their personal grooming and appearance preferences, including the use of makeup, as long as these choices adhere to overall professional standards. Our goal is to ensure all employees are evaluated based on their skills, performance, and contributions to the team.”
“Society goes through phases based on what’s trendy. Right now, there’s a push for a more natural look, but next year we might see a push for bright and bold eyeshadows,” says Aros. “Social media has a lot of influencing power, and with trends and expectations on what’s acceptable in the workplace constantly changing, I think it’s smart for workplace leaders to be flexible and open to various forms of expression through makeup or the absence of makeup.”
So, should you wear makeup to work?
That’s what we’re all wondering, and maybe it’s the reason you clicked on this article. Reframe that thought. Brick encourages employees to reflect on this question when deciding whether to wear makeup or not: How can I show up and present myself in the way that makes me feel most confident?
Read more: Where Do Women Experience Gender Bias? Everywhere.
