wearing makeup to work?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am still in nursing school and I usually always wear makeup when I'm out most of the time like a "full face of makeup" not like a clown or anything weird and over the top haha but I usually always wear foundation, concelar, eye liner, mascara, a little bronzer niti have always thought it would be kind of pointless to wake up every day or everyother day (whatever my work schedule will be) and put on a full face of makeup when I'm going to be running around a hospital all day, helping people to the bathroom, giving baths, doing charts, giving meds etc. but I still feel like when I'm a nurse I dont want to look like a total bum either like I just rolled outa bed with no makeup on (because that is never a good look when I'm pale because I havent tanned or I'm beyond tird that day). I know I am not going to want to put on a ton of makeup everyday when its just going to rub off , sweat off etc.

I just dont want to look sloppy infront of patients, their familys, other co workers, or bosses.

Do you wear makeup to work as a nurse?

If so, what do you wear to keep it simple?

Do you think its silly to put makeup on in this type of profession when we are just running around non stop?

Also, how do you make yourself look put together when it comes to usually always havng your hair up a lot of the time?

1 Votes
Specializes in pediatric critical care.

I wear makeup to work, but just the basics, no overdone eyes, and no lipstick. Some mornings I'm sure I look pretty scary after a crazy shift, but I think most of the time I'm fine. I tend not to touch my face or rub my eyes, so it usually isn't smeared up after 12 hours.

As for my hair, I don't always wear it up, it's shoulder length, although I usually have the front pinned out of my face. I started nursing with waist length hair and chopped it off pretty quick, putting it up all of the time was giving me headaches.

I think it's a matter of comfort level, you'll find out what works best for you. As for me, I don't think I've gone without mascara in 10 years!:lol2:

1 Votes
Specializes in Tele/PCU/ICU/Stepdown/HH Case Management.

depends on how i feel. usually i do wear makeup, some days i don't have the energy to put it on though.

1 Votes
Specializes in PP, Pediatrics, Home Health.

I work nights at a children's home and most of the time I don't wear makeup, but there are nights that I do have it on.

1 Votes
Specializes in LTC.

I am what they call " A girly girl" I wear make up every single day. Its just part of who I am. Since I do my make up every day it is just second nature for me to do my make up for work also. Make up is not for every one. It depends on the individual. I do believe women and men should not look like a bum at work. For some ladies it would not hurt to throw on a little mascara, eye shadow or blush. I have had patients, family members, and my boss tell me how my appearance always looks fresh and professional. Personally I know wearing a little make up made the difference. Along with make up I make sure my hair is presentable and my colthes. Ofcourse nurses should be competent and skillful. I'm just saying that first appearances say alot. If you walk in a room looking like you just got ran over by a truck I as a patient may not want you touching me. Just my 2 cents take it or leave.

2 Votes
Specializes in ER, ICU.

I don't wear makeup ever, and I wear a crew cut, very simple.

1 Votes
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I always wear foundation of some sort, but that is because I have rosacea so the redness needs to be tamed. And I always wear lipstick because I like to. The rest of the makeup routine depends on how I feel that day and/or if I'm running late. If I do, I go for a simple and understated look.

In fact, because of the darn rosacea, I don't even need to wear blush--I automatically look like I'm wearing some :)

1 Votes
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Foundation just on the blotchy spots. Since I've been pregnant my blotchy spots have cleared up :yeah: so I just powder over my face. A little eyeshadow, no mascara, as I haven't found a type yet that won't irritate my eyes. And a little lip gloss. Nothing much. I don't wear makeup around the house, so the above feels like a lot to me.

1 Votes
Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

No matter what Mascara I buy I always end up with Panda Eyes so I have given up! I am a manager now and feel I should present this glamourous front but I still get Panda eyes so I guess I am done with the makeup LOL

1 Votes

I'm still in nursing school, but I can't imagine NOT wearing makeup. Nothing over the top, just the basics: a little concealer, nude eyeshadow, mascara, blush.

1 Votes
Specializes in ER, ARNP, MSN, FNP-BC.

I never wear makeup. My husband hates it :). You know, the old "you look beautiful natural baby" LOL

1 Votes

I was actually a make-up artist for 7 yrs prior to becoming a nurse, the ultimate girly girly, love having my hair, makeup, nails, and outfit. love being done up. My ideal everyday make-up would be like the girls at the MAC counter, however being a young professional, 26 years old and looking young I want to be taken seriously in my profession and be viewed and seen as an authority and respected. With that in mind I have toned it down dramatically. I wear a long wearing foundation, powder, blush, eyeliner black (not too heavy, but i got dark hair), mascara, and light neutral lip gloss. Its the minimum in which i personally feel great. My hair pulled back in a pony or puff or what ever cute way i managed to put up my hair. For me when i look in the mirrowr and like what i see back, gives me confidence and makes me feel good...if i oversleep and literally have roll out of bed and go i feel like crap all day, because i think i look like crap. I will add that I am way more tired and lazy to do anything more with myself than what i described above. I use to straighten or put my hair in rollers everyday, now just a lil mouse and let air dry and 5 min later pretty natural curls. Onlly time i look like the girls at the MAC counter now is a special occassion a night on the town.

1 Votes
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