Tips on makeup during clinicals?

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I am going to start ADN this fall and recently at the intake the subject about make up at clinicals was brought up. Basically, my school requires modesty but wearing a little bit of make at clinicals was encouraged so we "don't scare off the patients at 6 a clock in the morning". Currently I do not have any makeup routine; I only use moisturizer, sunscreen, and occasionally primer and mascara. I'm interested only to apply a thin layer of foundation or powder just enough to even out my skin tone, a little bit mascara, lip gloss, and shape my eyebrows. However, when it comes to what products to pick I have absolutely no idea because I have not bought makeup products in years. I used to apply daily make up until eight years ago when I moved to CA, but I gave it up because it's hot and I get sweaty; the makeup gets smudged. So I am looking to get some products that are easy to apply and won't smudge, try them and build up a routine before school starts. Any recommendation and tips?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Ignore the encouragement of wearing makeup if it's not something you really want to do. I never wore makeup as a student, and I don't wear makeup working as an RN. An instructor that says what you have quoted would make me raise my (unshaped) eyebrows.

If you really do want to try it, then you might want to check out makeup counters in department stores- you can often get a free makeover to try things out. Sephora is another option if you have one locally.

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That is an offensive request. Do they ask men to wear light makeup as to not scare patients? :rolleyes:

Don't wear it if you don't want to. Personally, I find that I sweat it off and then I have to worry about whether mascara is running down my face all day.

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What an extremely offensive/unprofessional request. Was the instructor joking?

We were advised to keep a "neat" appearance: shoes clean, scrubs not wrinkled, hair clean and tied out of our faces, tattoos covered, no jewelry except for wedding rings (if you really must), nails short and clean, no fragrance. Rules were applied equally to males and females, and no mention of makeup.

I USED to use Makeup Forever "Aqua Brow" back in the day. It's a liquid, waterproof eyebrow gel that is amazing when you have the time/patience. It hardly EVER moved.

I wonder if the person who told you that you might "scare" the patients has ever even worked with patients. Unless you're unhygienic, a patient isn't going to care about your makeup routine. Personally, I find that I need to "check" my makeup throughout the day, and it would just distract me in the hospital. I keep it simple.

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I agree with the others. Hell, I'm a male nursing student and even I find that request offensive.

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Didn't wear makeup before nursing school, during nursing school, or since and nothing makeup related has happened to me by my knowledge. We didn't even discuss makeup before clinicals, only the uniform. Do what you feel comfortable doing.

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If you want to wear makeup, wear makeup. If you don't want to wear makeup, don't wear makeup. I promise you that you are going to have more important things to worry about when you start your nursing program.

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Have to agree with previous posters. Maybe the intention was for those who wear makeup to keep it light and non "gothic"? Anyway...if you don't wear makeup now...don't. I have noticed throughout my years that women who don't wear a lot of makeup have healthier looking skin when they get "older" :sneaky:

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I agree with the others: If you don't want to wear make up, don't!

As far as product recommendations... I don't know if it's been covered on this forum as I am unable to see search results on my work computer though it probably has, but in the Facebook group "Simple Nursing for Nursing Students" (I believe that's what it's called), this topic has been covered and people had many product recommendations for make up that can stand up to 12 hour shifts.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Wear a little so that you don't scare the pts at 0600? Did they encourage flowing, well-oiled hair too? :bag:

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Wear a little so that you don't scare the pts at 0600? Did they encourage flowing, well-oiled hair too? :bag:

Bahahaha! Good thing I swallowed my beverage before I read your post. Aww, now I'm feeling nostalgic.

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