wearing makeup to work?

[meghan91]

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?

[INLPN93]

meghan91 said:

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?

No. Only for the interview process. I work LTC and I have yet to be in a facility that is not very warm, sometimes close to hot. I have, even at 41, very oily skin. I still get acne breakouts from time to time and sweaty, oily skin is sure thing for breakouts. I am a plain jane anyways, I accept that. I do wear an oil free moisturizer and a mattifier I get from a dermatologist (heavy duty strength).

I don't think its silly if you have the right skin, and your work environment doesn't make your make up look runny and your face greasy. Make-up is nice to wear and can boost confidence for some.

As for the hair, I have short hair, I am a firm believer that after 40 you can take 10 years & 10 pounds off with a short hairstyle . It's always clean and styled. Because its short its always down, I couldn't get it into a ponytail if I wanted to. Years ago, I did wear a pony tail to work and I used a sports pomade to keep my hair in place. It worked very well too. I never had any stray hairs falling out, and I worked 12's in a LTC facility.

[LPNnowRN]

Years ago I used to work in a physical therapy pool (94 degrees), so got out of the habit of wearing makeup. I wear it maybe once a year for a wedding or other party. I have a nicely styled short haircut with naturally curly hair (someone once asked the aide to get "the fuzzy headed nurse", LOL!). My thin eyelashes and eyebrows are blonde, but I tend to rub my eyes when tired, then end up looking like a raccoon when I wear mascara, plus the foundation does tend to collect in the under eye wrinkles these days!! My sister just got me a Basic Minerals makeup kit but I haven't used it yet--she's trying to tell me something I think, LOL!

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

I always wear mascara and eyeshadow to work, and use cover-up if I have a zit. Outside of work I'll wear more makeup if I'm going out.

My hair is such an uncontrollable mess that I feel like I have to wear some makeup to work so I don't look like such a slob.

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

I rarely wear makeup anywhere although I love to buy it. I have a smooth olive complexion and have received many compliments sans makeup so I just roll with it. A little moisturizer and lip balm and I'm good to go! I've never been the type to wear much makeup and the men in my life have never complained LOL.

I don't think personally there is anything wrong with wearing a full face to work but I see many women go over the top and 6 hrs in they look not so fresh anymore. I don't think women have to wear makeup to be seen as 'professional' as long as their clothes are clean/neat, hair is not falling all over the place, and their attitude is mature and caring.

[HmarieD]

For those with the "raccoon eyes" issue, I have recently discovered Loreal beauty tubes mascara, it is the only kind I have ever used that doesn't do that. It's amazing!

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I'm not very good at make up, and if I'm in a hurry, it's definitely the first thing to get cut. However, most days I do wear eye liner, mascara, and lipstick. If I have dark circles under my eyes, I'll try and tame those, though I haven't mastered that skill yet.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

meghan91 said:

Do you wear makeup to work as a nurse?

Yes.

meghan91 said:

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

I wear undereye concealor and mascara minimum, but generally wear powder foundation too, might slap on some eyeliner or blush. Usually just wear lip balm on my lips.

meghan91 said:

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

No. I just started my first job and some of the nurses wear nothing and some wear full face with eyeshadows and stuff.

meghan91 said:

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

Hair up doesn't look pulled together?

[Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN]

I wear a mineral foundation, blush, eyeshadow, a light touch of eyeliner, mascara, and lipgloss. I use a light hand though. Gone are the 80's where I look in horror of old pics of my charcoal black lined eyes and heavy handed blush. Definately falls into the "what was I thinking?" cats.

I'm anemic though I'd scare myself let alone pts with nothing. My husband disagrees, but c'mon he's biased:redbeathe

I have just below shoulder hair cut in a bunch of layers. Some times I wear it down and even have it curled depending on my shift. I've used a regular curling iron but also that infinity cone like tool that makes waves is wonderful. I have a natural wave so I just have to touch up flat spots.

Other times I wear it up and I found something better than bands for ponytails or the claw clips which is what I've always used....those goody spin pins are AWESOME can't stress it enough. I can make a somewhat messy (but out of the way) bun, or pony. I absolutely love these things. I have pieces that stick out from the bun but I like that look. If you have to have a totally put together bun, I think they can achieve that too if your hair is one length.

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

Yes, I wear make up every day to work, but very basic and simple.

MAC Studiofix foundation/powder combo

Neutral colored eyeshadow

Top lid only brown eyeliner

Black mascara

Light/neutral lipstick

I wear it light enough that most people don't know I'm wearing make-up...until I show up without the above and then it's noticable!!!

That little bit makes such a difference in how I look!

ETA: Hair-my hair is just above shoulder length. If I know I will be doing a lot of personal care or dressings, I make sure I wear it back with a headband. Otherwise I will wear it down

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Hair?

My hair is mid-back length and wild so I usually have to tie it up if I'm going to be in a clinical setting.

[rainbowsandsunshine]

At work, I wear bare minerals powder as foundation/blush/concealer. Nothing else, I dont bother with mascara, eye liner, lipstick.. none of that!

At home, I wear nothing.

My hair is always in a side part with a low ponytail.

I am a nurse, I am a mom, I am pretty boring to look at! LOL

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

I always wear makeup..for work, I try to choose tamer colors but I think I look more alert, rested and professional with some color on my face. It's a challenge finding stuff that doesn't wear off due to the surgical masks though.

I think a nurse can still look nice even if she doesn't wear makeup, but personally, I look and feel better when I primp a little.