Hey, everyone! I know I haven’t mentioned it often, but at this current time, I don’t have a full-time job. As such, I apply to a LOT of jobs, and I try to go on as many interviews as I can, when I’m lucky enough to get one.
It turns out I was, in fact, lucky enough this week! It was yesterday, and I spent a lot of time last weekend planning what I would wear, how I would handle the interview, and my favorite part: my makeup.
I wanted to show you guys the neutral look I wore and the products I used to achieve it.
The interview was for an office coordinator position at the same school I attended for my graduate studies. I’ve worked in a few offices, and those are the kinds of positions I’ve been looking into lately for full-time work.
When I interview, I like to wear things that make me feel comfortable, because, well…I’m normally a nervous wreck when it comes to interviews. I still haven’t mastered them. Sometimes I shake worse than when I’m at the dentist’s office, and that’s a LOT of shaking.
So for this look I started with freshly cleansed and moisturized skin.
Then I applied a good layer of Murad Invisiblur Primer (I reviewed it here). It gives me a good starting point for Clinique Oil Free Stay Matte Makeup.
After dabbing Clinique Stay Matte Makeup in Linen all over my face with a beautyblender, I end up with light-to-medium coverage all over.
I still had a few visible spots that needed more coverage, and I also have a stress zit that’s threatening to pop out on the lower righthand corner of my nose. You can’t see it in this picture, but every time I smile or frown, it hurts!
So I hit the rest of my trouble spots with super blendable and easy to use Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light. This includes my chin, the corners of my nose, and in certain spots around the corners of my mouth.
Once I was done with my initial base, I moved onto blush and highlight. Nicole gave some love to Milani Luminoso Blush in her Unsung Heroes post, and everything she had to say about it convinced me that I needed it too.
It gives a perfect peachy pink flush that isn’t too overpowering. I also added a bit of a highlight using E.L.F. Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls on the high points of my cheeks, my nose, and around my brows.
Next, and I know that this can seem a bit backward, but sometimes I do things a bit backward when it comes to my makeup. After my face was done, I moved onto my eyes.
The $36 Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette was my first “high end” palette purchase, and I love it so far!
I wear neutral eyes most of the time, and the shades in this palette are all really versatile and easy to wear from day to night. (Karen did a full review of the palette here.)
After applying E.L.F. Eyeshadow Primer, I blended Heaven (a cream matte) all over my lid and into my brow bone. Then I picked up Cashmere Bunny (a taupe matte) and blended that into my crease.
I noticed that my lines were a bit harsh after this step, so I grabbed a blending brush (like this one from E.L.F.) and sorted that out real quick.
Finally, I took Sexpresso (a deep brown matte) and packed it into my lash line as my liner. I blended it out a little, sort of like how Jen does in this post.
My last steps were to add a coat of Sephora Full Action Mascara in Black, which I got as a sample, and fill in my brows. Sephora Full Action Mascara gives full, soft lashes without being irritating.
The brow powder is one I’ve had for a while that I got from European Wax Center when a friend of mine worked there. I prefer using powders in the summer because I’m more apt to sweat off a cream.
I also put a balm on my lips with the intention of prepping them for a lipstick, but I was so nervous and late by the time I got uptown (it takes a little over an hour to get there from where I live in Brooklyn) that I went into the interview with bare lips.
Overall, I think the interview went well, and I feel good about it. And even if I don’t get the job, it was good practice, and good makeup practice as well! 🙂
I also snapped a picture of my makeup at the end of the day for comparison:
This was after my 45-minute interview, two hours of commuting, and also having to deal with a very humid day in NYC. I did get a little mascara transfer, but that’s about it. I made a note to pick up some blotting sheets, though! My glasses were sliding down my nose all day. 🙁
I hope you liked this FOTD! Do you have any tried and true interviewing tips? What are some of your favorite looks as far as makeup and outfits go for when you’re job hunting? Let me know in the comments!
Tammy says
You look great. I’m sure you slayed the interview! I’m in a really humid place, too (Thailand). My husband and I swear by Nerdwax (nerdwax.com) to keep our glasses from sliding down our noses (and we both have very oily skin). It’s a bit pricey, but so worth it. Give it a try! Geez, this sounds like a sponsored post, but I promise, its not. The brand doesn’t even know I exist.
yelena says
you looked great, good luck in the interview!
if you are concerned about sweating off your brow product, then try MAC brow fluidline…I swear this thing stays on through the day AND even through my gym workouts! I am on my second pot of deep dark brunette 🙂
Chris25 says
Hope your job search turns out well very soon! This is a nice look. One interview tip might be to always have a few questions prepared for the interviewer. It was some time before I realized how many employers expect and appreciate us asking them a few good questions, too. It shows a lot of preparation and interest, I think.
LindaLibraLoca says
I think wearing neutral colors and a look you feel comfortable in is very important. Fingers crossed you get the job!
Lubna says
Congrats girl !I am also hunting for a full time job, now that I completed uni ! Great makeup look, fresh and simple x
themisslubna.com
Amy says
Your foundation looks perfect! Very natural and flawless. What we all aim for! Sounds like a great interview and experience, we’re all rooting for you for the right job where you will shine brightest! You really do look lovely.
Susan says
You look great! Interview tips: I echo the above about being prepared. I always appreciate candidates having at least two questions ready to ask the interviewer. Could be specifics about the position – what happened to the last person who had the job? Is this a new position? Is there any room for job growth? On the job training? You get the idea. My other piece of advice is project confidence. Visualize yourself as being successful, having the perfect interview. I don’t mean be obnoxious, but you should project energy and confidence. And if this one doesn’t work out, you’ll get the next one!
Kiss & Make-up says
Looks good, definitely subtle enough. Good luck with the job hunting! It’s not easy…
Tatiana says
I hope you find a full time job soon. I don’t have any advice for interviewing because it’s been years since I interviewed for a job. My daughter just started a new job and she practiced her interviewing with my husband, her Dad. It was just nerve wracking watching her process without being able to anything about it myself.
I like the makeup you did and despite the humidity and heat it looks like it held up well. I used to live in Kew Gardens Queens and it felt like it took forever to get into Manhattan every day.
Wishing you lots of success.
Michaela says
Hi Marcella I really liked this interview look. It looks very professional without trying too hard. I hope you get the job!
Wina says
I’m in the same position as you. Just trying to get interviews. Get thrown so much shade about now having a full time job.
When I go to job interviews I always just wear white shirt and black pants. My makeup is as minimal as possible covering up acne and dark circles.
But most of the time, I just need to get my nerves under the control. I get so nervous in my interviews that I stutter nonstop. My interviewer last time told me to take a deep breath. Obviously I didn’t get a job.
Everytime before I go, I google up interview questions and write up the answers to all the question.