7 Simple Makeup Tips For The Office

Getting ready for a long day at work can be mind-numbingly annoying - especially if you've got to wake up really early. There's nothing worse than waking up when its dark out, travelling to work when its dark out, then getting back home when its dark. It makes you want to hibernate under your duvet until the sun comes out again, but unfortunately, that's not really an option when you have a job to get to! Trimming your morning routine is very important, especially through the winter, so that you can get more time in bed and less time outdoors in the cold - which is why we've compiled seven of the very best makeup tips for the office, so that you can look and feel like your most charming and professional self, even when its dark, gloomy, snowy and -20 out.

Keep it Simple, Stupid

The most simple way to trim minutes from your morning makeup routine - and to look super, duper appropriate for the office, is to keep it simple. Duh! The most elegant, professional and pretty looks are sometimes really pared back. You don't need a ton of makeup to look well put together, and so if you tone it down, you'll not only shave minutes off of your routine, giving you more valuable sleep-time, but you'll give off a much more professional vibe.

If you want to make things even speedier, use a tinted moisturizer, a sweep of cream blush, a slick of liquid eyeliner and a sweep of mascara, followed by some powder to reduce shine and to keep everything else in place.

Work on the Basics

If your skin is already clean and clear, and your hair well cut into an easy-to-maintain style, getting up and ready in the morning will be really, really simple. That means keeping your skin well hydrated, by moisturizing every night, taking your makeup off by using cleanser or micellar water rather than makeup wipes and exfoliating every two or three days to slough away dead skin cells. As for your hair, get it cut every 6-8 weeks into a style that looks fabulous even if you don't style it. Ideally, a style that you can wash, scrunch and leave to dry naturally.

Leave the Falsies at Home

False nails, false lashes and fake tan will do nothing for your reputation as a professional gal about town.

See Also: 6 Common Makeup Mistakes And How To Fix Them

They don't say a lot for your professionalism, either. A professional lady looks well put together - a gal going to the club will wear false lashes and false nails. Leave the full-on makeup for the weekend and dancing with the girls and tone it down for the office.

Don't Road-Test Products At The Office

We've been there, girl. We know how exciting it is to buy new makeup, or when you order that brand new mascara or bronzer online and wait for it to drop through your letterbox, but you must resist, especially if you've never used that specific item before. The last thing you want is to be known as the "pumpkin chick" at the office, particularly if you're not sure how to apply your new must-have bronzer. Test all your new faves at the weekend, and use your tried and true classics throughout the week instead. The same goes for OTT makeup looks - full on smoky eyes and a strong lip, a brand new lip color like orange or plum, or a colored mascara or kohl pencil that's really far out of your usual comfort zone. Try it at home, on your girlfriends, down to the shops or in your PJs watching a film after work. Just not at work.

Faux Glow

Gorgeously glowing skin exudes power and confidence and luckily, it's really rather easy to achieve. Switch to an ultra-hydrating moisturizer, apply your makeup as normal, then dab tiny spots of a pearlescent highlighter onto your browbones, your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, on your cupid's bow and into your hairline.

Tone it down with a little bit of pressed powder if necessary.

Leave the Glitter, Chalk and Frost at Home

Glittery, chalky and frosted makeup looks are all well and good, especially if you're going out partying, but they are really, really not appropriate for the office. There are so many gorgeous nude hues and lovely smoky colors, as well as bold brights if that's what you're looking for, that you should leave the chalky formulas and the frosted lip glosses at home. If you do like to experiment with brights, use jewel tones rather than neons and think about using matte formulas rather than anything shiny - it'll pack a punch in terms of style but it won't be too in-your-face. For example, think about rocking a matte lip or nail.

Your Go-To Grab Bag

Keep a few essentials on hand or in your desk drawer at all times - for example, a nude lippy, a pot of nail varnish removal pads and a nude nail polish (so that you can touch up any chipped nails), a blush, pressed powder and a liquid liner.

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We also love the idea of keeping makeup in your desk drawer so that you can create a party look if you're unexpectedly invited out to the bar after work - after all, you never know what's around the corner!