10 Beauty Tricks to Help You Nail Your Next Job Interview
Put your best foot (and face) forward.
By Maureen Choi
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You scored an interview for the job of your dreams—now it’s time to do your homework. The key to nailing your look for any potential job is getting the lowdown on what the company culture is like, according to Jane Ashen Turkewitz, founder and chief talent officer of the digital and technology job placement firm .comRecruiting. That way, you can mimic the vibe of the office. “Looking the part will give you another opportunity to show how you fit in and can contribute,” adds makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor. These universally flattering, deceptively simple tricks will give you the confidence you need to crush it, no matter what job you're gunning for.
Implement a Smart Scent Strategy
Invest in a signature wardrobe of perfumes that allows you to tailor your fragrance, like Prada Candy and its sister scents Prada Candy Kiss, Prada Candy Gloss, and Prada Candy Florale. Best bets for conservative business settings: fresh, clean-smelling notes like citrus and delicate florals. For a creative company, something powdery and warm can work. Either way, “spray perfume on a few hours before your meeting so there’s only a faint air of it,” recommends Ashen Turkewitz.
Prada Candy eau de parfum, $120 for 80 ml; prada.com
Prep Skin with a Sleep Mask
It’s hard to make a stellar first impression when your skin is dull and flaky. For a zero-effort glow, apply an overnight brightening mask with exfoliating enzymes before bed. “You’ll wake up looking like you just had a facial,” says celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas. Plus, makeup goes on a whole lot smoother.
Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask, $75; joannavargas.com
Pay Attention to Your Hands
"Bitten fingers and chipped nails suggest that you're careless and not detail-oriented,” says celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec. Getting a professional manicure will make the biggest difference, but even a before-bed precaution like applying a heavy-duty hand cream can help. “When you shake the hand of your interviewer, you want them to think of your brilliant résumé, not your hands,” says Kandalec. Apply a tiny bit of cuticle oil on each nail the morning of your meeting to make them look more polished.
Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil, $9; ulta.com
Boost Energy with Chlorophyll
Coffee is the usual suspect for a morning pick-me-up, but it can make your heart race and leave you feeling anxious. Vargas suggests downing a shot of liquid chlorophyll instead. It's the pigment that gives green plants their vibrant hue, and when you ingest it, it can help to oxygenate your blood, giving you a boost of energy without the jitters. It also does awesome things for your skin (think: a little extra glow).
Jùs by Julie Chlorophyll Booster Shot, $4; jusbyjulie.com
Deal with Dark Circles
“Makeup should be saying the same thing that your outfit does: That you’re focused and ready to get the job done, not that you’re high-maintenance,” says Sotomayor. Pat on a peachy concealer (it counteracts bluish and brown hues) underneath each eye, followed by a thin layer of tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation to even things out.
Bobbi Brown Corrector, $27; bobbibrowncosmetics.com
Treat Yourself to a Blowout
Whether you’re applying to a museum or tech firm, a polished blowout strikes the perfect balance—not too casual, not too overdone, says NYC hairstylist Allen Thomas Wood. Plus, getting it professionally styled the day before can help relieve some stress (and save time) on the day of your interview. Just ask your hairdresser to skip mousse and serum, which can weigh it down and make it look greasy. In the morning, give roots a quick shot of dry shampoo and you’re good to go.
R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo, $29; randco.com
Show Off Your Hair Skills
Trying to break into a creative field? Stepping up your hair game can help highlight your ingenuity, says Wood. Have fun with your natural texture, but make sure that pieces aren’t falling into your face during the interview. No matter what you choose, prep with a hydrating leave-in conditioner and finish with hairspray to lock in the style and add shine.
Bumble and bumble Does It All Light Hold Hairspray, $29; sephora.com
Stick to Neutrals
There’s a time and a place for electric blue eye shadow—and it’s not a job interview. “You don’t want to look like you’re going to a fashion show or you’ve spent all weekend watching makeup videos,” says Sotomayor. Pick a palette of powder shadows (they won’t crease as much as cream formulas), in nude shades similar to your natural coloring, he says. Sweep one hue across your lids, then dot the outer corners with a slightly darker shadow and blend for subtle definition.
Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in Nude, $33; shiseido.com
Define Your Eyes
An interview calls for more than just mascara; you want a look that “accentuates your eyes when you’re speaking,” says Sotomayor. Make them pop by using an angled brush dipped in a gel formula to paint a thin stroke along your upper lash lines. It will stay put all day, but won’t appear as harsh as liquid liner.
Maybelline EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black, $9.99; maybelline.com
Try a Power Lip
You can never go wrong with a flattering nudish-pink, but for a take-charge vibe, put down a layer of rose, berry, or deep wine lipstick, which Sotomayor says is “great for business settings when you want to feel a little more formal.” The trick is to tap the formula onto your lips with your finger for a soft—not overpowering—effect.
Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment in American Woman, $26; narscosmetics.com
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