First Impressions | Featured Blog by Kim Long

Written by Kim Long

So I’m not a big makeup wearing person. It’s not that I don’t like makeup or know how to apply makeup (in my light, natural and basic way that I’ve been doing since my Mum taught me), I’m just so used to not wearing it, that I feel out of my comfort zone when I do wear it.

Makeup gives so many women confidence, freedom of expression of themselves and their personality - many feel naked without a full face of makeup. Me - well I’m the reverse.  I feel like everyone is looking at me and judging me on what I did or didn’t do right!

I’ve just started experimenting with winged eyeliner. Yes, it takes me a while to apply, and I’m usually not happy with the outcome, because I feel like people will be judging me on my skills or lack of, or I feel like my wings are HUGE! (Think Elizabeth off MAFS huge!) Thankfully, I have the wonderful group of the VIP Pure Beauties, Lauren and the Ambassadors to guide me and reassure me!

But, that being said….I had a job interview today. What was the first thing I did after a shower? Yes, you guessed right! My makeup.

I find I get in the same routine. I go for a job interview, I wear makeup. My first day, I wear makeup. My first fortnight, I wear makeup. Second fortnight, maybe just eye shadow, mascara and lipstick. Second month, maybe just eye shadow and lipstick if I remember. Third month, maybe lipstick. Until fourth month & beyond…..nothing...zilch….zip…..nada!

So why do I bother with makeup at the beginning? Am I giving a false impression of myself?

No, I don’t think so - this is because my appearance is not what should be being judged. If I wear makeup to the interview, it doesn’t mean that I will be the best applicant for the job (well maybe if I was a beautician or makeup artist!) My experience, skills and attributes are what counts, but I also want to put my best foot forward, and that means wearing professional attire, straightening my hair, wearing perfume and wearing makeup.

First impressions do impact on getting through to the final stages of a job interview, and if I were to show up in crumpled, casual clothing, looking like I just rolled out of bed - that is going to give the impression to the interview panel that I don’t care about my appearance or the job I am going for. I will also go a long way toward an interview panel possibly disregarding my skills and experience due to my sloppy presentation.

So, will I change anything? Will I go forth and wear makeup every day? Probably not! But I will make a concerted effort to embrace wearing makeup, experiment with my winged eyeliner and whatever the next makeup staple is to come, and to feel confident with or without makeup.