Office beauty looks: 4 Beauty Panel tips for staying chic and professional in the workplace this summer
It’s no easy feat to apply makeup for work during the summertime, especially when heat often results in runny makeup and super shiny skin. Who wants to spend a ton of time putting on makeup in the morning only to have it messed up after a short walk from the subway to the office? Piling on makeup to hide those little imperfections when it’s so hot outside is definitely not ideal, and unfortunately not many of us can rock the “I woke up like this” look for the office. So, how do we get the best of both worlds? Well this week, Beauty Panel tackles the office beauty look for the summer and show us tips and tricks on how to stand out while still looking professional.
Challenge 71: What is your office beauty look this summer? See the answers now! »
According to the ladies of Beauty Panel, less is definitely more when it comes to office beauty looks. Alexa Lowe of Stealing Beauty shows us how a few makeup products can transform a tired face into a work-appropriate bombshell beauty, from a foolproof trick to instantly brighten eyes to working summer’s hot colour, orange, into your look. While Marilou Moles of Twenty York Street keeps her makeup minimal but elegant due to working in a conservative environment, Bold n Beautiful Makeup’s Janella Panchamsingh is all about making a statement in the office. Like many celebrities on the red carpet, Panchamsingh makes her eyes pop with just a swipe of electric blue. And for those just looking to maintain their office beauty look, Beauty Funk’s Sarah Muncaster gives us an awesome DIY tip on how to prevent oil build-up on our face from the comfort of our desk.
Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.
Jump to: ALEXA LOWE | JANELLA PANCHAMSINGH | MARILOU MOLES | SARAH MUNCASTER
Alexa Lowe
Montreal | Stealing Beauty
I shy away from using too many face products and focus on brighter eyes and lips during the summer heat. To spice up my typical neutral office look, I opt for orange! I blend M.A.C’s eyeshadows in “Texture” and “Woodwinked” on the lid and crease for a foolproof golden-orange eye look. Then I apply my current favourite mascara, which is L’Oréal’s Miss Manga mascara. Before I run out the door, I put on Rimmel’s Moisture Renew Lipstick in “Coral Chic,” a wearable muted orange that pulls the look together.
Products used: Garnier Ultra Lift Transformer Anti-Aging Skin Corrector, Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Concealer, Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Foundation, M.A.C eyeshadow in “Bisque,” M.A.C eyeshadow in “Texture,” M.A.C eyeshadow in “Woodwinked,” L’Oréal Miss Manga Mascara, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in “Nude,” Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in “Coral Chic”
Janella Panchamsingh
Toronto | Bold n Beautiful Makeup
In the workplace, many women feel that makeup is something that should not be overly done. The less you wear, the more professional you seem and the more you are taken seriously, especially if you are in the corporate sector. I, however, feel that makeup is a form of self-expression and can speak volumes for a woman. When I see a woman with a red lip, it shows that she’s strong, she knows what she wants and she chases after it. For those who are afraid of such bold impressions, subtle pops of colour, especially for the summer, are suitable for the workplace and beyond. It is best to pick one focal point on the face to pop so that it doesn’t look overly done. It is especially important for those that lead a busy work life to limit the products used to save time, while looking polished.
Products used: Sephora Instant Refreshing Toner, Olay Fresh Effect Morning Dew Gel Moisturizer, Sephora Illuminating Bronzer in “Maui Maui,” M.A.C Blusher in “Blunt,” M.A.C Extra Dimension Skinfinish in “Magnetic Appeal,” L.A Colors Mineral Blush in “Spiced Rum,” M.A.C Prep & Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow in “30- Dark Brown,” Benefit They’re Real Mascara, Avon Lipstick Creamy Melon, Maybelline Colorshow Khol Liner in “Chambray Blue,” Stila Lipglaze in “Kaleidoscope”
Marilou Moles
Ottawa | Twenty York Street
I absolutely love summer! Getting dressed is much faster with less layers and there’s such a carefree attitude that translates all the way to make-up.
As I work in a more conservative corporate environment, keeping things minimal in the beauty department is most appropriate. I tend to focus a lot more on diligent skincare as I prefer to go foundation-free in the summer. Just a light application of BB Cream (with SPF, of course) after moisturizing, two coats of mascara, a slight cat eye and a pale pink lipstick is my beauty uniform for the hotter months. With a quick pouf of shimmery bronzer on places where the sun naturally hits the face and a chic high ponytail, my elegant yet fresh and effortless look is complete.
Products used: Biotherm Aquasource Serum and Daytime Moisturizer, Annabelle Bronzer + BB Cream, Covergirl Bombshell Mascara, Rimmel Scandal Eyes Kohl in “001,” Nyx Lipstick in “509”
Sarah Muncaster
Toronto | Beauty Funk
If you guys are like me, you spend the majority of your workday staring at a computer screen, which means you have also experienced the dreaded computer face. Yes, this is the scientific term. The feeling you get when you’ve been sitting and staring at a computer all day and a thick film of oil starts to creep over your entire face – similar phenomena have also been documented by people on planes and other long road trips. Is it the stuffy office air? Or is your backlit screen trying to tell you to go get some fresh air? Regardless, there are ways of fighting this office beauty woe. I use homemade blotting sheets and a refreshing facial mist at least 4-5 times a day at the office. The homemade blotting sheets are simply tissue paper cut up into squares. Seriously, never buy blotting sheets again because these are way cheaper, just as effective and come in whatever colour you want. My refreshing facial mist of choice is the Vichy Eau Thermale, and its fine, cool mist is the perfect pick-me-up when you start to feel your eyelids droop! Other than that, I keep the office makeup pretty light so that I feel fresh and natural all day long. I also add a pop of colour on the lips if I feel like I need to stand out a bit more!
Products used: Vichy Eau Thermale
 after moisturizing, two coats of mascara, a slight cat eye and a pale pink lipstick is my beauty uniform for the hotter months. With a quick pouf of shimmery bronzer on places where the sun naturally hits the face and a chic high ponytail, my elegant yet fresh and effortless look is complete.
Products used: Biotherm Aquasource Serum and Daytime Moisturizer, Annabelle Bronzer + BB Cream, Covergirl Bombshell Mascara, Rimmel Scandal Eyes Kohl in “001,” Nyx Lipstick in “509”
Sarah Muncaster
Toronto | Beauty Funk
If you guys are like me, you spend the majority of your workday staring at a computer screen, which means you have also experienced the dreaded computer face. Yes, this is the scientific term. The feeling you get when you’ve been sitting and staring at a computer all day and a thick film of oil starts to creep over your entire face – similar phenomena have also been documented by people on planes and other long road trips. Is it the stuffy office air? Or is your backlit screen trying to tell you to go get some fresh air? Regardless, there are ways of fighting this office beauty woe. I use homemade blotting sheets and a refreshing facial mist at least 4-5 times a day at the office. The homemade blotting sheets are simply tissue paper cut up into squares. Seriously, never buy blotting sheets again because these are way cheaper, just as effective and come in whatever colour you want. My refreshing facial mist of choice is the Vichy Eau Thermale, and its fine, cool mist is the perfect pick-me-up when you start to feel your eyelids droop! Other than that, I keep the office makeup pretty light so that I feel fresh and natural all day long. I also add a pop of colour on the lips if I feel like I need to stand out a bit more!
Products used: Vichy Eau Thermale){kind=link}