It is a fact that women who wear make-up in business generally get better jobs, get promoted more quickly and get paid more. Whether we like it or not, we live in a very visual world and we get judged on appearances.

In fact, in a survey, 64 per cent of directors said that women who wore make-up look more professional and 18 per cent of directors said that women who do not wear make-up “look like they can’t be bothered to make an effort”.

Most of us love to see a perfectly made-up face, but many women still wear little if any make-up for business or stick to the same colours and techniques they have used for the past ten years.

I recommend visiting an image consultant or beauty therapist for a make-up lesson if you are stuck in a rut. Take along your make-up bag and revamp it. Make-up does have a shelf life, so if you have products that have been there for years, discard them.

How to look the business

Dress to impress. First impressions are vital in job interviews and what you wear is important, but it dosn't end at attention to sartorial detail

BACKGROUND

• Cufflinks, colour and collars will get you noticed

• Small touches can create a big impression

• Make-up gets noticed in the boardroom

• The casual look can be tuned to your advantage

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Men also need to consider make-up, which is something they should be aware of for diminishing minor skin imperfections that could be distracting. Foundation or base make-up should be considered if your skin tone is uneven or blotchy, and certainly if you are presenting under bright lights or making a TV appearance. Always apply your base after a moisturiser. Choose a colour close to your natural skin tone and you will give your skin a healthy and natural appearance.

Don’t try to create a tan with foundation, it will just look false. Try a tinted moisturiser instead if you feel you are looking a little pale. Meanwhile, concealers will diminish the appearance of blemishes and conceal dark patches around the eyes.

Men also need to pay careful attention to grooming: dark and bushy eyebrows can look intimidating if they are too thick and if they meet in the middle. Keep the area between the eyebrows clear by plucking and, if you cannot bear to do it yourself, visit a salon.

Facial hair has long been considered a potential blight on career advancement; a survey suggests that 60 per cent of businessmen without beards or moustaches feel that these features are a bad sign. Some feel that the person can’t be bothered to shave and others that they are hiding something.

Overall, remember the way that you dress is the packaging of your personal brand; whether you like it or not, you will be judged on your appearance.

Drop Dead Brilliant by Lesley Everett (McGraw-Hill, £9.99)

Next week: business casual.

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