Quite some time ago, I had a reader FireAngel ask me what sorts of eyeshadow I could recommend for work. My answer to her then was “Whatever suits your line of work”. You see, what colours or textures of eyeshadow you can wear depends largely on what sort of work you do and what image you are expected to project.
Creative and relaxed workplace
If you are in a creative line of work without too much restriction on dressing e.g. you can wear casual clothes to work or dress in an eccentric manner without raising eyebrows, then you can pretty much use any colour or texture. If you do fall in that category, then lucky you! You can likely pull off wild blue and green eyeshadow or glittery orange shadow or teal or turquoise mascara and not have anyone stare at you.
In a serious traditional workplace
Unfortunately, the majority of women who find themselves asking this question work in a rather more sedate and staid environment, where colour seems to be taboo. I find it hard to see why a light sheer wash of colour e.g. green, lilac or peach on the eyes should raise eyebrows. In fact, I always find it a refreshing change to face a woman executive who has some colour on her face, rather than what passes for “neutral colours” which in many cases means brown and beige which makes many people look tired and drawn although they may not realise it.
Use Matte Neutral Colours
In the event of a workplace scenario where colour and shimmer on the eyes is taboo and all women are supposed to look “natural” all the time, then, I’d suggest finding a neutral eyeshadow colour that suits you and sticking with it. From personal experience, I’d go with Bobbi Brown and Make Up For Ever. These two companies do good quality matte eyeshadows and have a good range of neutral toned colours.
L-R: Shiseido, Kanebo Lunasol, Lancome, Kate
Use light sheer colours
If your workplace isn’t that strict and you are allowed to use some light colours and slight shimmer on the eyes, then you have a bigger playground in which to play. I’d recommend looking at Japanese brands for sheer colour. Greens, lilacs and golds look very pretty on Asian skin and green especially, brings out the colour of brown eyes. So, if you can have a little colour, look to try a sheer green, lilac or gold on the eyes, with minimal shimmer. Brands like Shiseido The Makeup or Maquillage and Kanebo Lunasol do good quality sheer toned colours with only very slight shimmer.
Stila eyeshadows are of very good quality with some colours being light enough to use for work. I personally find MAC and Make Up For Ever colour eyeshadows too pigmented in the colour department to pull off in a conservative workplace. Also try looking in Lancome (Their Color Focus quads are exceptional) and Guerlain eyeshadow quads.
Keep shimmer minimal
Look for colours which are light with only minimal shimmer. You do not want anything with glitter in it as it will draw too much unwanted attention in a more serious workplace. Understated shimmer actually helps to open up the eye area and help you look perky and awake, just what bosses like to see in their employees 😉
So, as you can see, there’s no real answer to the question what eyeshadow can be used at work. The best answer is to look around your work environment, gauge what others are wearing and experiment. I don’t believe that a little light green, lilac or gold eyeshadow will get you hauled up for disciplinary action. In fact, you might even start a little colour revolution if others follow suit. Applied tastefully and carefully, no one ever has to be afraid of a little colour at work.
No Blue eyeshadow!
I have one caveat though – Steer clear of blue eyeshadows at work (unless your work allows you to pull it off). Somehow blue eyeshadow looks awful under flourescent lighting and there is always a danger of over doing it which might earn you some demerit points.
Do you have any tips to share on what eyeshadow colours you can wear at work?
Monstro says
September 16, 2008 at 10:51 amGreat advice PB.
Working in advertising, I can rock any colour I want. I think I’ve gotten a few stares from a blue eyeliner before-but I reckon that was because of my crappy application rather than the colour itself-LOL!
One day I will test the market with false lashes. Hah!
beetrice says
September 16, 2008 at 11:32 amLOL…sorry babe, I fall into the “relaxed” category (when I can be bothered to doll up before rushing to work, that is!)…I’ve tried blue eyeliner too previously – as long as I just use a light silver shimmer (and no other blue hues), it looks pretty decent… 🙂
Nikki says
September 16, 2008 at 1:24 pmYou are right about blue e/s pb! I can’t wear them at work as it really looks weird! LOL even the lighter blues..it just WON’T work!
Jackie A says
September 16, 2008 at 1:30 pmHey PB,
I work in an environment that does not allow for that much freedom so I stick to pinks/mauve’s only because I think they work for me. I have a palette of other colors which I love but am afraid to use because I am not sure they ‘agree’ with my skintone (especially green – eeek! its so not me). I recently attended a workshop which featured Bobbi Brown makeup and we were given a chance to play around with loads of make up as well as learn the techniques of how to apply each one. I found the colors too earthy for me. The make-up professional kept telling me that I looked “wonderfully bright” and that the lipstick looked ‘perfect’ on me but I was not too sure….I trust what I see in the mirror and I am often duped by these salespeople into buying things I hate later. Any advice?
ParisB says
September 16, 2008 at 1:34 pm@Monstro : Lucky you! And lucky me too I guess. I get away with most colours/combinations even the whacky ones 🙂
Beetrice: Blue liner is fine just that flourescent lighting plays havoc with blue eyeshadows
Nikki: Try a silver + navy blue next time. Its the best blue combination I have gotten to work under flourescent lights!
Jackie: My best advise is to trust your own eyes! If you don’t like what you see, chances are it isn’t all that flattering. Earth tones don’t suit everyone. They don’t suit me for one. And remember the girls are there to make a sale so be firm and say no, it doesn’t work for you and leave! 🙂
rinnah says
September 16, 2008 at 9:46 pmI remember one of my ex-colleagues used to wear brilliant blue e/s and bright pink lipstick together. One day her boss called her into the room and bluntly told her to tone down the makeup or risk being labelled a walking peacock! 😉
ParisB says
September 17, 2008 at 9:14 am@rinnah : LOL at the peacock. Colour is hard to manage, but if properly done can be very flattering
Angie says
September 17, 2008 at 2:21 pmHmm I like gold/bronze/pink/brown color for work =) yeah keep blues away but I saw those jap mag models really gorgeous in blue e/s maybe in shimmery type
Natalie says
September 17, 2008 at 2:31 pmExtensive advice,thx!! =) Could you kindly recommend any Gold color eyeshadow which you think is only minimal shimmer? Thanks much..:)
Smiley says
September 18, 2008 at 12:35 amI’m a student so i can b creative for school days!! However, people around me would think i doll myself too much(eyes) & getting the look from them for being in the wrong class (beauty class) ~ r u thinking what they’re thinking??
ParisB says
September 18, 2008 at 11:29 am@Smiley: Oh for being young and in school again! LOL… But since you are a student and young, sometimes less is more especially for school. You don’t want your friends unduly distracted do you? 😉
ParisB says
September 18, 2008 at 11:30 am@Natalie: What sorts of gold shadow do you mean – yellow gold or old gold? Shiseido Hydro Powder cream eyeshadows have a gold that isn’t overly bright and shimmery.
ParisB says
September 18, 2008 at 11:30 am@Angie: Hi! The Japanese always manage to pull off colours because they keep it light. I’m trying to do the same too! Less is more! heh…
Smiley says
September 18, 2008 at 10:49 pmYou’re right PB. I should pay more attention to the colors I’ll b wearing. For girls that spend the most time at work or in school like me, may check out the RMK eye palette. I’m lemming the RMK Indigenious Natural Eyes N 01 & i hope you could do a review on it. Looking forward to read it 😉
ParisB says
September 19, 2008 at 9:49 am@Smiley : I recall RMK colours are quite sheer so that is probably great for school – looks perky 😉 I have not tried anything by RMK – bit too pricey for me for now. If I get anything I’ll be sure to review it.
Tine says
September 23, 2008 at 5:38 pmAt my previous workplace, the company secretary would religiously wear blue eyeshadow to work every day for the past I-dunno-how-many years. Not even the sheer kind, but the BLUE blue kind. And because she’s super garang, no one says anything about it to her :p
ParisB says
September 23, 2008 at 5:50 pm@Tine : LOL… Blue blue is like so 70’s!