According to a study, a lot of women seem to think that going to the office with no makeup on is more stressful than public speaking, job interviews or going on a date. Makeup is a cultural thing, and it’s very important to a lot of women. But, how do we get it right when there seem to be so many rules? For those young millennials out there with no experience to help them along, we’ve prepared a short list of helpful tips to teach you how to get a professional look without spending too much time on it. Read on for some work-appropriate makeup ideas.

Start with a good base

In order to make your makeup last throughout the day, start your routine by cleaning your face and applying foundation. Use only a small amount and apply it with a beauty blender or a brush. If foundation seems too heavy for you, feel free to use a good BB cream instead. You just need something that will help even out your skin tone. Foundation is important because it covers your entire face, so find something that suits your skin. There are plenty of mattifying products if you need help with shine control, or something creamy if you have trouble keeping your skin from drying out. Find a good brand, like professional Kryolan cosmetics, and match your undertone properly so you don’t end up looking neither orange nor too pale.

Keep it light on the eyes

While smoky eye looks sexy, it has no place in the office. Heavy eye makeup is great for evenings, but for the office you want a more natural look. Go easy on the eyeshadow, and instead of dark colours, stick to something nude, like pale browns or pinks. Don’t bring it all the way to the brow bone, just keep it on the lid. If you want to use eye pencil, both brown and black are fine, but don’t reach for anything glittery. Line your upper and lower lash line and smooth it out gently with your fingers or a cotton swab. Take an eyebrow pencil and fill in your brows lightly in places where they look sparse. Add a coat of mascara to your lashes and you’re done.

Use concealer and blush

This step is optional, but it can help you look less tired. Put concealer on your dark circles and blemishes, and blend it out with your foundation. There’s no need to use a lot of it – a few light dots will do the trick. Blush is a nice touch that will make your face look fresh, so put some on the hollows of your cheeks or add just a small dab on your cheekbones. Use light colours, something peachy or soft pink. You don’t want to look like a clown, so make sure to use a good blush brush that will blend it out properly.

Nude lips

Bold red and bright pink might be tempting and look great on you, but a classic nude lip is a much better option for the workplace. Liquid lipsticks are a good idea because they can last all day. However, liquid lipsticks do require a steady hand so, if you aren’t skilled or don’t have a lot of time for this, you might want to opt for a simple lip stain, or even just a tinted lip balm. These will keep your lips hydrated through the day and you can easily apply them on the go. That’s it, you’re done!

This whole routine doesn’t take more than 10 minutes after you’ve had some practice, but it makes a big difference. If you are inexperienced, this can also be an introduction to more complicated makeup looks. Keep your look subtle for the workplace, but don’t be afraid to add more colors and go wild once your shift ends. It’s all about boosting your confidence.

-Elise Morgan