Question: how much makeup, if any, do you wear to work everyday? But more importantly, why do you think you wear it?

Sounds like a simple enough question, right? But when we asked 37 women to find out, turns out the answer is… it’s complicated.

Side note – a makeup artist explains exactly how to shape your eyebrows for groomed brows, every day. Post continues after video.

For some, wearing makeup to work is compulsory (or self-mandated). Others find a full face of foundation just gets in the way of doing their jobs. Then, there’s the women who use makeup as a tool to help them feel professional at work, who apply it everyday like a suit of armour.

And some of us just dig how we look without makeup more than we do with it.

If you’re curious to find out how other women do (or don’t do) their makeup for work, keep scrolling to see the glorious, unfiltered faces of 37 Aussie women and read about their work makeup routines. Their thoughts are bloody fascinating.

1. Georgia, Flight Attendant.

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Work makeup is a full face for me because I have to! I’m a flight attendant so we’re expected to wear a full face and touch up throughout the day which is pretty annoying. Therefore, I try and wear as little foundation as I can get away with, favour cream products and look for products that are good for your skin to keep my skin hydrated.

2. Rosie, Civil Engineer.

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I would say makeup isn't an expectation in my role - I'm a civil engineer in a construction company and other women in the same role wear anywhere from no makeup to a full face, depending on preference. We also have to be on site at times, which makes makeup somewhat impractical. I find foundations and BB/CC creams too heavy and uncomfortable to wear for a 10-hour day so I wear a light layer of concealer where I experience redness or uneven skin tone and spot-conceal blemishes. I use powder on my face and to brighten my under eyes. Brows are a must and I often wear eyeshadow because I love eyeshadow! And always mascara.

3. Laura, Disability Support Worker.

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This is my work face. I don’t wear makeup to work, other than a layer of a green colour correcting primer to reduce redness. The way I think about it is: why waste time with makeup when you can sleep?

4. Ashalee, in child care.

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I’m 33 and have worked in child care for 14 years. Not one of those days have I worn makeup. I cleanse my face every morning, follow up with a moisturiser and a reliable sunscreen since I’m outside a lot of the day and... that’s it, off to work I go! Sometimes I feel like I should wear makeup, especially when I have a breakout, but then I remember I don’t have to. Like, where does it state in my job description that I have to wear makeup and change how my face looks?

5. Kayla, in real estate.

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I work in real estate and I’m the only woman in the office who wears absolutely no makeup to work. A few years ago, I ran out of most of my makeup at the same time (the WORST) and a few makeup free days turned into every day. I loved how much easier my mornings were so never went back. I’ll occasionally wear makeup to my high-end home opens, but I’ve gained so much more confidence in my bare face.

6. Lavinia, Police Officer.

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I’m a police officer and I wear a full face every day. Foundation, concealer, translucent powder, contour and eyeliner. I have eyelash extensions as well. Of course, being in the role I am in, it’s in no way expected and the last thing that I should be concerned about BUT makeup makes me happy. It’s a hobby. I like trying and collecting, and like buying it! And with some of the stuff I have to see and deal with, I think I should be allowed to be excited every morning to put makeup on and at least feel good and confident.

7. Rachael, in health promotion.

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I never wear it! I tried at my first job years ago for a few days, but then realised it felt like a waste for me. It was uncomfortable and took up extra time in the morning I could spend eating my breakfast. Also, my office was predominantly male and none of them had to wear makeup, so why should I have to try harder than them to look ‘presentable’? So, I didn’t bother and felt much better for it. In my current job, I work remote so I’m the only person in my office and it’s just not necessary for me right now.

8. Tanya, Stay-At-Home Mum.

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I'm a full time stay-at-home mum and like wearing makeup five days out of the week. Even if I have nowhere to be, the ritual of getting up, showering and doing my hair and makeup feels like it’s setting me up for the day, like I’m 'on' and ready. I enjoy the application process, and also, how my skin looks plays a huge role in my confidence for the day. I’d say I wear what I want, when I want, depending on the day. If I’m feeling particularly frumpy or mumzy, I can turn it around and go full Kardashian, or I might just do a 'your skin, but better' minimal amount. It all comes back to how I feel and doing it for me, not anybody else.

9. Ange, Counsellor.

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I do minimal makeup, only because my mornings are busy since having a baby two years ago. I used to do a full face of makeup. Now, I spend more time on skincare and beauty treatments. I wear CC cream, lip gloss and get a lash lift and my eyebrows shaped and coloured every four weeks. I definitely do feel like I need to be natural, but look polished.

10. Kahlia, Zookeeper.

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I’m a zookeeper so am working outside all day - it gets hot and sweaty! I wear minimal makeup, usually just sunscreen, BB cream, a brow product in between eyebrow tints and mascara.

11. Katie, HR Manager in the mining industry.

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I'm a HR Manager in the mining industry in high vis and steel claps every day, so a full face of makeup would look ridiculous! If I am going underground, I wear nothing as we come out covered in dirt. I use face fake tan drops so I at least have some colour! If I am working on the surface, I just wear a CC cream, translucent powder, a bit of bronzer and a tubular mascara.

12. Bec, Emergency Nurse.

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I wear a full face of makeup with all the trimmings because I enjoy it, and I wouldn’t be me without it. I’m an emergency nurse, so makeup is certainly not expected. I have dry skin, but for work, what works for me is super hydrating skincare, a hydrating foundation and then a matte setting powder.

13. Tamara, Building Surveyor.

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I’m a building surveyor and work in an extremely male-dominated industry. At first, I felt uncomfortable or judged wearing makeup or having my nails done etc. because I was worried the men would think I was just a dumb, pretty girl. After a few years, I don’t care anymore! I like wearing makeup and bold lipstick, and it makes me feel confident and powerful going into a meeting or on-site and telling them what needs to be done. I think they’ve learnt not to judge and I know what I’m talking about by now.

14. Eleanor, in the media industry.

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This is my standard work face. I do the same makeup basically every day and I've managed to get it down to a 10-minute routine. I wear a full-coverage foundation and concealer to make myself appear more awake than I actually am (essential for work), I will then do a translucent powder to not appear 'cakey' and then I'll finish it off with a bronzer. For the eyes, I like to keep it really simple because who has time for a cat eye in the morning? I'll also chuck on a statement lippy, which is my secret weapon to look like I put in more effort with my makeup than I actually did! I wear makeup, not because I feel like I need to, but just because I love to do makeup, so why not? It's definitely not expected from us at work, and there's certainly days where I just race to work with a bare face, and I feel totally fine doing that too.

15. Keisha, Freelance Writer.

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I'm a freelance writer, so I work from home, but when I have a big day of work ahead of me, I put on makeup, even to stay in the house! If I don't get dressed and put on makeup, I don't feel ready for the day. If I'm in PJs and no makeup, I don't feel productive. In order to feel that I'm 'at work' when I'm at home, I have to act as though I'm at work otherwise I procrastinate.

16. Fiona, in manufacturing.

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I’ve always been completely natural at work and prefer very minimal makeup. But as I have aged - I'm 54 - I feel the need to wear makeup every day. I keep it as natural-looking as possible, but my skin at 54 is not as flawless as it used to be, so I feel better covering it up.

17. Emily, Social Media Assistant.

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This is my usual everyday makeup, whether it's going to work or going out to dinner. I use a tinted moisturiser and sometimes wear mascara depending on the day. I don't like the feeling of makeup so if I know I'm just going to be at my desk all day, I won't bother putting any on. I do, however, feel much more confident when I wear it. For example, I curl my eyelashes everyday whether I'll wear mascara or not, otherwise I feel like I look like a camel (and they actually block my vision).

18. Amy, English Teacher.