PaperTigerFighter profile picture
PaperTigerFighter profile picture

PaperTigerFighter

AE (Account Executive)

Good Citizen
Fire Starter
Contributor

Do you think it's acceptable to travel to prospects without putting on makeup? professionalism vs. authenticity

I'm excited about visiting prospects soon, and I'm realizing there's a grey area for me about wearing makeup as part of "professional attire." I don't traditionally wear makeup into my office, or in daily life. I'm debating whether it's unprofessional to go without it, or inauthentic and shallow to wear it and try to fit into some version of business norms.


Really appreciate the feedback!




Do you think it's acceptable to travel to prospects without putting on makeup?

Attached poll
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👑 Sales Strategy
📈 Closing
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33 comments

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taylor
Executive
10
Strategic Account Executive
Bring your whole self to work. If your whole self means not wearing makeup, then don't. If your company isn't empowering you to be yourself... you can finish the rest. 

Authenticity can be shredded in seconds. 
drtendo
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
I was going to make a standalone comment but I think it piggybacks of what taylor is saying nicely:

wear whatever makes you your best work self. I've been makeupless this whole pandemic, but when I interviewed to change job you can damn well bet I put on a lick of eyeliner and some bronzer (to pretend I had been outside in 12 months) because I recognise *that* face as ready-to-go corporate drendo.
PaperTigerFighter
Good Citizen
1
AE (Account Executive)
Thank you! They're totally comfortable with me being me,so whew I'm thankful for that. I'm the only woman on my team and most of my mentors are men, so trying to understand that dynamic when it's the outside prospects we're going to see
funcoupons
WR Officer
8
👑
As a woman, I think it depends on who you're selling to. I don't think not wearing makeup makes you look unprofessional by any stretch, but if you're selling into industries where most women do wear makeup (marketing, media, retail,) you're going to stick out. Being different isn't a bad thing, but in sales you want to create as much rapport with prospects as possible, and that means finding as many things in common as you can. 

Also, hot take but men do prefer women who wear makeup even if they don't notice/admit it outright. I get that you're not looking for a date, nor should you ever tolerate disrespect or sexism from anyone, but I'll be real: if you're selling to men, playing up femininity is rarely a bad idea. Not talking about going full glam with fake lashes and glitter here, but using a bit of makeup to look like the best version of yourself can go far. Do I want men to work with me simply because they think it's novel that it's a traditionally attractive woman pitching them instead of the usual male salesperson? No, but I don't mind if it gets my foot in the door. 
NateDogg9500
Good Citizen
3
Account Executive
Reminds me of the Office scene where Phyllis and Karen get the heavy make up and big hair and go to the prospect and they see a picture of his wife who does the same lol
funcoupons
WR Officer
0
👑
Hahaha. I admire their hustle.
PaperTigerFighter
Good Citizen
1
AE (Account Executive)
Also a fair point...that's my main concern, is am I closing doors on myself/self rejecting by not putting some stuff on my face? But bleh, I hate that that's the norm
funcoupons
WR Officer
2
👑
Yeah, it's lame that women are expected to put way more effort into their appearance than men but that's the world we live in. 

A simple and easy routine can include concealer for blemishes/dark circles, eyebrow grooming (filling them in or just some gel,) mascara, and a subdued lip product (lipstick, balm or gloss.) Takes less than five minutes, low maintenance, and looks natural but makes a surprisingly huge difference in someone's appearance.
whathaveyousoldtomorrow
Opinionated
2
sales
One thing I do, self tanner lotion as my contour so I can roll out of bed, use mascara and lipstick - bam, I am done up and it look 2 mins. Not a bad ROI. 
funcoupons
WR Officer
0
👑
Great tip! I never figured out how to properly contour lol so I just skip it. My secret weapon is a very light skin tint that evens out my skin tone and makes me glow like an angel. I can slap it on in 30 seconds and it makes a huge difference. 
McNasty
Good Citizen
0
SaaS AE
I think it depends on the culture of the prospect both from an industry perspective and geographically. The idea is to not let your appearance distract from your conversation.  

Growing up in the South, I can't imagine taking a meeting in Atlanta or Nashville without at least a tinted moisturizer and mascara. Versus if you have a meeting in Boulder... you can probably skip the makeup. 

More than makeup though, I would say having hair that is professional and neat is key. I rock a messy bun and dry shampoo most days, but would never dream of it with a prospect. 
JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
5
AM
If you don't wear makeup regularly, you're probably naturally beautiful enough to pull of a makeup free look anywhere!
SalesGal
Politicker
0
Account Executive
100% agree. There's no reason to suddenly start wearing makeup if you never do. 
paddy
WR Officer
4
Director of Business Development
If they can't handle you at your worst...they don't deserve your best. You do you. 
PaperTigerFighter
Good Citizen
0
AE (Account Executive)
Appreciate it, that's a good point.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
If you normally don't wear makeup then don't wear it. If you want to wear makeup then wear it. Fuck what anyone else thinks. You do what makes you comfortable so you can be at your best.
Smithy
Politicker
2
Director of Sales
I’m answering this as a man, but if you don’t want to wear make up then don’t wear it. 

as long as you are comfortable that’s all that matters. 

do you 
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Be you!! 
Incognito
WR Officer
1
Master of Disaster
I'm still trying to figure out this balance for just the office in general. For prospects, I definitely put on makeup, but  try to go minimal. If you're gonna do it, I highly recommend checking out Westman Atelier. Her whole makeup line is designed for minimalism and ease of use (like, you can just put touches here and there to look a bit more polished).


HOWEVER, if you NEVER wear makeup then I think you do you! Why would a prospect care? If they do, then they're just looking for a thinly veiled tinder date.  
PaperTigerFighter
Good Citizen
0
AE (Account Executive)
Ha! Yes, that probably means the deal isn't going in a productive direction anyways if makeup is the make it/break it point
wahmsales
WR Officer
1
SDR
If's hard for me to say. I never wear make-up and I think I'm more attractive than the average woman so I can get away with it. For people on the less attractive side, it could be helpful to put on a bit.
Chep
WR Officer
1
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Any prospect who doesn't want to do business because you don't wear make up is not a prospect you should work with
slaydie
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Be you! Fuck whats expected by society. If people aren't going to buy from you because you don't look a certain way then that's their loss.

I am also another female in sales who doesn't wear makeup or dress like I am Carrie Bradshaw and I continue to have successful quarter after quarter and have multiple client meetings in person where I show up as my whole self.
SalesSage
Valued Contributor
1
National Account Manager
Thank you for posting this!  Such a crappy reality that women face and I myself will put on make up just for certain sales calls but don't in daily life.  I would love to say take me as I am or leave it but I also have bills to pay and mouths to feed and reality is that people suck and make up helps deliver what they think they need or want.  I also think there is some confidence that it gives me because I don't have this precise conversation going on in the back of my head chipping away at my psyche while selling. I think you have to pick your battles. 
Grant_Horun
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Where whatever makes you feel confident and most presentable. As long as you don't show up looking like you put in no effort to getting ready, your good to go. 
Rigeyyy
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
Be yourself, you do you boo 
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
In this day and age does it matter?  Then again Impressions count but I think if you are dressed well makeup is not important
genequeen
Good Citizen
1
Account Executive
Fuck makeup. The only thing that I can see as a point for wearing makeup is to look less tired (so around the eyes). Looking more awake might translate to being attentive. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I love this question! I wear makeup every time I meet with a client, and to some level most days anyway. If I'm really not feeling it I go mascara only so that I don't look too tired. 

However, I think as long as without makeup you're still presentable there is, and should be, no issue. I know the few times I've gone 'full glam' I've felt so uncomfortable that I would definitely perform poorly if I was in a meeting. 


Basically, you do you! And if you get in a situation that you think 'I should have fixed myself up more' just take mental note for future reference and do it the next time. However you're most comfortable is how you're going to be most dangerous!
SheWOLF
Opinionated
1
TC Sales
Whatever you're comfortable with. Personally lipstick makes me happy and brings out some extra badassery! And nothing like a cat eye to really bring out the fierce sales, even if we're WFH glaring at the computer screen. Again whatever makes you happy from the inside will radiate out! 
fuzzy
Notable Contributor
1
CMO (Chief Meme Officer)
I personally wear an entire clown outfit 
justatopproducer
Politicker
0
VP OF SALES -US
Is this a date?
Broncosfan
Politicker
0
Account Manager
You can look professional without makeup. This seems a bit ridiculous to even be a question to me.

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