How to Look Good Under Fluorescent Lights

March 14, 2010 in Beauty Tips and Tricks, General, How-To's: 4 Comments

Makeup Tips For the Office

Millions of people work in an office environment. We sit inside classrooms from the time we are five years old, until we are 18+. With so much of our lives spent beneath fluorescent lighting, it is a shame just how unflattering it really is!! While candlelight may not be ideal, it sure as hell would make us all look a lot better ! On a recent trip to the doctor’s office, I was visually assaulted by the powerful, cobalt blue eyeshadow beaming off of the receptionist’s eyelids. While mildly inappropriate at 8am under most circumstances, the fluorescent lighting was not doing this poor woman any favors. If you are working in an office or attending school, these next few tips are dedicated to you!  Your makeup can still look hot despite your unfortunate lighting circumstances

Keep Reading for the Do’s and Don’ts of Fluorescent Lighting

1.  Avoid Bright Pinks and Reds

Pink and Reds are enhanced much more under fluorescent lights, making you look more clownish than cute. You can still wear these colors, just opt for deeper shades! If you only wear pink blush, choose a rose colored one over a fuchsia. Is red your go-to lip color? Skip the fire-engine red and choose a darker shade.

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2. Warm up Your Face

Fluorescent lights cast a bluish-green hue onto our skin, making us look sickly and pale. To counter-act this attractive, “I’m on my death-bed” look, work on warming your skin up a bit. Choose a warm shade of foundation and stay away from really pink-based ones, which will appear muddy under the lights.

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3. But Skip the Bronzer

Even though you want to warm up your face, avoid bronzing it! Fluorescent lights enhance the orange hue within the bronzer, which will make you look like an oompa loompa. Instead, use a natural shade of blush to add warmth and life to your face.

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4. Black is Whack

Black eyeliner tends to looks very harsh under fluorescent lighting. It has the ability to make you look hard, and even add on some years!  To keep your look soft but still defined, choose a dark brown or deep green/purple liner instead.

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5. Avoid Earthy Tones

Beige, taupe, sand, and umber are all colors that should be avoided while doing your makeup for the office. When put under the harsh lights, they appear very muddy and dirty. Try warmer browns, peaches, or rose.

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6. Fake a Little Moisture

Whenever I am under fluorescent lights, I feel like my face looks extra dry, which only adds to the unhealthy look I talked about above. Using a cream blush instead of a powder can add a little bit of creaminess to your skin. I also recommend dabbing some clear gloss over your lipstick to make your lips look plump, and experimenting with cream highlighters to give your cheeks a little bit of dewiness.

What is Your Go-To Look for the Office/Classroom?

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Fluorescent lighting, how to makeup, office makeup