Our expert panel

The work coach: Mark Moore is the director of Excelerated Performance International.

The recruitment boss: Julia Ross is CEO of global recruitment company Ross Human Directions.

The image consultant: Chris Rewell is an image professional, corporate speaker and author.

While it's a well-known fact that your work wardrobe can enhance your chances of career success, what about your make-up? According to a study by leading UK communications consultancy The Aziz Corporation, a quarter of employers admitted they were more likely to hire a woman who wore make-up than one who didn't. But when it comes to cosmetics, what is too little or too much? To find out, a make-up artist created six different looks for Lucie Morris, then three of Australia's top career experts commented on how they think she'd come across in a job interview ...



Look 1
Mark: "Would you make an effort at work if you look like this? It seems spending time on your look isn't important to you, which is fine in certain roles, but not in others." 5/10

Julia: "High gloss clearly isn't top of your list. You might do well in an environment where a polished appearance isn't a priority, but you don't give the impression of having done any preparation with your make-up or hair." 4/10

Chris: "You look like you're going for a job as a park ranger! Without lipstick, people can appear pale or even unwell. Either way, perceptions about your personal presentation skills are unlikely to be positive." 3/10

Total score: 12/30


Look 2
Mark: "You don't appear career hungry. You can tell when someone has made an effort to create a certain look with purpose - they want something and they're taking steps to get it. If someone doesn't look confident, then maybe they don't trust their abilities." 6/10

Julia: "You have gone to the trouble of dressing your hair and putting on a small amount of make-up, but you're giving out the message that you feel most comfortable in a 'safe', conservative environment." 6/10

Chris: "With a touch of make-up and neat hair, you appear open but give the impression you only cover the basics. This doesn't exactly say 'go-getter' or 'team leader'." 5/10

Total score: 17/30


Look 3
Mark: "You don't appear very driven - there's no great energy shining through. Some employers may be looking for competitiveness. However, looking neat and approachable suggests you are probably reliable." 7/10

Julia: "You do look neat and tidy with a reasonable amount of make-up, but you still won't stand out to an employer or give the impression of a great deal of effort." 6/10

Chris: "Oh dear, you still look like rather a reserved person when perhaps that isn't the case. Looking so plain means you will need to work harder to convince the interviewer of your true capabilities." 5/10

Total score: 18/30


Look 4
Mark: "Finally, here is a look where you are really giving a great impression of yourself. It shows what a good amount of make-up and well-groomed hair can do. When someone looks confident, you naturally assume they have reason to be confident and get great results." 10/10

Julia: "You come across very well. You've gone to the trouble of having your hair done and spent some time applying an appropriate amount of make-up. This indicates you are interested in how you present yourself." 8/10

Chris: "You clearly feel good about yourself and come across well. I would perceive you as being comfortable, confident and engaged. And I would certainly view you more positively than with the previous looks." 9/10

Total score: 27/30


Look 5
Mark: "This is a risky appearance, but you look like you'd get things done. I may be concerned you have a 'hard' personality and might not get on with all of the team." 6/10

Julia: "I think this look is strong and confident. Even though the lipstick is bright, which could be inappropriate in some environments, the other make-up and hair characteristics signal you're a capable person to hire." 8/10

Chris: "I really like this look - the make-up under the eyes is perhaps too heavy, but I immediately get the sense you are capable, assertive and confident. I feel you would pay attention to detail. Looking so polished suggests you can get the job done." 8/10

Total score: 22/30


Look 6
Mark: "I'd wonder if you put too much emphasis on your appearance, possibly at the expense of other important details. I'd also assume you were over-confident." 4/10

Julia: "You're ready for a night out, not an office environment! This look may not suit a wide variety of employers, and may distract due to the inappropriate hairstyle." 5/10

Chris: "Gosh, my first thoughts would be whether you had come straight from partying all night! While you have made an effort, this look could be seen as frivolous and may even invite the interviewer to question how astute your other judgements may be." 5/10

Total score: 14/30

Photographed by Joshua Morris. hair and make-up by nadine monley/names. Hair colour by Joseph Mourad Hair & Beauty, Double Bay, NSW. Call (02) 9328 1333 or visit www.josephmourad.com.au.
Excelerated Performance International, www.epi-learning.com.
Ross Human Directions, www.rosshumandirections.com.
Chris Rewell image consultants, www.chrisrewell.com.au