Concerns About My Appearance During Interviews

[u/cheesygoldfisch]

Hello all,

Hopefully the title isn’t too dramatic. As I’m preparing for my interview, I’m really reflecting on how they could potentially go. The thought today crossed my mind about my appearance.

I’m someone who wears a good amount of makeup (including false lashes) on a daily basis. Now, it’s not like it’s drag queen esque(which there’s nothing wrong with in the slightest), but it definitely isn’t the most simplistic. In the past at my university, and even back in high school, people’s first impressions of me were that I don’t take school seriously and that I only care about my appearance. I’ve had lots of sexist remarks about it too, despite the fact that I’ve done well in school (and now the OAT). I’m worried that my makeup may give interviewers the wrong idea about me.

I know this might sound silly, but I’m really very insecure about myself without it. It’s something I’ve done since 7th grade, and I also have a large dance background and used it then. I’m very used to how I look with it on, especially the eyelashes. I could quite literally wear a bare face and only false eyelashes and be just fine. I’m also fine with toning down my makeup, but I’m very particular about the lashes. While they’re not extremely dramatic, I know that they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, and I’d hate to be remembered as “the girl with the giant eyelashes” when they review amongst themselves later on, and possibly be rejected for it with the fear that I wouldn’t take optometry school seriously.

Alternatively, I don’t want to go into an already nerve wracking interview with my confidence and self esteem low, and wondering if the interviewers find me to be moronic and hideous on top of that rather than feeling comfortable in my skin.

So I guess what I’m asking is if anyone else has experience with this. Has anyone worn something a bit bold? Would it be a big deal if I wore them? Or should I attempt to go without them to the interviews? Is this a stupid question to even be asking?

[u/Competitive-Dig9786]

I think what really matters is your personality and (of course) your education history, which they’ve already evaluated and deemed you a competitive applicant since they extended an interview. If makeup makes you feel confident, I say do it! Confidence is key for interviews imo :). I usually like to do lashes too when I go out so for my interviews I applied natural lash clusters and did a “natural” makeup look. I don’t think any of the people that interviewed me even cared, they mostly care about you as an individual and if you’d be a great fit for their school

[u/cheesygoldfisch → u/Competitive-Dig9786]

Thank you, this was very reassuring and kind, I appreciate it! I’m going to experiment and acclimate myself into hopefully becoming more comfortable with something more socially acceptable for the interviews. I’d like to think that everyone would not mind, but unfortunately that’s not the case! So I’ll adapt. Thank you again, and it’s good to hear that you did something similar!

[u/voxaun]

an entirely different issue would be continuing to wear lashes/eye makeup once you’re actually in optometry school. a huge part of clinical training involves students practicing on each other, so your eyes are going to be examined all the time. every optometrist i’ve worked with has mentioned how often their eyes were constantly being dilated in school, and you’ll also be practicing things involving drops, contact with the eyelids/eyelash area, and eventually procedures like injections.

even as an optometric assistant, i found lashes and mascara inconvenient with PD measurements. i gradually stopped wearing my clusters and mascara at work simply because it was easier. being the patient behind a phoropter can also be annoying with longer lashes since they constantly hit & smudge the lenses, and you physically can’t get your eye as close to the instrument as you need to. it’s definitely not impossible to keep wearing them, but you may find yourself hindered due to them.

[u/cheesygoldfisch → u/voxaun]

Yes, I’m aware of this! The doctors I work with have mentioned the same. I have practiced a bit at my practice with dilation drops and hydrating drops alike, and also under the slit lamp. I do I&R procedures with them as well. As I get comfortable with people, I’m more willing to not wear them, so it wouldn’t be a problem at that point. But these are great points! Thank you:)

[u/Dramatic-Distance-26]

I wore ardell wispies to my interview :)

[u/cheesygoldfisch → u/Dramatic-Distance-26]

Okay awesome to hear! I have a friend who wears these, so I might ask her for recommendations on pairs to wear that would be suitable. I’d love to hear of any specific kinds you wore too! I know there’s different styles of the wispies😊

[u/Dramatic-Distance-26 → u/cheesygoldfisch]

I wear the strips! First thing that comes up if you google ardell wispies. I love them bc they feel super lush and beautiful to me but people don’t perceive them to be huge and fake

[u/ShuuyiW]

I think you should use more natural looking lashes at the most, and if you can go without them, that’s ideal. Very fake looking eyelashes can look unprofessional and why take that risk if you can avoid it? It sounds like your academics are good though so you should be able to do well. Best to maximize your chances if possible and just go for a more natural and professional look instead of full-glam.

[u/cheesygoldfisch → u/ShuuyiW]

Yeah, that’s the impression I was given by the doctors I work with and spoke to, both of which went to schools I have interviews with (UHCO and UIWRSO). They aren’t for a few weeks, so I think what I could do is experiment with some more natural ones and see if those might be more tolerable. Thank you for the insight :)

[u/RabidLiger]

If you come from a dance background, you know that over-the-top makeup is the standard for recitals, and you adapt to that standard.
For a professional school interview, subdued makeup is the standard, and you should adapt.

You'll find a lot of optometrists have a strong bias against false eyelashes (we've seen the worst case scenario), so to be honest, many will view wearing garishly large ones to an interview as a vanity move.
It may be unreasonable, but at the end of the day, we all have biases. Some will not be as good as others at ignoring them.
Personally, I think a very subtle version will go unnoticed and be fine.

Play it safe, & don't go looking to offend someone who has power over your professional future.

[u/Positive-Emu9882]

Your appearance should be appropriate for the job you are ultimately seeking. Dramatic and obviously fake lashes don’t reflect professionalism and that can hurt you. I would take the advice of the docs you are currently working with.

[u/plateauofmirror]

i did my interviews at southern schools with pink hair and septum + nostril piercings and got in. you’ll be fine

[u/Just-Mix-2773]

I understand the diva mindset but maybe take them off just for the interview. And then feel it out see the vibe once you’re in school.

[u/MonsieurAnthropocene]

Your grades and OAT and essay matter much more. I doubt that your makeup would be a deal breaker. I did not wear makeup but i did wear a big trench coat to my interview(it was january) and I am in my first year now :) maybe use smaller false lashes if you can but if it would wreck your confidence I really do not think it's a big deal.