Right up there with playing with your hair is biting your nails, which not only gives off a nervous vibe but can also hint at another weakness: bad personal hygiene. If such a noticeable part of you appearance looks unkempt, flaky, or is bleeding, "people may assume that you are not paying attention to details," says Leah McAdaragh, a National Sales Manager. "Plus, the habit can indicate an inability to remain calm in urgent environments."
Bottom line: "Nails don't have to be polished, but they should be clean and manicured," says McAdaragh. If you're a biter, try a color on your fingertips so you're less inclined to nibble.
Photo 5/9
Too much or too little makeup
There is a fine line when it comes to office-appropriate makeup. You don't want to be completely fresh-faced, but you also don't want to look like a Fox News anchor, either.
The solution: Apply light layers and toned-down colors. "Stay away from bold, crazy colors and go with neutral shades," says Gault. Avoid false lashes, glittery makeup, and a smoky eye. Instead, opt for a monochromatic look, which is a safe way to ensure you look polished -- but not ready for happy hour. The one exception? A classic red statement lip, which experts agree can help you exude confidence.
Photo 6/9
Crazy (long!) nails
You may think your nails are the one place you can safely express yourself, but unless you work in a creative office, crazy nail art or super long nails can make you seem unprofessional. As a general rule, steer clear of busy designs, accent nails, 3D decals, and claw-like shapes. As for shades, office-appropriate color has evolved past classic red and "Ballet Slippers" pink. You can usually get away with a spectrum of colors -- just steer clear of super-bright and neon hues. A smart solution? The new nudes, which are trendy without being a snooze-fest.
Length is another nail factor to consider. Not only is color more distracting on longer nails, but the clickity-clack they make on your keyboard is also sure to irk your cube mates.
Photo 7/9
The desk touchup
Think of your desk as the table at a fancy restaurant: Would you whip out your makeup bag for a touchup after your meal? Probably not. Sure, quickly reapplying lip gloss is OK. But if you have to powder anything or need a mirror to apply something, it's best to hit the ladies' room. Let's be honest: Using your computer camera as a mirror is just as tacky as trying to see your reflection in a butter knife.
Photo 8/9
Overall sloppiness
We hope this goes without saying, but just in case: One of the worst beauty offenses at the office is following no grooming routine at all. Like it or not, your bosses will perceive your lack of good personal hygiene as an indication that you just don't care about your career. "Looking like you need a shower is not only unprofessional, but it also shows lack of respect towards others," says Gault. Greasy hair, pit stains, yellow teeth, and smudged makeup top the no-no list.
Work hard and you will be rewarded, right? Maybe � as long as you don't have split ends and chipped nail polish.
According to a recent British survey, smudged mascara, a fake-looking tan, and too much makeup can even prevent you from being hired in the first place. That's right, employers are quick to judge you by your bad beauty habits.
Of course, you've got to know your industry. Case in point: Last week, our Associate Editor Sharon showed up with a multi-colored mani complete with rhinestone bows on each finger. Naturally we all spent the morning fawning over her nails -- including Sharon's boss. But would Sharon get that type of reaction if she worked on Wall Street? Ha!
While dress code rules will differ from workplace to workplace, there are a heap of unspoken beauty habits that bosses hate more than your frequent Facebook breaks.
To get the nitty-gritty on these universal no-nos, we asked CEOs and upper-management executives to tell us their biggest pet peeves when it comes to the beauty mistakes women make at the office. Are any of them hurting your career?
