New research from Abertay University in Dundee shows women wearing make-up for a night-out are less likely to be considered good leaders.
A study found both women and men came to the same judgement when comparing images of women wearing make-up compared to those without.
Participants were shown as 16 pairs of images, showing a woman made up for a social night-out and her make-up free, and asked to choose the better leader.
The faces and the amount of make-up shown was manipulated by computer software for the research, which was published in the Perception journal.
Women were evaluated more negatively as a leader if the image suggested she was wearing a lot of make-up. This was the result for both male and female participants.
The findings contradict Harvard University research in 2016 which found women who wore make-up were seen as better at their jobs and more likely to be promoted.
A 2013 survey backed those findings as more than two thirds of British employers said they would be less likely to employ a female applicant is she turned up to an interview without make-up.