If you've ever scrolled through TikTok and stumbled upon "get ready with me to go to my corporate job" content, you've probably experienced a tinge of envy.
The sleek ponytails, the cute tote bags, the perfectly packed lunch meals in glass containers, and, of course, the ever-iconic Stanley cups.
On the surface, office life looks like a Pinterest board come to life. But for many of us, especially the work-from-home warriors (hello, team sweatpants), the reality of stepping into an office isn't quite so photogenic.
The viral “office air” theory: is there some truth to it?
Morgan Miles, a corporate worker on TikTok who recently went viral for her bold, hilarious theory: “Office air is the most fatal of them all.”
Her video has racked up over 800 000 views, resonating with thousands of women who (somewhat dramatically) agree that office environments seem to suck the life - and the lookout of them.
“No matter how good I try to make myself look in the morning, I leave the office looking like I just ran a marathon and washed my face with grease,” Miles joked.
@morgmiles14 What are we doing to rid this?? TIPS please!! #officelife #corporate #corporategirlies #officeoutfit #officeootd Credit: @Caroline Mackenzie 💝 ♬ sail away (instrumental) - lovelytheband
And while her theory isn’t exactly backed by science, it does have some merit.
Air conditioning: friend or foe?
Air conditioning is a staple of most office spaces, especially in warmer months. But this modern convenience might be the silent culprit behind your midday beauty woes. Here’s why:
Dry skin woes
Air conditioning removes moisture from the air, which can lead to dry skin. When your skin starts drying out, it sometimes overcompensates by producing more oil - leaving you with that shiny, greasy look by 3pm.
Flat hair drama
The same moisture-sucking properties of AC can wreak havoc on your hair. Without humidity, your locks lose their bounce and volume, leaving them flat and lifeless. And if your scalp gets too dry. You’re looking at an overproduction of oils there too.
Temperature swings
Moving between the warm outdoors and the chilly office air can confuse your skin and hair, leading to irritation, redness, or even breakouts.
So, while air conditioning might save you from sweating through your blouse, it’s not exactly doing your beauty routine any favours.
Fluorescent bathroom lighting
Another hot topic in this ongoing debate is the universally terrible lighting in office bathrooms. If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of yourself in one of those fluorescent mirrors, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Fluorescent lights are harsh, and unflattering, and can highlight every blemish, wrinkle, or shadow you didn’t even know you had.
It’s no wonder so many women report feeling like their confidence takes a hit every time they catch their reflection at work.
One TikTok user commented: “The work bathroom lighting makes me feel atrocious.” Another called it a “confidence destroyer.”
Honestly, they’re not wrong.
The work-from-home glow-up
Interestingly, research indicates that many remote workers often prioritise comfort over appearance, and maintaining certain routines (including personal grooming or dressing up) can positively impact mental health.
Working from home often means no make-up, fewer hair products, and more time for skincare, all of which can contribute to that WFH glow.
Additionally, the work-from-home gang places more value on feeling good mentally and physically rather than looking good for others.
However, small habits like dressing in clean, comfortable clothes or maintaining basic grooming can enhance both appearance and mood.
How to fight the “office glow-down”
While we can’t all avoid the office entirely, there are ways to fight back against beauty sabotage:
Hydration is key: Keep your skin and hair happy by staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water (yes, this is where that Stanley cup comes in) and use a hydrating facial mist or moisturiser throughout the day.
Portable humidifier: Invest in a small desk humidifier to add some moisture back into the air around you. Your skin and hair will thank you.
Skin-friendly make-up
Opt for lightweight, hydrating make-up products that won’t clog your pores or dry out your skin in an air-conditioned environment.
If you’re a corporate girlie battling office woes, next time you leave the office feeling less-than-glamorous, just remember: it’s not you, it’s the air conditioning. Or the lighting. Or both.
At least, TikTok has given us a space to commiserate and laugh about it together. After all, isn’t the first step to solving a problem admitting that it’s universal?