FINDING the right balance in the office when it comes to make up can be tough. We want to be taken seriously, but don't really want to be the office eye candy. For those of us who prefer being a bit made-up to a barefaced beauty, here are a few ways to achieve the look you want.

As much as we would like to go all out in style at the office, we must consider our jobs. Will you be running from place to place or meeting to meeting, all day long? Or will you be simply sitting at the desk from nine to five? Obviously if you are constantly on the move, then it seems a sensible idea to wear make up that won't need to be continuously touched up every hour. You want to know that you look your best even when working up a sweat. Try something simple; perhaps a thick layer of mascara on your upper lashes will be all you need. Give the Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara a go, for £10.99 from Boots. This will ensure that all attention is on your beautifully framed eyes, giving you complete control.

You can't go wrong with the right lipstick or gloss, and one of the two will complete the low maintenance look for you. The new Rimmel-Kate Lasting Finish lipstick, created by Kate Moss, comes in 7 eye-catching shades, at £5.49 each from Superdrug. Whether dark red or subtle pink, you can speak your mind in style. If a good gloss is more your thing, then check out the Topshop Glaze glosses, in three shades of luscious pink, for £6 each. Either way, both lipstick and gloss is quick and easy to apply, so you can have an extra five minutes in bed each morning.

For any one who wasn't aware, painting your nails is a fun way to inject some personality into that strict office look. And no nail polish is more fun right now than Barry M's Instant Nail Effects-Crackle paint. You choose your base colour-whether a sea blue or hot pink-allow it to dry, then simply paint over it with the crackle polish, which comes in a variety of colours. The paint will then spread into different patterns, giving your nails a wild look, for £3.99. If you would rather stick with straight forward nail polish, then Beauty UK's Glam Nails have all the colours you could want, for £1.99. Voodoo red or Gun Metal grey will go with just about anything you choose to wear, and will liven up the most boring of uniforms.

So shake up your 9-5 with a splash of colour. Just don't let the boss catch you painting your nails at the desk.