Comments on: Would you like a side of mascara with your hot wings?

By: Gerald Fnord

Gerald Fnord — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:58:06 +0000

Obscene—I know it when I see it.

Also:
I’m not claiming any real victimhood here, but it also stereotypes the male customers: I prefer seeing women without make-up, or at least believe I do.

Me, I’ve been told to dye my mustache and beard, because the patchy white hairs put me at a disadvantage when competing in the high-tech world….

By: SarahMC

SarahMC — Sun, 31 May 2009 01:00:05 +0000

Hey Maggie, I have started going without makeup a few days a week! It makes me a little stressed to wonder whether my co-workers notice but otherwise I am much happier. And I wore make-up exactly once during my whole vacation (yep, I’m back and will write about it soon); it felt great.

By: No mascara, no job? « Dating Jesus

No mascara, no job? « Dating Jesus — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:58:03 +0000

[...] 29, 2009 · No Comments Evidently, that is the case for Shenoa Vild, a waitress who was told to wear makeup and jewelry — dress like she was going on a date with [...]

By: AmandaS

AmandaS — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:18:55 +0000

Interestingly enough, the only person who made any comment to me when I came to work without makeup today was the only other woman in the office. She commented that I looked “tired”. Is that some kind of code?

By: Miss Pinot

Miss Pinot — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:33:20 +0000

@S.O.A.L.G
I also HATE wearing make-up. Your eyelashes stick together, you can’t see your real face, and it always wears away in a really unattractive manner. It feels like a sticky, smeary mask.

Thankfully, we aren’t required to wear make-up. I have had regular customers compliment me, and other employees, on days we have worn make-up/nice clothes, but basically our required look is to be clean and somewhat sober(on Saturdays, that’s even out the door). The boss has never ever told us TO wear something specifically, but every now and then he’s had to tell one of us to wear longer skirts or shorts. We also have the right to kick customers out of the store if they are making us feel uncomfortable. I work at an nice wine shop, so our comfort is more imortant than the customers’.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:32:47 +0000

I worked at an answering service a few years back (none of the clients or callers ever once saw what the phone operators looked like, obviously, but “professional dress” was required). On the days I’d come into work without eye makeup, the owner (a woman) would always make a huge deal out of commenting in a Very Concerned Tone about how tired I looked. She always did this in the main area where everyone else could hear her. She never specifically told me that I needed to wear makeup to work to comply with “professional dress” standards, but that was definitely the implication.

By: Mel

Mel — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:27:28 +0000

Personally, I wear makeup almost every day because I have a lot of allergies that leave dark circles under my eyes that make me look sick or tired if I don’t – makes concealer a must. I still find it a pain in the neck and I get tired of it. And I do find that if I don’t wear at least concealer it gets commented on at work which is frustrating because it’s not like it affects my job performance. I find other women are often the most critical in the places I work (maybe because I’m in advertising and image is what we sell) – but I can’t imagine getting fired over it.

By: Av0gadro

Av0gadro — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:33:17 +0000

Kelsium: Boutique retailers, for instance, are trying to promote a certain kind of lifestyle and there is an potentially legitimate argument that these businesses should probably have the right to require that their employees dress/groom for work in a way that fits that style. But, then again, there is a hazy line between that and Prada saying “Oh, black models aren’t really our type,” or Abercrombie and Fitch saying “Oh, fat girls aren’t really our type,” and so on.

Most boutique retailers either require that their staff wear their clothes or offer steep enough discounts that the staff would be stupid not to take advantage. If Abercrombie doesn’t sell clothes that fit anyone above a size twelve and they require that their staff wear their clothes (I don’t know if they do) then they could theoretically discriminate against “fat” people without it ever being stated policy.

I worked in a banking for a privately held bank owned by cranky old men. Our dress code was insanely conservative and it still didn’t require makeup. My office rebellion was that I never wore hose, even if it showed up on my reviews.

By: Liz N

Liz N — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:23:41 +0000

I’ve only worn makeup once my entire life- for my part in a play. And I hated every minute of it.

I’m insulted by the notion that women “need” to wear makeup to be attractive. I’m attractive enough by my damn self, thank you very much.

In fact, I just don’t understand at all how women are seen as the “attractive” sex, and yet in order to be attractive we have to meet so many weight/clothing/makeup etc requirements that men don’t.

I can’t believe that’s legal. Ugh.

By: AmandaS

AmandaS — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:14:54 +0000

I like the idea of make-up free days for us harpies! I don’t wear much to start with, usually just around my eyes, but it has become a habit. It’s gotten to be just part of my morning routine to grab the mascara and eyeliner.

In fact, tomorrow’s Casual Friday, and I think I’ll skip the cosmetics. I’ll let you all know if anyone says anything to me about it!