Wearing makeup in the workplace is one of the most downplayed stereotypical view of the 20th Century. Many women choose to avoid confrontation with their managers by simply giving in and agreeing when they are asked to wear makeup to work, in order to come across as 'more professional' in their managers eyes. But what effect does this simple but extremely impactful request have on women's self esteem, and why are there so many people turning a blind eye to the misogynistic view?
People comment and shout their opinions about women daily, especially when it comes to the world of social media and what people choose to share to the world. Thousands of women across the world's self esteem is at an all time low, and social media is the main factor. People share their perfect bodies, perfect relationships, and healthy lifestyles making women resent their life and wish theirs was the same. For some women, they face this feeling of resentment every single day in their place of work. The view of women having to wear makeup to appear more capable of working may have been popular in the 60s, but it is now extremely outdated and no woman should have to stand for it.
The view is misogynistic. Next time you are in a store and see a woman done up in full glam makeup for a shift, ask yourself- is this her choice or her employers? For a man to look professional, they practice good hygiene, have a clean work uniform with their hair sitting nice. Why cant it be the same for women? And why is the ability to carry out a job determined by how much your face is caked in makeup?
This view has definitely stemmed from a patriarchal society where women, should be 'seen not heard.' Decades ago women weren't even allowed to work, and when they finally were given the chance to do so and earn their rights back- they were sexualized. You can still see this view to this day, many employers, in particular bars and pubs, will employ the stereotypical 'ideal' girl to work at the bar and lure in male customers to spend money at their bar. Of course, times have moved on from the extreme views men had on women back in the day and things are much more different now, but why are women still being asked to wear makeup, in order to appear more professional at their work in 2022?
It is argued that wearing makeup makes you seem like you have put more effort in and spent more time on your appearance, which may well be correct but what a lot of people have to remember is that some people may just not be comfortable wearing makeup, may not own any, or even know how to apply it, or better yet, MAY NOT WANT TO! On the other hand, a makeup free face is simply put down to laziness and not caring enough about your appearance. In opposing argument, yet again, the decision to go without makeup can be put down to wanting to utilize time better- such as going to the gym instead, spending an extra hour answering emails, or better yet- spending an extra hour with the kids. Does it seem like such a bad thing now? Why should wearing makeup be prioritized over any of these, way more important factors?
A survey taken in 2014 showed that 67% of bosses would take a dim view of female staff not wearing makeup at key business meetings or working in a public facing role (Daily Mail 2013). How can this be the case when, in actual fact, attending an important meeting or facing the public with a fresh face may show confidence and honesty, two key values which both employers and clients strongly admire?
And yet again, all of this totally goes against the stereotype of women that if you see someone in full glam makeup and dressed up, that she 'has too much time on her hands' and is willing to look pretty with an empty head and lack of knowledge- bimbo if you will. Can you see the repetition here? Women are stereotyped no matter what they do or wear!! They cannot escape being judged for the way they look and their appearance no matter what, this must be challenged as this shows people should stop judging someone by their ability to do a job by appearance, and instead focus on their skills and experience to carry out the job, no matter what they look like.
While many speak out about these cases, very little is done to prove a point and make the change, so the question I ask is, how can we wipe away these stereotypes and create an environment which focuses on the characteristics in the work place rather than the eyeshadow and lipstick which one chooses to wear?
