Do You Have to Abide by a Makeup and Hair Policy?

March 19, 2009

I have many friends who work in the beauty industry who must follow controlled makeup and hair policies. For instance, my friend, who works at a cosmetics store, is required to wear at least three makeup items from the company's makeup line. No competitor's perfume is allowed, and her hair is always supposed to look "professional and presentable." What about you? When it comes to your company or school, can you get away with whatever you please, or do you have very stringent guidelines to follow?

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25 Comments

chequettex 3 years 7 weeks

I'm a receptionist/security personnel in a big building, and not only do we have a uniform (a bright red sweater jacket thing from the early 90s) but our hair has to be "professional" at all times, and we are also required to wear lipgloss or lipstick, blush and mascara, and we cannot wear "bright, shocking or unusual" colors on the lips or eyes. Nails can only be painted red or pink shades. The biggest problem I have is getting my hair to look "professional." I am trying to grow it out right now, but my bangs fall in my face, the back won't quite go in a ponytail yet, and it's fine but frizzy/wavy/crazy - definitely not wash-and-go, so every morning I have to figure out some way to get my hair to look normal.

4 years 3 weeks

When I was in the US Air Force we had too abide by some rules of course. Hair color had to correspond to your skin color so it looked natural, hairpins and hairties had to match your hair color (I think that has changed now). Your hair (short or in a bun) had to be, no longer than the top of the shirt collar, etc. Makeup and nail polish had some limitations also. I couldn't wait to dye my hair purple or red after I finished my service! That never happened though, I was pregnant by then, he he.

Allytta 4 years 8 weeks

hair pulled back, no bright make up, no nail polished except for clear, black polished shoes, no jewelery and so on. i'm really glad i work 1-2 times a week ;)

notinthemood 4 years 8 weeks

We have a professional dress code, but I'm out on the plant floor a lot so closed-toed shoes and generally long sleeves. We can't wear jeans, even on Fridays. That isn't so great (more dry cleaning...) but I love professional offices... it kind of bugs me how casual/messy some people are at work.

Autumns_Elegy 4 years 9 weeks

Ours is fairly simple. Our hair has to be all pulled back, so we don't drop hairs in the food or in the coffee. Our makeup has to be clean and neat. We can get away with heavy eyeliner and loud lipstick but anything to over the top is out. I don't know about hair colour but I'm assuming bubblegum pink hair would be frowned upon.

LadyLiLa83 4 years 9 weeks

I work in a bank...our hair and makeup should be professional. No crazy hair colors, no "f*ck me" eyes (my boss's loving name for heavily lined eyes), you get the idea.

genesisrocks 4 years 9 weeks

There's nothing official so we can't get in trouble for how we do our hair and makeup, but its pretty clear nothing too out there

HoneyBrown1976 4 years 9 weeks

Same here, Emalove.

emalove 4 years 9 weeks

I'm a teacher, so as long as we look professional, that's all that matters.

luna08 4 years 9 weeks

No, I think we should though, everyone's too casual in my office! I think the only policy we have is no open toe shoes in the labs.

doogirl 4 years 9 weeks

I'm a stay at home Mom these days, but back when I worked I just had to look presentable. I worked in a couple of offices, and the only rule was no jeans except on Friday's. However, I have naturally curly hair, and I normally wear it in a ponytail. I wore it down once when I was a receptionist and my boss's boss had a problem with it. He was a jerk though. And that company is out of business now. Too bad! ha ha

Symphonee 4 years 9 weeks

I work for a clinical research company but as long I am dressed business casual and my hair does not look like a crow's nest I am good. They mainly want you to look neat.

starangel82 4 years 9 weeks

I work in healthcare. We have certain requirements for hair, makeup, and appearance. We are pretty lenient about most things, but excessive make-up, very long nails (real or fake), and colored (non-natural) hair are 'you will be sent home' offenses.

brittanyk 4 years 9 weeks

I work at a doctor's office as a receptionist. They basically could care less how I look. It's a really laid back environment, which is nice.

skigurl 4 years 9 weeks

i could understand for cosmetic store employees (we had to do that when i worked at one in highschool over Xmas) - but in terms of my office, no way! i can do whatever i want....i mean, you'd think you should abide by the "look nice, look professional, look clean" policy (i do!) but some others dont and no one says anything

skigurl 4 years 9 weeks

TinaDenali 4 years 9 weeks

I am a massage therapist, so as long as I look nice, it's no big deal. And honestly, I never wear make up anymore and just allow my hair to dry naturally and curl. It's so much easier than spending hours in front of the mirror, and I just hate the feeling of having make up on.

supercoolnat 4 years 9 weeks

Definitely no rules or guidelines where I work. I'm generally less made-up at work than in "real life", because 1) I'm lazy, and 2) I sometimes have to go to the factory areas (where I used to work) and they give me a hard time if I'm all done up.

rachelbojangles 4 years 9 weeks

I work at Old Navy. They don't care as long as you show up :) But I've noticed when I put on more makeup, do my hair, and wear a cute outfit everyone is nicer to me.

smaine07 4 years 9 weeks

At my regular 8-5 job I just need to look professional since I am in an office, but at my part time job (Clinique) I have to wear closed toe shoes, black round neck tee, black slacks and our white lab coat..all silver jewelry-one ring to a hand and one earring to an ear..hair pulled back if it is long, nicely styled away from the face if it is short..We have to wear all clinique makeup and fragrance.. so yea it is pretty stringent, but I don't mind. I love working there.

jessicaeden 4 years 9 weeks

We don't have an official policy, but we definitely need to look professional -- no wild hair; no crazy makeup; etc.

kscincotta 4 years 9 weeks

I'm a scientist, so we are constantly reminded that long hair is supposed to be pulled back for safety reasons. Not that everyone listens, though.

Advah 4 years 9 weeks

Nope! My rather unruly hair wouldn't leave me the choice anyway, and I abide by the "Sassy Thursday" where every Thursday I wear the girliest stuff I can think of (my boss looked a bit confused when I first showed up with hot pink nails and a golden bow headband hehehe). And I'm proud to say that right now, I'm silently protesting being forced to work on a project I should NOT be doing any work on, by getting ready for the meeting with the shortest denim skirt I could find in my wardrobe, muddy Converse, bright turquoise eye-liner, and that http://www.threadless.com/product/844/Spoilt awesome tee with a yellow cardigan. Talk about an explosion of colours! Oh, and I of course have my b*tchface on. :P Yes, I'm petty like that.

aimeeb 4 years 9 weeks

Lord no...

aimeeb 4 years 9 weeks

Lord no...

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