wearing makeup in a kitchen

[evenealy]

Yesterday I accepted a job with a company I have several years of experience with. This is a good decision as I will be opening and running a kitchen in a new restaurant that opens in June/July. The first thing they said to me is that I will not be allowed to wear foundation, power, or lipstick. However it is ok if I wear eye make up, but not the rest. They cite health code and also said “this is a kitchen, no girls wear makeup in kitchens”. I do! I do not need a lot of makeup, I have nothing to hide! I pleaded with my friend, the store manager. I tied to make a point that I hardly use any makeup at all, but he was adamant.

Seriously? Can they really get away with this?

[Kortpeel]

Yesterday I accepted a job with a company I have several years of experience with. This is a good decision as I will be opening and running a kitchen in a new restaurant that opens in June/July. The first thing they said to me is that I will not be allowed to wear foundation, power, or lipstick. However it is ok if I wear eye make up, but not the rest. They cite health code and also said “this is a kitchen, no girls wear makeup in kitchens”. I do! I do not need a lot of makeup, I have nothing to hide! I pleaded with my friend, the store manager. I tied to make a point that I hardly use any makeup at all, but he was adamant.

Seriously? Can they really get away with this?

Congratulations on your new job, Evenealy. Yes they can get away with a no make-up rule. It is their kitchen.

Speaking as one totally ignorant of make-up, my advice is to go along with the rule and do not use make up at work. Apart from anything else you will save money on cosmetics.

I suspect that many women wear make-up as a mask to hide behind. They don't actually need it. Get used to going without it.

And good luck in your new job.

[SplitDik]

Yesterday I accepted a job with a company I have several years of experience with. This is a good decision as I will be opening and running a kitchen in a new restaurant that opens in June/July. The first thing they said to me is that I will not be allowed to wear foundation, power, or lipstick. However it is ok if I wear eye make up, but not the rest. They cite health code and also said “this is a kitchen, no girls wear makeup in kitchens”. I do! I do not need a lot of makeup, I have nothing to hide! I pleaded with my friend, the store manager. I tied to make a point that I hardly use any makeup at all, but he was adamant.

Seriously? Can they really get away with this?

I'm not sure what you mean about "get away with this". If it is actually in the health code (these depend on the city) then they have to do it. If it is not in the health code, an employer has the right to impose extra rules for quality reasons and also can just impose dress codes as well. Since it seems to be applied to everyone, it isn't discriminatory.

If I were you, I wouldn't care too much. I understand you may be not be confident about passing or something, but really first of all transgender comes from within, no one really cares in a work place, and I bet there will be plenty of co-workers who will look worse. Just get some confidence -- in fact I suggest it is a great opportunity for growth for you (lessen your need to rely on makeup).

[transward]

Having years of being trans in kitchens, and having hired several trans cooks, a few comments. One, what is the purpose of the rules. If it is to prevent you from being perceived as trans and transitioning, the rules might be discriminatory depending on local laws protecting gender identity, but good luck trying to prove it.

The rules are actually not too much of a problem. Foundation can look terrible over steam kettles, tilt skillets, griddles etc etc. and so is best avoided in a kitchen. I know if facial hair is an issue, that is a problem. If possible carry a razor and do a quick shave oh breaks. Avoid heavy liquid eye liners, but dry pencils and eye shadows stay in place without much drama. Save mascara till after work. Even the waterproof stuff has trouble in steam and heat. If you want lipstick, try one of the long wearing two part products. (L'Oreal, CoverGirl and Revlon all have them.) Get a color just slightly more intense than your natural color. That will give your lips a bit more panache without being obvious that you are wearing lipstick. Just be discreet. There are a lot of heavily pierced cooks these days, so earrings usually aren't a problem.

I have found the kitchen to be a good place for trans people. If you can cook, the other stuff doesn't matter much.
Good luck.


Transward

ps, I love the Rumi quote.

[evenealy]

The rules are actually not too much of a problem. Foundation can look terrible over steam kettles, tilt skillets, griddles etc etc. and so is best avoided in a kitchen. I know if facial hair is an issue, that is a problem. If possible carry a razor and do a quick shave oh breaks. Avoid heavy liquid eye liners, but dry pencils and eye shadows stay in place without much drama. Save mascara till after work. Even the waterproof stuff has trouble in steam and heat. If you want lipstick, try one of the long wearing two part products. (L'Oreal, CoverGirl and Revlon all have them.) Get a color just slightly more intense than your natural color. That will give your lips a bit more panache without being obvious that you are wearing lipstick. Just be discreet. There are a lot of heavily pierced cooks these days, so earrings usually aren't a problem.

I have no facial hair, I have no issue passing; in fact everybody regards me as a woman (lol I'm so lucky). I just like to be girly - that's all.

I guess I will have to comply.

[Riverwind]

It would be best, that is a fight you can't win. If you had worked there for years, and they just came up with this policy that is one thing, but starting you don't have a leg to stand on.

Good luck in your new job,

River

[evenealy]

It would be best, that is a fight you can't win. If you had worked there for years, and they just came up with this policy that is one thing, but starting you don't have a leg to stand on.

Good luck in your new job,

River

I agree, there is no way to win this battle. I know a lot of people in the company (leaders, owners) and know they are not going to bend. Even though, I wore makeup in their own kitchen for more than a year. Nobody said a thing. oh well.

everybody for wishing me good luck. This will be the second kitchen I opened for the company, I'm excited!

[MacTheWolf]

I'd be hesitant to eat River's pancakes if I knew he wore makeup in his kitchen.

[kristoff]

I'd be hesitant to eat River's pancakes if I knew he wore makeup in his kitchen.

But he wears it so well...

[MacTheWolf]

But he wears it so well...

Thank you Sister, I feel reasurred

[Dave]

I asked some people who have reason to know. It's pretty much what others have said.
It may not be a health department rule (like hairnets and temperatures, etc..).
Some Western PA restaurants have a "no makeup" rule but not the majority. It isn't common.
However, a small business owner has the absolute right to set make the rules and enforce them. If the owner says "no makeup" then that is it.

[Riverwind]

Yes I do,






Pancakes.

River

[evenealy]

If the owner says "no makeup" then that is it.

At least I kicked butt in the kitchen today