Cheap Party Dresses - Am I wrong to be offended at my supervisor?

Am I wrong to be offended at my supervisor?

I have been working at a discount clothing store for a bit over a month. Today, the floor supervisor came up to me and said that I need to wear make-up because I work at the register. According to her, the fact that I do not wear make-up makes me "unprofessional". I happen to disagree. I do not ever wear make-up (except for lip gloss/ lip stick once in a great while) for several reasons: I do not own any (so it would be a financial burden, since the company isn't going to pay for it), it is REALLY evil on my skin (makes me break out and gives me a ton of zits),I do not like the idea of wearing a "mask", especially since I am pretty enough without it, and also that it takes longer to put on than I have time in the morning (I am not going to get up an hour earlier just to paint my face :/). I told her the first two reasons and she just said "oh". Am I wrong to be offended at her asking me to wear something that is not even in the dress code and really has nothing to do with how professional I look? How should I discuss this with her the next time I see her? She is not actually the head manager, just a shift supervisor, (there are 3, then the assistant store manager, then the store manager), and has no real power to keep or fire me. I think I am a bit upset because I know it must be either because she thinks all women should wear make-up to work and/or because of the fact that, I often hear her speak poorly (basically gossiping) of other associates (but not to the particular associate), someone else told her they think I should wear make-up. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but there seems to be a pattern. The makeup is not a requirement in the dress code. I am not asking about that (just to be clear). The corporate dress code does not require employees to wear (or not wear) make-up.

Public Comments

well not offended exactly. just dont do it. nobody cares if u do or dont wear make up. its not like people take you less seriously without make up. unless you are a stripper
I hate wearing make up too. I only wear eyeliner. I would probably get pissed if she said that to me lol. I don't see why it would matter if you wore makeup or not.
Just explain this to her. Tell her how you feel and the problems it could cause. Be honest and let her know that you don't want to do it. Your job should not depend on it.
Does she REQUIRE you to wear make-up? That doesn't seem right. But I am not sure if it's against the law, though. I used to work in a department store that required that saleswomen wear panty hose.
It's alright to be offended, I would be too if someone had said that to me. Tell her that you find it unfair and that it's your choice not hers. Tell her that you like the way you look with out it and that many customers may like you more without it because it gives you that 'genuine, natural' look. If it isn't in the dress code, it's not required. If she doesn't press the subject and leaves it then I think you should just leave it too. If she keeps going tell her all of the above and simply say 'I don't find the need to paint my face to look beautiful, I am professional and beautiful and the last thing I need is to paint up my face up so I look like some common high school girl that's desperate for attention.' (no offence to high school girls, me being one, I just find that some high school girls only wear makeup to make themselves look more grownup, which I think is rediculous.)
If the job description didn't require you to wear make-up then just ignore her. If she has a problem you can tell her that when you applied that was not stated. You're there to work not to get up and glam yourself up for work. If she keeps bringing it up, tell her you don't have the money to afford that right now. You have bills to pay and bigger things to worry about. If she keeps on bugging you, let the head office know.
Was it communicated when you were hired that make up was required? If not, then your boss is a nut case and probably just wants to find anything to criticize. Beware!
You're not wrong at all for being offended. First of all, it took her a month to bring this up to you...sounds to me like she just had a bug up her butt that day. Wearing makeup is a personal choice. You don't need to justify anything to her. If you're dressed professionally (and I'm sure you ARE, or else she would have gotten on your back about THAT)...that's all you're obligated to do. And just for the record...don't address it any further with her. She sounds like a very offensive person, and to discuss this anymore will only open up more opportunity for her to slight you again. Trust me...you won this.
Well it is off putting to say the least. People in the fashion industry have their own particular school of thought. It is all very superficial. I doubt she will mention it again since you said it would be a financial burden. But should she mention it again, perhaps you could try lipstick and mascara to enhance your already lovely features - after getting a raise! Note: Read Add details. The woman is a meddler. Wanting to show off by interfering in your business life. She has no right to speak to you like that. If there is a next time, send her on her way with an icy look.
You said it yourself it is not required in the dress code don't say anything and there is nothing she can say back she cant make you wear it or fire you for it you are not selling make up.
You need to separate this into two categories: Category #1 - Are you wrong to feel how you feel? We are never wrong to feel how we feel. Feelings have nothing to do with logic, or even with right or wrong ... they just are. However, it is wrong to try to scold ourselves for how we feel or to try to stuff how we feel out of sight. Feelings are not actions, and the two should never be confused. Category #2 - What action should I take? Now we're talking in a clear area. There are indeed, always, wrong actions and right actions. In this case right vs. wrong depends on whether or not you wish to keep your job. This is the sad reality of the working world: Your job is to do what your boss would do if they had the time to do it, and to do it in the way they want it done (you are, in effect, being paid to act as a substitute for the boss). If you want to do things your way, you open your own store. If you have a serious issue with what you boss expects from you, you either swallow it or you find another job. I know this sounds harsh, and I apologize for that, but you will find that it makes working a WHOLE lot easier once you accept the reality of the situation. After working as a salesclerk, a waitress, a laborer, a taxi driver, and several years as a secretary, I went to university, got a degree, then a good job ... and that stupid reality STILL applies! The boss is still my boss. I have greater freedom to promote my agenda, but in the end, the boss decides what the boss wants to decide.
That is crazy if you don't want to wear makeup you don't have to and if she fires you sue her
Yes it is offensive since they hired you without it and it is not a requirement. If she brings it up again just tell her that you have never worn makeup. You don't need to explain further.
I'd be pissed. She's probably just jealous of your natural beauty. Or just enjoys putting people down. Remember the jerks like that from high school? It the same thing. Only she thinks she can push you around because she has a little smidgen of power.
I'd have been sooooooooooo tempted to borrow a friend's makeup and paint my face like a whore or a clown! You should report this to senior management. They need to know what an a**hole she is.