Lost job before first day at work for being the wrong sex!

[mannipatch]

That's ridiculous that they wouldn't employ you on the Benefit counter - as I'm sure I've seen male sales assistants on the MAC counter in Birmingham - and some of the very best make-up artists in the world are male - think Kevyn Aucoin etc - and many of the brilliant make-up artists in TV and film; as for beauty therapy, there is a growing demand for male treatments (as Axiom will have already mentioned) and especially in that arena, there will be people that would prefer a male therapist. So I'd say don't give up - you will be sure to find your niche and a great career to boot!

I agree with Ruth and the above post. I would have thought that you were at a slight advantage being male and doing Make-up. I find it hard to believe that in this day and age - you did not get the job because you are male.
My advice to you is - if you want it, you won't give up, no matter what. You will not be defeated and will carry on trying, yes it does reduce your confidence when not successful in getting work time after time. But think of it this way, you are most definitely not the only one. Every single person has been knocked back at some stage in their life. You have two choices - sink or swim. You can stay in bed in the morning thinking, well theres no point in trying because I won't get it anyway - or - you can get up, look in the mirror and say - I can and I bloody well will!!!

 

[brazilianqueen]

Dont you dare give up!! I used to work with a male therapist who did the best make- up! he used to cop a bit of flak when he first started but he was so determined that this was what he wanted and now he is one of the most popular therapists working there! If you really want to break that mould, get out your hammer and smash it!! Maybe you should look at working for yourself or renting space in a salon?

 

[number1kitty]

Sorry for my ignorance if I am repeating anything already said, i havent read all the posts.

First as a salon owner I would not hesitate having a man work for me. However you yourself must understand that whilst many women wont mind a massage or facial, or make up or nails etc there are some that will. You also will struggle getting a female to feel comfortable having a wax.

It is a mostly female industry and females prefer to have their intimate treatments done by women. I have employed men to do sports massage, thai massage and beauty. when a client called to book I had to give them a choice of a male or female therapist and I have to say a lot of clients prefered the women. It dosnt mean you are any less of a therapist. I did ask my clients what their views were on this subject. The overall consensus was that clients having a beauty treatment are at their most vulnerable especially during treatments that meant removing clothes. And like I said in treatments such as nails etc they were fine, but not one female client was happy to have a man wax their bits.

Basically it would never be personal, its a trust thing long with a comfort thing for example I dont let my man see my furry bits so if I went for a wax would I want another man to see my furry bits!

It didnt even matter if the male therapist was gay. Most women felt more comfortable with a woman. I also found some men prefered a female therapist for massage etc.

We are in the 21st century and there are succesful male therapists out there but it wont be easy to get your break.

That dosnt mean you should give up. what happened at benefit is shocking and I would see if you have a case. You basically have to get them to prove that the other girl was better qualified for the job than you.

There are a lot of men coming into the industry now and some of the top make up artists and nail technicians are male so you have a chance.

Have you considered specialising in a certain area? Maybe go mobile so you can start building a client base. What about offering bridal services or male grooming. I taught my partner how to do specialist facials and shaving so now he does grooms and the best man/father of the bride on their wedding days giving them a close shave and skin brightening facial as well as male make up if they require (this bit hasnt quite took off yet though!). I do the bridal party and we sell this as a package.

I would love to work with you. You sound passionate about your career and you can make this work for you. You just have to go back to the drawing board and come up with plan B.

If you ever move nearer to Manchester look me up as I would be happy to try and fit you into my business.

Kate

 

[Martin Duffy]

You also will struggle getting a female to feel comfortable having a wax.

I'm a male that has been working in the industry for the last 11/12 years & have my own successful clinic & have never had any trouble getting women in for waxing, in fact waxing is one of my most popular treatments. Many of my clients say they like the fact that I'm quick & firm with my waxing, unlike many of the women they've been to, and that I don't give them looks of disdain for being overweight or too hairy. Many of my clients have felt uncomfortable getting undressed in front of other younger & thinner female therapists in a way they don't with me. Sex is not a bar to working in this industry, unless you let it.

 

[Fruity]

Isn't it amazing how everyone is so shocked!
I worked as a counter manager and kept on being approached by a young Chinese chap who was studying electical engineering but was desparate to work for the company I worked for, part time. I was desperate for some part time help and the training he would have recieved would have set him up, unfortunately for some reason my Floor manager wouldn't even call him up to arrange an interview. I was left wondering was she being sexist, rascist or plain ignorant.
Good luck, if you really love your vocation, that will show through and you'll get a far better job.
x

 

[Lynne Baker]

Thanks Tracy...Its like they think by having amn all there clients would stop coming....some of the salons have been worst with there response to job adverts e.g. "We are a female client only salon so only employ females". I have sent out 100 CVs and have onlt 2 interviews not a good ratio is it.

Are salons actually allowed to stipulate that they treat only female clients? Is this not sex discrimination, or are salons exempt from this law?

 

[Poshfloss]

Hi,
Their loss. I would love to be treated by a male therapist. Wish there was a male nail tech near, he could do my nails. It should not matter to anyone what sex you are...........Just that you are good at what you do.
The only treatments that may cause problems are intimate waxing and spray tanning..........for those the salon should just ask the client which they would prefer.........then no probs.
Best of luck
Lotsa luv x x :hug: :hug:

 

[number1kitty]

I'm a male that has been working in the industry for the last 11/12 years & have my own successful clinic & have never had any trouble getting women in for waxing, in fact waxing is one of my most popular treatments. Many of my clients say they like the fact that I'm quick & firm with my waxing, unlike many of the women they've been to, and that I don't give them looks of disdain for being overweight or too hairy. Many of my clients have felt uncomfortable getting undressed in front of other younger & thinner female therapists in a way they don't with me. Sex is not a bar to working in this industry, unless you let it.

Im not saying you couldnt get clients just that it would be a struggle. I am a slim woman and I know that larger ladies are intimadated by me because they think they will be judged which isnt true. I often have to build up their trust in me before I get on to more intimate treatments. The same would have to happen for a male therapist.

I personally would not want a man waxing doing my brazilian. Leg wax wouldnt bother me so I do draw the line. Facials. massage, make up or nails If I went to book in to a salon and they told me a man was doing the treatment I wouldnt think twice. I know from experience in my own salon that some clients do.

I was under the impression it is sex discrimination for not letting someone have a job because their male or female etc. I would employ a man. But all I said was where I am there would be a lot of education and trust for a woman to have an intimate treatment with a male therapist.

This does not mean that a man can not be successful in the industry.And its a shame a few small minded salons do cast people aside because they wont fit in, but that dosnt just happen in the beauty industry.

Im happy that you are doing well, its nice to hear success stories and not just gloom. And from what I remember that I wrote in my last post was that he could start self employed or mobile to start with and build a business from there.

At the end of the day I think Benefits loss is his gain, he will earn far more money self employed than he will ever do on a counter.

Kate

 

[Lori Nestore]

I would have prefered my tutors at college to have have told me I wouldn't have a chance in the beauty industry then it would have saved me 2 years of my life. Well thats it for me, no more beauty, out of time amd money, i gona go back to working in clothes shop like before...if i had been doing that for 2 years then I could be a manager or something by now instead of thinking i could bvreak the mould and become a male beauty therapist.

Come to the states, we'll be more than happy to employ you! I am also sure there are places there as well, but the interesting part is almost all professional make up artists are male, perhaps they missed that part? Can you rent a room part time somewhere and do both? Considering how many women are now doing male brazilians it is interesting to hear how ladies are saying they would be uncomfortable with the tables turned. I just think if you handle yourself with confidence things will fall into place.

 

[Martigirl]

I remember this thread from last year and Tony was given loads of great advice as well as a money can't buy opportunity from Axiom to shadow him!

As far as I am aware he never took up the extremely generous offer or came back to this thread to update us.

I am all for male therapists and Axiom, Nailzoo, Envy Fozzyo as well as many more have proved it is achievable pity Tony couldn't see this

 

[Lurpakpink]

Space NK employ fellas!! Don't give up, what a waste that would be....I think it's about time companies realised that men are just as good as woman in this industry and should give them a chance. I know I prefer to get my hair done by a male hairdresser....all because they take much more interest and time with it. It's only going to be a matter of time till the Beauty world works the same way as the hairdressing world.

Keep trying, good luck

 

[jenny mosley]

What!!!! OMG, NEVER!

 

[Lucy S]

Do it - complain!

I love seeing men on cosmetics counters - and will always wait for the man to be free as I think it's good to get a their view (Men, women, mars, venus - my boyfriend thinking I wear too much make-up and all that!). You'd have thought that a brand like Benefit would have been a bit more forward thinking...

I'd kick up a fuss at the store and if the instore HR didn't work, would take it higher.

What's the girl like? Any better than you? If not, it's a case of blatant discrimination...

xLx

 

[RelaxEs]

:| Absolutely shocking! Really sorry you feel like you've wasted your time but maybe you should write to them asking for the reasons for their offering you the job initially. I would also explain to them that you feel you have been discriminated on the grounds of gender. I did this once (the job was not beauty related but was in a male dominated environment) - it's surprising what happens when you 'rattle a few cages'.

Alternatively, see if another cosmetics house are interested. Yves Saint Laurent definitely hire males on their counters. I had a guy do some make up for me before I was in the industry and he did some of the best work I've seen.

Best of luck to you!

 

[tantastictina]

hi sorry to hear that. me personally have the opposite problem i have opened a new salon and would love a male therapist/nail tech, but dont know how to go about it without sounding sexist. any ideas on advertising

 

[Lynne Baker]

Yesterday I was lucky enough to receive a makeover from Armand Beasley - blimey have I got a lot to learn about makeup! Just goes to show that being a bloke doesn't have to be a barrier to being in the beauty industry!