Female flight attendants won't look like this anymore

One airline has decided to make a significant change to the mandatory uniform for its female cabin crew – and it could potentially carry across to other airlines.

Female cabin crew representing Virgin Atlantic will no longer have to wear makeup as part of their mandatory uniform.

If staff members do wish to wear lipstick or foundation, then they are encouraged to stick to the airline’s official colour palette.

“We want our uniform to truly reflect who we are as individuals while maintaining that famous Virgin Atlantic style,” a spokesperson for the airline told Huffington Post.

“Not only do the new guidelines offer an increased level of comfort, they also provide our team with more choice on they want to express themselves at work. Helping people to be themselves is core to our desire to be the most loved travel company.”

In a further bid to bring the airline into the 21st century, Virgin Atlantic will now also offer female staff members trousers as part of their uniform.

Before the new regulations, the airline would only provide them upon request.

A 2011 interview with makeup artist Kim Allgood and hair stylist Helen Kavanaugh – who work as grooming standards managers for Virgin Atlantic – gives a glimpse at what the airline used to expect of its female staff.

According to Kim and Helen, Virgin Atlantic would not permit women to have natural roots, dye their hair primary colours or wear a fringe below their eyebrows.

But while the airline is shifting its stance on gender equality, other carriers haven’t taken the same measures yet.

For example, the Qantas standard for makeup is pretty simple — mascara and lip colour – but new flight attendant trainees go through a whole training process to learn how to properly have their hair and makeup.

Qantas hair and makeup standards are designed to complement the current flight attendant uniforms.

People have had mixed reactions to the news, with some saying that most will still chose to wear makeup.

With additional reporting by Danielle Fowler.

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