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Beards vs brows row: Leading Tory MP threatens to challenge 'serious gender divide' in lockdown easing

A beautician shapes and plucks a customer's eyebrow - EyeEm
A beautician shapes and plucks a customer's eyebrow - EyeEm
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..

A senior Conservative MP plans to challenge ministers over the "serious gender divide" in the easing of lockdown, which means men can have their beards trimmed but women cannot have their eyebrows waxed.

Beauty salons have been given the green light to reopen from next week but face waxing, eyelash treatments, make-up application and facials are still not allowed.

The Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee Caroline Nokes said: "We've seen barbers trimming eyebrows, we've seen them trimming beards and we still have a range of facial practices that can't be done on women."

She said it was important that the UK's recovery from the coronavirus crisis is "designed to help women every bit as much as men".

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden gave the green light for the beauty sector, including nail bars and beauty salons, to reopen on Monday July 13.

He told Thursday night’s Downing Street briefing: "Hairdressers have been able to reopen, and beauticians can do so now from Monday, with some restrictions."

The Government has banned treatments involving work in the “highest risk zone”, which means directly in front of the face.

“We should think of all those poor women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome who have significant facial hair and they really need to have that tackled,” she said.

Beauty services resuming from 13 July
Beauty services resuming from 13 July

Ms Nokes said the guidance was “really confusing and difficult and overnight I've had a whole raft of questions coming to me that I'll be taking up with ministers today”.

Culture minister Caroline Dinenage said she wanted the whole of the beauty sector to be able to reopen "as soon as possible".

Ms Dinenage said: "These are often small independent businesses but they are the absolute lifeblood of our economy, and trying to get them to open up is a critical step to support the livelihoods of thousands of Britons.

Beauty treatments allowed during lockdown
Beauty treatments allowed during lockdown

"This is not to be sniffed at - 270,000 work in the hair and beauty industry and it generates £7 billion for the British economy.

"This is not a decision that is ever taken lightly, but we need to take steps in the right direction and establish what is safe and work to open up the rest."

She added: "Of course I want these services to be opened as quickly as anybody - I haven't had my eyebrows done in months.

"I totally understand the challenges and the frustrations, but we just have to err on the side of caution and keep people safe. Millie Kendall, the chief executive officer of The British Beauty Council said the decision was a “positive step”.

She said: “The decision to broaden the scope of available hair and beauty services will allow many more beauty professionals to get back to work, and will also allow customers to benefit from a range of beauty treatments, which can be carried out safely for both client and practitioner.

“It’s a positive step, but we are still only part of the way there. We will keep working closely with governing bodies and supporting everyone in beauty until we are able to achieve the fully-reinvigorated beauty industry we all want.”

Beauty newsletter REFERRAL (article)
Beauty newsletter REFERRAL (article)