Major Russian beauty retailer tells male employees not to wear obvious makeup to avoid ‘LGBT propaganda’ charges

The Russian cosmetics chain L’Etoile has asked its regional directors to ensure their male employees do not wear too much makeup after the company reportedly received complaints from clients about “LGBT propaganda,” according to a letter from the corporation’s lawyers that was published by political scientist Ekaterina Shulman.

The lawyers notes that “in light of the government’s current policies,” male beauty consultants who wear makeup could risk being charged with spreading “LGBT propaganda”:

In order to minimize risks, we recommend that our male makeup artists/consultants use as little makeup as possible and more natural colors of makeup during work hours so as not to draw too much attention from clients.

The company has not publicly commented on the letter.

In early February, the Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosi reported that L’Etoile employees had been instructed to cover up the rainbow unicorn manes printed on products from the brand Unicorn Approve following the Russian Supreme Court’s ban on the “international LGBT movement” as an “extremist organization.”