Man argues women wearing lipstick is too 'sexual' for the workplace

Portrait of businesswoman in office
Women wearing lipstick at work was compared to a man wearing "a giant artificial boner". [Photo: Getty]

A man has faced backlash after suggesting women shouldn’t wear lipstick in a business context because it “simulates sexual arousal”.

Stefan Molyneux compared women wearing lipstick at work to a man “showing up for a business meeting with a giant artificial boner” on Twitter.

Molyneaux, a 52-year-old Canadian podcaster and YouTuber, is known for his far-right views and has previously advocated for the men’s rights movement.

On Twitter, he linked to a scientific study that he suggested supported his comments around women wearing lipstick in the workplace.

READ MORE: Is five-year-old North West too young for lipstick?

Molyneux was quickly met with backlash by men and women alike, with journalist and beauty expert Sali Hughes pointing out that the business necktie could also be categorised as a phallic symbol.

Meanwhile, others pointed out all the male accessories you could easily apply the similar logic towards.

Others simply told him to “grow up”.

While Molyneux’s views have largely been criticised, the relationship between a woman’s appearance and her work status has been a hot topic recently.

Just yesterday the former headmistress of St Paul’s Girls’ School – one of the top girls’ schools in the country – suggested being beautiful furthers a woman’s career.

What’s more, earlier this year the Dalai Lama faced an online backlash after claiming a female successor would need to be “attractive” – and should have a make-up budget.

“I think there’s an opportunity to ask whether [a female successor] can spend some money on make-up,” he said.