Emirates has been known for years for its distinctive uniforms. You immediately recognise the cabin crew as they walk through the airport. To create a consistent appearance, the airline requires all female crew members to follow a strict set of guidelines. These make-up rules for Emirates cabin crew are clearly defined, and deviating from them is not permitted.

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What are the official Emirates makeup rules for cabin crew?

As a base, female crew members start by wearing foundation. In addition, they must apply blush to the cheeks to add colour to the face. This expectation applies to many airlines that require their female staff to wear make-up. While contouring the face or using highlighter is allowed, it remains optional rather than mandatory.

When it comes to concealer, applying it under the eyes is optional. However, the foundation must always be set with powder. Crew members may use baking powder, loose powder or compact powder, depending on their personal preference.

For eye make-up, crew members have some freedom. Eyeshadow and eyeliner are permitted, as long as they stay within beige or brown tones. Emirates grooming guidelines allow cabin crew to wear either mascara or false eyelashes, provided the look remains natural and professional.

As for the eyebrows, there are no strict make-up requirements. Nevertheless, they must look neat and well-shaped. If natural brows do not meet this standard, then additional make-up is required.

Finally, there is the most important element: the iconic red lips. Cabin crew must wear both a lip liner and lipstick in a shade that matches the colour of their hat.

My Emirates cabin crew make-up look

Based on the rules above, I created a video in which I apply my own make-up, inspired by the Emirates make-up look. You can watch the video below.

Curious which products I used? Below you’ll find a full list.

• Primer – Where It All Starts Cream (Nimya)
• Foundation 1 – Skin Long Wear Weightless SPF15 (Bobbi Brown)
• Foundation 2 – Forever Matte (Dior)
• Concealer – True Match (L’Oréal)
• Blush stick – Peachy Keen (Anastasia Beverly Hills)
• Eyebrow powder duo – Auburn (Anastasia Beverly Hills)
• Eyebrow mascara – Auburn (Anastasia Beverly Hills)
• Face powders – Easy Bake loose powder, Pound Cake and Easy Bake And Snatch, Cupcake (Huda Beauty)
• Blush powder – Orgasm (NARS)
• Eyeshadow primer – Shade 0.5 (P.Louise)
• Eyeshadow – 5 in a Box palette (Catrice Cosmetics)
• Mascaras – Lash Princess Sculpted Volume (black/purple) and Lash Princess Curl & Volume (pink) (Essence Cosmetics)
• Eyeliner – Liquid Ink black, waterproof (Essence Cosmetics)
• Setting spray (Essence Cosmetics)
• Lipstick – no longer available (NYX)

Want to know more about Emirates uniform rules?

Did you enjoy this article and want to learn more about the uniforms and appearance rules for Emirates staff? Then you might also like these articles:

• 7 things you didn’t know about the Emirates uniform
• Female Emirates staff get more shoe options
• Emirates Premium & VIP Passenger Team gets a new uniform
• Or read the article about the make-up rules for Etihad staff

If you’d like to stay up to date with news about airline uniforms and dress codes, don’t forget to follow me on social media. On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube (shorts), I share weekly videos with news and background stories.

Kind regards,

Aileen

Last update: 09/03/2026