To expect a new starter who I'm mentoring not to put on her make up

[Twitterqueen]

Whilst I'm in the middle of a conversation about roles and responsibilities?

This was a contractor, 2 or 3 days into role, in a team meeting (though the others weren't there at the time, took out her make-up bag and began applying powder, blush and lippy as I was talking to her about the role and what she needed to focus on?

YANBU.

That's extremely rude and unprofessional.

Were you paying her at this point? If so I'd deduct time for it!

Oh dear, she sounds as if she doesn't have a clue. If I were you I'd give her the benefit of the doubt, but I suspect this behaviour is an indication of things to come. At least you didn't recruit her OP, you have your manager to blame for that and it will be their job to get rid of her.

Start cc-ing your/her manager in to every invite etc.
Create a folder of evidence that you have tried to mentor her.

Call me cynical but she'll get herself into a situation where batting her eyelashes won't get her out of trouble, and then it will be all your fault.

people like this make me want to spit.

Re not replying to e-mails you could try whay my DH did with a very uncooperative employee. Re-send the original e-mail with "first reminder" added to the end of the subject line and cc your manager (and anyone else who may be relevant). No added message, just the original one. If still no response, do a "second reminder" etc... Worked wonders.