CL says: I just read your post on perfume predicting mental illness. Why do they have to waste time on studying about perfume? I wear perfume because I like the smell. It makes me feel good and I’m not depressed. Oh my maybe if I use to much I’ll go off the deep end. Give me a break. If I want to be depressed I’ll look in the mirror and and see myself with no makeup in the morning!
The Right Brain makes up a reply:
We know you’re making a little joke, CL, but your comment about seeing yourself without makeup reminds me of an interesting study from the Journal of Cosmetic Science. It’s about researchers in France who have studied why women wear makeup.
Stimulate yourself
According to the article, makeup stimulates three of our senses. First, it stimulates the sense of sight because of the visual impact of the pretty colors we smear all over our eyes, lips, and cheeks. (Smashbox O-Glow blush is NOT a good example of a pretty blush color!)
Second, depending on the kind of makeup, it can also stimulate our sense of smell. While too much fragrance is a turn off I also don’t want a foundation that smells waxy or oily. A little bit of a fresh scent in makeup can be a nice touch.
Third, and I’ve never stopped to think about this before, makeup also stimulates our sense of touch. That happens during the application process (Mmmm, the feel of a soft sable brush against my cheek) or long after the product has been applied (my lips still feel plumpy and dewy way after a fresh coat of Boghese Radiant Moisture
Why women use makeup
But the most interesting aspect of this study was the way it tried to understand why we like makeup so much. The researchers say that makeup’s effect on our senses results in two different psychological effects: camouflage and seduction.
Camouflage is all about reducing anxiety, supporting our internal defense mechanisms, and helping with emotional stability. Seduction is about being more socially assertive and extroverted. The way you use makeup depends on your individual psychological profile.
Here are some sample questions from the researcher’s survey. We think it would be fun if our Beauty Brains community left comments with your answers. Next week we’ll summarize your answers and give the results from the actual study.
Warning: this study was originally done in France so there’s a cultural bias and the language on some of the questions doesn’t translate very well.
To answer, just leave a comment with the number of the question and one of the following responses (you can copy and paste if you’d like):
Strongly Disagree
Slightly Disagree
Neither Disagree or Agree
Slightly Agree
Strongly Agree
Here are the questions:
- When I’m made up I feel glamorous
- With makeup I want to smile.
- I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening.
- Without makeup I’m insipid.
- When I’m made up I want to allure.
- A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance.
- I use makeup to control the image of myself.
- Without makeup I don’t feel like myself.
- I don’t like my face without makeup.
- I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people
Source:
“Why Women Wear Makeup: Implication of Psychological Traits in Makeup Functions”
(J. Cosmet. Science, 59 127-137 March/April 2008)
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Bren Says:
Here are my answers to the questions:
1. When I’m made up I feel glamorous: Slightly Disagree
2. With makeup I want to smile: Neither Disagree or Agree
3. I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening: Slightly Agree
4. Without makeup I’m insipid: Strongly Disagree
5. When I’m made up I want to allure: Slightly Disagree
6. A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who overrates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance: Strongly Disagree
7. I use makeup to control the image of myself: Slightly Agree
8. Without makeup I don’t feel like myself: Strongly Disagree
9. I don’t like my face without makeup: Strongly Disagree
10. I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people: Strongly Disagree
Miss Laura Mars Says:
1. When I’m made up I feel glamorous - Slightly Agree
2. With makeup I want to smile. - Neither Disagree or Agree
3. I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening. - Neither Disagree or Agree
4. Without makeup I’m insipid. - Strongly Disagree
5. When I’m made up I want to allure. - Slightly Agree
6. A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance. - Strongly Disagree
7. I use makeup to control the image of myself. - Strongly Agree
8. Without makeup I don’t feel like myself. - Slightly Disagree
9. I don’t like my face without makeup. - Strongly Agree
10. I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people - Slightly Agree
Janis Says:
I have to answer this just to be contrary, or else the study risks becoming not why women who wear makeup like makeup, but why all women like makeup … withotu any awareness that that line has been crossed.
1. When I’m made up I feel glamorous. Neither.
2. With makeup I want to smile. Neither.
3. I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening. Neither.
4. Without makeup I’m insipid. Strongly disagree.
5. When I’m made up I want to allure. Neither — don’t wear it.
6. A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates
intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance. Strongly agree — you bet I rate intellect over than appearance.
7. I use makeup to control the image of myself. Neither.
8. Without makeup I don’t feel like myself. Strongly disagree.
9. I don’t like my face without makeup. Strongly disagree.
10. I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people. Strongly disagree.
Karen Says:
#10: I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people.
STRONGLY AGREE! I’ll admit that once it’s past breakfast, I actually start to feel self-conscious even interacting with family members if I haven’t put my makeup on yet. And for those rare occasions when I have to go somewhere without makeup, I find myself avoiding eye contact with others. Yep: sad but true.
While some people might find that absurd, I’m not even close to one person I once heard about when I was in college. I knew a girl who claimed that no one in her family had ever seen her mother without makeup, not even her father. She explained how her mother always got up before anyone else, just so she could “apply her face”, and that everyone in her family knew the rules: to leave her mother alone until she was presentable. Those of us listening were all in disbelief but also fascinated. I remember asking her what her mother did if she became ill with something like the flu. She said that her mother went into a guest bedroom with its own bathroom and didn’t come out.
Wow.
SugarBee Says:
I use makeup to control my image–very true; however, I have two “faces.” My daily makeup routine for work (I teach high school English) is meant to make me look professional and polished and just simply me. My “going out” makeup makes me feel sexy and glamorous.
Lily Says:
1. When I’m made up I feel glamorous/ Slightly Agree
2. With makeup I want to smile. Strongly Agree
3. I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening./ Slightly Agree
4. Without makeup I’m insipid./ Slightly Disagree
5. When I’m made up I want to allure./ Slightly Disagree
6. A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance./ Strongly Disagree
7. I use makeup to control the image of myself./ Slightly Disagree
8. Without makeup I don’t feel like myself./ Slightly Disagree
9. I don’t like my face without makeup./ Slightly Agree
10. I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people/ Slightly Agree
Judy Says:
I started answering the questions you posed and then realized I disagreed with all the statements.
I never experimented with makeup as a youngster because I had low self-esteeem and never thought it would make any difference.
Now that my self-esteem is better I am beyond 50 so I use make up to improve the way my skin looks. However I still only use foundation, blush, concealer, mascara, and lipstick. I do not vary my day or night wear.
I did have my make-up done professionally when I married at 39 because I did want the photos to look good and I wasn’t confident enough with my technique to trust myself. It turned out well.
Lipstick usually cheers me up though so I never leave the house without it.
Katrina Says:
1. When I’m made up I feel glamorous - Agree
2. With makeup I want to smile - Strongly agree
3. I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening - Agree
4. Without makeup I’m insipid - Agree
5. When I’m made up I want to allure - Agree
6. A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance - Slightly disagree
7. I use makeup to control the image of myself - Agree
8. Without makeup I don’t feel like myself - Strongly agree
9. I don’t like my face without makeup - Agree
10. I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people - Agree (but also depends on who, at work I tend to wear less make up)
Sar Says:
When I’m made up I feel glamorous STRONGLY AGREE
With makeup I want to smile. NEUTRAL
I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening. STRONGLY AGREE
Without makeup I’m insipid. DISAGREE
When I’m made up I want to allure. AGREE
A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance. STRONGLY DISAGREE
I use makeup to control the image of myself. AGREE
Without makeup I don’t feel like myself. DISAGREE
I don’t like my face without makeup. NEUTRAL
I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people NO
Felicia Says:
1. Strongly agree. Why bother if it won’t make me feel any prettier?
2. strongly agree
3. neutral. ( I like to look amazing day and night, lol.)
4.strongly disagree. makeup should be used to bring to the surface what should already be within. (in my opinion)
5.disagree.
6. neutral. this could go both ways. some people truly do like the way they look without makeup. and some people hide behind books.
7. strongly agree.
8. agree. i guess it’s just become a habit now.
9. strongly disagree. I like myself plenty. Makeup is just a bonus.
10. strongly agree. It’s important to look presentable.
Desiree Says:
1. I always feel extra confident when i have make up on.. feels great and i feel much pretty
2. I love smilling when i know i have lip gloss in my lips..
3. Agree
4. Depends in my mood
5. Agree
6. Strongly disagree
7. \not really
8. Depends in my mood
9. yes
Pam Says:
1. When I’m made up I feel glamorous. Strongly disagree. For me, makeup is remedial, making myself presentable.
2. With makeup I want to smile. Disagree.
3. I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening. Disagree
4. Without makeup I’m insipid. Using the definition of insipid: “lacking excitement or interest” describing my appearance: Agree
5.When I’m made up I want to allure. Disagree. For me, makeup is making myself look presentable.
6. A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance. Strongly disagree. Women can have numerous reasons for not wearing makeup.
7. I use makeup to control the image of myself. Strongly agree.
8. Without makeup I don’t feel like myself. Strongly disagree.
9. I don’t like my face without makeup. Strongly agree
10. I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people. Strongly disagree. Usually don’t for staying home with family members, but I do when around other people.
Now I am wondering to what extent I use makeup as camouflage and/or seduction; mostly camouflage, I guess. I’m looking forward to your explanation of the results of the French study.
Melissa Says:
1. strongly agree
2. slightly agree
3. strongly agree
4. strongly disagree
5. slightly disagree
6. strongly disagree
7. slightly agree
8. strongly disagree
9. strongly disagree
10. strongly disagree
faux Says:
“Camouflage is all about reducing anxiety, supporting our internal defense mechanisms, and helping with emotional stability. Seduction is about being more socially assertive and extroverted. The way you use makeup depends on your individual psychological profile.”
i can definitely relate! after a 10 year cosmetic hiatus while working the health food industry, i started wearing it again after life altering surgery and subsequent disability.
the application takes me a while, i move slowly and methodically, but enjoy the ritual and sensuality of it all. the cosmetics most definitely enhanced my sense of well being after surgery and helped me to feel more vibrant instead of a 42 year old who had undergone chest surgery.
oh please, please please, make this a push button poll, it would be sooo much easier.
party on brainz,
f.
Mona Says:
The idea that people would agree with #8 worries me. I don’t wear make-up and will grin and bear pimples and dark circles rather than consider concealer, because I find the concept of having visible foreign stuff on my face odd. I don’t need to look in the mirror to know where the red and blue marks will be, but how am I to know where a funny beige streak is, or if I’ve rubbed bits and pieces off (or into the wrong areas)?
I’ve worn make-up for weddings and a few occasions, mostly done by other people, and I hate catching a glimpse of myself because it’s confronting: “whoa, holy ****, that’s not my face!” How can people become more attached to their painted face than their real, natural face? How can they let it usurp their real appearance and install a visage (for lack of a better word) as their concept of normalcy?
There’s nothing natural about having black rings around your eyes, or purple eyelids, or claret red lips, or glittering bronze skin. I can understand concealer and foundation as a means to mimic healthy, clear skin - good skin is an excellent visual clue as to health and used by the opposite sex to rate attractiveness, after all, and feeds into #7 - but there’s many aspects of make-up that are clearly there to show you are wearing cosmetics and are not trying to hide it. What, then, is the point?
I don’t know. I feel like I’m the only woman out there who sees her peers gettin’ Picasso on themselves and thinks it’s weird.
Sio Says:
I need makeup for camouflage reasons, but I hate the way I look with just foundation, so then comes mascara, lipstick most of the time. I also always wear eyeliner and eyeshadow, but part of that is just the artist in me that feels the need to paint things and draw pretty lines. But then I also like my tattoos and like to have purple hair sometimes. If I were one of those women who truly did look good without makeup, then maybe I wouldn’t bother..
Janis Says:
1. Slightly Agree
2. Slightly Agree
3. Strongly Agree
4. Strongly Disagree
5. Neither agree nor disagree
6. Strongly Disagree
7. Neither Agree nor disagree
8. Strongly Disagree
9. Strongly Disagree
10. Strongly Agree
Amanda Says:
1. Slightly agree - Usually when I wear makeup I’m trying to look more glamorous or whatever than usual.
2. Neither agree nor disagree. It’s face paint… nothing that wonderful.
3. Slightly agree. I’d be more inclined to wear something sparkly at nighttime, but even that’s so rare an occurrence it hardly counts.
4. Hell no!
5. Agree somewhat strongly… I hope I look alluring when I put the time into highlighting myself.
6. Psh, definitely not. Why judge?
7. Uh… I don’t know. I guess it’s a form of control.
8. Just the opposite.
9. Strongly disagree - my face without makeup is the face I’m used to. Even when I’m wearing makeup, I don’t look that much different.
10. Ha. no. definitely not.
On an average day, I might pull some lip gloss out of my purse during the day if I feel like wearing it, and I might dot some BareMinerals on any pimples before I leave the house. I only make myself up when I’m dressing up, as a general rule. I don’t feel the need to hide the natural face I was given.
Donna-Lee Says:
I like giving details. Here’s my take!
1. It depends, what style of makeup I am going for. If it’s just eyeliner, not really…If it’s the whole “makeover” then, yeah, sometimes vera glamourous ^_^
2. Yes, and no. Makeup does not make or break my mood, but sometimes if you are having a blah day, it can give you that little boost of esteem if you find a flaw or find something to further beautify, so you have more of a reason to smile.
3. hmm, tough to say. I personally like very vivid bright colors and neons for eyeshadow, and I will do them any time of day, permitting I am not at a conservative job that prohibits unnatural colors. I love pink! KRYOLAN neon colors anyone?
4. nah, disagree.
5. I don’t alway want to allure, per se, but it can help boost your self image and confidence sometimes, so maybe “yes” sometimes, given the occassion, of course.
6. Not necessarliy true. I’ve seen ultra hot vixen book dominatrixes with very seductive makeup. Then again, there are more conservative types who think that wearing makeup is convering up your natural beauty and is feministic, or they just don’t care because their mind is absorbed in something more intelligible. These questions are tough!
7. Yes. I do use makeup to control my image. I usually go for a more “catty” or punky/goth look, with black liner, fishtails, and a bright contrasting color eyshadow or lipstic. I like to look edgy, clean, but counter culture.
8. I am addicted to black eyeliner. I can go without makeup, but I admit, I feel a little naked without the liner. black liner and fishtails are like my personal trademark!
9. I’m cool without makeup, depending on factors, like if I have slept or not, if I’m sick, stressed, etc. On a “good” day I can go sans makeup no prob. But, on a “bad face” day with acne or eye bags etc, no, not preferably anyway.
10. I like to make myself up, but it doesn’t always happen. As much fun as I have with makeup, sometimes I am just lazy. This morning I chose to sleep an extra 15 mins, and skipped the makeup, and I am meeting someone at the airport later.
Janna Says:
1. Strongly agree - IF I am made up with all the tricks (such as on my wedding day), I definitely feel more glamorous. But with just the normal light day makeup, I just feel normal.
2. Neither disagree or agree. I think I want to smile when I am happy - I don’t think makeup has a big influence on that emotion for me.
3. Slightly agree - I might wear a darker hue of lipstick and a heavier eyeshadow.
4. Slightly agree - this is actually more situational. If I am out on a casual day at the beach or with friends, I don’t care if I’m wearing makeup. But if I am suddenly in a social setting where everyone is very put together and I am without makeup, I do feel insipid. However, this has more to do with the total package than the makeup itself. If I were dressed up but not wearing make-up, I don’t think I would mind. The one tends to go hand in hand with the other.
5. Strongly agree. If I have made the effort to look great, I like to see that it is appreciated by others either by a sideways glance or a compliment.
6. Neither disagree or Agree. If the woman is naturally beautiful, she should never feel the need to wear makeup. Some blessed few have this amazing gift. However, I do believe there is something to be said to having a presentable appearance. But taken in moderation - there are some occasions when a natural look is fine. Of course the intellect is just as, if not more important than the appearance.
7. Slightly agree - If I’m feeling bad about myself, I probably won’t leave the house without putting makeup on first. If I feel particularly beautiful, I don’t feel the need to put any on.
8. Strongly disagree. I don’t define my “self” with appearance. Even when I feel ugly, I know and value my personality and intellecutal attributes.
9. Neither disagree or agree - During the summer when I have a tan, I often go without makeup or just some mascara. I like the way my face looks. However, in the winter time when my face is washed out and full (I usually weight about 10 pounds more during the winter time) I don’t really like the way my face looks without it on.
10. Strongly disagree - I often go without makeup whether I feel good about it or not. However, I rarely leave the house for work without makeup on as I suppose I do feel it necessary for a professional appearance.
Caitlin Says:
1. strongly agree
2. neither agree nor disagree
3. slightly agree
4. strongly disagree
5. slightly agree
6. strongly disagree
7. strongly agree
8. neither agree nor disagree
9. slightly disagree
10.slightly agree
Danielle, Dix Hills NY Says:
To answer, just leave a comment with the number of the question and one of the following responses (you can copy and paste if you’d like):
Strongly Disagree
Slightly Disagree
Neither Disagree or Agree
Strongly Agree
Here are the questions:
When I’m made up I feel glamorous - Slightly Agree - Mostly I feel ridiculous if it is overdone.
With makeup I want to smile. - Strongly Disagree
I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening. Slightly Agree - It’s darker at night so you can get away with more.
Without makeup I’m insipid. Huh?
When I’m made up I want to allure. Ummm. No.
A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance. Strongly Disagree - It’s probably just because it takes too much effort or time, and is really not that important.
I use makeup to control the image of myself. Slightly agree
Without makeup I don’t feel like myself. - Strongly Disagree
I don’t like my face without makeup. - Strongly Disagree
I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people - Strongly Disagree
Sara Says:
My makeup routine is totally influenced by the amount of sunshine out. When it’s sunny, I feel best with a more natural face. In the winter, I gravitate towards more makeup. I know magazines talk about this, but I don’t do it on purpose, it just seems to happen. It took me years to figure out I had this pattern.
Liz Says:
Strongly Disagree
Slightly Disagree
Neither Disagree or Agree
Slightly Agree
Strongly Agree
Here are the questions:
1. When I’m made up I feel glamorous
slightly agree
2. With makeup I want to smile.
slightly disagree
3. I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening.
slightly disagree
4. Without makeup I’m insipid.
strongly disagree
5. When I’m made up I want to allure.
slightly agree
6. A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance.
strongly disagree!
7. I use makeup to control the image of myself.
strongly disagree
8. Without makeup I don’t feel like myself.
strongly disagree!
9. I don’t like my face without makeup.
strongly disagree!
10. I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people
strongly disagree
I love makeup for the fun of it, but goodness, it’s not anything more than that. It’s glorified paint for crying out loud!
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Wired Says:
slightly agree
neither agree nor disagree
neither agree nor disagree
slighty disagree
slightly agree
strongly disagree
strongly agree
slightly agree
slightly agree
strongly agree.
Do You Use Makeup For Protection or Seduction? | The Beauty Brains Says:
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[...] week the Right Brain blogged about a study that supposedly reveals the real reason why women wear makeup. We posed some of the questions from the study and asked you to give us your answers. Not [...]
Katie Says:
1. When I’m made up I feel glamorous/ Slightly Agree
2. With makeup I want to smile. Slightly Agree
3. I make myself up in a more intense way in the evening./ Slightly Agree
4. Without makeup I’m insipid./ Slightly Disagree
5. When I’m made up I want to allure./ Slightly Agree
6. A woman who does not make herself up is a woman who over rates intellectual dimension to the detriment of appearance./ Strongly Disagree
7. I use makeup to control the image of myself./ Slightly Agree
8. Without makeup I don’t feel like myself./ Strongly Disagree
9. I don’t like my face without makeup./ Strongly Disagree
10. I always make myself up when I’m going to be in contact with other people/ Slightly Diagree