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Open Access

Peer-reviewed

Research Article

The contrasting effects of body image and self-esteem in the makeup usage

Roles Data curation, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Project administration, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

* E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliation Department of Experimental Psychology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Roles Data curation, Funding acquisition, Writing – review & editing

Roles Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Writing – review & editing

Roles Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Supervision, Writing – review & editing

• Anthonieta Looman Mafra, 
• Caio S. A. Silva, 
• Marco A. C. Varella, 
• Jaroslava V. Valentova

• Published: March 25, 2022
• https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265197
• Peer Review
• Reader Comments

Women wearing makeup are perceived by others as more attractive, competent, dominant, and more socially prestigious. Individuals differ in how much and how frequently they use makeup. Some studies show that women with lower self-esteem use more makeup, probably to hide imperfections. However, women with higher self-esteem can also use makeup to attract attention. This study verified whether social and general self-esteem and body image are associated with makeup usage in Brazilian women. We collected data from 1,483 women ( M age = 31.08; SD = 11.15) about body image (appearance orientation and appearance evaluation), social self-esteem, general self-esteem, and makeup usage (frequency of makeup usage, time spent applying makeup per day, and money spent on makeup per month). Appearance orientation positively predicted frequency of makeup usage, time spent applying makeup, and money spent on makeup, whereas appearance evaluation inversely predicted money spent on makeup per month. Social self-esteem and general self-esteem also positively predicted money spent on makeup, but in different directions. The results suggest that the significance given to appearance and social interactions are importantly associated with makeup usage in women.

Citation: Mafra AL, Silva CSA, Varella MAC, Valentova JV (2022) The contrasting effects of body image and self-esteem in the makeup usage. PLoS ONE 17(3): e0265197. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265197

Editor: Piotr Sorokowski, University of Wroclaw, POLAND

Received: July 22, 2021; Accepted: February 26, 2022; Published: March 25, 2022

Copyright: © 2022 Mafra et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Data Availability: Data used to this paper can be found by accessing the following link: https://osf.io/d2z7e/ (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/D2Z7E ).

Funding: AM was supported by the FAPESP (Fundação de amparo à pesquisa do estado de são paulo, Grant number: 2018/16370-5), CS was supported by CNPq (Conselho nacional de desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico, Grant number 143811/2019-3), MV was supported by the CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Grant number 33002010037P0—MEC/CAPES).

Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction

Surveys with American women showed that 78% spent one hour per day on their appearance (e.g., hair treatments, dressing up, and makeup). Taking on average 55 minutes of women’s day, hair and makeup seemed to need more time invested than other appearance related behaviors. [ 1 ] American women did not only spend time on active appearance enhancing behaviors, but between the most watched categories by women on YouTube, the top two are appearance related [ 1 ]. Another study showed that American women spent, on average, 10 minutes on makeup in the morning and 85% tended to apply at least 16 products on their faces before leaving home. The results also concluded that New York women spent around 300,000 US dollars during their lifetime on facial cosmetics [ 2 ]. These examples illustrate the importance American women attribute to physical appearance and self-care [e.g., 3 ].

Women’s attractiveness is an important factor in their lives, affecting how they feel about themselves. Several studies found a positive relationship between attractiveness and self-esteem in women [e.g., 4 , 5 ]. Cash et al. [ 6 ] found that physical appearance is positively correlated with appearance satisfaction, and Grilo et al. [ 7 ] found a positive relation between appearance evaluation and general self-esteem. However, these studies have focused on general self-esteem.

Whereas general self-esteem reflects how a person feels about themselves and their value in comparison to others [ 8 ], social self-esteem is how individuals feel about themselves during social interactions with others, and how those interactions affect their social value [ 9 ]. In this way, social self-esteem is more affected by social interactions than general self-esteem. Social self-esteem is positively linked to use of social network sites [ 10 , 11 ] whereas general self-esteem appears to be inversely proportional to social network sites [ 12 , 13 ], especially in women [ 14 ]. Vogel and colleagues [ 15 ] found that social comparison negatively affected general self-esteem negatively. Thus, the increase in digital media usage increased the pressure to look as good as possible because people were increasingly exposed to images and videos of very good looking individuals [ 16 ]. On the other hand, Steinsbekk and colleagues [ 14 ] found that self-oriented social network sites use was not related to general self-esteem. Therefore, social network sites might increase social self-esteem by promoting more social interactions.

Although appearance can be manipulated for better or for worse [ 17 ], the most common direction of appearance manipulation is appearance enhancement rather than worsening. Appearance enhancement is considered to be a self-promotion strategy in which one may capture more attention from others [ 18 ]. To enhance their attractiveness and to look better than same sex peers, women in Western societies use various tactics, such as high heels [e.g., 19 ], cosmetic surgeries [e.g., 20 ], and/or makeup [e.g., 21 ]. Interestingly, Kelley [ 16 ] interviewed 132 American college women and found that 37% of them reported they started using makeup because they were unsatisfied with their appearance. In sixth grade girls with negative self-esteem, using makeup increases pleasure pursuit [ 22 ]. Gentina et al. [ 23 ] found that makeup can also serve as a ritual of transition to adulthood among adolescents.

A recent experimental study compared women’s self-perception without makeup and with professionally applied makeup and showed that made up women considered themselves more feminine, attractive, more satisfied with appearance, and as having higher self-esteem [ 24 ]. Similarly, women wearing their usual facial cosmetics rated themselves as more attractive than when the cosmetics were removed [ 6 ]. A cross-sectional study further reported that women who rated themselves lower on physical attractiveness used more makeup [ 25 ].

Although individual differences in physical facial attractiveness are larger than intra-individual differences caused by facial cosmetics [ 26 ], makeup is used to improve evaluation by others [ 6 , 27 ] and may enhance prosocial feelings [ 25 ]. However, contrasting results were found regarding self-esteem and their relationship with makeup usage. Robertson and colleagues [ 25 ] found that self-esteem is negatively related to cosmetic usage whereas Al-Samydai et al. [ 28 ] findings pointed to a positive association. Nevertheless, the contrasting results may be due to the characteristics of the samples: the first study was conducted on 30 British undergraduate women and the latter on 606 Jordanian women. Studies investigating the association between self-esteem and makeup usage in different sociocultural settings are needed.

There are several ways to measure appearance, including perception of physical attractiveness (e.g., facial or body attractiveness rated by others), morphological measures (e.g., muscularity, body shape), and body image (e.g., individuals’ attitude toward appearance). Body image is broadly used to measure appearance because it is the reflection of individual satisfaction with their physical appearance and the importance placed on always looking good [ 28 ]. Whereas appearance orientation measures the importance attributed to their own appearance, such as how important they think it is to always look good, appearance evaluation measures how attractive the individual considers themselves, how satisfied they are with their own body [ 28 ]. Thus, body image measures self-perception of their attractiveness and also the pressure they put on themselves to always look good. Researchers relating makeup and body image tend to approach only the appearance evaluation factor, leaving out appearance orientation [e.g. 6 , 29 ], despite several studies showing the impact social pressure exerts on individuals’ self-perception [ 7 ], self-esteem [ 10 ], and even well-being [ 11 ].

Thus, our goal was to test if makeup usage in women (frequency of makeup usage, money spent on makeup, and time spent applying makeup per day) is predicted by general and social self-esteems, and body image (self-perceived attractiveness and importance one gives to tidiness). Despite some contrasting findings, Al-Samydai et al. [ 28 ] pointed out that makeup enhances women’s social interactions and performance and Robertson et al. [ 25 ] found a positive relationship between makeup usage and self-presentation and self-consciousness. Therefore, we expected that makeup usage would be predicted by social-related aspects (appearance orientation and social self-esteem) rather than by appearance evaluation and general self-esteem.

Materials and methods

Participants.

A total of 1,651 Brazilian women took part in the research. For the present study, 1,483 women between 18 and 75 years old ( M age = 31.08; SD = 11.15) entered in the final analyses. All the 168 participants younger than 18 years had their data excluded. This sample was comprised 32.2% of women with graduate degrees, 26.1% undergraduate students, 20.6% women with completed undergraduate degrees, 10.0% women with secondary education, 9.3% graduate students, and 1.7% with no education or unfinished secondary education. Most of the women considered themselves White (73.0%), 17.8% indicated mixed ethnicity ( pardo ), 4.8% identified as Black, 2.8% as Asian, and 1.6% indicated “Other” ethnicity.

About family income, most of the participants (27.4%) declared from approximately US$ 499 to 998 (exchange rate of the day December 28 2021), 19.4% declared from US$ 998 to 1,496, 15.4% declared from US$ 166 to 498, 15% declared more than US$ 2,494, 11.8% declared from US$ 1,497 to 1,995, 8% from US$ 1,996 to 2,493, and 3.1% up to US$ 165. The average Brazilian income per capita was US$ 313 in 2018 (when most of the data was collected) [ 30 ]. Most participants were from Southeast Brazil.

Instruments

Participants completed a Qualtrics online questionnaire (Qualtrics, Provo, UT), containing sociodemographic questions, Cosmetics Use Inventory and additional questions, Social self-esteem questionnaire, General self-esteem questionnaire, and Body image scale.

Sociodemographic questions.

This section included questions such as age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, relationship status, current pregnancy, and current socioeconomic status (educational level and family income).

Cosmetics use inventory [ 31 ].

We used a part of an adapted version of the inventory [ 32 ] in which participants rate on a 7-point-scale the frequency they use from “never” to “always”: 1. base, concealer, and/or powder; 2. mascara; 3. eyeliner or eye pencil; 4. shade; and 5. lipstick and/or gloss. Higher averaged scores correspond to higher levels of facial cosmetic use. We used the version translated (and back translated) into Brazilian Portuguese. All the variables were positively associated (i.e., women who use more one type of makeup tend to use the other types of makeup more frequently, too) (See S1 Table in S1 File ).

Further, participants responded about their monthly expenses with makeup using the following options (in our survey in Brazilian Reals): USD 0, up to USD 2.50, USD 2.50–6, USD 6–10, USD 10–15, USD 15–20, USD 20–25, USD 25–50, more than USD 50. Time spent applying makeup per day was responded using the following options: less than 5 minutes, 5–10 minutes, 10–20 minutes, 20–30 minutes, more than 30 minutes.

Social self-esteem questionnaire [ 9 ].

This is a 30-item instrument composed of phrases describing one’s ability to deal with different social situations. The participant answers how accurately each sentence describes what her behavior or feelings would be in each situation on a six-point Likert scale. The higher the score, the greater the participant’s ease in dealing with social situations (e.g., “I make friends easily”). We used the version translated (and back translated) into Brazilian Portuguese (Cronbach α = 0.95).

General self-esteem questionnaire [ 8 ].

This is a 10-item instrument with a four-point Likert response scale. It contains affirmations about individuals’ feelings and beliefs about themselves (e.g., “On the whole, I am satisfied with myself”). We used the version translated and adapted into Portuguese and validated for the Brazilian population (Cronbach α = 0.91) [ 33 ].

Body image scale [ 28 ].

This is an attitudinal body image instrument composed of two subscales measuring appearance evaluation and appearance orientation with a five-point Likert response scale. The subscales are composed of 17 statements, 11 of them related to appearance orientation (e.g. “It is important that I always look good”) and six related to appearance evaluation (e.g. “I like my looks just the way they are”). We used the version translated (and back translated) into Brazilian Portuguese (Cronbach α = 0.82).

After written ethical approval by the local Institutional Review Board of Anhembi Morumbi University (nr. 2.960.684), participants were recruited through social media and institutional e-mails. Thus, it was a sample based on convenience, and does not represent the Brazilian population. Participants completed informed consent and then responded to anonymous online questionnaires. Inclusion criteria were to have access to the Internet and to be a Brazilian woman 18 years old or older. Participants took 30 minutes on average to complete the survey.

Data analyses

First, using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA), we checked data normality (See S2 Table in S1 File ). Most data were not normally distributed, and we thus conducted exploratory non-parametric correlations among makeup usage, social and general self-esteems, and body image in order to verify correlations among the independent variables and test for multicollinearity. The independent variables were weakly and moderately associated, with low risk of multicollinearity (VIF ranged from 1.002 to 2.002).

Second, to test for a possible effect on makeup usage, social and general self-esteems, and body image entered as independent variables into categorical regressions (CATREG). We chose to use this analysis because it uses an optimal scaling feature that solves the problem of lack of linearity of the scales and it calculates an optimal regression equation and the effect of each independent variable (appearance orientation, appearance evaluation, general self-esteem, and social self-esteem) on the dependent variables (frequency of makeup usage, money spent on makeup, and time spent doing makeup per day). All statistical tests were performed with the significance level indicated at .05.

Makeup usage descriptives

Most participants use makeup half of the time (26.2%) or sometimes (24.9%) and 44.9% spend less than five minutes applying makeup per day. Also, 19.6% spent nothing and 19.6% spent up to USD 2.50 on makeup per month. See S3 to S5 Tables in S1 File for detailed data.

Correlations between makeup usage and social and general self-esteem, and body image attitudes

Kendall correlation indicated that money spent on makeup per month, time spent applying makeup per day, and frequency of makeup usage are moderately and positively correlated (See Table 1 ). Further, these three measures of makeup usage are moderately and positively correlated to appearance orientation. Money spent on makeup per month and frequency of makeup usage are weakly and positively related to social self-esteem. Frequency of makeup usage also presented a positive and weak correlation with general self-esteem. Social self-esteem was moderately and positively correlated with general self-esteem, weakly and positively associated with appearance evaluation and appearance orientation. General self-esteem was moderately and positively associated with appearance evaluation.

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265197.t001

The sociodemographic variables (age, family income, and educational level) were weakly and positively associated with money spent on makeup, frequency of makeup usage, general self-esteem, social self-esteem, and appearance evaluation. There were no associations among the sociodemographic variables and time spent on makeup and appearance orientation.

The effect of general and social self-esteems and body image on makeup usage

To test for a possible effect of social and personal self-esteems, and body image on makeup usage, we conducted three categorical regression models, with money spent on makeup per month, time spent applying makeup per day, and frequency of makeup usage as dependent variables. We also included the sociodemographic variables age, family income, and educational level in the analyses in order to control the variability of our sample ( Table 2 ).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265197.t002

Only appearance orientation and age predicted time spent applying makeup per day and frequency of makeup usage, whereas all variables except educational level predicted money spent on makeup.

The aim of the study was to verify if general and social self-esteems and body image (i.e., appearance orientation and appearance evaluation) were associated with makeup usage among Brazilian women. Altogether, our findings suggested that women who feel comfortable with their appearance and have higher general self-esteem spent less money on makeup whereas women with higher social self-esteem spent more money on makeup; and women who allocated more importance to the way they looked not only spent more money on makeup but spent more time applying makeup and using makeup more frequently.

Appearance orientation was a significant predictor of makeup usage. Thus, women who give more importance to their appearance and are always neat, use makeup more often, spend more time applying makeup, and spend more money on makeup. Similarly, Robertson et al. [ 25 ] found a positive relationship between cosmetic usage and self-presentation. In women, appearance orientation is also linked to neuroticism and narcissism [ 34 ], eating disorders [ 35 ], and drive for muscularity in men [ 36 ]. Women frequently have their bodies objectified, i.e. treated like an object that exists to please others. Through self-objectification, they disconnect their bodies from their persons, and sometimes internalize this perspective and start evaluating and treating themselves as mere bodies [ 37 ], highlighting the visual assessment. Women with higher levels of self-objectification would place more attention to their appearance and grooming instead of other aspects, such as identity development. Therefore, appearance orientation may be used as a measure of self-objectification [ 34 ]. A deeper investigation about appearance orientation and self-objectification should be conducted in order to clarify if they are in fact measuring similar traits.

Further, when adolescents with positive body image were interviewed, they claimed their family and friends used to talk about their appearance, but not about their bodies (i.e., they comment about their clothing, hair style, makeup, etc., but not about their physical traits, such as how fat they are [ 38 ]). Thus, someone’s appearance orientation is more liable in commentaries than someone’s body. It suggests that appearance orientation would be more susceptible to social influences than appearance evaluation, and consequently, would be positively related to appearance modifications, including makeup usage. This would also explain why accepting oneself is negatively related to purchasing makeup.

Corroborating Frisén and Holmqvist’s [ 38 ] results, we found that women with higher appearance evaluation, i.e. women who were more satisfied with their appearance, tended to spend less money on makeup. Our study supported findings of Robertson and colleagues [ 25 ] who reported an inverse association between cosmetic usage and self-rated physical appearance. For these individuals, makeup usage may not be related to satisfaction with their body, so it does not make them feel physically more attractive. Indeed, cosmetics have a smaller impact on individuals higher in attractiveness than on less attractive individuals [ 26 ].

Frederick and Reynolds [ 39 ] presented the cognitive behavioral model in which makeup would be an appearance fixing strategy, being a response to emotions and thoughts related to body image. That is, factors experienced throughout an individual’s life influenced one’s body image by associating their appearance schema. Future experiences can activate this model, influencing how this new information is processed. The thoughts and emotions related to one’s schema will respond by adjusting self-regulatory processes. Makeup usage, thus, would be a way to improve body image through fixing imperfections in people who are not satisfied with their appearance (appearance schema) and are concerned about it.

Additionally, Mafra et al. [ 40 ] conducted a study on Brazilian men and women with low socioeconomic status and found that spending more money on cosmetics did not make women feel better about themselves (e.g., more attractive). According to a review by Tylka and Wood-Barcalow [ 41 ], positive body image is the acceptance of one’s own body, feeling happy and complete even knowing its imperfections and that it is not consistent with idealized images. Nevertheless, others’ perceptions also may influence individuals’ positive body image [ 39 ] as well as the type of watched advertisement may influence women’s self-esteem, body image, and mood [ 42 ].

Social self-esteem is a positive predictor of money spent on makeup per month. Although Robertson et al. [ 25 ] found a negative association between cosmetic usage and social confidence, adolescent girls reported to use makeup because they wanted to feel admired by the public [ 23 ], suggesting that makeup functions improve social impressions. In a recent review, Davis and Arnocky [ 18 ] argued that makeup may be used as a strategy to enhance social status. In fact, besides bringing advantages in attracting mates and competing with rivals [ 21 ], makeup usage was positively associated with social interaction and performance [ 43 ], with women who use makeup being perceived as more competent [ 44 ], more dominant, and higher in social prestige [ 45 ]. As social interactions are important for people with high social self-esteem levels, makeup may be a tool to increase confidence in interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, women who feel good about themselves (i.e., with high general self-esteem) tended to spend less money on makeup usage. This result also corroborated Robertson et al. [ 25 ], in which a negative correlation between makeup usage and general self-esteem was found.

According to a recent study, makeup use also affects other women. After being exposed to pictures of same-sex peers wearing makeup, Australian undergraduate women reported willingness to change their appearance, for example, hair, skin [ 29 ]. Possibly, women who give more importance to physical appearance invest more money also on other beauty products, not just makeup. Future research investigating how other products that can enhance women’s appearance relate to appearance orientation and ideal stereotypes of beauty could make a great contribution to the field.

Overall, our study suggested that women with greater self-esteem associated with social interactions would attribute higher importance to their appearance, resulting in more makeup usage. Makeup usage may enhance women’s confidence to deal with social situations. However, our study was cross-sectional, thus an experimental study could complement our approach by testing if social-related aspects influence the consumption of makeup more than intrinsic-related aspects. Another important point to highlight is that the social influence on makeup usage is rather speculative since we have not directly asked the participants about the possible impact of the media and social networks on their body image. Finally, our sample was composed by a majority of highly educated Caucasian women of medium to high family incomes, which does not fully represent the Brazilian population (mostly composed by Black and mixed ethnicities in low educational levels and low family income earnings). A study trying to reach more women outside the university may better represent the Brazilian population.

Supporting information

S1 file. additional analyses..

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265197.s001

Acknowledgments

We are grateful for English proofreading and helpful suggestions made by Prof. Daniel J. Kruger. We are also grateful to the participants and researchers who donated their time for this to become a reality.

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• 2. Barettom. How Much Is Your Face Worth? Our Survey Results Revealed! Skinstore. 2017 [Cited 2021 July 20]. https://www.skinstore.com/blog/skincare/womens-face-worth-survey-2017/
• 3. Varella MAC, Valentova JV, Fernández AM. Evolution of artistic and aesthetic propensities through female competitive ornamentation. In: Fisher ML, editor. The Oxford Handbook of Female Competition. New York: Oxford University Press; 2017. pp. 757–783.
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• 20. Ponchio MC, Martins CG, Vieira CBM, Menezes D. Fatores determinantes da propensão ao consumo de cirurgias plásticas estéticas [Determinants of the propensity to consume aesthetic plastic surgery]. Revista Brasileira de Marketing [Journal of Brazilian Marketing]. 2013;
• 26. Agência IBGE. POF 2017–2018: cerca de ¼ da renda disponível das famílias brasileiras é não monetária. Agência IBGE Notícias. 2020 November 26 [Cited 2022 February 1]. https://agenciadenoticias.ibge.gov.br/agencia-sala-de-imprensa/2013-agencia-de-noticias/releases/29490-pof-2017-2018-cerca-de-da-renda-disponivel-das-familias-brasileiras-e-nao-monetaria
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Home > honors > Honors Theses > 831

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Beyond light, medium, and dark: diversity and inclusivity in the makeup and beauty industries.

Adrienne Werle , Western Kentucky University Follow

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The goal of this project is to promote diversity within beauty and continue the push for representation and inclusivity. I conducted research on the history of makeup in America during the 1900s and studied how the makeup industry has evolved into what it is today. Rihanna’s launch of Fenty Beauty in 2017 was seen as the start of a new era, challenging beauty brands to be more inclusive. As Fenty created a new industry standard of 40 shades, many other brands followed suit. I then compared my findings with the experiences of real women in my community. I interviewed 10 diverse women about their experiences with makeup and their opinions on beauty. I then photographed these 10 women in their most confident makeup looks. I created a walk-through portrait gallery with these photos to showcase the beauty of diversity, and through sharing their experiences I want to encourage inclusivity and representation in the makeup and beauty industries.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Kristina Gamble, Dr. Peggy Crowe, Siera Bramschreiber

• Disciplines

Other Arts and Humanities | Photography

Recommended Citation

Werle, Adrienne, "Beyond Light, Medium, and Dark: Diversity and Inclusivity in the Makeup and Beauty Industries" (2019). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 831. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/831

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• Making Ourselves Up: The History and Impact of Cosmetics/Makeup

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Home > Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences > Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses > 698

Expressive Therapiehttps://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/myaccount.cgis Capstone Theses

Exploring core concepts and uses of makeup in expressive arts therapy and mental health: a critical review of the literature.

Rhys Triolo-Rodriguez Follow

Date of Award

Spring 5-20-2023

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Degree name.

MCM - MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Expressive Therapies

Dr. Rebecca Zarate MT-BC, AVPT, LCAT

According to Merriam Webster (2022) the definitions for Makeup are as follows; “Cosmetics (such as lipstick, mascara, and eye shadow) used to color and beautify the face”, “A cosmetic applied to other parts of the body”, and “Materials (such as wigs and cosmetics) used in making up or in special costuming (as for a play).” Many of the articles reviewed also discuss the importance of skin care and the rituals that one goes through when applying or removing facial products. For this research, a combination of all definitions above will be most beneficial. However one may define makeup, within the current body of literature, there seems to be a universality about what is known. Though makeup’s ability to physically transform is obvious, those individuals who use it more often, tend to have an affinity for it's emotional impact as well. Whether the application provides a calm space, helps one to better understand themself, provides a sense of control, a hobby, sense of pride, helps increase self-esteem. or allows them to feel a closer kinship to themself. Makeup can be an outward reflection and expression of who someone is. It can allow for people to feel a sense of control and balance in life. The therapeutic value of makeup is therefore an important argument to consider in expressive therapies. he concept of makeup as therapy is extremely new, and the expressive arts therapies field lacks research on this topic. As a response to the gap in literature, a critical review of existing knowledge around makeup, skin-care, face massage, physical touch, and how these may effect ones mental health or sense of self must be explored. This review is a starting point for more in depth studies and ongoing research to be done on how makeup could be used as a therapeutic tool.

Recommended Citation

Triolo-Rodriguez, Rhys, "Exploring Core Concepts and Uses of Makeup in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health: A Critical Review of the Literature" (2023). Expressive Therapiehttps://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/myaccount.cgis Capstone Theses . 698. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/698

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Makeup — Makeup As A Form Self-Expression

Makeup as a Form Self-expression

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120 Cosmetics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best cosmetics topic ideas & essay examples, ✍️ cosmetics essay topics for college, 👍 simple & easy cosmetics essay titles, 🥇 good research topics about cosmetics, ❓ research questions about makeup.

• Cosmetic Testing on Animals The surface of the skin or near the eyes of such animals is meant to simulate that of the average human and, as such, is one of easiest methods of determining whether are particular type […]
• Mac Cosmetics Company’s Social Media Use for Customer Engagement The aim of this research is to determine the role of the social media in creating customer engagement to MAC Cosmetics, focusing on the United Arab Emirates’ population.
• Foundation Makeup in the Fashion When choosing a foundation for your skin, look at the bottle, and check if the skin type is listed because it will give you information about the ingredients that will match your oily skin.
• Makeup Techniques: “The Wizard of Oz” by Victor Fleming Also, the color of his face is ochre, which reminds of sacking. In general, Lion is a rather impressive character because of the makeup he has.
• Luxury Cosmetics Branding and Pricing It is considered that “beauty products appeal to the emotions and customers tend to choose based on the product image,” yet luxury brands, such as Chanel, usually emphasize the quality of cosmetics and the technology […]
• Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics: Brand Image Thesis: Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics maintains the consistency of their brand image of a sustainable, natural, and eco-friendly beauty product by encouraging recycling, using package-less practices, choosing natural and vegan materials to produce their cosmetics, […]
• Testing Makeup Products on Rabbits The use of rabbits to test the effects of body makeup harm the mental health of scientists. Despite these harmful effects of using rabbits as test animals in the screening of beauty products, experimenting chemicals […]
• Organic and Non-Organic Makeup These groups are organic and non-organic. One of the benefits of organic makeup is its apparent safety.
• How Does the Makeup Help to Define the Character For example, a well-known movie “Dorian Gray” tells to the audience the story of the lovely young man Dorian Gray who comes to London, as now he is rich; he has got a huge inheritance […]
• Analysis of Cosmetics as a Consumer Product Improvement of communication and information technology has contributed to advanced forms of advertisement that promote the consumption and exploitation of markets down to the most localized places within the global village.
• Gender and Sexuality in Cosmetic Advertising It also assesses the correctness of truths conveyed to and the effect of these advertising images to the audience. The woman’s position to the back could be interpreted as a sign of feminine subordination.
• Competition in the U.S. Cosmetics Industry At the moment, the cosmetics market in the U. The high level of rivalry peculiar to the beauty and personal care market demands an improved understanding of the competitive landscape.
• Natural Cosmetic Skincare Products Market The trends in the UK market are quite similar to the trends in the European market. There is fierce competition for the market share of natural skincare products.
• Makeup for African American Women and Its Cultural Perspective In assuring innovation in the makeup of African American women, designers must aim to comprehend the significance and comprehension of the African art culture.
• Isopropyl Alcohol in Cosmetics and Medicine Isopropyl is synthesized in two steps: through the reaction of propylene with sulfuric acid and the consequent hydrolysis. In the context of isopropyl alternatives as sanitizers, ethyl alcohol serves as a solid option.
• Racial Discrimination Through the Cosmetics Industry The variety of preconceptions such as the hypersexuality of black women and the perception of their beauty as an unideal version of whites’ one also indicates racism.
• Black Women and the Cosmetics Industry While the industry experienced a significant increase in revenue and scale, the source of this process was the racial discrimination of black women since the marketing campaign emphasized that black women are beautiful.
• Female Consumers on Luxury Brand Clothing Over Cosmetics Consumption The findings of this study suggests that the majority of the respondents preferred to spend more on clothing, although luxury brand clothing preference was notable only to a minority of the respondents.
• Knowing One’s DNA Genetic Makeup: Pros and Cons In addition, the knowledge that one might not get a job or insurance because of their genetic makeup is stressful and depressive.
• Increment of Trans Fats in Dietary Make-Up a Misguided Move Saturated fats are markedly dangerous for human health because they increase the level of the “bad” cholesterol in the body, which increases the risk of heart attacks and other heart diseases.
• AG Hair Cosmetics: Style With Substance We are a company that’s driven by the passion, and determination of our employees and artists spreading the infectious AG philosophy.
• The Chemistry Behind Mineral Make-Up According to the US Food and Drug Administration, cosmetics include all compounds or products that are applied to the body with the aim of beautifying, boosting attractiveness or improving the physical appearance without generally altering […]
• Cultural Artifact Advertisement of Makeup People have accumulated the knowledge, values, beliefs, and attitudes to the whole scope of objects they have ever known in the cultural heritage and have become inherently able to transmit it to successive generations who […]
• Advertisement Impact on Potential Buyers in the Cosmetic Industry Thus, looking at how various products are being advertised, one cannot fail to note the seriousness of the product owners in as far as convincing the consumers to fall for the given product.
• Dr. Eris Cosmetics Company From Poland Here it must be noted that I do not agree to the statement of the Polish manager who states that the small and mid-sized manufacturers have no future in the cosmetics industry.
• Cosmetics Industry and Female Identity While many are willing to pin the blame for this attitude on the women themselves, there is plenty of evidence suggesting it is a concept perpetuated and emphasized by the cosmetics industries through the medium […]
• “Clearing Up Cosmetic Confusion” and “The Great Pretenders?” The author uses a method of observations and personal experience to describe the current state of the corporate regulations within the cosmetics industry.
• Make-Up Throughout the World History In the Fiftiesweb website, the basis of any fifties make-up look is “peaches and cream complexion”. Make-up became more bold and daring in the 1960s.
• A Second Look At Yourself With the Aid of Make-Up It can be inferred now that all make-up dates back to the past and is struck by the ludicrous reasons and ways people made use of make-up.
• Cosmetics as a Decorative Technique Used by Women At the beginning of the 20th century, makeup was used to protect and project a sense of self. For me, makeup means the possibility to create and underline a unique identity and the self.
• Halal Cosmetic Products: Innovation Management Finally, the company has to transparently state its commitment to halal cosmetics in order to attract the attention of customers and enter the competition.
• Celebrity Effect & Price Advantage: Kylie Cosmetics It features a detailed analysis of the possible reasons for it and compares the history of the enterprise to the Estee Lauder Companies, a large business that was established in the middle of the 20th […]
• New Product Campaign Pitch: Women Cosmetic The target market for the marketing campaign of the new women’s cosmetics is mainly women aging from 15 to 45 in Australia.
• La Roche-Posay Cosmetics in European Market It is within this context that the essay examines the European market of LRP by analyzing the beauty market, competition, positioning strategy, identifying brand consumers, examining market trends, and the type of innovations evident in […]
• Biofilm Prevention After Cosmetic Injection The concept of biofilm remains relatively new to dermatology, with few studies available on the formation of biofilm post-cosmetic injections; however, it is needed to explore the ways of preventing biofilm formation from reducing the […]
• Business in the US Cosmetic Retailing Industry US cosmetics retailing industry tends to expand within the domestic and international markets because of the rising level of discretionary income in the developed and developing countries.
• Entrepreneurship in the Organic Cosmetics Sphere According to the article, customers want to be green, and they want to contribute to making the world better. In conclusion, it is possible to note that the article in question provides particular points in […]
• The Peculiar Features of Organic Cosmetics’ Business Gewirtz’s “Organics of Scale” and Traber’s “Experts Sound Alarm on ‘Dirty Dozen’” are the two articles that can be used by people, who want to run a company on organic cosmetics, as these sources provide […]
• Dr. Irena Eris Cosmetics Limited Case Because the Polish cosmetics industry has become saturated with the entry of more players, the firms in the market need to adjust their business strategies both internally and externally, to survive.
• Using Facebook for Multinational Cosmetics Companies In this research proposal, I will discuss the research methodology with the focus on data collection and analysis of the appropriateness of close reading and focus group methods to answer the formulated research questions in […]
• Organic Cosmetics: Shaping Consumer Behavior This will lead to an increase in the market share enjoyed by individual organic cosmetic companies and individual brand owners of organic cosmetic products.
• Ruby & Millie Make-Up Brand Public media and press played essential role in the success of Ruby & Millie brand development as advertising is an important part of products promotion.
• Factors Affecting the Consumption of Men’s Cosmetic Products The main aim of this study was to determine the factors that affect the consumption of cosmetic products in the male population.
• Characteristics of the Skin Care and Cosmetic Industry in China L’Oreal is the market leader in Chinese cosmetic and skin care industry. The success of cosmetic and skin care products companies depends on women consumers.
• Skin Care and Cosmetic Industries in China The skin care and cosmetic industries in China are divided into male and female ones and it is possible to notice the tendency of the men’s skin care industry development increase.
• The Extent of the Cosmetic Industry in Australia The use of advertising in the promotion of the marketability of this product is a strategy that Procter & Gamble has effectively developed across Australia and the rest of the international market.
• Fashion Makeup: Blumarine Fall 2010 Collection In 1980 the Blumarine brand started to become extremely successful, and the first step to popularity, traditionally to all the great brands, was made in Milan.
• Analysis of the Contemporary Cosmetics Industry
• Connected Beauty 2018: Cosmetics of the Future
• Cosmetology: Cosmetics and New Hair Styles
• Fallacies: Cosmetics and Lash Fanatic Mascara
• Math: Cosmetics and Youth Group Leader
• Beauty Product Manufacturers and Eco-Friendly Cosmetics
• The Black Market for Counterfeit Cosmetics Is Booming and Here Is Why
• Avon Cosmetics – Place and Price Analysis
• Analysis of Effects of Using Counterfeit Cosmetics
• The Problem of Animal Testing in Cosmetics
• The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Cosmetic Industry
• Overview and Analysis of Marketing of Cosmetic Product
• The State of the Science of Cosmetics Today
• The Importance of Cosmetics in Today’s World
• Analysis of the Presence of Harmful Chemicals in Cosmetics
• Overview of Social Effects of Cosmetics
• The Current Situation of the Cosmetic Industry in Asia
• Cosmetic Industry: History and Nowadays
• Synthetic Substances in the Cosmetics Industry
• Taking a Look at Beauty and Cosmetics
• M.A.C. Cosmetics: Company Profile and Overview
• FDA’s Credibility in the Cosmetics Industry
• Overview of Marketing Plan for a Cosmetics Company
• The Cosmetic Industry: Selling Illusion
• The Importance of Cosmetic Chemistry in Makeup Products
• Cosmetics and Beauty: The History of the Beauty Industry
• Consumers Beware: Safety in Cosmetic Products
• Why Do Women Use Cosmetics?
• Pros and Cons of Animal Testing on Cosmetics
• Analysis of Black up and Iman Cosmetics
• The History of Cosmetics and the Trends in the Fashion Industry
• Impact of Cosmetic Advertisements on Women
• Mercury Should Be Banned for Cosmetic Products
• We Must Eliminate Animal Testing for Cosmetics
• Chemicals in Beauty Products: The Story of Cosmetics
• Animal Testing in the Cosmetics Industry
• Advantages of Animal Testing for Cosmetics
• Fabulous Cosmetics Company: Marketing Management
• The Cosmetics Industry’s Influence on Women in Society
• Integrated Marketing Communications Plan For CoverGirl Cosmetics
• What Are the Tips and Tricks for Eye Makeup and Eyeshadow?
• How Has Sustainable Design Affected the Cosmetics Industry?
• Why Is the Black Market for Counterfeit Cosmetics Thriving?
• Does Wearing No Makeup Prevent Aging?
• What Are the 5 Main Categories of Cosmetic Products?
• Are Cosmetic Giants Segmenting the Global Cosmetics Market?
• Which Makeup Products Are Best for Summer?
• Is It Profitable to Use Peptides Obtained from Plants and Microalgae as Bioactive Compounds in Cosmetics?
• What Is Consumer Behavior Towards Cosmetics Without Toxic Chemicals?
• How Do Cosmetics Affect Confidence, Body-Esteem, and Self-Worth?
• What Are the Main Ingredients of Cosmetics?
• Should the Makeup Be Lighter or Darker Than the Skin Tone?
• What External Environmental Factors Affect the Cosmetics Industry?
• Is Organic Chemistry Used in Cosmetics?
• Why Should You Use Cosmetics Carefully?
• How Do Cosmetics Contribute to the Portrayal of False Femininity in Fashion?
• What Are the Most Common Makeup Mistakes?
• Do Makeup Courses Pave the Way to a Glamorous Career?
• What Is the Most Serious Skin Disorder Caused by Cosmetics?
• How Are the Cosmetics Industry and the Cultural Obsession with Beauty Related?
• What Are the Different Types of Skin Tones for Makeup?
• Is Going Organic the Future of Cosmetics?
• Which Cosmetics Are Absolute Must-Have for a Glamorous Look?
• Should Women Wear Makeup and Do the Hair for Themselves?
• What Are the Ingredients for Natural Cosmetics?
• Is There a Connection Between Cosmetics and Chronic Diseases?
• What Is the Ugly Truth Behind Cosmetics and Animal Testing?
• Do Cosmetics Cause Skin Disorders?
• Why Do Women’s Fashion and Cosmetics Make up a Large Part of Our Economy?
• Are Women Beautiful Without Makeup?
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Essay on Make Up

Students are often asked to write an essay on Make Up in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Make Up

Introduction to makeup.

Makeup is a tool people use to enhance their natural beauty. It includes products like lipstick, mascara, and foundation.

The Purpose of Makeup

Makeup serves multiple purposes. It can boost self-confidence, allow self-expression, and even protect skin from harm.

Types of Makeup

Different types of makeup exist for various parts of the face. Lipstick for lips, mascara for eyelashes, and foundation for skin are just a few examples.

Learning Makeup

Learning to apply makeup can be fun. It requires practice, creativity, and understanding of one’s features.

250 Words Essay on Make Up

The artistry of makeup.

Makeup is an artistic medium, often underrated, that has woven its way into the fabric of human culture and tradition. It serves as an outlet for creativity, a means of self-expression and a tool for enhancing one’s natural features.

Makeup as Self-Expression

Makeup allows individuals to portray their personality and mood in a non-verbal manner. It can be a reflection of one’s inner self, a tool to communicate personal style, or a way to project an image to the world. Furthermore, it can be used to challenge societal norms and expectations, enabling individuals to redefine beauty standards in their own terms.

Makeup and Society

In a societal context, makeup has often been used as a tool for conformity, with societal beauty standards influencing its use. However, in recent years, the narrative has been shifting. With the rise of social media, influencers are breaking away from traditional beauty norms, advocating for makeup to be used as a tool for individuality rather than conformity.

The Therapeutic Aspect of Makeup

Beyond aesthetics, the process of applying makeup can be therapeutic, providing a sense of calm and control. It can serve as a form of self-care, allowing individuals to take time for themselves and focus on their well-being.

In conclusion, makeup is more than just a superficial tool for enhancing physical appearance. It is a form of art, a tool for self-expression, and a means of challenging societal norms. As we continue to redefine beauty standards, the role of makeup in our lives continues to evolve.

500 Words Essay on Make Up

The evolution of makeup, the sociocultural impact of makeup.

Makeup is not just a tool for personal enhancement; it’s a sociocultural phenomenon that reflects societal norms and values. It has been used as a form of self-expression, a political statement, and a means to conform or rebel against societal expectations. In the 1920s, for instance, women wearing bold red lipstick symbolized their defiance against traditional gender norms.

Makeup and Gender

Historically, makeup has been associated with femininity. However, in recent years, the beauty industry has witnessed a shift towards inclusivity, breaking down gender stereotypes. More men are embracing makeup, challenging the traditional notions of masculinity. This shift is a testament to how makeup transcends gender boundaries and serves as a platform for individuals to express their unique identities.

The Science of Makeup

Makeup and mental health.

Makeup also has psychological implications. It can boost self-esteem and confidence, providing a sense of control over one’s appearance. However, it’s essential to recognize the potential negative impact of societal pressure to look a certain way, which can lead to body image issues and mental health problems. The key lies in promoting a balanced view of makeup, emphasizing its role as a tool for self-expression rather than a necessity for acceptance.

The Future of Makeup

The future of makeup lies in sustainability and personalization. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, the demand for eco-friendly, cruelty-free products is on the rise. Moreover, with advancements in technology, personalized makeup products tailored to individual skin types and preferences are becoming a reality.

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• Knowledge Base
• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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