Most women go through a daily ritual of washing their faces, applying foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, or some other cosmetic combination, no matter the day.

Personally, applying makeup on a daily basis has been something I’ve done since I was 12 years old because I’ve found that it is something that directly affects my mood and confidence. I’m not the only one.

According to the Renfrew Center Foundation, makeup does go more than skin deep. As a part of their “Barefaced & Beautiful, Without and Within Campaign,” they decided to dig beneath the surface. In their study, they found that about 44 percent of women experience negative emotions when they aren’t wearing any makeup. Of these 44 percent, 16 percent of them felt unattractive, 14 percent felt self-conscious, and 14 percent felt naked or like they were missing something. The Foundation also found that only 3 percent felt more attractive when they decided to skip the makeup.

Makeup began as something that was designed to enhance natural facial beauty, but it has evolved into something that can improve mental health. While makeup creates a sense of confidence among women, research has shown that it is only a transient sense of confidence. By applying makeup, women are taking control of the appearance they want to project to the world.

As women, we are bombarded with flashy images of models and celebrities with flawless skin, jet black eyelashes, ruby red lips, and doe eyes. This kind of exposure, especially to young girls, has caused more and more young girls to start wearing makeup between the ages of 11 and 13 (Weaver).

The beauty industry has made millions off of the fact that women want their features exaggerated by makeup in order to fit in with society’s definition of beauty by providing them with the tools necessary to do so.

While makeup has powerful internal impacts, studies have shown that women that wear makeup, at first glance, seem less trustworthy and even manage to trick facial recognition software.

Makeup may give women more of a sense of confidence, but when asked why they so wear so much makeup, part of that confidence is shot down. The link between makeup and confidence is one that will remain present, especially since makeup is becoming a more prevalent part of society and women’s everyday life.

Works Cited

Britton, Ann Marie, “The Beauty Industry’s Influence on Women in Society” (2012). Honors Theses. Paper 86.

Weaver, Rheyanne. “The Connection Between Makeup and Mental Health.” EmpowHER.com