Effects
of Cosmetics Use on the Physical Attractiveness and Body Image of
American College Women
o 38 female college students
o 18-27 yrs. M=19.6
o 63% white, 32% black, 5% Asian
o Only women who indicated they used some facial cosmetics at least on occasion were accepted
- Methodology –
o Half the participants were asked to remove all make then a full frontal photograph was taken. Participant was then asked to rate herself while standing in from of a mirror on facial, body (below the neck) and overall physical appearance. Participant was then asked to rate the photograph as to how she thought her peers would view her in the photo. The process was reversed and the participants were asked to apply their make-up, they were instructed to bring with them, in the same manner that they do everyday. Then they rated their self in the mirror and as their peers would see them in the photograph, this time with their make-up applied.
o Photos were then rated by 16 peers, none of them knew the participants or even what the study was about.
o ANOVA tests were run to generate results
- Results –
o Ratings by male, but not female, judges were significantly affected by the presence versus absence of cosmetics on the women in the photographs
o Study showed men judged the subjects as less physically attractive when cosmetics free than when cosmetics adorned and less attractive than the female judges rated subjects in either cosmetics condition
o Results largely confirmed that facial cosmetics, as self applied, influence both social perception of college women’s physical attractiveness and the women’s own self perception.
This experiment is the backing to the answer above "To look better." The research here shows that the women rated themselves as more attractive when wearing cosmetics and their peers rated them more attractive while wearing cosmetics. -
Experiment –
10 participants were gathered through snowball sampling
- Criteria for participants
o
Over
18
o Female
o Had received at least one of the cosmetic tattooing procedures for at least six months (eyeliner, lip liner, or eyebrows)
- Five questions were asked
o Why you chose to have the procedure(s) done
o What would you tell other women about the procedure(s)
o What factors influenced you to have the procedure(s) done
o What has this experience done for you
o How would you feel about having this procedure(s) done again
- Influences and experiences of the women who had the procedure done
o
Consistent personal best
appearance in less
time (overall feeling of all participants about effects and influences
from the procedure)
o Positive experience with the procedure(s)
o Admiring other women and friends who had the procedure(s) done
o Confidence in personal appearance
o Unanimous decision to have the process(es) done again
-
Quotes
Why you chose to have the procedure(s) done?
o “I think we (women) always want to look our best, and when you don’t have makeup on you don’t feel confident.”
o “I wanted to be able to have make-up on all the time and not have to mess with it, so it really does save a lot of time in the morning”
What would you tell other women about the procedure(s)?
o “I would encourage them even though its going to hurt big time. But it was worth it to me. I love it”
o “I had a positive experience it wasn’t painful”
What factors influenced you to have the procedure(s) done?
o “A friend had it done and she just loved it”
o “I knew a lady that had it done and I admired hers, I thought about it for a while and I decided I wanted to do it”
What has this experience done for you?
o “It gave me a lot more confidence, I feel brave”
o “I’ve gotten more of a feeling of self confidence in the way I look. It makes me look better all the time and feel better about myself”
How would you feel about having this procedure(s) done again?
o “I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again”
o “I think its great”