The study aimed to measure how makeup affects perceptions of female attractiveness. Participants rated the attractiveness of women in photos with and without virtually applied makeup. Results showed that women were rated as significantly more attractive when wearing makeup (average rating of 2.69 out of 5) than without makeup (average of 2.41). This supports the hypothesis that makeup increases perceptions of female attractiveness. However, limitations included that makeup was applied virtually rather than by the women themselves. Future research could explore how amount and type of makeup affects different ratings like approachability and intelligence.

1. Perception of Beauty
Dulce Ballinas, Kimberly Lucatero, Stephen Martinez, Susan Yang
Department of Psychology
California State University, Stanislaus
References
Bradar, I., Tkalcic, M.,& Bezinovic., P (1996). Women’s
cosmetics use and self-concept. Studia Psychologia,
38(1-2), 45-54. doi
Cash, T. F., Dawson, K., Davis, P., Bowen, M., & Galumbeck,
C. (1989). Effects of cosmetics use on the physical
attractiveness and body image of american college
women. The Journal of Social Psychology, 129(3), 349-
355. doi:10.1080/00224545.1989.9712051Discussion
Introduction
Evolutionary traits indicate that mates prefer a
healthier looking skin; one that is even colored and
smooth (Thornhill and Gangestad, 1999). The issue with
this evolutionally belief is that not every female is able to
achieve this look and are forced to use make-up to attain
this evolutionary look. Make-up can encourage public’s
opinions that women look more beautiful. It can also
influence younger generations to become exposed and
take earlier initiative of taking care of their skin at a earlier
age by modifying their physical appearance and physical
aesthetics.(Gentina, Palan, & Fosse-Gomez, 2012) For
example, the younger generations will have the desire to
undergo surgery on their face, spending lots of money on
treatments, and applying a lot of make-up.
In order to prepare for social situations differently,
females will try to enhance their appearance by using
make-up. (Miller and Cox, 1982) Females rated
themselves more attractive by using make-up. The more
females used make-up, the more they felt confident in
cosmetics which causes them to use more make-up in
their daily lives. (Nash, Fieldman, Hussey, Leveque, and
Pineau, 2006) According to Brdar, Tkalcic, & Bezinovic
(1996), females are more likely to use make-up in order
to change their self-appearance and increase physical
attractiveness. In a study done by Nash et al. (2006), it
was found that females are seen as healthier, confident,
more professional and seen as having a higher earning
potential by using make-up. Research done by Cash,
Dawson, Davis, Bowen, and Galumbeck (1989)
suggested that both males and females found females
more physically attractive when make-up was worn than
those without.
The purpose of this study was to measure the
effects of make-up on attractiveness. We were interested
in knowing whether the presence or absence of make-up
would alter the level of attractiveness perceived by
others. We predicted that women with make-up were
seen as more attractive than those without make-up.
Method Results
The purpose of this study was to measure the level
or attractiveness of females with the presence of make-
up. We were interested in knowing whether the presence
or absence of make-up would increase or decrease the
level of attractiveness perceived by others. We predicted
that women with make-up would be seen as more
attractive than those without make-up.
Using SPSS we found the mean and standard
deviation for our conditions, With Make-up and Without
Make-up. Results for each condition was separated and
averaged. The averages consisted of each participants
scores on all nine models based on their conditions.
The Independent samples T- test indicated that
females with make-up were seen as more attractive with
make-up that with out. It was found that those with make-
up were rated significantly higher in attractiveness (M=
2.69; SD= 0.58) than those without make-up (M= 2.41;
SD= 0.62), t(54)= 1.71, p= .047, one-tailed. (Figure 1)
Figure 1.
The mean
of
attractivene
ss between
two
conditions
of make-up.
The error
bars
represent
the
standard
deviations.
Participants:
• Participants were 18 years of age to 46 years old on
average.
• There were 13 males and 43 females.
• All participants were recruited through the Psychology
Department’s online subject pool (http://csustan.sona-
systems.com/).
• They were given the opportunity to receive extra credit
Design:
• This was a single between subjects design.
• IV: make-up
• Levels: with or without makeup.
• There were a total of 9 models.
• Each participant had a photograph of an original photo
and an altered one. The edited image is from using an
application on a smartphone that would alter the photo by
adding make-up. The altered photos had change of
foundation, eyeliner, blush, mascara, and lipstick applied.
• DV: level of attractiveness.
Procedure: The researchers conducted the study online.
Students interested in the study were able to decide to
participate by signing up for the study on SONA. The
researchers did not conduct active recruitment. The study
was hosted on the Qualtrics website, and students who
chose to participate were given a link to the study once
they had signed up for it on SONA. Students were advised
to read the informed consent fully. At the bottom of the
informed consent, participants were directed to provide an
electronic signature that indicated their understanding of
their rights as a participant. After the signature was
entered, students saw the demographics page asking for
their age in years and gender and then was directed to the
instructions page. Then the participants were randomly
assigned to either condition, with or without makeup. The
photos in each condition were randomized. Then they
began the questionnaire. Under each question, a interval
scale was presented on the following characteristics;
attractiveness, approachability, intelligence, friendliness,
confidence, happiness, successfulness, and age.
Participants were able to select their response from five
choices from very unattractive to very attractive. The final
page of the study included the debriefing form. At this
point, the study was over and participants were directed to
exit the program.
Like our results, research done by Cash et al.
(1989) suggested that both males and females found
females, physically, more attractive when make-up
was used. In comparison with this study, males rated
females to be more attractive with make-up than
females who rated other females on physical
attractiveness.
One limitation to our study was that make-up
was applied virtually rather than having participants
applying their own make-up. If our models had applied
their own make-up it would have affected our results
since make-up would have had a natural appearance.
For future studies, the amount of make-up could be an
IV. For example, doing the same study but with how
much make-up is applied such as light use, medium
use, and heavy use. For different DV’s, like
approachability, intelligence, and sex appeal. In further
studies, researchers could test the effects of make-up
on male models. Unfortunately, the use of make-up is
highly encouraged in todays’ society through social
media which is conveyed through stereotypical
infomercials that show negative influences about
beauty. It is important to understand how other people
in the world perceive attractiveness through the use of
make-up on females.
The purpose of this study was to measure the level
of attractiveness of females with the presence of
make-up. We hypothesized that women with
make-up would seem more attractive than those
women without make-up. According to our results,
our hypothesis on high level of attractiveness
towards women with make-up was supported.