Beauty has long fascinated us. Helen of Troy’s likeness launched ships, Shakespeare waxed poetic in sonnets on its virtue, and studies in modern days have proven that attractive people enjoy benefits like higher salaries and preferential social treatment. But for the first time, research has revealed that women who wear makeup are judged as more trustworthy and capable than when they go barefaced.
Barefaced vs. professional vs. glamourous
In the study, participants were shown photos of 25 female subjects ranging in age from 20 to 50, and of Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic backgrounds. Each woman was presented with three different looks that varied in the amount of makeup applied—“barefaced,” “professional” and “glamourous.”
Groups of 149 adults (61 men) rated each photo on perceived trustworthiness and competency after a flash-viewing of 250 milliseconds, while another group of 119 adults (30 men) did the same after viewing photos for an unlimited amount of time.
In both groups, the results were the same. Women wearing the professional look were assumed the most trustworthy and capable, followed by the glamour look, and lastly, the barefaced look.
“For the first time, we have found that applying makeup has an effect beyond increasing attractiveness—it impacts first impressions and overall judgments of perceived likeability, trustworthiness, and competence,” says study lead Nancy Etcoff, PhD, a Harvard Medical School Assistant Clinical Professor. Etcoff is also author of Survival of the Prettiest, which theorizes that beauty is just not a cultural creation, but has deep biological and evolutionary roots.
Makeup meanings
The findings made me wonder: does this mean that makeup is a socially empowering tool woman can use to their advantage, or is it a ‘war paint’ trap of sorts, suffocating us all with the expectation of looking a certain, mass-dictated way?
As a lifetime cosmetics devotee whose obsession for the shimmery stuff runs deep, I’ve made a living writing and reporting on makeup and I’ve always viewed it as a source of both power and comfort.
Having spoken with thousands of women over the years about makeup, I also know there is something else prominently at play: how it makes you feel. Whether you want to hide the fact that you only got two hours of sleep, are a cancer patient yearning for the normalcy of having brows again, or just want to rock a red lip on a much-anticipated Friday night date, I think the confidence that makeup gives women is part of what others perceive, and positively respond to in interactions with you.
Girl power
I was curious what the modern feminist perspective is on the topic, so I asked Feministe.com executive editor Jill Filipovic (who just so happens to be brilliant and has an affinity for high end mascara) for her thoughts.
“Of course women should do what they need to do to feel attractive and professional and to succeed in their workplaces; but on a societal level, I don’t think we can applaud the results of this study as ‘women harnessing success,’ Filipovic says. “Makeup, as we see from this study, isn’t as optional as a lot of folks would like to say it is—at least not if you want to be perceived as competent and put-together. I wear makeup and have nothing against it, but I do find it troubling that it’s expected of women as a class, and that men aren’t required to paint their faces in order to be taken seriously.”
True that. It’s definitely a double standard. But can we work it to our advantage?
The middle ground
If you choose to wield a makeup brush in the way this study suggests (lord knows there are countless ways to wear makeup, and I’ve never been one for rules), I’m going to leave you with some words of wisdom from Lancôme Beauty At Every Age Expert Sandy Linter, who I think has this ‘professional makeup’ thing nailed.
“Do simple, and flattering. Neutrals are not boring, they are beautiful,” Linter tells me. Even out skin with foundation or concealer as needed, sweep a natural-looking blush onto cheeks, brighten and define the eye area with a touch of liner and mascara. Soft, sweet shades are best for lips, and don’t forget to groom and fill in brows if needed—it’s the one step that makes the greatest (and most subtle) difference. “People should be seeing you and not the products that went into making you,” adds Linter.
Irritating social expectation? Emboldening tool to have at your disposal? Perhaps the answer isn’t so black and white. After all, as women, neither are we.
Now it's your turn to vote—do I look more trustworthy with or without makeup? Don't be afraid to be brutally honest...I can take it.
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Zeph
March 24, 2012
The day men fret about whether makeup makes them seem more accountable, responsible and trustworthy is the day I’ll start wearing makeup.
You look lovely without it. I actually prefer the “flaws” over the “flawless” skin. One is honest and natural with a wonderful glow where the other so obviously isn’t honest or natural and is dull.
GemmaO
March 20, 2012
I think you look more approachable with makeup on, but this is a reminder that we shouldn’t judge women in this way!!
Laura Nadeau
March 1, 2012
I am a makeup artist who believes that every women has their own makeup style and one face does not fit all. It is all about looking pulled together and confident. You can wear minimal makeup and look professional, however there are things that boost your professional image. Eye brow shaping is key. Hair that looks healthy and styled. Clothes that fit and suit the environment. I like to look as effortless as possible and as comfortable as I can be. Overdone hair and makeup and shoes and clothes that make you walk funny and look cold are not good.
http://www.loandco.com
Jenn Rynkiewicz
February 10, 2012
To simply answer your question, you look more trustworthy and capable with the makeup. I assume this is your professional look. I’d be curious to see the glamour look as my husband and I were discussing it and he feels that would be the least trustworthy and capable. I see both ways, but definitely feel the professional look is best at the office.
Grace Gold
February 24, 2012
Hi Jenn! Yes, the makeup look I did above was to emulate the “professional” category. The “glamour” category had a deep lip color, contour on the cheek and in the eye crease, smokier eye makeup. And your suspicions are correct – I’ve read other studies where a majority of people place the glamour look less trustworthy than no makeup! Probably depends on how dramatic we’re talking.
Brianna
January 21, 2012
Personally she looks trustworthy with or without makeup. For me the makeup doesnt make a differene. I myself like to wear makeup. Sometimes I wear it everyday, sometimes I dont wear it at all. I dont think if you wear makeup or not changes who you actually are. You dont need to wear makeup you are beautiful naturally, but if you want to cover up a pimple, blemish, or birth mark go right ahead. If you want to put different color shadows on your eye lids and make you lasher look longer who cares. Just because a person does that does not mean that fully applies to what they really do and their personality. We shouldnt judge people on wether they wear make up or not because when you actually get to know a person what they look like and what they wear doesnt really seem to matter anymore.
Keitany Reynolds
January 11, 2012
Her skin is beautiful without makeup everyone doesn’t have great looking skin.
Kirby Lyles
January 3, 2012
Ladies! This opportunity is too good not to share! I just submitted my photo to be cast in an upcoming print ad from Make Up For Ever. You should do the same!! http://hd.makeupforeverusa.com
Brianna Headley
December 26, 2011
There are much too many variables in that study.
Brianna Headley
December 26, 2011
Without.
Anonymous
December 18, 2011
Definitely with makeup on! I find it curious that a lot of the comments are from people who “don’t wear makeup”…if I don’t do something I don’t read articles about it. lol Life isn’t easy and I will do anything in my power to give me an edge and/or advantage. There is nothing wrong with making the best of what you have. If I look good, I feel good, if I feel good, I look better, it’s a lovely cycle!
Gail Clark
December 17, 2011
Unfortunately, yes. Taking the extra time to look “pulled together” gives the appearance of being more knowledgeable, professional and yes, trustworthy.
Anonymous
December 6, 2011
Your face looks more striking and thinner with the makeup. The lips look almost the same in both. The main thing that looks more polished about you in the side with makeup is the even, matte skin tone and the refined brows. You are holding your head a little higher with the makeup. Your expression gives away just a little that you feel more confident with it. Is it my imagination? I guess the makeup is doing its job then.
Grace Gold
December 7, 2011
I hadn’t even noticed that! What an interesting observation.
Danielle De Ruelle Bianco
December 2, 2011
As a stylist and makeup artist, i feel that you look beautiful both ways but I do agree the makeup is overdone. The idea is to conceal any flaws that bother you, and to give the skin a glow. As we age, the cells in our skin get grayer, thicker, and they do sag… In nature, and remember, all us human beings are part of nature, the males of the species are the beautiful, colored ones and the females are literally gray a lot of the time.
Prehistoric cave paintings show the earliest conveyance of humans adorning their hair and painting their faces. Humans have an instinctive desire to stand out physically.
I think, however, that girls can get addicted to makeup. I think, too, that many in the worlds of science or education have decided that they need to look plain to prove they are smart somehow. Most of the women i see talk about their friends who no longer wear ANY makeup as “giving up.” Fyi of the 93 women in the House and Senate, only TWO do not cover their gray hair, and they ALL wear makeup daily.
Elizabeth Moreno
November 25, 2011
Has the poll closed yet? I vote for the “Without” picture because you definitely look friendlier and more approachable. But that is because I grew up in an anti-makeup culture and wear little to no makeup myself. The thinking was, “How can you improve on what God made you to be?” If I were an employer, I would be looking at your skills and accomplishments, not your face; but I suppose if I were hiring for L’Oreal your polished application of company products would be a requirement.
On the other hand, I have met ladies who would not go out of the house without “putting their face on” and one who was afraid of dying because she knew the morticians wouldn’t get the makeup right, so I’m inclined to believe it’s what you’re used to (a cultural thing). To one it’s essentially who she is, to another it’s camouflaging who she is.
Beatrix Devine
November 20, 2011
When they were shown these pictures did they all have on professional attire like the above or casually dressed? If they were all professional attire, of course they should have professional make-up to go with it. But if someone had casual clothes and no make-up I think the results would have been different. It is logically going to look “off” like in the pictures above if they were all like that. Someone who wears what looks like a suit and pearls and no make-up? Maybe not so trustworthy. Someone heading to the beach with no make-up and jeans and tank top– looks perfectly trustworthy.
Just my opinion.
anita rivas
November 15, 2011
I’m going to be honest, I think the colors you chose are too dark, opt for a pink/coral lipstick and I don’t feel women need to wear eyeshadow all of the time. I usually skip it but stick to my bright/bold red lip. Also frosted makeup is a no, no – as is a darker lip line – both are very aging.
Merci!!
Grace Gold
November 26, 2011
Many women of color have a naturally darker lipline – as you can see in my ‘before’ without any product applied to my lips.
I agree that a bold lip can look amazing with a neutral/nude eye, so chic!
Kristen Oldham Giordani
November 2, 2011
With makeup on. No contest.
Kristen Oldham Giordani
November 2, 2011
With makeup on. No contest.
kei
November 1, 2011
“The key to feeling good is looking good.” so as they say. exerting effort to look good is not bad.. it boosts someone’s confidence. oh, well, if you feel good without make-up, then it’s good for you. never use make-up just because you want others to like you, use it to empower yourself.. a make-up guru once said, “every woman must wear lipstick, you’ll never know how a lipstick can change one’s life..”
Kristy Allen
October 28, 2011
Yes. if a girl cares enough to look as good as she can, then shes in the know and even maybe more accountable….
EmmersCarpo Fraser
October 28, 2011
During a previous discussion with my boyfriend, he made the comment;
“You don’t need makeup to be pretty, you just *think* you have to look a certain way. Sure it looks nice, but it isn’t what makes you pretty. You already are”
It was a very strange feeling for me, to hear that from someone who loves me and I love back. From someone who’s opinion of me actually means something to me. The idea that I am not MADE into something pretty by the makeup I wear, but I am what makes the makeup pretty.
From an early age I recall being told from all different companies and advertisements and commercials (playing on teen-centered TV channels no less) that there was a problem with me. A problem that X company had the fix for. That I had freckles they could cover up, or concealer to disguise my acne, creams to hide the stretch marks on my thighs, someone had a fix for that ‘problem’.
Before I ever heard of a ‘fix’, I never thought I had a ‘problem’. The companies are not just marketing their product, they are marketing your problem. They market the issues of discoloration, crows feet, winkles, droopy eyes, cellulite, and a host of various issues we need to fix , and they’re always going to be waiting for us at just the right moment to deliver upon us the solution.
I can’t remember a time in my young-adulthood that I don’t recall feeling as if I had something wrong with me that needed to be fixed, starting very early on in my youth and continuing today. So I suppose in the end, the marketing worked.
Kk Douglass
March 10, 2012
B.O. both the term and the disgust, didn’t exist until 1888. Since bathing once a year was a fairly widely accepted practice, to smell a little ripe was not a big deal because everyone smelled the same, until the release of a magazine advertisement in 1888 that changed the shape of history and hygiene as we know it. The advertisement showed a gentleman stepping on to an elevator (yes, they had elevators in 1888) with little stink lines drawn in over his head and all the people on the elevator stepping away from him. VOILA! Body odor was born. With the release of this advertisement by a company named Mum advertising their new product “deodorant”, a mass paranoia spread across the nation as people decided they didn’t want to be the guy on the elevator that everyone wanted to get away from. Deodorant became a hit with other “body odor” eliminating products soon following.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/history/body-odor-the-greatest-invention-of-the-19th-century/#ixzz1oiUGPSW9
Pat Wojcik
October 28, 2011
I would be lost without my stash of makeup. My mother NEVER left the house without lipstick. Makeup to me is face candy!
Bb Jeh Cheung
October 28, 2011
I actually preferred you without make up. Yes your skin was absolutely flawless and your eyes were more defined and pronounced, but I felt the little “flaws” in the pre-make-up picture was what made you look more reliable and trustworthy.
myprincess
October 28, 2011
well I hate makeup Im 28 years old and do not wear and have never wore it but twice and Hated it, I have a 10 year old daughter who Im teaching she dont need makeup to be beautiful.. its bad for your skin and pores, and some people look trashy in make up ..
Sarah McCamish
January 3, 2012
my parents taught me the same thing. yet i wear makeup, children will be children. my mother has never worn makeup in her life, and yet everyday before school i put on makeup
Christina Kalix
October 28, 2011
Women have been brainwashed by the cosmetics industry to think that they are not pretty enough, that their natural skin tone is not good enough, that their laugh lines are shameful, that their hair color needs changing…I could go on. Go get your fav make up and start googling the ingredients. That should be enough to make any sensible woman be proud to show her natural face & hair. Almost all cosmetics are made w/ cancer causing synthetic materials that no one should allow to absorb into their skin. Hydration and diet are they key to great skin and hair, not man made chemicals that actually age you more in the long run than they make you beautiful. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” ― Hippocrates
Alley Schuster
November 10, 2011
I believe if someone puts a little makeup on their face it makes them seem well organized, professional, open-minded, and ready to get the job done. There’s no harm in a little make up to enhance your features. It makes you look not sloppy and if you are willing to put a little effort to get ready in the morning, you are hopefully going to put the same effort into your job.
(over -use on makeup is a big no no though)….
Skylarken
January 21, 2012
I disagree. I feel as though for a woman to put on makeup, it acts as a confidence boost. If makeup is used sparingly and properly, it can enhance your beauty and not permanently damage your skin. You just have to take care of it and make sure you are comfortable with how you look. That should be your goal.
I tend to trust women who are wearing makeup more because it shows to me that they care about how they look, about their job, etc. It shows confidence.
Zeph
March 24, 2012
Amen Christina!
Yun Yu
October 28, 2011
You look healthier with make-up on so maybe the idea is if you can’t take care of yourself would I (as an employer) trust you with my company…
Marissa Rhoades
October 28, 2011
It’s unfortunate that women need makeup to look more professional. However, I know men that spend time grooming their facial hair, going to the barber every couple weeks, washing and exfoliating their faces and whitening their teeth so they can look more “put together.” Most of the men that do that would rather let their hair grow out, wear some gym shorts and lay around the house while they’re not at work.
Grace Gold
October 28, 2011
It’s interesting how the younger generation of men are generally more comfortable with grooming, and spend more time taking care of their skin.
Anonymous
October 28, 2011
I don’t think it’s fair to compare makeup to grooming. Makeup is meant to hide “flaws” while grooming is meant to maintain a clean look. It’s also ridiculous to compare a man who wants to grow out his hair and wear gym shorts to a woman who doesn’t want to wear makeup. Maybe I’m extreme in my own view, but I personally think that women who wear visible makeup are untrustworthy because its clear to me that they’re hiding something. I think there is a very big difference between taking care of your skin or cleaning up your eyebrows and wearing enough makeup (as in the second picture) that you look fake. If I had to pick between the two, I would pick the one without the makeup because it would tell me that (a) she’s not trying to hide behind something and (b) that she’s not wasting all her time and energy applying gobs of makeup.
aba
November 2, 2011
I agree with what ScientificWoman said except the part about the eyebrows. I believe unless you have a unibrow you should leave the eyebrows alone. Doing the eyebrows is like putting on makeup, to me they’re both fake. People who wear makeup seem overconfident/fake and not very friendly and trustworthy. Maybe if it was just for their hubby, it would make sense, but not when you’re trying to sell me something. Just my two cents.
Anonymous
October 28, 2011
As a Counter Manager for Lancome in Upstate NY, I have this discussion with clients of the benefits of being Coff’ed and that perception in a visual society is everything.
When we take the time to put our best foot forward, people respond positively to our presence and are open to getting to know us better.
Of Course after the Lancome experience in my chair and seeing the fantastic results with the product many Ladies agree that they look more approachable and they feel more confident with a professional or glamourous new look.
Thank you for pointing this out with research. ♥
Michelle Goldberg
October 28, 2011
You look trustworthy with make-up on. The fact that you pay attention to your appearance shows that you care about how you come off to people and that you want to look professional; that you take the time to get ready as opposed to a person who may wake up just in time to catch the train.
Meghan
October 28, 2011
I think that you look healthier with makeup on, because it evens out your skin tone, and at the end of the day the most beautiful thing is a healthy, happy person. Even without makeup on, though, I can tell you’re a lovely, kind person.
Julia Stacey
October 27, 2011
My honest opinion is that you look fabulous in both! You have such beautiful skin, huge eyes and such strong eyebrows without any makeup on. I like to think of makeup as the icing on the cake, tasty but it is what is underneath that truely matters. So yes I will wear my makeup but I wear it for my personal enjoyment and fun. I really prefer to spend the time and money on my clothing and on taking care of my natural body is the first place. First you have to bake the cake and only then can you add the icing.