What Is Your Makeup Telling the World?
The faces that didn't have makeup on were rated lower than any of the makeup looks in all four categories. Natural and professional makeup looks were rated highest in all categories, and while the glamorous look, which sported heavier, more dramatic makeup, was rated as likeable as the other two looks but not as trustworthy, while being rated more attractive and more competent. Lead investigator Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., drew the following conclusions: "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. In today's world of self-portraits appearing on networking and dating websites, ballots, resumes and applications, the results of the study have broad implications." So does this mean that you need to run out and buy a whole slew of products? Probably not. But you may want to consider how your look will be perceived if you're looking to impress.