Did you know studies have shown that women who wear makeup draw 33% more men then a woman without makeup? I know this isn't a dating blog but if there were (single) women out there who wondered why they aren't meeting anyone, maybe it's not about the lack of men, but the lack of embracing the opportunities to use the tools we have as women to get the man. Never underestimate the power of makeup.
Painting of the face (and body) dates back in history over 10,000 years. The first cosmestics were discovered in ancient Egypt and used for everything from ritualistic to honorific (a mark of distinction, esteem or respect) - but often, especially in modern times, the context has been sexual. While over the ages, women wearing makeup have attracted admiring glances, it may also affect perceptions, both negatively and positively. But does it actually encourage others to make the first move? Psychologists did an experiment to see if makeup really did play a substantial role in attracting the opposite sex and the results weren't surprising.
The test subjects were two women sitting in a bar (seated separately pretending to wait on friends) to see how long it would take men to approach them. First experiment had both women wearing makeup and the second experiment without anything but moisturizer, while they waited for men to chat them up. With makeup, it took the men only 17 minutes to make contact (averaging 3 men per hour), while without makeup, 43 minutes to approach them (averaging .5 men per hour). Not sure if I have ever seen a .5 man but needless to say don't want to.
The results showed that makeup was effective in changing men's behavior, with one third more men approaching the two women when they were made-up. But while this study was done in good fun, there was an obvious issue the researchers acknowledged: wearing makeup could have given the two women more confidence, subtly changing their behaviour and encouraging men to approach. This may well have accounted for the men's behaviour instead of the makeup. Either way, you can't argue that makeup played a significant role.
This study also raised an interesting question on how exactly makeup works? While makeup seems to work by increasing perceived attractivity, it can also signal a willingness to interact or even availability. Further, cosmetics can send signals about status: one study published in the International Journal of Cosmetics Science has found that people judge women wearing cosmetics as higher earners with more prestigious jobs. Hmmm?
Researchers have even looked at which components of makeup are most attractive to men. The results of that study found that eye makeup has the most powerful effect on female perceived attractivity, followed by foundation. Lipstick, surprisingly, was found to have little independent effect, but was rated as the one product women would wear if only allowed one cosmetic item.
Nowadays considering the more radical methods people use for changing their appearance, like cosmetic surgery, applying a little makeup to enhance ones looks (or increases chances in the dating scene) seems innocent enough, especially when you know it will get you 33% more attention from men, and boost your self-esteem. Reason #1,432,786 why I love makeup.
