This research finding is so interesting that I wanted to talk about it here. A recent study by Seton Hall University found that trust in women is higher when they wear professionally applied makeup. While makeup can certainly make a woman’s features stand out, this finding of how makeup relates to trust is new to me!
About the study
The research was led by Wesley Pech, Ph.D., who conducted a trust game experiment to find the results. Participants in the study decided how much money to transfer to others, and trust was found to be higher in women wearing makeup. The makeup was professionally applied in a way that adhered to recognized attractiveness critera. As for who women garner more respect from, the results show that it’s from both men and women, with men trusting more significantly.
At the heart of the study was the benefits of attractiveness for women. In this case, the element of trust increased as perceived attractiveness increased. As Pech said in a recent media release, “For women, enhanced attractiveness brought tangible benefit – from both men and women. And makeup applied professionally in a manner that enhances certain characteristics, made a difference.”
I encourage you to read the study linked above to find out details about how the experiment was conducted in Brazil. It’s fascinating to read about how the women who played the “trustees” had their photos taken with and without makeup, and how much money the “trustor” group decided was appropriate to give them under the circumstances, based on their pictures.
For this experiement, men transferred about 30% more to women who received a professional makeover than women without makeup. Women, on average, transferred about 15% more.
How the findings relate to the ‘beauty premium’
The “beauty premium” is a body of research that has shown individuals who are considered attractive receive economic and societal benefits for the perceived attractiveness. The findings of this new Seton Hall University study confirmed the “beauty premium” as the women with makeup received more money transfered, denoting higher trust in them.
Of course, “beauty premium” assumes that physical attractiveness is a constant, with certain characteristics being more universally attractive than others, such as facial symmetry. As per this view, is someone does not have these physical traits, they cannot access beauty premium’s benefits.
The new study by researcher Pech built on this premise, determining that when the individual has a professional makeup makeover, she is more attractive based on the beauty premium’s attractiveness criteria.
Personal thoughts on the study results
I want to start by saying, there are a lot more genders than only men and women! So, dividing the study’s participants into men and women seems a bit outdated to me. Going forward, I hope more researchers include the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Next, I want to say that I don’t often wear makeup! For a night out with my husband, visiting family, seeing friends, or going out for another reason, I typically wear lipstick. I have not worn eye makeup in a long time as it agravates my skin (at least the kinds I have tried so far). And I do not wear foundation, powder, or blush. So, lipstick is for a special occasion.
When I do wear that little bit of makeup, I feel more confident in myself. I find I hold my head a bit higher and my back a bit straighter. I wonder if that extra confidence came through in the photos of the women after they were professionally madeover? If so, that could be a reason for the extra trust in them, couldn’t it? I’m not a researcher; these are my thoughts.
I remember when I got my makeup done by a pro for my wedding day. I felt so beautiful in my dress and with the extra makeup, which I know meant my whole demeanor that day was super confident. Obviously it was a very exciting day so that’s another reason I was a bit more sparkly than usual!
Also, I want to explain that I find personality to be very attractive in the real world. So that would absolutely play a part in real-life settings in who we trust and who we don’t. Some people look like a model and aren’t very nice to others. That’s offputting and I wouldn’t be inclined to put a lot of value in what they say or do.
Trust in women or anyone else involves many different considerations in the real world. There’s a lot more to it than whether they wear makeup or not.
What do you think?
I also wonder how the study would play out for men. The research team plans to do a similar experiment for men with and without beards.
What are your thoughts on this study? Do you wear makeup regularly? Please comment below!
Being originally in the fashion industry, I used to wear a lot of make-up. When I got into film as a designer, there was no time for make-up. My product and personality had to speak, and did.
Aging skin does not look great in make-up, even looks really ill or poor, that polyfill look.
Eye make up melts, etc. Professionally applied make-up for a special photo, or event is cool.
Recognizing a make-up look for what it is, and appreciating that is one thing.
It’s an art. So what if people don’t want art on their face?
We should appreciate that, too.
I’m like you in that there are only certain occasions I wear Make up.Then I wear mascara and lipstick.
Hi Resa, I was just saying in my comment to Peggy on this post that we’re saving a lot of time and money not wearing eye makeup! You’re right, though, that makeup can be art. I just had a flashback to watching America’s Top Model on TV years ago and they did some cool designs on the face and body for some of the photo shoots. You exceled as a designer in films and still do with your gowns today!
The most makeup I wear these days is a bit of lipstick, and only very occasionally, a bit of blush. I gave up wearing eye makeup when I worked in an ophthalmology clinic many decades ago.
Ah, we’re both lipstick wearers! I’m not wearing eye makeup these days either, Peggy. Think of the time and money we’re saving not using eye makeup!
Interesting study and I agree it should include more than just men and women. I haven’t worn makeup since the start of the pandemic but then again, at my age makeup doesn’t do much good! 🤣
I’m sure you look amazing, pre- and post-pandemic!