I’ve always felt happier and more confident with less make up on my face. I know, it sounds shocking, right?
Well, the truth is I’m not the only one. More and more people nowadays are embracing the No-makeup look and enjoying the benefits of being barefaced.
But why is that? More importantly, how does this new trend impact us?
Well, let’s go back to the beginning. Since ancient times, make up has been a crucial part of women’s lives. For decades and centuries, women have worn make up to hide their imperfections and emphasize their beauty. Ancient women used berries instead of lipstick, ashes from a burnt match for an eyeshadow and skin creams made of olive oil, beeswax, and rosewater. Nowadays, we have a wide range of cosmetics and brands we can choose from. However, even though today we have significantly more, the purpose has always been the same.
Increasing attractiveness and enhancing natural beauty.
One research proved this by showing that makeup has the power to significantly influence the way we perceive women. The study included both male and female participants who were asked to rate pictures of women with makeup and women without makeup. The results? Subjects who wore makeup were perceived as much healthier and much more confident than the ones who didn’t. The participants also agreed that the women who wore makeup had a greater potential for a more prestigious job than the ones who did not use cosmetics.
Additionally, a survey by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund (2008) showed that 78% percent of girls who suffered from low self-esteem admitted that it’s really hard to be confident in school if you don’t feel good about how you look.
So, when you think about it that is no surprise at all because who we are on the outside and how the world perceives us can have a really big influence on our self-confidence. That means that if women are convinced that makeup makes them feel more empowered and attractive, then it’s really not that hard to understand why they feel less without it.
However, even though we’ve confirmed that makeup increases our confidence and creates a good impression in social settings, wearing makeup is not entirely beneficial.
There’s something that is simply more important than having a perfectly lined eyeliner and a red, bold, lipstick. A study conducted by Julia Robertson and her team discovered that frequently using cosmetics might be associated with anxiety, conformity, and self-consciousness. According to their research, women who wore makeup-less frequently were more emotionally stable and had higher self-confidence.
Finally, this is where the answer to the question “Why is the no-makeup trend gaining popularity?” becomes obvious.
It’s simple. This is a movement that has been created by women who are comfortable in their own skin. Women who are not afraid to reveal their flaws and tell the world that they are just humans, like the rest of us. By embracing their imperfections and choosing to be barefaced, they send a simple, yet powerful message that they don’t want to be afraid of their authenticity and hide behind their beauty products. What they want is to be accepted and respected as equally as everyone else.
So, what do you think? Are you one of them?
