Inspired by a Huffington Post article about the importance of wearing makeup to work, an Indonesian beauty blogger set out to determine just how much ‘putting your face on’ influences other people’s perceptions.
Known as Francesa, the young woman took a fresh-faced snap of herself and uploaded it to Photofeeler, a website that invites strangers to assess you on various criteria based purely on your photograph.
She then did it again, but this time she digitally tweaked the image to appear as if she was wearing a light coat of makeup.
“The only difference I made is to add a bit of colour to my lips and cheeks, darkened my brows, evened out my skin tone & got rid of my spots, and added a winged liner,” she explained on her blog, Working With Monolids. “So nothing drastic, but probably about 30-45min of work IRL (1h if I’m breaking out really badly).”
Francesa posted the images separately in the business, social and dating threads, and – surprise, surprise – each and every time the doctored image was rated higher.
And we’re not talking about pure aesthetics here, although her perceived attractiveness was 57 per cent lower without makeup. No, the real surprises came from criteria like intelligence (14 per cent lower), confidence (a whopping 25 per cent lower), fun (15 per cent) and likeability (23 per cent).
Even trustworthiness and authenticity lost out.
“I definitely find it funny going makeup-free makes people think I’m less authentic,” Francesca wrote. “So for anyone saying that girls who wear makeup look “fake”…the stats don’t lie. ;)”
Judging by all that, ladies, it seems that we’re just a coat of lippy and some eyeliner away from landing that dream job/friend/fella.
Of course, that’s not true. But sadly Francesca’s little experiment does offer a neat glimpse into how powerful superficial qualities can be in forming first impressions.
Top Comments
Whether we like it or not, a light amount of well-applied makeup is still a form of presenting professionally though. It looks more sophisticated and more put together.
I hardly wear any makeup, even though I am mid thirties.
I do some concealer most days, especially under my eyes if I have any shadows. An all-over dusting of mineral powder to even skin tone and take the shine of my t-zone. I will put on a dab of blush.
I'll curl my short lashes, and apply mascara, though I skip this if I have natural lash extensions on which I do most of the time - helps me look great waking up everyday and saves time!
Finally, I will apply some lipstick but I don't reapply at all.
I don't bother with foundations, eye shadow, eye liner or brow stuff.
Heavy glamorous-style makeup, or poorly selected and applied makeup is just as bad no makeup.
If I show up to work without makeup on, every single person assumes I'm unwell and asks "ohhhh are you sick?" It's hilarious and I totally use it to my advantage...."yeh, I think I'm coming down with a cold...better go home!" hahaha. If we're going to have to deal with this crap, we should use it to our advantage!!!