Volume 25, Issue 4 p. 199-205

Do cosmetics enhance female Caucasian facial attractiveness?

R. Mulhern

R. Mulhern

Psychology Department, ASSH Faculty, Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2JZ, U.K., and

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G. Fieldman

G. Fieldman

Psychology Department, ASSH Faculty, Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2JZ, U.K., and

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T. Hussey

T. Hussey

Psychology Department, ASSH Faculty, Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2JZ, U.K., and

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J.-L. Lévêque

J.-L. Lévêque

Centre de Recherche Charles Zviak, L'Oreal Recherche, 90 Rue du Général Roguet, 92583 Clichy Cedex, France

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P. Pineau

P. Pineau

Centre de Recherche Charles Zviak, L'Oreal Recherche, 90 Rue du Général Roguet, 92583 Clichy Cedex, France

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First published: 20 October 2003
Citations: 93
R. Mulhern, Psychology Department, ASSH Faculty, Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 2JZ, U.K. Tel: +44 14 94 60 31 85; fax: +44 14 94 46 17 04; e-mail: [email protected]

Synopsis

en

This study sought to investigate whether cosmetics do improve female facial attractiveness, and to determine whether the contribution of different cosmetic products are separable, or whether they function synergistically to enhance female beauty. Ten volunteers were made up by a beautician under five cosmetics conditions: (i) no make-up; (ii) foundation only; (iii) eye make-up only; (iv) lip make-up only; and (v) full facial make-up. Male and female participants were asked to view the 10 sets of five photographs, and rank each set from most attractive to least attractive. As predicted, faces with full make-up were judged more attractive than the same faces with no make-up. Sex differences within the results were also apparent. Women judged eye make-up as contributing most to the attractiveness. Men rated eye make-up and foundation as having a significant impact on the attractiveness of a full facial makeover. Surprisingly, lipstick did not appear to contribute to attractiveness independently.

Résumé

fr

Cette étude concerne la question du rôle du maquillage sur l'attractivité du visage des femmes. Elle cherche à déterminer si la contribution à l'augmentation d'attractivité apportée par chaque cosmétique est différente et/ou si ils agissent d'une façon synergique. Dix volontaires ont été maquillées par une esthéticienne selon 5 conditions différentes: pas de maquillage, un fond de teint seul, un maquillage des yeux seul, un rouge à lèvre seul, un maquillage complet. Des hommes et des femmes ont ensuite examiné les 5 photos de chaque participant et les ont classées par ordre décroissant de la ≪plus attractive≫à la ≪ moins attractive ≫. Comme prévu les visages totalement maquillés furent jugés plus attractifs que les visages sans maquillage. Des différences selon le sexe des personnes jugeant de l'attractivité sont apparues: Les femmes ont ainsi trouvé que le maquillage des yeux contribuent le plus à l'attractivité. Pour les hommes, le maquillage des yeux et le fond de teint ont une contribution significative à l'attractivité apportée par le maquillage. De façon surprenante le rouge à lèvre n'apparaît pas contribuer, à lui seul, à l'attractivité.

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