Garza 1

Emily Garza

Professor Judith R. McCann

English 1302-203

31 January 2023

Makeup Influences

Introduction

The evolution of makeup: It started as questionable and is now being used by millions of

people. While some believe that makeup does nothing for an individual others like authors Ann

Marie Britton from The Beauty Industry's Influence on Women in Society and Alison Tran, et al

from Paint a Better Mood? Effects of Makeup Use on YouTube Beauty Influencers’ Self-Esteem

believe otherwise. The beliefs of these cosmetic products are impactful for people. The effects

of makeup include reassurance, self-confidence, and better moods for these indivduals.

Method

For the experiment, a participant volunteered to be the subject of the research. The

subject is described as a 17-year-old girl in her junior year of high school. She was asked to write

down the emotional impacts, mental impacts, and interactions due to the experiment. The willing

participant used a week to access the results for the topic. The study required the participant to

change her usual makeup routine. She was used to using full-face products for a natural full

face, when she does wear these cosmetics she views her day to go smoothly and has great

self-confidence. Once the experiment participant used minimally to no makeup for the week to

see how it would affect their self-confidence and mod for that week. On the first day, the subject

used little makeup only consisting of mascara and eyebrow gel. It was a drastic change from the

full application of skin tint, blush, contour, eyebrow makeup, mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick. The
 Garza 2

day started off weird for the participant as they experienced self-doubt and little to no

confidence. The participant stated, “ I felt like people would comment on my appearance.” The

participant from the beginning saw the want for makeup and the effects it had on her. On the

second day, the participant did the same thing and felt the exact same feeling of disgust. The

subject felt the need for makeup as it made her feel more confident to walk around. It gave them

the confidence to walk around with their head held high. The lack of makeup made them judge

themselves and insecure. On the third day of the experiment, the participant added a little bit

more makeup, including lipgloss and blush. She stated that she wanted it because she felt like she

need a little bit more. Then for the fourth day, the participant wore less than the second day. By

the end of the experiment, the participant was wearing minimum makeup again like eye-brow gel

and mascara.

Results

After the experiment was conducted the participant went back to wearing makeup how

she usually did. From the gathered results, it can be concluded that makeup can play a role in

self-confidence and mood. When the subject used very little makeup she was struggling with her

own mental health and attempting to keep her head p as she walked the halls. She avoided

talking to people for a period of time while she was participating in the research. From day one a

shift in mood did occur. It was a pitiful and disgusted feeling within the participant. However,

with this came refreshment because since the participant was not doing makeup anymore she was

receiving forty more minutes of sleep. Each day the participant felt dread when going to school

but felt ready for the day as the week progressed. As stated makeup can synthesize an impact on

a person. This is because of a change in appearance.

 Garza 3

Analysis

Conclusion
 Garza 4

Works Cited

Tran, Alison, et al. “Paint a Better Mood? Effects of Makeup Use on YouTube Beauty

Influencers’ Self-Esteem.” SAGE Open, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, p. 215824402093359.,

https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020933591.