04 Nov Subtle Makeup Increases Attractiveness In Male Faces
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Batres
Carlota Batres, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, Department of PsychologyDirector, Preferences Lab
PreferencesLab.comFranklin and Marshall College
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Makeup is commonly attributed with increasing attractiveness in female faces, but this effect has not been investigated in male faces.
We therefore sought to examine whether the positive effect of makeup on attractiveness can be extended to male faces.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: The male faces were rated as higher in attractiveness when presented wearing subtle makeup, compared to when presented not wearing makeup. This was true for both male and female raters, and whether analyzing the data using a by-participant or a by-face analysis.
Two of the participants without cosmetics (left) and with subtle cosmetics applied by a professional makeup artist (right).
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: Following work on female faces, future research should examine the effect of makeup on several other traits in male faces.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: These results provide the first empirical evidence that makeup increases attractiveness in male faces. The market for male cosmetics products is growing and evolving and this study serves as an initial step in understanding the effect of makeup on the perceptions of male faces.
Citation: Batres C, Robinson H (2022) Makeup increases attractiveness in male faces. PLoS ONE 17(11): e0275662. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275662
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Last Updated on November 4, 2022 by Marie Benz MD FAAD