makeupHere's something that's not so shocking: a new study by the Harris poll has revealed that 44 percent of women feel unattractive without any makeup on; that they equate a bare face with unattractiveness. Hmm. Anyone else's socks not blown off whatsoever? This data doesn't surprise me in the least. Makeup was designed to make us look and feel better, when used correctly, that is, so I don't think it's a big deal to learn that almost half of us feel prettier when we use the stuff that's supposed to make us feel prettier.

I guess I'd be alarmed if the percentage was 85 percent or more; I suppose that would indicate some sort of national dependency on cosmetics and would let me know to buy stock in Maybelline ASAP, but as it stands at under 50 percent, I'm not dismayed, nor confused.

I'm not a heavy makeup wearer. I put it on before I leave the office if I'm on my way to happy hour or to dinner or something, but I don't wear makeup to work. I wear it on the weekends at night, or if I've got plans during the day, but I'll never "put on my face" to run errands or just lounge about.

Point is, even though I consider myself a low-fi kinda gal, I would still answer that yes, I feel like I look better with makeup. I don't necessarily think I'm ugly without it, but some tinted moisturizer, some blush, some mascara, and some eyebrow filler makes me look more awake, more youthful, and more attractive. Like, duh.

Makeup is a crutch for some women and for other's it isn't. My night wouldn't be ruined if I suddenly discovered I'd left my makeup bag at home, but I wouldn't be totally unaffected, either. I'd feel like I wasn't putting my best foot forward when I went out without the stuff. Makeup helps us look and feel good. It's what it does best. Apparently, about 44 percent of women agree with me.

Are you surprised by the study?

 

Photo via Laura Tourettes/Flicrk