Does people’s perception towards a woman’s likeability, competence, and trustworthiness depend on her wearing make-up? According to a recent study funded by Proctor & Gamble, it does. Linda Blum, an associate professor of sociology and interim director of ‘Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies ‘program at Northeastern University, was interviewed and questioned about the how these findings affect women in their workplace and professional advancements.
According to Blum, the conventions in styling and make-up has been ‘natural’ to our evolution. Unfortunately, it is the amount of make-up which lets people assume the standards set for the beauty and the potential of a lady. These are some flawed and negative assumptions made. They do nothing but try and increase the sale of the cosmetic products by inducing such research and findings. When asked about the women who may feel pressurised if they do not apply make-up, Blum said, “That would be the most unfortunate”. It is important to analyse the situation also on a policy making and economic level. Whether or not a woman chooses to wear make-up does not resemble her working capacities and potential.
There are so many alternate strategies that a woman can use to get out of jobs which prioritise the make-up they put over and the appearance they hold. It is the collective efforts of women which can help in funding better job opportunities for job training and enhancement in the education. Being attractive, with the right make-up on cannot and will not help a woman to feed and provide for her family. The pressure she might feel about buying tons of make-up in order to conform to the unusual and unprofessional environment in her workplace can devastate her esteem. Hence, we find a need to change institutions, companies, and various other work places which judge and evaluate a woman’s potential through their appearance and not their work.
Akshara Palshetkar