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or many, makeup is seen as simply a means to enhance outer beauty or cover up imperfections. However, the transformative power of makeup goes much deeper than concealing dark circles and masking skin texture. There’s a link between makeup and mental health. Have you noticed how a well-done face beat can instantly lift your mood? Other than that, the ritualistic act of thoughtfully applying various colorful cosmetics can provide a creative outlet, boost confidence, relieve stress, and spread joy. At its core, makeup application facilitates self-care and self-expression.
There are unassuming ways using makeup products can nourish mental health and well-being. Beyond the superficial level, the precision, personal choice, and playfulness involved in applying cosmetics like lipstick, eyeshadow, and liner tap into the need for creative experimentation, self-care through routine, and even agency over self-image. In this article, we’ll explore seven specific avenues through which makeup uplifts mood, cementing self-love by working from the outside in. The transformative power of cosmetics reminds us that when we feel beautiful on the outside, inner beauty shines through. Yes, setting aside quality time for intentional self-care has far-reaching ripple effects beyond what you may realize.
Check out 7 benefits of makeup in the area of mental health…
#1. Improved self-esteem
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Setting aside quality time to thoughtfully apply makeup leaves you feeling polished, put-together, and proud of the effort you’ve made to care for yourself. Using cosmetic products as tools to enhance your features brings out your natural beauty. No doubt, seeing your reflection with a glowing complexion, fierce eyeliner, or a pop of lip color can be an instant confidence boost. It’s easier to take on the world when you feel beautiful in your skin.
#2. Soothing rituals calm the mind
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The methodical motions of makeup application—blending, stippling, and sweeping products across the face—induce a meditation-like calm. As you focus on precision, it clears away worries and allows you to be present. The ritual acts as self-care, lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This is key to mental health and wellbeing.
#3. A makeover feels empowering
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Sitting down for a makeover with new cosmetic products makes you feel in control—as if you have the power to reveal an even more radiant version of yourself. Choosing how to sculpt your facial features is a creative process that boosts self-confidence. When you face the world with bold eyeliner or a daring new lipstick shade, it makes you feel brave and energized by self-expression.
#4. Makeup allows for creative expression
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Experimenting with exciting colors, textures, and application techniques taps into your imagination. Makeup artistry concretely exercises your inherent creative thinking. Allowing your creative side to flow releases feel-good dopamine and quietens self-doubt.
#5. It makes you feel in control
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For those facing external struggles, makeup provides a positive outlet for self-care. Applying a fierce highlight or cat-eye liner asserts your agency. When other aspects feel out of control, time at the vanity reminds you that you choose how to present yourself to the world.
#6. Connecting with community
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Online and in-person makeup communities foster connections over product tips, trends, and a love of cosmetics. In addition, discussing the transformative powers of the latest palettes provides solidarity. You realize you are not alone in incorporating makeup into self-care and creative expression.
#7. Role-playing and self-reinvention
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The limitless possibilities of makeup allow for experimenting with alternate identities. Cosmetics let you wake up and decide to try on a new persona for fun. Reinventing your look, from glam to gothic, provides a harmless confidence boost and reminds you that you contain multitudes.
As you can see, makeup does more than make us look good on the outside. It works from the outside in, uplifting the mood and cementing self-love through quality ritualistic self-care. Grab your favorite products and have fun with the endless creativity possible.
Featured image: Hanna Hillier for Lip Lab via @hkassel/Instagram
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