Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


KeilLesleyClaire2006 js.pdf (3.53 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Putting your best face forward: relationships between cosmetics use, self-esteem, body image, and self-perceived attractiveness

Keil, Lesley Claire
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1407156852

Abstract Details

2006, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Human Ecology.
The study of cosmetics usage is vital to the field of textiles and clothing. Cosmetics usage, as an alterable aspect of physical attractiveness and individual appearance, has the potential to have considerable impact on an individual’s body image, self-perceived attractiveness, and self-esteem. Much of the past research on the topics of dress, body image, attractiveness, and self-esteem has not specifically focused on the mutable nature of appearance, attractiveness, and the transitory aspects of the self, which can be impacted by cosmetics usage. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between the variables of cosmetics usage, self-perceived attractiveness (facial satisfaction), body image, and self-esteem in college-age females based upon the framework of social comparison theory and self-discrepancy theory. The functions of cosmetics as compensatory and/or decorative were also explored. The sample for this research consisted of 272 female college undergraduates, from textiles and clothing classes at a major Midwestern university. This population is appropriate for this research, as women are the primary users of cosmetics. Also, late teens and early twenties are years when women are still developing cosmetic habits and patterns, these habits are still easily influenced. This study found the most frequently used cosmetic products and procedures among this age group include mascara, lip balm, lip gloss, brushing the teeth and moisturizing the face; and that cosmetics can be classified as either compensatory, decorative or both. This research found no relationships between cosmetics usage and global or social self-esteem. Significant relationships were found between cosmetics usage and function and body image (appearance orientation but not appearance evaluation), and between cosmetics function and self-perceived attractiveness (facial satisfaction). In addition, relationships were found between self-perceived attractiveness (facial satisfaction) and self-esteem, and body image and self-esteem (appearance evaluation but not appearance orientation).
Nancy A. Rudd (Advisor)
Patricia Cunningham (Committee Member)
Sharron Lennon (Committee Member)
113 p.
Home Economics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Keil, L. C. (2006). Putting your best face forward: relationships between cosmetics use, self-esteem, body image, and self-perceived attractiveness [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1407156852

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Keil, Lesley. Putting your best face forward: relationships between cosmetics use, self-esteem, body image, and self-perceived attractiveness. 2006. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1407156852.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Keil, Lesley. "Putting your best face forward: relationships between cosmetics use, self-esteem, body image, and self-perceived attractiveness." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1407156852

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1407156852
37,401
© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.