Make-up ‘bad for your career’

FOR women hoping to work their way up the career ladder, the key could be holding back on lipstick and eyeliner, a study suggests.

Researchers found that those who wear a full face of make-up are less likely to be considered good leaders.

The reason may be old-fashioned sexism, with attractiveness valued more in women with more minor jobs than those in management roles.

Co-author Dr Christopher Watkins, of Abertay University in Dundee, said: ‘This research follows previous work in this area which suggests that wearing makeup enhances how dominant a woman looks. While the previous findings suggest that we are inclined to show some deference to a woman with a good-looking face, our new research suggests that make-up does not enhance a woman’s dominance by benefiting how we evaluate her in a leadership role.’

To judge the effects of products such as lipstick and eye shadow, researchers created 16 computer-generated female faces with varying amounts of make-up.

When these pictures were shown to the 168 participants, both men and women evaluated a woman more negatively as a leader if the image had suggested she was wearing a lot of make-up. But researchers said make-up may benefit workers in lower-level roles, such as shop staff. The study adds: ‘Our findings also complement recent work suggesting that traits derived from facial cues such as attractiveness may be valued more at lower versus upper-level roles within an organisation such as in retail.’

However, the findings, which were published in the journal Perception, contradict previous research.

One study found women got more tips when wearing make-up, while other evidence suggests those with a full face of make-up are seen as more organised, bright and assertive.