7 Common Reasons for Makeup Addiction
The Addiction
Hello, guys! Maggie here from theHealthBase Team with a great article on some common issues that people have when it comes to makeup and perhaps being a bit too fond of it.
Being addicted to cosmetics can come in many forms - it can range from daily use of lip balms; to constantly applying makeup or moisturizing agents; and everything else that goes in-between.
What’s certain is that, in this modern world, we are becoming more and more reliant on the use of such beauty products.
The far end of this addiction spectrum sees people pursue beauty products as a full-blown hobby, or even as a career.
These are the type of people who see cosmetics as something far more than just a tool. They see it as an art. Such people can spend countless hours researching and testing all the different types of cosmetics that are available on the market today - browsing through shelves upon shelves in a way that is the equivalent to the kick other people get from clothes shopping.
Now, I wouldn’t consider myself quite at the level outlined above. Saying this, I do have a strong interest in this area; though mainly from the health and beauty point of view. From this perspective, I’ve often pondered what exactly is it about such products that people find so attractive? Where is the fascination born from? [1]
My ponderings eventually led me to construct this article. So, let’s get to it! Below, are the 7 key reasons why I believe people can become addicted to beauty products. Try and see if any of them ring true with you. You might be surprised! 😉
Before I begin, I'd like to first say that makeup and skin issues are often interrelated - people use cosmetics to cover up problems of the skin variety, but also poor use of such products can lead to such problems occurring in the first place. One such facial malady is acne which can really be exacerbated by poor cosmetic habits. For more on this, please take a look at our relevant guide - thehealthbase.com/best-acne-treatments/.
A Love for Makeup - the 7 Key Reasons
1. Accustomed to Better Aesthetics
This one is pretty obvious as well as being self-explanatory. When we decide to apply cosmetics to our face, we do so usually for a sole reason – so that our physical appearance is amplified. We want to look better than we do when we get up out of bed in the morning. This is the aim!
Is there anything wrong with this? Is it vanity? No and no! There is nothing wrong with wanting to look your best; and a little bit of eyeliner, blush, mascara, or whatever will certainly improve your aesthetics. If it is indeed vanity to want to look one's best, then, well, I guess we are guilty of this to some degree!
Also, and I am definitely speaking from experience on this one, using makeup to conceal whiteheads or some other sort of breakout is an absolute lifesaver. There's nothing worse than having an ugly, red zit appear somewhere on your face. Such blemishes also usually appear on the day of a big night out. 🙁
So, aiming for aesthetic is reason number one, and it leads us nicely to...
2. Boosts Attractiveness
Much like people we want to look their best, we also want to look our most attractive. Why? Because no matter what some people might say, we are not designed to be alone. People are socially driven creatures who are always consciously or subconsciously on the search for someone who they can share their lives with.
While you’re out making that invisible search, it certainly doesn’t hurt your chances to look your best. This can only help to boost your attractiveness when it comes to the opposite sex.
This is a key reason why so many people use different products – so that they can stand out from the crowd and catch the eye of someone who has, in turn, caught their own eye. 😉
Advertisers all over the world copped on to this from the day, well, from the very first day that advertising came into existence!! This is why all the models, actors, musicians, and celebs look their absolute best when they are promoting a certain brand or product. Advertisers know that having someone gorgeous promoting their wares is a sure fire way of generating sales.
3. Fights Father Time
Father Time is a force of nature that can never be defeated. It’s something that is inevitable, like having to pay taxes!! 🙁
However, by using cosmetics, the effects of Father Time can be hidden or indeed slowed down. This is something that we all crave, whether we want to admit it or not!
Ironically, lots of teenage girls often use makeup in order to appear older…then when they actually get older they use the same products to take some years off!! I should know, I’ve been through both of these phases. As I said, the irony is not lost on me!
Applying quality beauty products can greatly reduce the effects of Father Time. The correct cosmetics can help keep your skin healthy and rejuvenated as well as hide such inevitable skin aging effects like wrinkles, sun spots, crow’s feet, accumulative factors and so on.
Therefore, using certain products can not only make you look more aesthetically pleasing, it can also make you look younger. No wonder so many people are addicted to this practice!
4. Promotes Good Vibes
Due to the three reasons outlined in the paragraphs before this one, it’s quite easy to see how using beauty products can boost how we feel about ourselves. This isn’t rocket science – when you look good, feel attractive, and appear younger, this will automatically make you feel like a million bucks. In short, it can have a dramatic impact on your state of mind. [2]
The best example of this that I can think of is weddings. At such events, everyone in attendance has put in serious work to look their finest. Both women and men will do whatever it takes in order to be at their illuminating best on this special day – regardless of whether or not they're actually the ones getting married!
In the end, what is the result of all this hard work? A room packed with smiling, happy people. Yes, obviously this merriment is largely down to the nature of the event itself, but I also feel that weddings are such positive and happy occurrences because everyone feels so good about how they look. This is truly a wonderful thing, I think. 🙂
5. Encourages Professionalism
This is one particular reason that I strongly attest to. I used to work in the corporate sector and every day I’d wake up, look in the mirror, and wonder how on earth was I going to get through the meetings and litany of duties that lay before me in the coming hours.
My hair would be sticking up. My eyes would look tired. My face would look dull. All in all, I'd resemble pretty much the exact opposite of what a professional should look like!!!
However, after shaking off my doom and gloom, I’d have a shower, apply my makeup, get dressed, and look once more in the mirror.
The difference would always make me smile. 🙂
Taking the proper care and time to apply the cosmetics best suited for my features always boosted my confidence, thus making me better prepared for whatever the day could think to throw my way.
6. Copy the Celebs
This is a negative reason in which some people get hooked on using cosmetics. As such, it’s a reason I’d ask you to be wary of. As I explained already, companies are continuously using celebrity figures to market their brands; with many celebrities even having their own range of products available.
While there is nothing technically wrong with this, there is arisk that ensnares a lot of young people. When you see a celebrity using a certain cosmetic product, it’s very hard not to be attracted to it. Your mind goes…“well, if Kim Kardashian is using that face cream, then surely it’s the one for me.”
That’s exactly what the brands behind the celebrity want you to think. When it comes to this I’d like you to remember the following – just because your favorite celebrity is endorsing a product, that does not mean it’s the best product available. It doesn’t even mean that they themselves use said product! Just be wary of this.
7. Go With the Flow
This is another negative reason to use cosmetics in my mind. It is very common for girls in their teens to get used to applying different beauty products – largely because a friend has started doing likewise.
The problem with this is that a certain form of peer pressure can begin to emerge. This can be very unhealthy.
Cosmetics are our friend. They are something we control and use to better our appearances and health. They are, and never should be, something that we feel we must wear in order to fit in.
Just because a close friend or celebrity is using a certain perfume or beauty product, this does not mean that we then also have to.
This is just one of the many types of peer pressure that young people encounter during their teen years. While it can be very difficult to go against the flow – and we all succumb to peer pressure in some way – it’s an important learning moment when you decide that a certain popular trend or routine is something that’s not for you. If it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it. Simples. 🙂
Makeup Addiction - Be Wary
A major negative impact of this health and beauty practice is that we can become too reliant on the results which will, ultimately, not be good for our skin. It's important to make sure that you keep this in mind when you're establishing your own beauty routine. Remember, our skin needs to breathe, so having product or creams covering our faces on 24/7 basis is not going to result in a healthy complexion in the long run.
Why? Because your pores will become blocked and your skin will be unable to breathe. This will then start a viscous cycle of breakouts occurring and you becoming more and more reliant on applying concealers and the like. [3] Be especially wary of items that have obvious negative impacts on your skin - one example being perfume or aftershave that cause pimples on your chest area.
Another bad side effect of makeup addiction is the cost aspect. As mentioned already, people can get caught up in purchasing the latest products that their favorite brands or celebrities are endorsing. This can be a very expensive road to go down as there is a never-ending litany of beauty products being churned out on a yearly basis.
My advice for this problem is one that I learned over many years - simply put, identify which products work best for your skin and stick with them. Sure, it's OK to experiment with new ones every now and again, but I think it's a bit silly if you're abandoning tried and tested products just because something new has been released. [4]
My Final Word
There you have it, folks. I hope that you enjoyed my article and with a bit of luck you’re a little wiser now than when you first started reading!
The above are just my opinions. There are, of course, plenty more reasons for people becoming addicted to makeup. As always, if you think there’s something that should be included in this article, or if there’s a cosmetic-related experience that you want to share, then please do get in touch. We’d only love to hear from you. 🙂
Also, feel free to browse the rest of our knowledge base. I've included some posts at the bottom of the article, and our full knowledge base is available from the tabs at the top of this page.
To Your Health,
Maggie
Resources
1. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/history-makeup
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care-cosmetics
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/how-makeup-helped-my-depression
4. https://www.health.com/beauty/reddit-makeup-addiction-shopping
