Makeup has increasingly become an important factor affecting self-identity and social interaction among college students. Young people increasingly use makeup as a tool to create their social personalities and show their uniqueness due to the growing impact of social media and the beauty industry. The purpose of this study is to explore the Chinese college students’ makeup habits, their influence on social interaction and self-identity, and how these are affected by cultural background. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 200 random respondents, and SPSS and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data. The results show a strong relationship between the use of makeup and characteristics of self-identity and social relationships, including group belonging, self-esteem, and personality expression. Makeup habits were found to be greatly influenced by culture, with specific patterns arising depending on perceived cultural attitudes toward beauty and gender norms. The study highlights that the role of makeup is not only to enhance physical appearance but also to facilitate identity exploration and expression in young people, helping to improve their mental health and self-esteem. This study adds to our understanding of the psychological effects of cosmetics in contemporary culture and how they shape identity. It also offers recommendations for how to use makeup to help young people better embrace the positive role that it plays in their lives.

Authors:
Youyou Ma, Wenzhou-Kean University, China

About the Presenter(s)
Youyou Ma, student, psychology, The Influence of Makeup on Individual Self-Identity: An Exploratory Study

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