Living your fashion fairytale can even have a positive impact on depression, especially in older women. So put on some lipstick or curl those lashes with some mascara!
Research has shown that women who regularly apply makeup appear to have better psychological well-being than women who go without.
And they also have better grip strength and can stand on one leg longer, indicating a higher level of physical fitness.
Scientists think this is probably because wearing cosmetics boosts their self-confidence and makes them more socially and physically active.
Better balance is vital in old age as it can reduce the risk of falls, which usually cause hip fractures.
With this in mind, researchers from Kyoto Tachibana University in Japan wanted to find out what effect makeup had on the physical and mental health of people over 65.
They studied 295 women to see what differences there were between those who wore it regularly and those who almost never wore it.
Each of the participants was asked what type of cosmetics they wore and how often, before completing a questionnaire about their mental health.
Separate tests have been carried out on:
- Grip strength
- A measure of vulnerability
- Balance (by measuring their ability to stand on one leg for more than a few seconds)
The results, published in Healthcare magazine, showed that 72 percent of women regularly wore make-up, mainly foundation, lipstick, eye shadow and blush.
These women scored better on mood, strength and poise than those who rarely or never applied makeup.
The researchers said: “Applying make-up is a meaningful activity that can promote social participation in older women. It stimulates the senses of touch, smell and sight, leading to psychological pleasure.”
“Lipstick and eyebrow products were associated with superior psychological function and dynamic balance. It may even contribute to greater physical independence in older women,” they concluded.
