Understanding The Power Of Makeup—This Is Why It's Important

Makeup is brushed off as frivolous and superficial. But it holds power. For some, it’s armor. Others use it for self-expression. A foundation isn’t just a foundation and a highlighter can be more than a highlighter. They can transform, protect, and more.

You might be unsure about the power of makeup, but we can confidently say that it is important. Even if it doesn’t seem necessary to you, think outside of yourself. While you may believe in the necessity of skin care over makeup, others rely on cosmetics to boost their confidence and their moods. To help you understand, ahead, we’re breaking down the reasons why makeup is important.

This Is The Power Of Makeup

If you’ve ever heard anyone speak about the power that makeup holds, they’re talking about its transformative quality. Makeup, when used well, can create dramatic makeovers. A full-coverage concealer can hide a full face of acne, and an expertly-applied lip liner can make your lips look fuller. Beyond that, special effects makeup can turn you into a zombie bride or skeleton. When you see before and afters, it becomes quite clear just how powerful makeup can be.

One of our favorite examples of this is contouring. You can create the appearance of more defined cheekbones, a slimmer nose, a poutier bottom lip, and a more angular jawline, all with a little contour makeup. To see for yourself, swipe one of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Foundation Makeup Sticks (pick one that’s two shades darker than your skin tone) onto key spots. Apply it along your cheekbones, down the sides of your nose, just beneath your lower lip, and along your jawline. Then, blend out with a makeup sponge. You’ll be amazed at how big of a difference it makes. Equally amazing is how many more ways there are that makeup can transform your appearance.

Why Makeup Is Important

Recognizing that makeup (temporarily) changes how you look doesn’t necessarily prove it’s important. If you’re still questioning why people consider it to be necessary, we’re naming three reasons—although there are many—below.

It helps you feel more confident. Smooth on a bold red lipstick, and you might just understand why makeup is important. The right products can really boost your confidence. Even if a dramatic lip color isn’t for you, applying a few subtle essentials can help you feel more pulled-together and, in turn, more confident.

Makeup also allows you to cover skin concerns that may cause insecurity. While you don’t have to wear makeup or use it to hide anything, many people prefer to keep blemishes and dark spots undercover—and makeup helps you to do that. Color-correcting concealers, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Color Correcting Crayons, are popular for this reason. They can help neutralize the appearance of various imperfections, including redness and age spots. 

It conveys your mood. Makeup is an age-old form of self-expression. You can use it to show off your personality as well as your mood. Think about it: When you were going through your goth phase, makeup was essential in letting everyone know it. Even if you’ve moved on from goth makeup, you can use cosmetics to show off a quirky personality (try a funky eyeliner style) or a love of all things sartorial (play with trends that blend beauty and fashion).

As for mood, brightly-colored makeup is one of our favorite ways to send out the signal that we’re in a good one. And for days when your mood isn’t quite as cheery as you’d like, you can also use makeup to fake it till you make it. Try sweeping a vibrant eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Endless Sea, across your lids, and you’ll instantly look more upbeat.

It can be done to suit different occasions. The right makeup look varies depending on the occasion. And matching your makeup to the situation can help show that you’re prepared. For example, wearing professional makeup to a job interview helps convey that you want to work and would fit right in at the company. On the flip side, changing up your lip color and adding a wing to your eyeliner before a night out is the perfect way to signify that you’re off the clock.

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