Makeup has long been associated with beauty, self-expression, and confidence. But what if those blushes, eyeliners, and lipsticks were telling us more than just someone’s beauty routine? Recent studies suggest that makeup usage may be tied to deeper aspects of a woman’s personality—revealing traits like narcissism, extraversion, and even psychopathy. Could the choice to wear—or not wear—makeup offer hidden clues about one’s psyche? As researchers peel back the layers of this complex relationship, we uncover how much our beauty habits might be saying without us even knowing.
Makeup and Personality: The Key Findings
A recent study from the University of São Paulo shed light on how makeup usage reflects deeper personality traits, with specific focus on narcissism, extraversion, and psychopathy. The study surveyed 1,410 Brazilian women and assessed their makeup habits across various social settings, including at home, on dates, in business meetings, and at the gym. Following these surveys, the women completed questionnaires measuring the “Dark Triad” traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—as well as the Big Five personality traits.
The results revealed a fascinating relationship between makeup usage and personality. Women who scored high on the narcissism scale frequently wore makeup, especially in situations where they wanted to make a good impression, such as first dates or important meetings. This aligns with the narcissistic need for admiration and attention, often tied to physical appearance as a form of self-presentation.
On the other hand, women who scored high in psychopathy were less likely to wear makeup, regardless of the social context. This might be due to their indifference toward social norms and lack of concern about how others perceive them. Researchers suggest that these women rely more on their assertiveness and charm, manipulating social situations without needing makeup as a tool. Additionally, psychopathic traits such as fearlessness and persuasiveness contribute to their ability to navigate social dynamics without the same external enhancements.
Interestingly, the study found that while narcissistic and neurotic women exhibited larger differences in makeup use between private and public settings, women with psychopathic traits maintained consistent, minimal makeup habits across different contexts. This suggests that makeup is less of a tool for social navigation in women exhibiting psychopathic tendencies.
Psychopathy and Minimal Makeup Use
One of the most intriguing findings from recent research is that women who score highly in psychopathy tend to wear less makeup compared to their counterparts with other personality traits. According to a study from the University of São Paulo, this phenomenon may be due to psychopathic traits such as assertiveness and a reduced need to conform to societal expectations of beauty. Women with higher psychopathic traits often rely on charm and persuasion rather than physical enhancement, using their personality to manipulate others without needing the social tool of makeup.
Researchers emphasize that female psychopaths may operate differently from male psychopaths, often using verbal manipulation rather than physical aggression to achieve their goals. This can make their psychopathic tendencies harder to detect, as their actions don’t always align with society’s expectations of psychopathic behavior.
The study also revealed that psychopathy, while often seen in a negative light due to traits like ruthlessness and lack of empathy, also comes with traits such as mental toughness and the ability to handle pressure without self-blame. These characteristics could explain why women with psychopathic tendencies are less likely to feel the need to enhance their appearance to fit societal standards.
Dr. Clive Boddy, a researcher at Anglia Ruskin University, further explains that female psychopaths may be more common than previously believed, potentially making them a greater societal challenge than originally thought. He notes that traditional measures of psychopathy, often developed with male criminals in mind, may fail to capture the more subtle, non-violent traits exhibited by female psychopaths.
Narcissism, Extraversion, and Makeup: A Tool for Attention
The connection between makeup usage and personality traits like narcissism and extraversion is one of the more revealing aspects of recent research. Studies have shown that women with higher narcissistic traits are more likely to use makeup as a tool for attention and self-presentation. Narcissists, characterized by their need for admiration and validation, tend to invest more time and money into cosmetics. These women are particularly strategic about makeup application, often enhancing their appearance in situations where they want to make a strong impression—such as on dates or in professional meetings.
Extraversion plays a similar role, with extraverted women also displaying a tendency to wear makeup more consistently. Extraverts, known for their sociability and desire to engage with others, use makeup to bolster their confidence in social settings. Unlike narcissists, who show a significant difference in their makeup habits depending on context, extraverts maintain relatively steady levels of cosmetic use across different situations.
Both traits reflect the idea that makeup can serve as a social tool—whether it’s to attract attention, gain approval, or enhance one’s sense of confidence. Interestingly, these patterns highlight the nuanced ways women adapt their appearance to align with their personality traits, showing how makeup can be more than just a beauty routine; it can be a reflection of deeper psychological motivations.
Personality Traits and Social Contexts
Makeup usage is not only a reflection of self-expression but also deeply tied to personality traits, with different behaviors manifesting across various social contexts. Women with narcissistic tendencies are particularly likely to adjust their makeup habits depending on the situation. They invest more time and effort in their appearance when attending important social events, such as dates or professional meetings, where they seek validation and admiration. These women use makeup strategically, treating it as a tool for social success.
Extraverts, on the other hand, tend to maintain consistent makeup use across different scenarios, as their outgoing nature makes them more comfortable in social settings. For them, makeup enhances their confidence, whether they’re at a casual gathering or a formal event. This steady approach contrasts with the dramatic shifts seen in narcissists.
Psychopathic traits, however, show a different pattern. Women who score higher on psychopathy tend to exhibit stable, minimal makeup habits across all situations. Their lack of concern for social norms or others’ perceptions means they don’t adjust their appearance to fit societal expectations. Whether they are alone at home or in public, their makeup use remains consistent, which reflects their disregard for using appearance as a social tool.
Implications and Misconceptions About Female Psychopathy
Female psychopathy has historically been underestimated due to gender biases and misidentification. Traditional psychopathy assessments, which were developed primarily based on male samples, often overlook how psychopathic traits manifest in women. These tools focus on behaviors typically seen in men, such as physical aggression or overt antisocial acts, which women are less likely to exhibit. As a result, female psychopaths may be misdiagnosed or labeled with other conditions, such as borderline or histrionic personality disorders, despite displaying core psychopathic traits like manipulation, deceit, and a lack of empathy.
Dr. Clive Boddy’s research highlights the need to reevaluate how psychopathy is understood in women. He suggests that female psychopaths often employ more subtle methods of manipulation, such as verbal aggression and emotional deceit, which makes their behavior harder to detect. This gender bias not only affects clinical diagnoses but also poses a risk in business and leadership contexts, where female psychopaths may exploit their charm and manipulation skills to ascend to positions of power.
The societal misconception that psychopathy is predominantly a male disorder further complicates matters. Female psychopaths are often not recognized because their traits—such as insincerity, unempathetic behavior, and antagonism—are viewed as male characteristics. This underestimation can lead to significant consequences in areas like the criminal justice system, where female psychopaths may not be correctly assessed, potentially resulting in flawed risk management involving children or partners.
Makeup and Mind: A Deeper Connection
The relationship between makeup usage and personality traits, particularly narcissism, psychopathy, and extraversion, reveals more than just beauty habits. For some, like narcissists and extraverts, makeup serves as a tool for social interaction and confidence, allowing them to present themselves in a certain light based on the social context. Narcissists especially adjust their makeup usage depending on whether they’re seeking admiration or trying to impress others.
In contrast, female psychopaths are less influenced by societal expectations of appearance, often opting for minimal makeup regardless of the setting. This reflects their general disregard for social norms, using other tools—such as charm and manipulation—to achieve their goals.
The underestimation and misidentification of female psychopaths is a critical issue. Dr. Clive Boddy’s research points out that female psychopaths are more prevalent than previously thought, but their behavior often goes unnoticed due to the subtlety of their manipulative tactics. This oversight can have significant implications, not only in personal relationships but also in professional and societal contexts.
Ultimately, understanding how these personality traits manifest in everyday habits like makeup usage offers valuable insights into human behavior. It challenges stereotypes, highlights the complexities of psychopathy, and stresses the importance of reevaluating how we perceive personality disorders across genders.