#nomakeupselfie: The impact of natural no-makeup images and positive appearance comments on young women's body image. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Politte-Corn, Madison; Fardouly, Jasmine
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 34(2020)
• Page Start: 233
• Page End: 241
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Social media -- No-makeup -- Selfie -- Appearance comments -- Body image -- Social comparison; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: Ideal images and no-makeup images decreased facial satisfaction. Ideal images but not no-makeup images decreased overall appearance satisfaction. No-makeup images are more attainable that ideal images. More appearance comparisons are made to ideal images than no-makeup images. Positive appearance-related comments did not impact body image. Abstract: Presenting no-makeup selfies interspersed with idealized made-up images may be beneficial for women's body image. However, the impact of viewing only no-makeup selfies is still unknown, as is the influence of any positive appearance-related comments from others accompanying those images on social media. Thus, in the present study, we examined the impact of viewing either: (1) idealized images with appearance-related comments, (2) idealized images with appearance-neutral comments, (3) no-makeup images with appearance-related comments, or (4) no-makeup images with appearance-neutral comments, on young women's ( N = 394) appearance satisfaction, mood, appearance comparison frequency, and perceived attainability. Viewing idealized selfies of attractive women reduced women's satisfaction with their overall and facial appearance. Viewing natural no-makeup images of those attractive women also reduced women's facial satisfaction but had no impact on overall appearance satisfaction. No-makeup selfies resulted in less frequent appearance comparisons and higher perceived attainability than idealized images. There was no impact of appearance-related comments on any of the outcomes. The results suggest that no-makeup images are less detrimental to young women's body image than idealized images.