Color Me Beautiful: What Studies Reveal About “Inheriting” Beauty

While I am a “child” of the 80s (that’s when I was in high school), my heart and spirit belong to the 60s and 70s, at least fashion and makeup wise. I’m all about the “natural”, fresh-faced retro look.

And, I just thought that was part of MY unique personality and style. Well, it is, sort of. According to experts, my preferences my have less to do with WHO I am, but rather with WHAT (ethnically) I am.

That’s right, according to recent research a woman’s attitude toward makeup and beauty products is more likely than not associated to her culture.

In fact, statistics show that an estimated nearly 85 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 64 wore makeup in the past year. However, these same statistics suggest that despite the abundance of products on the market, black women were least likely to use both makeup and skin-care products. And industry officials attribute it to the fact that many perhaps experience “difficulty” in finding products that meet their needs. However, they add, these ladies are noted for being the most ubiquitous users of fragrance.

Latina ladies on the other hand are the ones, according to studies, that are most likely to invest in and use both make-up and skin-care products. In fact the number reveal that the standard is close to 90 percent. And, experts suggest that, this may be a result of their cultural upbringing and the emphasis on femininity, beauty, and dressing up.

With respect to Caucasian women, ages 18 to 34, it’s suggested that about 85 percent war makeup but that number drops to 77 percent for women 55 and over. On the other hand, 85 percent more mature Asian women claim to regularly wear makeup compared to only 82 percent of their younger generation.

The study also reveals that young black ladies, about 61 percent were among the least likely to wear makeup as compared to 71 percent of the older black female population.

And, there was a similar pattern in skin care, according to experts.

In fact, fewer than 20 percent of African-American ladies noted using anti-aging products. But, according to results, it’s not because they tend to age better or more slowly, but rather because they tend to age differently. Plus, the study revealed tht direct-to-consumer companies and makeup and skin-care product distributors such as Avon and Mary Kay, do better with this sector of the population.

Across the board, the study also suggests that for most “minorities” the most frequently named brand was Bare Escentuals. Likewise African-American women names Fashion Fair and Mac as their top two, Asian women Shiseido and Mac, and white and Hispanic women, CoverGirl and Maybeline.

And, the study even went as “far” as naming beauty-product preferences by ethnicity.

African-American Women: Most likely to use lip gloss and fragrance

Asian Ladies: The most frequent uses of sunscreen and after-sun products. Also noted as the most likely to use facial moisturizers, cleansers and lip-care products.

Caucasian Women: Generally speaking use more foundation than other ethnicities with 43 percent utilizing foundation daily.

As far as color cosmetics are concerned Asian ladies were more likely to use bronzers and shimmer sticks on a routine basis.

Latina Ladies: These ladies lead the pack in use of mascara, blush, eyeliner, and lipstick.

However, on a final note experts assert that there has been a trend in an overall change in women of all ethnicities and skin types regarding the type and form of foundation they choose and use. More and more ladies are veering away from liquid foundation (even though it still remains the product’s most popular form) and opting more for powders and those with mineral bases. Foundation is additionally being used to enhance facial features creating a more natural look rather than as a concealer covering up flaws.