Abstract
This study examined the psychological effects of men’s makeup, focusing on changes in state anxiety and perceptions. The experiment involved 18 male university students aged 19-24 years who did not routinely wear makeup. Participants applied makeup to their own faces. Analysis revealed no significant differences in state anxiety scores before and after makeup application. Regarding perceptions of makeup for men and self-application, five items—warm, likable, good, pleasant, and friendly —scored higher after application than before. Only in result of perception of make up for men, pleasant feeling and neat also scored higher after application. This suggests that applying makeup made men feel more familiar with the process, and the change in facial appearance reduced hesitance toward makeup and fostered a favorable perception. Regarding makeup for men, self-presentational motives to be viewed positively by others may also have been activated.
