The image of older adults that older adults have of their own generation is known to influence their interests and behaviors. In particular, previous research on the appearance of older adults has shown that older women with positive perceptions of their generation tend to be more concerned about their clothing. In this study, 410 older women (M = 71.98, 65–88 years) were surveyed to determine the relationship between their image of older adults and attention to grooming and fashion, considering whether associations can be found regardless of health and demographic variables. These results suggest that improving the image of older adults may reduce their resistance to dressing up their appearance. This is expected to contribute to the improvement of health and social participation of older adults.

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This study examined how mask color and context interact to shape the wearer’s impressions. Among the evaluation items used to measure impression ratings, this study focused particularly on the appropriateness of the mask color. Experiment 1 investigated whether there was an interaction between mask color and context. Participants were shown scenarios (hospital, clothing store, and funeral hall) along with facial images of individuals wearing digitally modified white, black, or pink masks. They then evaluated the appropriateness and other impressions based on the context. An interaction between mask color and context emerged, indicating that impressions were context-dependent. Experiment 2 replicated this interaction by presenting additional scene images. The findings suggest that the perceived appropriateness of mask color depends on context.

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People who know their own attractiveness tend to have higher self esteem, although such attractiveness can be difficult to recognize. Therefore, for this study, a new app was developed to break down videos into still images, allowing specific images to be selected, and then the realizations and changes in awareness resulting from providing positive feedback on facial expressions and gestures from one’s and others’ perspectives were examined. The intervention group, which received feedback from both themselves and others, showed a greater degree of new self-awareness compared to the control group that did not receive any feedback. Furthermore, the intervention group demonstrated more positive changes in their mind with changes in awareness being observed after the intervention. This suggests that positive feedback from others regarding facial expressions and gestures in everyday situations can not only promote new awareness of one's charm but also evoke positive emotions, potentially influencing daily consciousness.

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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.

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Factors contributing to attractiveness were explored by manipulating the brightness contrast of facial features and by examining their effects on facial impressions, particularly in relation to facial shape. Images of male and female model faces were created using high contrast and low contrast between the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth compared to the surrounding skin. For each model face, the degree of morphological sexual dimorphism was measured. Then, using a visual analog scale, 38 female college students evaluated the attractiveness, sexual dimorphism, and healthiness of the high-contrast and low-contrast faces. Their evaluations confirmed that morphological sexual dimorphism strongly influences female attractiveness. High morphological sexual dimorphism was rated as more attractive for female models' eyebrows, but low dimorphism was preferred for male models. Contrast manipulation, especially of the mouth and eyebrows, strongly influenced perceptions of sexual dimorphism and health in some cases, depending on the model gender.

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This study aimed to clarify the body image of Japanese women aged 20–59 years using figure stimuli. The findings indicated that the tendency for individuals to perceive their current body shape as heavier than average disappeared in older age groups, women across all age groups tended to idealize a slimmer body shape than the assumed average, and the ideal body shape appeared to be influenced by the assumed gaze of same-sex peers. Additionally, distortions in body shape recognition were relatively less pronounced among women in their 20s compared with older groups. Furthermore, for women in their 20s, how individuals positioned their ideal body shape was associated with body dissatisfaction, whereas for those in their 30s and older, body dissatisfaction was associated with perceptions of their current body shape.

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