We all wear makeup for different reasons: to hide imperfections, look younger, even out our skin tone, and sometimes just for fun. There are also those of us who wear makeup in hopes of catching the eye of the opposite sex—and there's plenty of scientific evidence that using makeup to play up certain features can have that desired effect.
For decades now, evolutionary biologists have studied the traits that both men and women find appealing. Turns out the ones men are most attracted to are usually indicators of how healthy a woman is. Makes sense: it's part of the age old battle of whose genes can survive the longest and the drive to find a "mate" who's healthy enough to carry a man's genes on into the future.
We looked at the research to find out more about why certain traits may be the most appealing, then spoke with makeup artists Chad Hayduk, co-founder of Three Custom Color Specialists, and Philippe Chansel, creative director for Ready To Wear Cosmetics, about how to fake those features.
According to researchers, men and women with the most symmetrical facial features are always seen as more attractive and in better health. The theory is that symmetry is a sign of a person's ability to resist disease. If you choose a partner with a symmetrical face, there's a better chance your children will be symmetrical and healthy, too.
How to fake it: While not even models—those specimens of physical perfection—have 100 percent symmetrical features, "you can use contouring and highlighting on the face to balance features," says Chansel. First, apply foundation, concealer and powder to even and smooth your complexion. Then lightly contour using a neutral shadow or bronzer.
To straighten your nose, for example, Hayduk recommends using a powder shade that's slightly darker than your skin tone to contour along the bridge. This will help you define and create a more symmetrical shape. The key with contouring, though, is to make sure you blend. A distinct line will be too obvious and fake.
Estrogen plays a big role in the development of our facial features. The more estrogen a woman has coursing through her body, the more defined her cheekbones and the smaller her brow, which makes the eyes more prominent and noticeable. And of course, more estrogen means a better mate, according to evolutionary biologists.
How to fake it: "In general, you should understand that light colors advance and dark colors recede," says Hayduk. "To bring a feature forward, use a lighter color." For big, feminine eyes, apply a light shade of shadow from your lash line to brow bone to highlight the whole area. Then, using a warm, neutral toned shadow, blend along the brow bone, making sure to avoid the crease because color in that area closes the eyes. Curl your upper lashes before applying two coats of black mascara to both your upper and lower lashes. Lining the inner corner of your eyes with a flesh colored pencil (white
is too stark and dated) will also make eyes pop.
A pale, lifeless complexion says a woman is sickly. On the other hand, flushed cheeks and lips let a man know you're full of life and most likely healthy.
How to fake it: We're so grateful for blush and lipgloss—otherwise we'd all still be pinching our cheeks and biting our lips like women of centuries past. "A cream blush or cheek stain will give the healthiest flush to the skin, as these formulas tend to look more sheer so your natural skin tone can show through," says Hayduk. To find your best shade, try pinching your cheeks to see what natural flush you get, then pick a hue that's closest to that. Apply to the apples of cheeks and just a bit at the temples, then dust on a highlighter above to accent the cheekbones.
For lips, the best colors are slightly darker than your natural lip color. Chansel also suggests glosses that are sheer and shiny, but not glittery. Tinted lip balms can also be great because they leave lips moist and soft—and totally kissable.
Megan O'Neill is Beauty Editor at EndlessBeauty.com.
