Gen Z’s love for makeup isn’t just an aesthetic —it’s a form of mental health hack. Don’t believe me? This article will help unpack the science behind why your eyeliner makeup is low-key therapy.
The Dopamine Glow-Up: This is How Makeup Rewires Your Brain
We’ve all seen the TikTok videos—GRWM (Get Ready With Me) routines with ASMR blending sounds and upbeat music. But why does perfecting a smokey eye, feeling like the main character after applying the most snatched contour feel like unlocking a new level of self-confidence? This is all because of our brain chemistry.
Studies [like this one] say makeup rituals spike dopamine—the same chemical that hits when you master a TikTok dance or get a DM from your crush.
How Makeup Helps Gen Zs with Social Anxiety
Gen Z invented “face-taping” and “egirl blush,” but ironically, we’re also the generation that’s expressed how tired we are of the unrealistic beauty standards pervading the world today.
A 2023 study found that a “no-makeup makeup” look (think: Glossier’s Boy Brow and Cloud Paint) makes people perceive you as 25% more approachable.
What this basically means is that your “natural” glow is what’s in vogue these days.
The Dark Side of #MakeupTok and Instagram Beauty Standards
We’ve explored the wonderful benefits of putting on makeup; now let’s talk about the negative side. If we’re being honest, Makeup addiction is real, and the Gen Z’s addiction to “Snapchat and Instagram filters” (aka wanting to look like your filtered self in real life) is pretty worrisome.
I have seen Snapchat stories of influencers my age admitting to feeling incomplete and bare without their false eyelashes on. A 2022 survey found that 40% of Gen Z feel “naked” without makeup – a dangerous mindset that has been growing in popularity and needs to be nipped in the bud– fast.
How to Use Makeup Without Losing Yourself
We all have a role to play in balancing beauty and authenticity in a society saturated with fake aesthetics and living. Makeup should empower you, not imprison. Before applying it on your face, start by asking: “Who am I wearing this for?”
The “Mirror Check” Exercise:
Stand in front of a mirror and apply makeup only to features you want to enhance—not hide. For example, if you love your eyes, focus on mascara and eyeshadow, skipping heavy foundation but when it feels unnecessary.
Follow Role Models Who Champion Authenticity
Unfollow accounts that trigger comparison. Replace them with local creators who celebrate diversity and individual uniqueness.
Try a “Social Media Detox” Challenge
Social media often conflates makeup with self-worth. Reset your relationship with it today. If an account makes you feel inadequate, unfollow/block them. Additionally, limit your consumption of excessive beauty content as studies have shown it correlates with body dissatisfaction [Journal of Health Psychology, 2021]. Only watch tutorials only when seeking specific skills, not validation.
Consider Trying the “Makeup Fast” Experiment
Going makeup-free periodically helps rebuild self-trust and this is backed in science. A 2020 study in Body Image Journal found that participants who took 3 makeup-free days weekly reported 25% higher self-esteem after one month.
If you’re sceptical about starting, take it one step at a time. Begin with one makeup-free day weekly. Then you can gradually add your skincare rituals (e.g., a hydrating mask or facial massage) to the mix to reframe self-care.
Final Takeaways
- Remember makeup is a tool and not a test: Use it to express (not suppress) your identity.
- Keep quality over quantity in mind. Invest in multi-use products (e.g., lip/cheek tints) that simplify your routine.
- Your confidence will outlasts any trend as long as he it’s rooted in authenticity
