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Cosmetology and The Effects On Self- Esteem

Thesis: Not only is cosmetology an insight to change up a look, but it is beneficial to personal

well-being.

I. Cosmetology

A. Beauty regimens

B. Benefits of cosmetology

1. New appearances

2. Positive self-worth

C. What is cosmetology?

1. Makeup application

2. Hair care and hair styling

3. Skin care

4. Nail care

II. How cosmetology was created

A. Makes someone appear attractive

B. Appeared in 3500 BC

III. Why does it make someone look attractive

IV. Self-esteem

A. Makeup promotes good self-worth

1. Relaxing

2. Helps escape real world

V. Advancements in technology
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A. Makeup apps

1. Try on the products

2. Promotes brand

B. Websites

1. Advertise salons

2. Make appointments

3. Learn about the salon

C. Interactive businesses

VI. Changing perception of beauty

A. Victorian era

B. 1980s

C. Beauty standards today

VII. Benefits of cosmetology career

A. Build personal relationships

B. Variety in the workplace

C. Ability to get expertise in different aspects of the career

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Holly Crabb

English IV Honors

Mrs. Day

18 April 2017

Cosmetology and The Effects On Self-Esteem

Colored hair, crazy eyeliner, bizarre face creams, the face of beauty has changed. But

what is the cost of these? Beauty regimens develop based on consumer demands and societal

demands. These demands produce new appearances, a more positive self-worth, and exploration

into new regimens within cosmetology. Cosmetology has been a tool used to enhance women's

and men's physical appearance and their overall self-esteem for centuries. Cosmetology includes,

but is not limited to, makeup application, hair care, hair styling and dying, wig applications, skin

care, and nail care. Not only is cosmetology an insight to change up a look, but it is beneficial to

personal well-being.

Different aspects of beauty have changed century after century. The first archeological

records of clear makeup use come from Ancient Egyptian and Sumerian tombs dating as far back

as around 3500 BC (Wilcox). No one completely knows why or how different forms of

self-decoration appeared in history, or even why it was used to define someone as attractive or

not. They only know that it worked, and it was a deciding factor between if someone was

suitable enough to partner up with. But the real question is, why? Not why do we wear

itanyone who has ever felt gorgeous after a swipe of rosy blush can tell you that makeup can
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help us feel, and thereby look, prettybut rather, why does it work? (Wilcox).

Countries all over the world use makeup as a form of self-decorating and its been a

known fact it enhances beauty and the levels of attraction on someone. But why? The contrast

of a womans eyes and lips to her face creates a perception she is more attractive. (SiOWfa15).

This meaning, that essentially, the color of someones lips to their eyes makes them more

attractive to a single person. The manipulation of contrasts with the eyes and lips against skin

tone is the key reason makeup affects the attractiveness of a person. Makeup can alter

imperfections of the face as well as alter the confidence and self-esteem a person obtains

(SiOWfa15). It is not just the mere fact that makeup can assist in adding correction for certain

insecurities, but that it is biologically proven to make someone more attractive. However, it

should never be seen as something someone has to do in order to feel beautiful, because true

beauty will always reside on the inside.

Self-esteem is important because it promotes good health and positivity. If one feels good

about oneself, they are more likely to have a positive outlook on life and and have an overall

enjoyable life. Makeup, for example, has been used as a tool to promote good self-worth. It can

be used to enhance the beauty that someone already has. It can also be used as an escape to relax

and put your time into something, making it an added bonus to your daily regimen. Someone

who can easily stick up for this claim is Katie C., who suffers from fibromyalgia, and uses

makeup as an excuse to make herself feel better. I look in the mirror and see someone who can
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still do something, still create something! I can see a glimpse of the girl I used to be (The

Mighty).

Advancements in technology have changed the face of beauty. Beauty companies from

LOral to Unilever have upped their game through the launch of try-on apps and an extensive

social media presence (Euromonitor International Blog). This is an easy way for makeup

companies to make more money and promote their products, especially during the demand of

social media and technology. Technology is becoming an important element in the field of

cosmetology (Abington). The use of technology can also be beneficial to a client and a

company. Many salons promote their boutiques with websites and they often offer the ability to

make appointments online and find resources for the salon. This provides a more interactive

business and also takes out the stress of over scheduling and being concerned about stylists.

Technology in beauty has been most pronounced in terms of customer service and interaction

(Euromonitor International Blog).

The perception of beauty has changed over time. The expectations and standards of what

it means to be beautiful is constantly changing. Every time period has had different ideas of

what defines beauty (AshMRichter). In the victorian era, it was the style for women to be

curvy, round, and pale. A young womans main objective was to appear maternal, fertile, and

nurturing to obtain a man to later raise a family (AshMRichter). Moving forward to the 1980s,

the picture of women being fit and toned became the new ideal body standard. This pushed
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women into working out and taking care of their bodies. It was an era of being slim through

exercise, not just dieting (AsheMRichter). This being said, it is obvious to see that the beauty

cycle has changed. Today, even though obesity is skyrocketing in the United States, being thin

is being pushed on women everywhere. From looking at the past, it appears that the standards

of beauty change with the times based on whats the hardest ideal to obtain (AshMRichter).

Cosmetology does not only deal with the increase of personal self-esteem, but it does

have many benefits when it comes to the career itself. Cosmetologists help clients enhance their

appearance by performing a variety of services focusing on the hair, skin, and nails (Leaf

Group). Because licensed cosmetologists spend an abundance of time with their clients, they

have the opportunity to build personal relationships. Interaction with colleagues may lead to

invitations to participate in social activities, creating additional opportunities to form bonds with

others (Leaf Group). Cosmetology careers are also good for someone who likes a variety of

different kinds of work. Cosmetology involves several branches some of which include waxing,

hair removal, make up, skincare, nail artistry, hairstyling and so on (Evergreen Beauty

College). Because the field of cosmetology has an incredible amount of different areas of

expertise, it makes the degree all the more fulfilling.

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(PayScale).

Works Cited

PayScale - Salary Comparison, Salary Survey, Search Wages. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

AshMRichter. "How Beauty Standards Have Changed Throughout History." All Day. All Day,
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11 Jan. 2017. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.

C., Katie, Julie Shotton, and Jenni Ellermann. "To Those Who Wonder Why I Put on Makeup

Even When I Feel Ill." The Mighty. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

"Four Ways That Technology Is Changing Beauty." Euromonitor International Blog. 08 Feb.

2016. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.

Harutyunyan, Iren. "Social Media Takes a Toll on Self-esteem." Clark Chronicle. Web. 16 Apr.

2017.

MA, Priscilla G. Abington. "Technology In Cosmetology." Tenn Ink. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.

"SiOWfa15: Science in Our World: Certainty and Controversy." SiOWfa15 Science in Our

World Certainty and Controversy. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

"Top 10 Reasons to Pursue Career in Cosmetology." Evergreen Beauty College. 04 Mar. 2016.

Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

Wilcox, Christie. "YouBeauty." YouBeauty. 03 June 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.

Writer, Leaf Group. "Pros & Cons of Cosmetology." Chron.com. Chron.com, 26 Sept. 2012.

Web. 17 Apr. 2017.