Men prefer women with less makeup, echoing the 2014 study. A post went viral on New Year’s Day 2026 from an account quoting “Educated Minds”. It showed side-by-side photos of a woman with heavy makeup and a more natural look. The caption claimed men find women most attractive without much on their face.
The message spread fast online. Many men agreed in comments. They said they like when a woman looks the same morning or night. Some called it refreshing to see real skin. Others shared stories about preferring partners who skip heavy routines.
But the claim ties back to older research. No new big study came out recently. It points to work from 2014 by researchers at Bangor University in Wales. They photographed women bare-faced, then had them apply makeup for a night out. Digital tools created versions with different amounts.
Raters, both men and women, picked the most attractive images. Most chose faces with about 40 per cent less makeup than the full amount applied. Men and women agreed on that. Interestingly, people thought men would want more makeup. That turned out wrong.
The study appeared in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. Lead researcher Alex Jones said a natural look often wins for attractiveness. But women sometimes add more, thinking that’s what others expect.
Other points came up in reactions. Some women said the “natural” photo still had some products, like foundation or mascara. They argued true no-makeup looks differ. A few pushed back on the idea, saying they wear it for themselves, not men. Confidence matters more than preferences.
Science shows makeup can help up to a limit. Light use often boosts how likeable or competent someone seems. Too much might lower perceptions of trustworthiness in some cases. But choices stay personal.
Posts like this pop up every few years. The 2014 findings keep getting shared as fresh news. Similar ideas appear in later articles, but the core comes from that experiment.
Men in replies kept it simple. Many said less feels authentic. Women added their views. Some enjoy full glam for fun. Others go minimal daily.
Discussions stayed mostly calm. People shared laughs about bad dates or surprises. No big fights broke out. Makeup trends shift over time. Right now, natural styles mix with bold ones. People pick what fits their day.
The viral image used common before-and-after shots. One side heavy with liner and shadow. The other is softer and closer to skin tone. These talks remind everyone tastes vary. What one person loves, another skips. Studies give averages, not rules.
Women keep deciding for themselves. Some cut back after seeing comments. Others stick to routines that make them feel good. The debate shows beauty stays subjective. Science offers clues, but real life adds layers.
