Recently, Ms. Wang, a 32-year-old white-collar worker, has been very anxious. She and her boyfriend are scheduled to go on vacation abroad next month, but she worries that her partner will be disappointed when he sees her without makeup. Ms. Wang says she never goes out without makeup, and in their nearly two-year relationship, she and her boyfriend have never been seen without makeup. Experts say that "makeup addiction" is a typical psychological obsessive-compulsive disorder, caused by a subconscious unwillingness to accept one's own imperfections.
Girls don't go out without makeup
"Doctor, what should I do? I'm too embarrassed to see anyone without makeup." Recently, Ms. Wang, 32, came to the psychological counseling clinic on the second floor of Hanyang Hospital and said with a worried look, "I'm going on vacation abroad with my boyfriend next month, but he has never seen me without makeup. I'm very anxious."
Professor Yuan Mei, director of the Department of Psychiatry at the hospital, observed that Ms. Wang had a well-proportioned figure and exquisite makeup. It turned out that she had always suffered from acne during her university years, leaving acne scars on her forehead and cheeks. She started learning makeup, initially to conceal blemishes and improve her complexion. Later, she gradually became fascinated with makeup, and everyone praised her for her fair skin and beauty.
Ms. Wang said that she spends at least half an hour on makeup every morning, applying lotion, serum, eye cream, primer, foundation, concealer, contouring, and eyeshadow—she doesn't skip any step. "Once, I only realized I forgot to do my eyebrows when I went downstairs. Even though I knew I was going to be late, I still rushed home to touch up my makeup," Ms. Wang said. She can't tolerate any flaws in her makeup, especially in front of her boyfriend. They've been dating for almost two years, and she's never gone without makeup.
Typical obsessive-compulsive disorder
"Being used to wearing makeup before going out and feeling good about oneself after makeup can lead to psychological dependence, which is called 'makeup addiction'," said Professor Yuan Mei, director of the Department of Psychiatry at Hanyang Hospital, a senior national psychological counselor, and a psychotherapist. She explained that she feels uncomfortable if she doesn't wear makeup, which leads her to repeat the habit and pursue perfection even more. This is a typical case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are reports from abroad of some extreme cases where people don't remove their makeup for years in order to maintain a perfect appearance.
Professor Yuan Mei said that "makeup addiction" is merely an outward manifestation of a psychological deviation; what they are actually masking is a fear of failure. Many highly educated women have very high expectations of themselves, subconsciously pursuing perfection excessively, being meticulous in every little thing related to themselves, and tolerating no carelessness. Gradually, this can transform from self-esteem, self-love, and excessively high self-expectations into narcissism, leading to the psychological disorder of makeup "addiction."
How to break free from makeup addiction? Professor Yuan Mei suggests not simply linking appearance to self-worth, but learning to have more positive self-evaluations and building confidence that "I'm beautiful even without makeup." Furthermore, recognizing that success in work and life doesn't solely depend on looks, learning self-acceptance and tolerance, and accepting one's imperfections will gradually help one break free from makeup addiction.
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