Does makeup help or hurt a woman's self-esteem?

According to this study, wearing makeup increases a woman’s likeability.

By Kim Anne Jan 4, 2013 8:29PM

When it comes to leaving the house without lipstick on, many of us just can’t bear to do it. Whether we’re going to run errands or heading to the office, some women feel strongly about puckering up and applying their go-to shade to feel their best. But is applying makeup before you head into the office good for your career? Perhaps.

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The debate on the subject is out. According to the New York Times, it could go either way. Some argue that a simple tube of lipstick makes a woman appear more competent, especially in regards to the workplace. A recent survey is confirming that to be the case, with findings that reveal wearing makeup increases a woman’s likeability and competence in the workplace.

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Others insist that it should be a choice, not a requirement. “If makeup enhances women’s self- confidence, they should by all means wear it,” Deborah Rhode a law professor at Stanford and the author of "The Beauty Bias," tells the Times. “But it should be a choice, not a requirement imposed on employees where it is not essential to job performance. The world would be a better place if women were judged more on competence and less on appearance.”