More than 30% of teenage girls feel unattractive when they are not wearing make-up, a new survey by online personal fitness plan Nuyoo has revealed.
As part of an investigation into the rising sales of cosmetics – up 4% from December 2015 to December 2016, according to the UK Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association – the website asked 852 women aged 18 and over about how and why they used make-up as a teenager.
The majority of these, at 54%, revealed that they chose to wear make-up because they were self-conscious about their looks.
Other common reasons included seeing their friends (49%), mother (20%) or peers on social media (9%) wearing make-up, while 9% of respondents admitted they wore it because they were bullied for their looks as a teenager.
When asked how they felt about going out bare-faced as teenagers, 34% felt self-conscious without make-up, while 31% said they felt unattractive.
'More to life than make-up'
Sacha Harding, a lifestyle expert at Nuyoo, said: “Unfortunately, many teenage girls are constantly concerned about how they look and that can take a toll on their self-esteem and perspective on life.
“As a nation, we need to teach them that there is more to life than that, and aspiring to look like a celebrity, or to jump on the bandwagon of the newest beauty product or procedure, is just unnecessary.”
Between 13-15 years old is the most common age to start wearing make-up, Nuyoo revealed, with 66% of respondents saying they started applying beauty products at this age.
Just 11% started younger, between 10-12 years, while 23% began wearing make-up between the ages of 16 and 18.
32% of women who wore make-up at school, meanwhile, admitted they were told off and asked to remove it.
Harding added: “Wearing make-up can be fun and should be considered a form of art.
However, young girls should not feel pressured into using cosmetics.
“Parents have the responsibility to teach young girls the power of natural beauty, and exploring options should they feel self-conscious.”
