Makeup as a Tool for Empowerment, Cultural Expression, and Social Inclusion: A Contemporary Analysis of the Global Beauty Industry

Abstract

The beauty industry around the globe is very strong and influential, making billions every year and guiding changes around the world. Besides its economic value, beauty industry helps people transform, support cultural traditions and move ahead socially(Turcu and Brancu). Until not long ago, makeup was seen as just for appearance, but today, it often helps transform ideas about gender, race, beauty and belonging. It highlights makeup as a way people can express their identities and beliefs on social and political issues, mainly used by marginalized people (Fletcher and Swierczynski).

This paper discusses how makeup helps people—especially women of color and those in diasporic communities—show their identity, be seen and earn money. Through makeup, people describe their heritage, defiance and status as survivors using artistic form(Rahman). In addition, the industry focusing more on inclusivity is a sign of power shifting, with grassroots groups and companies run by women of color opening up spaces that were once excluded.

Country : USA

1 Dayane Santos Sena

  1. .

IRJIET, Volume 9, Issue 6, June 2025 pp. 63-66

doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2025.906008

References

  1. Azmitia, Margarita, and Katherine Cumings Mansfield. “Editorial: Intersectionality and Identity Development: How Do We Conceptualize and Research Identity Intersectionalities in Youth Meaningfully?” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 12, Feb. 2021, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.625765.
  2. Craddock, Nadia, et al. “‘We Should Educate the Public That Cosmetic Procedures Are as Safe as Normal Medicine’: Understanding Corporate Social Responsibility from the Perspective of the Cosmetic Procedures Industry.” Body Image, vol. 43, Dec. 2022, pp. 75–86, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.08.011.
  3. Dey, C. Social Inequalities in Beauty and Appearance: An Indepth Analysis. Jan. 2024, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4999242.
  4. Fletcher, Luke, and Janusz Swierczynski. “Non-Binary Gender Identity Expression in the Workplace and the Role of Supportive HRM Practices, Co-Worker Allyship, and Job Autonomy.” International Journal of Human Resource Management, Routledge, Nov. 2023, pp. 1–34, https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2023.2284191.
  5. Hassan, Siti Hasnah, et al. “The Credibility of Social Media Beauty Gurus in Young Millennials’ Cosmetic Product Choice.” PLOS ONE, vol. 16, no. 3, Mar. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249286.
  6. Khairani, Leylia. “In the Light of Cultural Studies, the Contest of Javanese Deli Cultural Identity vs. Local Culture.” Atlantis-Press.com, Atlantis Press, Nov. 2022, pp. 87–92, https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-07-7_11.
  7. Montoya, Celeste M., et al. “The Intersectional Dynamics of Descriptive Representation.” Politics & Gender, Mar. 2021, pp. 1–30, https://doi.org/10.1017/s1743923x20000744.
  8. Rahman, Mizanur. “Art as Voice: Exploring the Cultural Expression of Stateless Rohingyas.” International Journal of Cultural Studies, SAGE Publishing, Apr. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1177/13678779251331634.
  9. Setter, Savannah. THE MEANING of MAKEUP: EMOTIONAL LABOR and PERFORMANCE in the BEAUTY INFLUENCER INDUSTRY. 2021, www.etd.ceu.edu/2021/setter_savannah.pdf.
  10. Sierminska, Eva, and Karan Singhal. “Does It Pay to Be Beautiful?” IZA World of Labor, June 2015, https://doi.org/10.15185/izawol.161.
  11. Turcu, Oana, and Cristian Brancu. “The Economic and Socio-Cultural Impact of the Beauty Industry in the European Union.” Proceedings of the ... International Conference on Business Excellence, vol. 18, no. 1, De Gruyter Open, June 2024, pp. 3737–48, https://doi.org/10.2478/picbe-2024-0304.