The Design and Effect Analysis of MUSE Project to Reduce Self-Esteem Disparity Based on Make-Up Status among Female High School Students

Abstract

Make-up culture has recently emerged as a major trend among adolescents, and their knowledge of this culture is acquired from their peers. Adolescence is a period in which peer relationships have a significant effect on individuals’ behavior and self-esteem. Also, adolescents are conscious of others’ evaluation because they only want to exhibit their ideal-self. They generally apply make-up for various reasons; pursuing ideal beauty, concealing their insecurities and improving their own self-esteem. The purpose of this study is to design and implement the MUSE(Make-Up & Self-Esteem) project, to reduce self-esteem disparity based on make-up status. Ten female adolescents(mean age=17.0 yrs, SD=1.49) participated in the MUSE project, in which the participants gradually reduced their make-up steps and posted feelings about this on SNS. Also, events were designed for the participants to enhance their interest and become more focused on themselves without make-up. Resultantly, it was obeserved that after the project, the gap between the particiapnts’ self-esteem with and without make-up decreased. More specifically, there was no significant difference in self-esteem with make-up before and after participating in the project, but a significant increase was observed in self-esteem without make-up after the project. Although the participants were mostly satisfied with the project, individual interviews were conducted to obtain feedback regarding how the project could be improved. The participants suggested that future project could be developed within their own peer group and the term of the project could be extended so that the participants could become accustomed to daily make-up reducing steps.