Cosmetics Make Women Seem More Likable, Competent, Trustworthy and Attractive, Says Study - ABC News

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cosmetics-make-women-likable-competent-trustworthy-attractive-study/story?id=14659706

As part of my Activism project, I interviewed my Spanish instructor this morning and she told me about this story she read on ABC News's website.
This story tied into my project by showing how the outward appearance of women has an effect on daily things such as job interviews and how we are perceived to others. Participants (briefly) looked at pictures of women and rated their competence, likeability, attractiveness and truthworthiness.
The participants gave women that had more make up on a higher rating than the women with little to no make up on. HOWEVER, when the participants examined the photographs for a longer amount of time, the opinions they based their ratings on changed.
I was not very impressed with this study (partly because it was funded by Proctor & Gamble- um...which owns big cosmetic companies...)- however, what the study showed is true unfortunately: women do in fact get judged on our outward appearance.

One thing my instructor mentioned to me was that prior to coming to SCC, she had held a job with a Chilian Bank transferring huge amounts of money- she has a masters degree, so this was a fitting position for her. Once she became pregnant with her daughter, she moved to the U.S. to be closer to her family. When she began applying for jobs here (circa 1983), employers flat out refused to interview her for any type of management position (but offered her a secretial job...). After this, she began not including her first name on applications- which helped a little bit, but she still faced sexism.
Anyway, my instructor and I talked at great length regarding the pressures women feel every single day.
I learned that my Spanish instructor is an awesome lady that has overcome so many obstacles in her lifetime.
She said that she burned her bra in the 60's- and she feels that although our country has improved- that there is still so much more work that needs to be done in making things equal for all.
How true that is.