Makeup, An Attempt to Reach Eternal Beauty; Plastic Surgeon's View

In this paper, the authors aim to explore the reasons behind human makeup from both medical and literary perspectives. In a PubMed search for "makeup and cosmetics," 509 titles were identified. Of these, 64 abstracts were reviewed, and ultimately, 8 full texts were referenced. The poem "A Woman Young and Old" written by William Butler Yeats was analyzed. In Research Information Sharing Service ( https://www.riss.kr ), 4 full texts about the poem "A Woman Young and Old" were found and referenced. Common motivations for using makeup include enhancing natural features, boosting confidence, expressing creativity, covering imperfections, fulfilling cultural and social expectations, and meeting professional requirements. Makeup can make women appear younger. Makeup enhances the reward value of human facial appearance. Makeup can conceal blemishes, scars, dark circles, and other skin imperfections, resulting in a more even and flawless complexion. In a poem by Yeats "A Woman Young and Old," he describes a young woman applying makeup and captures a moment in which she engages in the ritual of enhancing her beauty. The line "I'm looking for the face I had before the world was made" speaks to a longing for something beyond the mundane, a yearning for a deeper connection with existence. "Before this world was made" is a typical poetic turn of phrase that compares women to eternal beauty. The reasons why women use makeup are diverse and multifaceted, reflecting a combination of personal preferences, societal influences, and individual motivations. Makeup can be a powerful tool for expressing oneself, boosting one's confidence, and enhancing one's natural beauty.