Crimson Conundrum: Does Red Lipstick Truly Captivate Male University Students?

Abstract

Attractiveness is a highly valued attribute in a partner, particularly in short-term relationships. This research examined whether there was a significant difference among experimental subjects in their ratings of females wearing red lipstick as attractive. This was explored through the lens of the Madonna–whore complex, assessed based on lipstick color, with pink speculated to represent the Madonna and red representing the whore, based on Freudian concepts. This research employed a quasi-experimental design for hypothesis testing. The subjects consisted of 61 male university students. The subjects were presented with visual stimuli featuring two AI-generated female photographs, differentiated by two lipstick colors: red or pink. The instrument was validated using relevant theories and an answer distribution test. The hypothesis testing, conducted using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, revealed a significant difference among experimental subjects in rating females wearing red lipstick as attractive (Mdn = 4, IQR = 3, p = .001, r = .22). This significant find-ing contributes importantly by highlighting the relevance of the Madonna–whore complex framework within the Indonesian cultural context, opening opportunities for exploring new variables and emphasizing the importance of considering cultural and gender norms in the perception of attractiveness.